Sapiens

by Yuval Noah Harari

Melbourne 2017

The Beginning of Sapiens

Around 70,000 years ago, the first humans appeared, marking a distinct point in the evolutionary history of Homo sapiens. If left on an island with a chimpanzee, the chimpanzee might survive due to its adaptability and physical prowess. However, humans possess a unique ability to cooperate in large numbers, a trait that no other animal shares.

The Power of Collective Belief

All significant achievements in human history have been accomplished through cooperation in large numbers. This cooperation is possible because humans can create and believe in fictional stories, which allow them to share the same norms and values. This shared belief in common fictions and stories enables large-scale human cooperation.

Money: A Master Fiction

One of the most successful stories ever told by humans is the concept of money. It is a fiction that everyone believes, enabling unprecedented scales of cooperation and trade.

Ideal Community Dynamics

The ideal size for a group that can live together harmoniously is about 150 people. This group size is considered a natural community where stable relationships can be maintained. Gossip plays a crucial role in forming these stable communities, as it helps to reinforce shared norms and values rooted in common myths.

Sapiens vs. Neanderthals: The Cognitive Edge

While Neanderthals may have been stronger, sapiens developed the ability to create strategies and imagine realities that didn’t exist. This cognitive revolution led to diverse behaviors and the development of various cultures, which in turn created a rich tapestry of human history.

The Agricultural Revolution: A Double-Edged Sword

The agricultural revolution, while increasing the human population and stabilizing food supplies, is considered by some historians as "the biggest fraud in human history." It resulted in hard labor, unhealthy food, and detrimental work habits.

Understanding Happiness and Suffering

The search for happiness and the experience of suffering are deeply rooted in human psychology. Siddhartha taught that suffering is caused by one's own thinking, particularly from craving, and achieving nirvana means extinguishing this fiery desire. Happiness, as studied by Daniel Kahneman and others, often contradicts intuitive expectations; it is not significantly determined by external factors like wealth or social status but by internal biochemical mechanisms.

The Future: Intelligent Design and Singularity

Looking forward, the end of natural selection suggests that life will increasingly be ruled by intelligent design. This can manifest in three forms: biological engineering, cyborg engineering, and the engineering of inorganic life. These developments pose fundamental questions about what humans aspire to become and what desires they wish to cultivate.

Conclusion: The Quest for Self-Knowledge

In essence, humans are not merely their feelings or transient desires. True happiness comes from understanding and mastering one's internal state rather than pursuing external pleasures. As humanity continues to evolve, both technologically and socially, the challenge remains to align our individual pursuits with collective well-being and to question the essence of what it means to live a fulfilled life.