Homo Deus: Humanity’s Evolution from Social Institutions to World Peace

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Brian

12 episodes

8 months ago

We are living in times of unprecedented technological development. Many of the tools and devices we invented 20 years ago are obsolete today. In his internationally best selling book, "Homo Deus: A Brief History of Tomorrow", Yuval Noah Harari observes that this development is continuing in important fields such as genetic engineering, regenerative medicine and nanotechnology. Harari predicts that developments in these fields will transform us into super-humans. We might become biologically enhanced humans, cyborg beings or possibly fully non-organic beings. At the same time though, Harari notes that this technological development, and the unrestrained economic growth needed to support it, are leading us to potential ecological catastrophe. This raises the question, can we keep on growing the economy indefinitely without facing ecological disaster? If our technological development is on a collision course with ecological disaster, maybe our future isn’t just ‘more technological development’ but something else all together? ...To gain a deeper understanding of who we are as Homo Sapiens, Harari looks back to the Cognitive Revolution, 70,000 years ago. Something changed for us in the Cognitive Revolution such that we went on to dominate all other species. Prior to the Cognitive Revolution, our ancestors had the best technology and highest intelligence on the planet for over a million years. Yet we remained an insignificant ape, with little impact on the ecology around us. So what changed? Harari points not to technology, but to changes in the way we cooperate. During the Cognitive Revolution we developed ‘imagined orders’ that enabled large groups of strangers to cooperate together flexibly. Other animals are not able to do this, and this lead to our dominance. ... I really liked Harari’s book. He is an excellent writer and has many great insights. But at the same time, I think he overlooked some aspect of human evolution that if properly considered, would lead to a different most likely future. In this podcast “Homo Deus: Humanity’s Evolution from Social Institutions to World Peace”, we will review the ideas raised in Harari’s book, but also explore alternate possibilities. In particular, could there be another change in the way humans cooperate coming? If our previous major evolutionary step had to do with how we cooperate, maybe our next evolutionary step will too? If you are interested in thinking about the future this podcast is for you.

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Episodes (12/12)

Homo Deus: Humanity’s Evolution from Social Institutions to World Peace

#11 Practice Makes Perfect

In episode #10 we completed our review of Harari’s book, but there is still a little bit more to talk about. Throughout this podcast I have referred to re-training our desires and learning new methods of cooperating, but I haven’t discussed many details. In this wrap-up episode, we will consider what this training might look like. What kinds of groups might you join? What are the common pitfalls for these groups? We will finish by considering how this training might be the missing ingredient in our efforts to address climate change.

For comments and questions: brianpracticingforpeace@zohomail.com
Transcript: https://brianpracticingforpeace.medium.com/11-practice-makes-perfect-ec6b16d07095

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4 years ago

35 minutes 8 seconds

Homo Deus: Humanity’s Evolution from Social Institutions to World Peace

#10 Survival of the Fittest

Having established that humanism is in decline, Harari addresses the question, ‘what new religions or ideologies might fill the resulting vacuum?’ Two religions that are already here and may step forward are Techno-Humanism and the Data Religion. We will discuss the likelihood of these technology-religions succeeding and also loop back to the concept of survival of the fittest. Will humanity really be more fit for survival within the earthly ecosystems if these religions do succeed? Does it even matter?

For comments and questions: brianpracticingforpeace@zohomail.com
Transcript: https://brianpracticingforpeace.medium.com/10-survival-of-the-fittest-6303e6950d42

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4 years ago

36 minutes 35 seconds

Homo Deus: Humanity’s Evolution from Social Institutions to World Peace

#9 The Risk of Alien Invasion

In chapter 9 of his book, Harari discusses the threats posed by Artificial Intelligence including (1) undermining our understanding of ourselves as individuals, (2) eliminating employment for the majority of humanity and (3) taking over the world and wiping out humans. We will discuss these risks as well as other existential risks faced by humanity such as the eruption of a super-volcano or invasion by an alien species. With all these risks facing us, where should we focus our attention?

For comments and questions: brianpracticingforpeace@zohomail.com
Transcript: https://brianpracticingforpeace.medium.com/9-the-risk-of-alien-invasion-5e1b1497ada8

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4 years ago

37 minutes 27 seconds

Homo Deus: Humanity’s Evolution from Social Institutions to World Peace

#8 Transition Points in our Development

In chapter 8 of his book, Harari describes how advances in science are undermining the ‘facts’ that Humanism depends on. When these advances result in changes to everyday technology, routine activities and economic structures, it is hard to see how Humanism will last. We will talk about some of these technological advances, such as robo-rats. In addition, given that Humanism may be in decline, we will look back to some of the previous transition points in our path of development and see if there are any lessons for today.
For comments and questions: brianpracticingforpeace@zohomail.com
Transcript: https://brianpracticingforpeace.medium.com/8-transition-points-in-our-development-24eb9379868c

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4 years ago

34 minutes 21 seconds

Homo Deus: Humanity’s Evolution from Social Institutions to World Peace

#7 Solid Ground for Ethics?

In chapter 7 of his book, Harari gives his fullest description of the Humanist religion. In modern society, humanity plays the role that God used to play in monotheism. This transition, started in Europe, lead to important changes in the way Ethics, Politics, Art, Economics and Education are approached. On the other hand, all forms of Humanism and Monotheism agree on some points such as murder and theft being wrong. Is it possible to find any solid ground behind these common conclusions? If Humanism loses its organizing power, like so many religions before it, can these common conclusions point to a possible future?

For comments and questions: brianpracticingforpeace@zohomail.com
Transcript: https://brianpracticingforpeace.medium.com/7-solid-ground-for-ethics-a8a6575123d7

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4 years ago

50 minutes 47 seconds

Homo Deus: Humanity’s Evolution from Social Institutions to World Peace

#6 Hope is a Fuel

In chapter 6 of his book, Harari sums up our current predicament well. Modernity is a deal he tells us - humans give up meaning in exchange for power. This deal is fuelled by economic growth and the hope of endless future economic growth. The nemesis of this deal is ecological collapse including climate change. Is it rationale to put our hope for the future in continuing economic growth? If not, where can we find hope? Is it possible to find an enduring hope that energizes us to directly face our problems and overcome them?

For comments and questions: brianpracticingforpeace@zohomail.com
Transcript: https://brianpracticingforpeace.medium.com/6-hope-is-a-fuel-5d9d4cbbebca

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4 years ago

31 minutes 39 seconds

Homo Deus: Humanity’s Evolution from Social Institutions to World Peace

#5 The Veil of Misunderstanding

In chapter 5 of his book, Harari talks about the relationship between science and religion. It seems that people have already said a million times everything there is to say about this question. Yet in practice Harari tells us, science and religion are like a husband and wife who after 500 years of marriage counselling still don't know each other – they are the odd couple. What Harari says in this chapter makes a lot of sense. But neither scientists nor religious adherents seem to understand it. Why there is still so much confusion?
For comments and questions: brianpracticingforpeace@zohomail.com
Transcript: https://brianpracticingforpeace.medium.com/5-the-veil-of-misunderstanding-e162d74ef41b

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4 years ago

29 minutes 52 seconds

Homo Deus: Humanity’s Evolution from Social Institutions to World Peace

#4 Losing your Religion is Difficult

In chapter 4 of his book, Harari explains how ancient Sumerian gods are similar to today’s corporations. This sounds odd at first, but Harari explains how both the Sumerian god Enki and the modern Apple corporation can accomplish a great deal – if we all act like they really exist. Also, we will discuss how Harari’s book Homo Deus, is similar to the Bible. Again, it sounds odd, but we will see if we can find any strong similarities.

For comments and questions: brianpracticingforpeace@zohomail.com
Transcript: https://brianpracticingforpeace.medium.com/4-losing-your-religion-is-difficult-9000e9a3d78c

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4 years ago

33 minutes 32 seconds

Homo Deus: Humanity’s Evolution from Social Institutions to World Peace

#1 The Greatest Threat to Humanity

In his book, Harari claims that war, plague and famine are the three great challenges that humanity has faced and that we have now largely overcome them. Therefore, in the future, humanity will be, and already are, focused on immortality, happiness and divinity. We will ask the following questions: Has war really been defeated? Or should we still be concerned about the possibility of another wide-scale war? And secondly, are famine, plague and war really the three great scourges of humanity? Or has humanity faced an even greater challenge from something else?
Contact: brianpracticingforpeace@zohomail.com
https://brianpracticingforpeace.medium.com/1-the-greatest-threat-to-humanity-23eca91ed82f?source=friends_link&sk=2cbaa50beba23875b9fd99f6d501ac38

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4 years ago

32 minutes 24 seconds

Homo Deus: Humanity’s Evolution from Social Institutions to World Peace

#3 What Happens When We Run Out of Stories?

What is unique about Homo sapiens that enables them to dominate all the other animals? People often guess tool production or intelligence. But Harari explains that the real answer is that we are able to cooperate flexibly in a way that no other animal can. We cooperate using storytelling and ‘imagined orders’. In this episode we will review how these ‘imagined orders’ work and then ask the following questions: How did this unique ability arise? Is there a limit to this ability? If so, what happens when we reach that limit?
Contact: brianpracticingforpeace@zohomail.com

https://brianpracticingforpeace.medium.com/3-what-happens-when-we-run-out-of-stories-88c81b6d4fca

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4 years ago

34 minutes 12 seconds

Homo Deus: Humanity’s Evolution from Social Institutions to World Peace

#2 The Religion That Never Changes

This episode focuses on chapter two of Harari’s book, the Anthropocene, the age of man. Harari observes that the world is now mainly populated by humans and their domesticated animals. Wild animals exist only on the margins, and many of them have gone or are going extinct. Harari talks about the Agricultural Deal and explains how theistic religions arose to help early farmers justify the domestication of animals. On the other hand, many aspects of Homo sapien religion did not change in the Agricultural Revolution. We will explore these unchanged aspects and discuss what it tells us about Homo sapiens.
Contact: brianpracticingforpeace@zohomail.com
Transcript: https://brianpracticingforpeace.medium.com/2-the-religion-that-never-changes-3722b2f683ef

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4 years ago

36 minutes 9 seconds

Homo Deus: Humanity’s Evolution from Social Institutions to World Peace

What is this podcast about?

This extended trailer episode discusses what this podcast is all about and who would be interested in it. It also discusses the evolutionary disruption that the grey wolves encountered and asks whether there are lessons we can learn from the wolves?

Transcript: https://brianpracticingforpeace.medium.com/homo-deus-humanitys-evolution-from-social-institutions-to-world-peace-introduction-d3289af7641b

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4 years ago

10 minutes 43 seconds

Homo Deus: Humanity’s Evolution from Social Institutions to World Peace

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