Nexus

Yuval Harari's work is always compelling, thought-provoking and deeply human. As a historian, he is skilled at linking humanity's present times and crises with similar events in our past to suggest and warn how future events might play out. In Nexus, he examines the history of human information networks from the Stone Age to our current troubles with social media etc. He is particularly compelling on the subject of artificial intelligence, showing how, unless we are very careful, we will find ourselves controlled by AI. Human civilizations and indeed our very survival are at stake, he warns..

I thoroughly enjoyed Sapiens and later devoured Homo Deus. I like the author's style, approach and flow of argument. That's not to say I always agree or think that something may be missing or simplified, but that's also part of the reading experience - that the imagination is stimulated and assumptions challenged. In short, his books are always thought provoking. Consequently, I seized this copy as soon as I could and thoroughly enjoyed my first read and have returned to it to re-read some sections in slower time. I value the opportunity to read and internalize the ideas, processing and… show more.

While this is not my favorite Harari book, the author is such a good writer and provocative, original thinker and historian that I'll read anything he writes. I was not disappointed, as this book brings to light so many of the issues we face with AI. The history of how governments control information for good or ill was also fascinating. Books such as Homo Deus and Sapiens are so good that they would be hard to match, but this one is well worth a read.

Yuval Noah Harari’s Nexus examines how information has shaped humanity throughout history, from the Stone Age to modern politics, and the existential challenges we now face. As a psychologist and applied neuroscientist, I resonate with his insights into how information influences both our behavior and societies. His exploration of its complex role, from myth to power, aligns with my own work on adaptability and resilience in the face of rapid technological change.

Nexus offers a thought-provoking perspective on navigating the future and rediscovering our shared humanity amid these challenges. For anyone interested in the broader impact of technology on the… show more.