Nexus: A Brief History of Information Networks from the Stone Age to AI. Yuval Harari. Summary

This is a summary— a shortened version of the book. Only the most valuable thoughts, ideas, cases, and examples.

It all began with the stories our impressionable ancestors told each other by the light of a campfire. These myths and legends explained the world, filled people with hope, and—most importantly—helped them feel like they weren’t alone in an enormous world, but part of a single tribe. The invention of writing, the printing press, and the internet made human society increasingly powerful.

But not wiser: the spread of information made it possible to go to the Moon and to burn witches at the stake. Radio broadcast not only classical music, but also Hitler’s speeches. Social media make us closer, yet they can easily turn into an instrument for manipulating the masses.

And now, when—for the first time in history!—we managed to create an intelligence that can make decisions without our help, we should ask ourselves: did we go too far? And most importantly, what are the chances of regulating what’s happening?

Yuval Harari offers an answer in his new book.