Yuval Noah Harari's Nexus - points to ponder - 2

Yuval Noah Harari's "Nexus" -  points to ponder - 2

Following my previous review, here are more critical insights from Yuval Harari’s Nexus, a book that dissects the information revolution and its impact on our future.

1. The Divide Between Science and Religion

Harari highlights that science thrives because of its self-correcting mechanisms. Academic results are subject to rigorous peer review and constant scrutiny. Religions, however, lack such a framework. Even when errors are admitted centuries later, religious institutions tend to blame individuals rather than the system itself.

While the Christian Church has occasionally acknowledged its follies after being confronted by scientific evidence, many other mainstream religions refuse to acknowledge mistakes by any authority whatsoever. In contrast, science allows—and encourages—criticism of the system itself. Religious doctrines are often treated as sacrosanct: unquestionable and unalterable.

Interestingly, Harari notes that some modern Marxists follow a similar path, treating Marxist principles as an all-encompassing, eternal truth. This leads Harari to categorize Marxism as a "humanity-centric religion" of the modern age—where the goal isn't God-realization, but the creation of a "heaven-like" humane society.

2. The Evolution of Spirituality

Harari suggests that traditional religions may become irrelevant, replaced by new belief systems evolved through AI and based on scientific principles.

This echoed a memory for me: back in the nineties, during a seminar at Aazhiyar (the headquarters of spiritual guru Vethathri Maharishi), the Guru opined that spiritual concepts must evolve with new ideas, much like science does. It is fascinating to see Harari mirror Vethathri’s thoughts decades later, suggesting that intellectual and technological dominance will lead to a new era of spiritual concepts.

3. Intersubjective Reality

A core concept in Harari's work is Intersubjective Reality. While we understand "objective" truth (physical facts) and "subjective" truth (personal feelings), intersubjective reality exists between the two.

The Shared Myth: Concepts like God, nationalism, and currency exist only because millions of people believe in the same story.

These realities are adopted by societies based on collective faith. According to Harari, religions, political movements, and nations are primarily sustained by this intersubjective glue.

4. Information as a Political Weapon

In the age of the internet, political populism has taken center stage. A massive "propaganda blitz" is often unleashed to push specific agendas. While lies and deceit have always existed in politics, social media provides a massive, unprecedented advantage to those who can manipulate the narrative.

Some pundits argue that this situation negates the concept of democracy. If vested interests with vast financial and media clout can manipulate election outcomes, the core of democracy—people’s power—is defeated. In countries like India, where a politico-religious-corporate nexus is increasingly visible, a solution remains elusive, though hope lies in a more educated and discerning populace.

5. The Rise of the Social Credit System

Perhaps the most thought-provoking concept is the potential for a Social Credit System. Much like financial credit agencies score our worthiness for loans, Harari warns of systems that rate social behavior, both online and offline.

With constant monitoring through smartphones and platforms like Google, every activity is recorded. Harari envisions a future where these "social scores" determine access to jobs, loans, or public office. If states use these algorithms to suppress dissent, it would deal a devastating blow to the concept of a free society.