Yuval Noah Harari: Why advanced societies fall for mass delusion
In his compelling discourse, renowned historian Yuval Noah Harari poses a crucial question: Why do advanced societies often fall for mass delusions? Despite our remarkable intellect, groundbreaking achievements, and advancements—from reaching the moon to deciphering DNA—we stand at the brink of significant self-destruction through ecological collapse and the dangers of uncontrolled artificial intelligence (AI). Harari’s latest book, “Nexus,” delves into this paradox, arguing that the root of our issues lies not within human nature itself but in the information we consume.
He suggests that humans are essentially good and wise, but poor information can lead to disastrous decisions. Exploring the interplay of storytelling and information technology, Harari reveals how mythologies and ideologies have shaped societal cooperations, from ancient civilizations to modern democracies. As AI begins to create narratives and influence society, we face dilemmas about reality’s representation and the integrity of our information systems. Harari stresses the urgent need for robust institutions that embrace self-correcting mechanisms to navigate these complexities and safeguard our future. In an era defined by an influx of information, understanding its nature and truth becomes increasingly critical.
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“The problem is in our information. Humans, yes, we are generally good and wise, but if you give good people bad information, they make bad decisions.”
Human history is a paradox: we accumulate knowledge at astonishing speed, while remaining vulnerable to deception, superstition, and the stories that steer entire civilizations.
From the first clay tablets to today’s global media systems, the structures that carry our ideas have always shaped what societies can build, believe, and destroy. That paradox is even more important in the age of AI, says Yuval Noah Harari.
0:00 If humans are so smart, why are we on the verge of destruction?
1:45 Why is the quality of our information decreasing?
2:19 The rise of alien intelligence
14:20 How information technology shapes society
19:52 The rise of inorganic information
28:21 The importance of human institutions
37:09 Information isn’t truth
Read the video transcript ► https://bigthink.com/ftm_episode/collapse-of-truth/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=video&utm_campaign=youtube_description
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About Yuval Noah Harari:
Yuval Noah Harari, born in Israel in 1976, is a historian and philosopher renowned for his bestselling books, including Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind, Homo Deus: A Brief History of Tomorrow, 21 Lessons for the 21st Century, and Nexus: A Brief History of Information Networks from the Stone Age to AI. His works have sold over 45 million copies in 65 languages, establishing him as a leading public intellectual.
Harari earned his PhD from the University of Oxford in 2002 and currently lectures at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. In 2019, he co-founded Sapienship, a social impact company focused on education and storytelling, with his husband, Itzik Yahav. His research delves into macro-historical questions, exploring the relationships between history and biology, the distinctions between Homo sapiens and other animals, and the ethical implications of science and technology in the 21st century.
Harari has delivered keynote speeches at the World Economic Forum and engaged in discussions with global leaders, including Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz, Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte, and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis. His influential works and public engagements continue to shape contemporary discourse on humanity’s past, present, and future.
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Video “Yuval Noah Harari: Why advanced societies fall for mass delusion” was uploaded on 12/11/2025 to Youtube Channel Big Think