21 Lessons for the 21st Century in Pick-a-Shelf

Aug 28, 2018 Marie (UK) rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 2018-reading-challenge

OMG this is a brilliant and utterly fascinating traits on what life and humanity might be like in the mid 21st Centurt. The author makes many references to 2050 but despite his very readable and eloquently put theories it is difficult to envisage his "realities" in such a short time frame. He suggests that the changes in the next 3 or 4 decades are likely to be bigger than those of the last 3 or 4 centuries if not more.

He divides the book, as the title suggest into 21 characteristics or componen OMG this is a brilliant and utterly fascinating traits on what life and humanity might be like in the mid 21st Centurt. The author makes many references to 2050 but despite his very readable and eloquently put theories it is difficult to envisage his "realities" in such a short time frame. He suggests that the changes in the next 3 or 4 decades are likely to be bigger than those of the last 3 or 4 centuries if not more.

He divides the book, as the title suggest into 21 characteristics or components of humanity. Some have more resonance than others. His definition of life in 2050 requires the individual to encompass wide changes in reality and to re-invent himself to make this work. The section on AI is particularly interesting. What will the robotics industry do to society? Will there be anyone who can follow a profession for life? Will we need to continually re invent ourselves? Will this marginalise different sections of the population and if so how can that effect be ameliorated? I might not agree with all his philosophies but they definitely make interesting reading.

What will be our most valuable in the future? Harari suggests this might be Data but which data and how trustworthy will it be. He develops this argument later in the book in his examination of Truth, ignorance and post-truth. How long has fake news been part of our lives? Is this new or evident in history.

I struggled most with his discussions around Religion, God and Secularism perhaps because of differences in our belief systems

It is always difficult to absorb a non-fiction book in one sitting but this is certainly better than many others. Moreover, it is one I would have no difficulty dipping in and out of at a later date. I don't think it has to be read in order and I would like to re read the sections on Community and Nationalism.

This was an ARC and I am extremely grateful to net galley for the opportunity to read and review. I found it difficult to access the notations on kindle and I wouldn't say no to a hardcopy - perhaps i should put it on my christmas list ...more

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