Homo Deus is a meandering book that synthesizes many subject areas — including interesting bits of context from social psychology, biology and, ofHomo Deus is a meandering book that synthesizes many subject areas — including interesting bits of context from social psychology, biology and, of course, history — to make a assertion about where humanity stands presently and where it’s heading.
The general assertion of the book is that twenty-first century humanity will strive for “immortality, bliss, and divinity” (56). Harari examines the potential side-effects of our technological progress, what they mean for the human condition, and what it truly means to be human.
The book is split into three parts: the first attempts to define what makes humans special (and unique) compared to other life on earth, the second seeks to explore how we presently assign meaning to our lives (e.g. Our careers and pleasures/experiences), and the third explores the problems that we’ll face as civilization as we move forward and lose our traditional sources of meaning (AI can do our jobs and make art better than us).
Harari does a good job of moving fast to build his arguments, but in doing so sacrifices depth about any one subject. It felt like a long lecture (and I personally love that). It’s definitely meant as an open-ended book that provides questions, not answers.
Filled with wise words, applicable to people of all backgrounds. Here are some of the quotes that resonated most with me:
"After you have practiced forFilled with wise words, applicable to people of all backgrounds. Here are some of the quotes that resonated most with me:
"After you have practiced for a while, you will realize that it is not possible to make rapid, extraordinary progress. Even though you try very hard, the progress you make is always little by little." (Pg. 31)
"To cook is not just to prepare food for someone or yourself; it is to express your sincerity. So when you cook you should express yourself in your activity in the kitchen. You should allow yourself plenty of time; you should work on it with nothing in your mind, and without expecting anything. You should just cook! That is also an expression of our sincerity, a part of our practice." (Pg. 37-38)
"Just continue in your calm, ordinary practice and your character will be built up. If your mind is always busy, there will be not time to build, and you will not be successful, particularly if you work too hard on it." (Pg. 43)
"When you listen to someone, you should give up all your preconceived ideas and your subjective opinions; you should just listen to him, just observe what his way is." (Pg. 76)
"It is because our way of observing things is deeply rooted in our self-centered ideas that we are disappointed when we find everything has only a tentative existence." (Pg. 103-104)
I foresee myself coming back to this periodically....more
I didn't mean to read this at the moment, but once I started it, it was hard to put down. Meditations, which is essentially a collection of pithyI didn't mean to read this at the moment, but once I started it, it was hard to put down. Meditations, which is essentially a collection of pithy statements, is really accessible and addictive ("just one more"). Some of my takeaways / favorite quotes:
Focus on the present task at hand.
"Concentrate every minute ... on doing what's in front of you with precise and genuine seriousness, tenderly, willingly, with justice. And on freeing yourself from all other distractions" (2.5)
Because there is nothing but the present.
"[T]he longest-lived and those who will die soonest lose the same thing. The present is all they can give up, since that is all you have, and what you do not have, you cannot lose." (2.14)
You can change yourself and hold yourself to high standards.
"[T]reat human beings as they deserve, be tolerant with others and strict with yourself. Remember, nothing belongs to you but your flesh and blood—nothing else is under your control" (5.33)
"The best revenge is not to be like that" (6.6)
"If anyone can refute me—show me I'm making a mistake or looking at things from the wrong perspective—I'll gladly change. It's the truth I'm after, and the truth never harmed anyone. What harms us is to persist in self-deceit and ignorance" (6.21)
You can't control others, but you can attempt to understand them and their actions.
"When people injure you, ask yourself what good or harm they thought would come of it. If you understand that, you'll feel sympathy rather than outrage or anger" (7.26)
"It's silly to try to escape other people's faults. They are inescapable. Just try to escape your own." (7.71)
Our time is short and time marches forward.
"The earth will cover us all, and then be transformed in turn, and that too will change, ad infinitum. And that as well, ad infinitum. Think about them: the waves of change and alteration, endlessly breaking. And see our brief mortality for what it is" (9.28)
This was my third attempt at getting through the novel (making it 40 pages and 80 pages into the book in previous attempts). The translation and/orThis was my third attempt at getting through the novel (making it 40 pages and 80 pages into the book in previous attempts). The translation and/or age make it a little difficult to read -- at least for me. It was worth persisting though.
I kept finding myself frustrated with the actions of K. Oftentimes the actions he took as a protagonist were illogical and non-direct (almost accepting his fate to too large a degree, complacency).
The purpose and core concepts behind The Trial are highly relevant today -- in a world where things like the FISA court exist. Both in The Trial and in modern times, it seem the trial itself is almost more destructive than the outcome. Long and costly legal battles along with the tattering of reputations makes one guilty-until-proven-innocent.
I foresee myself rereading this in the future....more
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