#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • From the author of Sapiens comes the groundbreaking story of how information networks have made, and unmade, our world. “Strikingly original . . . A historian whose arguments operate on the scale of millennia has managed to capture the zeitgeist perfectly.”—The Economist “This deeply important book comes at a critical time as we all think through the implications of AI and automated content production. . . . Masterful and provocative.”—Mustafa Suleyman, author of The Coming Wave For the last 100,000 years, we Sapiens have accumulated enormous power. But despite all our discoveries, inventions, and conquests, we now find ourselves in an existential crisis. The world is on the verge of ecological collapse. Misinformation abounds. And we are rushing headlong into the age of AI—a new information network that threatens to annihilate us. For all that we have accomplished, why are we so self-destructive? Nexus looks through the long lens of human history to consider how the flow of information has shaped us, and our world. Taking us from the Stone Age, through the canonization of the Bible, early modern witch-hunts, Stalinism, Nazism, and the resurgence of populism today, Yuval Noah Harari asks us to consider the complex relationship between information and truth, bureaucracy and mythology, wisdom and power. He explores how different societies and political systems throughout history have wielded information to achieve their goals, for good and ill. And he addresses the urgent choices we face as non-human intelligence threatens our very existence. Information is not the raw material of truth; neither is it a mere weapon. Nexus explores the hopeful middle ground between these extremes, and in doing so, rediscovers our shared humanity.
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About the author
Yuval Noah Harari
Author
Yuval Noah Harari is an Israeli medievalist, military historian, public intellectual, and popular science writer. He currently serves as professor in the Department of History at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. His first bestselling book, Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind (2011) is based on his lectures to an undergraduate world history class. His other works include the bestsellers Homo Deus: A Brief History of Tomorrow (2016), 21 Lessons for the 21st Century (2018), and Nexus: A Brief History of Information Networks from the Stone Age to AI (2024). His published work examines themes of free will, consciousness, intelligence, happiness, suffering and the role of storytelling in human evolution.
Nexus
by Yuval Noah Harari
Books Like Nexus
If you're looking for books similar to Nexus, here are some recommendations based on themes, tone, and narrative style.
Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind
Yuval Noah Harari
A groundbreaking exploration of human history that traces the evolution of our species from prehistoric times to the present. Harari examines how humans came to dominate the planet through cognitive, agricultural, and scientific revolutions. The book provides a sweeping narrative of human development, challenging readers to understand our collective journey and potential future. It offers profound insights into how information, culture, and technology have shaped human civilization. A perfect companion to Nexus, this book provides deep context for understanding human progress and potential.
The Information: A History, a Theory, a Flood
James Gleick
A comprehensive exploration of how information has transformed human society throughout history. Gleick traces the development of communication technologies and their profound impact on human understanding and interaction. The book delves into the nature of information, from early language to digital communication. It examines how information networks have reshaped human knowledge and social structures. A thought-provoking work that complements Nexus's exploration of information's role in human civilization.
Homo Deus: A Brief History of Tomorrow
Yuval Noah Harari
A visionary exploration of humanity's future, examining how technological advances might reshape human existence. Harari investigates the potential trajectories of human development, focusing on artificial intelligence, biotechnology, and their implications. The book challenges readers to consider how emerging technologies might fundamentally alter human experience and purpose. It provides a speculative yet rigorous analysis of potential future scenarios. A natural extension of the themes explored in Nexus, offering deep insights into human potential and technological transformation.
21 Lessons for the 21st Century
Yuval Noah Harari
A comprehensive examination of the most pressing challenges facing humanity in the modern era. Harari addresses critical issues including technological disruption, ecological challenges, and the future of human society. The book provides insights into how emerging technologies and global challenges are reshaping human experience. It offers a nuanced perspective on navigating complex global transformations. A perfect complement to Nexus, providing a broad view of contemporary human challenges.
Thinking, Fast and Slow
Daniel Kahneman
A groundbreaking exploration of human cognitive processes and decision-making. Kahneman reveals the complex interactions between intuitive and analytical thinking. The book provides deep insights into how humans process information and make judgments. It challenges readers to understand the hidden mechanisms of human cognition. A profound examination of human information processing.
Superintelligence
Nick Bostrom
A rigorous exploration of the potential impacts of artificial intelligence on human civilization. Bostrom examines the existential risks and transformative potential of advanced AI technologies. The book provides a comprehensive analysis of how non-human intelligence might reshape human existence. It raises critical questions about technological development and human survival. A profound investigation of AI's potential consequences.
The Age of Surveillance Capitalism
Shoshana Zuboff
A critical examination of how digital technologies are transforming human behavior and social structures. Zuboff reveals how modern information networks predict and manipulate human actions through data collection. The book explores the profound implications of surveillance technologies on individual freedom and societal dynamics. It provides a deep analysis of how information becomes a tool of control and prediction. A powerful companion to Nexus, offering insights into the darker potential of information networks.
The Shallows: What the Internet Is Doing to Our Brains
Nicholas Carr
An insightful investigation into how digital technologies are reshaping human cognition and information processing. Carr explores how the internet and digital media are altering our neural pathways and cognitive capabilities. The book examines the profound psychological impacts of constant digital information bombardment. It provides a nuanced analysis of how technology transforms human thinking and attention. A thought-provoking exploration of information's impact on human consciousness.
The Master Switch
Tim Wu
An exploration of how information technologies have been controlled and transformed throughout history. Wu examines the cyclical nature of information industries, from their innovative beginnings to eventual consolidation. The book provides insights into how communication technologies shape social and economic structures. It reveals the complex dynamics of technological innovation and control. A compelling analysis of information networks' historical development.
Weapons of Math Destruction
Cathy O'Neil
A critical examination of how algorithmic systems create and perpetuate social inequalities. O'Neil reveals how mathematical models can become powerful tools of discrimination and control. The book explores the hidden biases in data-driven decision-making systems. It provides a nuanced critique of how information technologies can reinforce existing social hierarchies. A powerful exploration of technology's unintended consequences.
The Attention Merchants
Tim Wu
An investigation into how modern information industries capture and monetize human attention. Wu traces the history of advertising and information technologies that seek to monopolize human focus. The book reveals the sophisticated strategies used to manipulate human perception and behavior. It provides a critical analysis of how information networks transform social interactions. A compelling exploration of attention as a valuable resource.
The Singularity Is Near
Ray Kurzweil
A visionary exploration of technological convergence and potential human transformation. Kurzweil argues that exponential technological growth will fundamentally reshape human experience. The book provides a speculative yet rigorous analysis of potential technological futures. It challenges readers to imagine radical possibilities of human-technology integration. A provocative examination of technological potential.
Algorithms of Oppression
Safiya Umoja Noble
A critical examination of how digital technologies perpetuate social biases and inequalities. Noble reveals the hidden discriminatory mechanisms embedded in search algorithms and digital platforms. The book provides a nuanced analysis of how information technologies reproduce social hierarchies. It challenges readers to critically examine the supposed neutrality of technological systems. A powerful critique of technological bias.
The Circle
Dave Eggers
A provocative novel exploring the implications of total technological transparency and information control. The story follows a young woman working at a powerful tech company that seeks to eliminate privacy. Eggers creates a chilling vision of a world where information becomes a tool of total social control. The novel raises critical questions about technology, privacy, and human freedom. A fictional exploration of themes central to Nexus.
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