Yuval Harari

Yuval Harari on Why Fascism is so Tempting and How Your Data Could Power It

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In a profound talk about technology and power, author and historian Yuval Harari explains the important difference between fascism and nationalism — and what the consolidation of our data means for the future of democracy. Appearing as a hologram live from Tel Aviv, Harari warns that the greatest danger that now faces liberal democracy is that the revolution in information technology will make dictatorships more efficient and capable of control.

“The enemies of liberal democracy hack our feelings of fear and hate and vanity, and then use these feelings to polarize and destroy,” Yuval Harari says. “It is the responsibility of all of us to get to know our weaknesses and make sure they don’t become weapons.”

(Followed by a brief conversation with TED curator Chris Anderson)

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Yuval Harari at the World Economic Forum: Will the Future be Human?

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Some of you may know I’m a big fan of Prof. Yuval Harari’s and, at this point, it is fair to say that his books Sapiens and Homo Deus have had a more profound effect on me than those of Ray Kurzweil. Last week Yuval Harari made his Davos debut at the World Economic Forum annual meeting. He presented at multiple events, which were live-streamed or filmed and can now be watched online.

Taking to the main Congress Hall stage directly after Angela Merkel’s speech and before Emmanuel Macron’s, Prof. Harari spoke about the big challenges presented by data in the era of technological revolution. In my view this talk is a must watch because it raises many of the major issues surrounding the rise of big data that we will have to resolve if we are to prosper in the 21st century. Check it out and let me know what you think:

Yuval Harari: Will the Future be Human?

What can we learn from a history of the future?

Historian Yuval Harari takes us on a journey through technological development and challenges leaders to develop a substantive vision of what it means for society, politics, religion and ideology.

After his Congress Hall presentation, Prof. Harari answered questions about his ideas and writing from journalists and participants.