Nexus: A Deep Dive Into Humanity’s Information Age

In his latest book titled Nexus – A Brief History of Information Networks from the Stone Age to AI, author Yuval Noah Harari describes the role that information networks have played in shaping society. A nexus is a connection or series of connections linking two or more things. It often refers to a central or focal point where multiple elements converge or interact. The term is used in various contexts to describe relationships or linkages within systems, networks, or concepts that are interconnected.

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A Glimpse into a Possible Future

I saw a glimpse into a possible future in a book titled Homo Deus, written by Yuval Noah Harari in 2016. Before his journey forward, the author explores the past. His conclusions challenged my core belief system in a very uncomfortable way. His arguments were logical and thoughtful (whether I agree with them or not), and based on a foundation of life science, algorithms, and biotechnology.  This look forward once again raises the question of Ethics. The author himself makes this point when he says:

“The rise of AI and biotechnology will certainly transform the world, but it does not mandate a single deterministic outcome. All the scenarios outlined in this book should be understood as possibilities rather than prophecies. If you don’t like some of these possibilities you are welcome to think and behave in new ways that will prevent these particular possibilities from materializing.”

I’ve given the main themes of this possible future a label and provide a quick look using excerpts directly from the book. You decide for yourself if this future represents an enhanced or diminished humanity.

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