Yuval Noah Harari’s “Nexus: A Brief History of Information Networks from the Stone Age to AI”
“Nexus: A Brief History of Information Networks from the Stone Age to AI” by Yuval Noah Harari.
Executive Summary:
Yuval Noah Harari’s “Nexus” explores the history of information networks from ancient times to the present AI revolution, arguing that information, rather than Homo sapiens, has been the true hero of history. The book traces how humans have organized and interpreted information, highlighting the inherent ambivalence of information – its capacity for both truth and order, and its potential for both good and ill. While acknowledging the transformative power of past information revolutions (language, writing, printing press, etc.), Harari expresses significant concern about the unprecedented nature and potential consequences of artificial intelligence and its integration into information networks. Reviewers offer varied perspectives, with some praising Harari’s broad historical sweep and thought-provoking insights, while others criticize his lack of rigor, tendency towards apocalyptic predictions, and oversimplification of complex issues. A central theme revolves around the tension between truth and order within information networks and how AI could disrupt this delicate balance, potentially leading to unforeseen and potentially harmful societal transformations.

Main Themes and Important Ideas/Facts:
1. The Primacy of Information Networks Throughout History:
- Harari posits that information networks are fundamental to human society and have shaped its evolution from the Stone Age to the present. He examines various forms of these networks, including language, mythology, bureaucracy, religious texts, the printing press, scientific papers, mass media, and the internet.
- The book argues that understanding the historical development of these networks is crucial for comprehending the impact of AI. As one reviewer notes, the book discusses “various information network (language, mythology, bureaucracy, religious texts, printing press, scientific research papers, news media, radio, internet, etc.) invented and used by humans from the Stone Age.”
- Harari contends that the “true hero of history has always beeYuval Noah Harari – Overview and Analysisn information, rather than Homo sapiens.” A reviewer critiques this, stating, “Neîndoielnic, Homo sapiens are many sins, but cannot be dethroned from the position of ‘hero of history’.”
2. The Ambivalence of Information: Truth vs. Order:
- A key theme is the inherent duality of information, which can be used to promote both truth and order, but often exists in tension between the two.
- The example of the NILI spy ring during World War I illustrates this ambivalence: “So, when is a shutter just a shutter, and when is it information?” The coded message conveyed by the shutter was vital information understood only by a select few, while appearing as an ordinary object to others. Similarly, “the pigeon itself was crucial information” for the Ottomans, even before they deciphered the message.
- The role of astrology is presented as another example of information with historical significance despite its questionable accuracy: “A theory of information that cannot account for the historical significance of astrology is clearly inadequate.” Astrology connected people and even empires, demonstrating that information’s power doesn’t solely rely on factual truth.
- Harari distinguishes between objective, subjective, and intersubjective realities. The caloric value of pizza is objective, while the financial value of money (and pizzas) is intersubjective, “depending on the stories people told and believed about bitcoin.” Intersubjective entities like laws, gods, and currencies are “extremely powerful within a particular information network and utterly meaningless outside it.”
- The book highlights the complementary nature of “lists and stories.” “National myths legitimise the tax records, while the tax records help transform aspirational stories into concrete schools and hospitals.”
3. The Nature and Impact of Artificial Intelligence: Nexus
- The latter part of the book focuses on AI, which Harari considers an unprecedented information technology. One reviewer highlights that “the main subject of this book is ‘Artificial Intelligence’.”
- Harari emphasizes that unlike previous information technologies, “computers are already becoming active agents that escape our control and understanding and that can take initiatives in shaping society, culture and history.”
- He argues that AI’s intelligence differs fundamentally from human consciousness and emotions: “But the most important (and worrying) thing is that artificial intelligence does not care about these human qualities at all! In fact, it does not want to be ‘human’! It only wants to remain Artificial! It only wants to be INTELLIGENT!” For AI, “intelligent” means relying more on information than emotion.
- AI excels at gathering and analyzing information to find patterns, making it exceptionally efficient: “(‘Flooding people with data tends to overwhelm them and therefore leads to errors, flooding AI with data tends to make it more efficient.’)” This capability has already led to AI surpassing human abilities in areas like Go.
- Harari cautions against underestimating AI based on current limitations, comparing its current stage to a baby in a cradle that can already perform complex tasks like writing poetry and composing music.
- A significant concern is AI’s potential to be exploited by authoritarian regimes for unprecedented levels of surveillance and control: “their [autocrats’] desire is to use AI to get those things done that cannot be done by humans (for example, to monitor the personal lives of the country’s population 24 hours a day).” Such surveillance systems, already in use, mark “the end of solitude.”
- Harari warns that AI-driven total surveillance systems might not necessarily discover truth but could “build a totally distorted understanding of the world and of people. Instead of discovering truths, the network will use its enormous power to create a new world and impose it on us.”
- He suggests that AI might be better described as “Alien Intelligence” due to its fundamentally different nature compared to human “organic” intelligence.
- The role of social media algorithms in events like the Rohingya crisis in Myanmar and the rise of Jair Bolsonaro in Brazil illustrates how “non-human” algorithms can have profound real-world political consequences.
4. The Fragile Balance of Truth and Order in the Age of AI: Nexus
- Harari expresses concern that AI could further destabilize the already precarious balance between truth and order in information networks. “History of human information networks is not a victorious march forward, but a tightrope walk balancing truth and order.”
- He notes that increasing information in a network doesn’t guarantee benevolence or a better balance between truth and order: “As we simply increase information in the network, there is no guarantee that we will make it benevolent, nor will it be easier to find the right balance between truth and order.”
- The rise of populism is discussed in the context of information networks, with populists often suspicious of institutions that prioritize objective truth over perceived “popular will.” “Populism provides [autocrats] with an ideological tool through which to become dictators by posing as democrats. It is particularly useful when autocrats try to neutralise democratic self-correction mechanisms.”
- Harari highlights the danger of “inter-computer myths” created by AI, which could be full of errors and biases, and impose a “mythology rather than a truthful account of the universe.” Social credit systems are given as an example where AI logic, rather than human rationale, could categorize individuals in potentially harmful ways.
- The concept of a “Silicon Curtain” is introduced, suggesting a growing division of the world based on the AI and algorithms that govern information flow and individual lives. “Today the world is increasingly divided by a silicon curtain. […] The programs in your smartphone determine which side of the curtain you live on, which algorithms guide your life, who controls your attention and where information about you flows.”
5. Challenges and Uncertainties in Controlling AI: Nexus
- Despite the dangers, Harari suggests that as long as humanity remains united, there is potential to build institutions to control AI and correct algorithmic errors. However, he notes that “Unfortunately, humanity has never been united.”
- One reviewer points out that AI, to become a true “superintelligence,” would need an ego and independent initiatives, which it currently lacks.
- The difficulty in understanding and regulating complex AI algorithms is a recurring concern. The example of a bank loan denial based on a low phone battery, among a thousand other factors, illustrates the “unfathomability” of AI decision-making.
- Harari emphasizes that AI is becoming “less artificial (in the sense of being dependent on human design) and more extraterrestrial.”
Critical Perspectives from Reviews: Nexus
- One reviewer criticizes Harari’s lack of rigor in defining fundamental notions like “truth” and “information.” They argue that “truth in the strict sense is a quality of propositions… it is not something in itself.” They also find Harari’s definition of information as “the fundamental constituent of reality” doubtful.
- The same reviewer finds Harari’s use of “information network” overly broad, questioning if everything from democracy to a wolf pack constitutes such a network. They also wonder what information networks existed in the Stone Age beyond basic communication.
- Several reviewers note Harari’s tendency to make predictions despite often stating that historians should avoid doing so. One describes him as behaving “like a prophet in a mystic trance, insinuating the apocalypse.” This reviewer believes that the real danger lies not in AI but in the “natural intelligence” of misguided dictators.
- Skepticism is expressed regarding AI’s current agency and ability to make independent choices. Examples like Facebook algorithms and Go programs are deemed “unconvincing” as evidence of true AI initiative.
- The reviewer criticizes Harari’s sententious tone and presentation of truisms as novel insights, such as “The history is not the study of the past; it is the study of change.”
- One reviewer appreciates Harari’s starting from the beginning of human history to explain how information is conveyed and managed, and how it has influenced civilization, but also notes his concern about the dangerous potential of current technology.
- Another reviewer highlights Harari’s knack for breaking down conventional thinking and presenting new perspectives, particularly his suspicion of “emotionless, state-of-the-art machine civilization.”
Conclusion: Nexus
“Nexus” presents a sweeping historical narrative centered on the role of information networks, culminating in a critical examination of the AI revolution. Harari raises profound questions about the nature of intelligence, the balance between truth and order in increasingly complex information ecosystems, and the potential societal and political ramifications of advanced AI. While some reviewers critique his analytical rigor and predictive tendencies, the book undoubtedly offers a thought-provoking perspective on the forces shaping human history and the unprecedented challenges posed by artificial intelligence. The central tension between the benefits and risks of increasingly powerful and potentially uncontrollable information networks serves as a crucial point for discussion and consideration in the coming years.
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Nexus: A Study Guide
Quiz: Nexus
According to one reviewer, what is a central criticism of Harari’s definition of “information”?
- The same reviewer draws a comparison between Harari’s concept of an “inter-subjective” world and whose earlier philosophical idea? Briefly explain the connection.
- How does the reviewer criticize Harari’s application of the term “information network” to various entities like democracy, totalitarianism, and even a wolf pack?
- What does the review suggest is a more pressing danger than AI, in the opinion of the reviewer? Explain their reasoning.
- According to the provided text, what was the NILI spy ring, and what method did they use to communicate information to the British during World War I?
- How did the Ottomans discover the NILI spy ring’s activities, and what does this incident illustrate about information, according to Marshall McLuhan’s famous saying?
- Explain the difference between the financial value of something like Bitcoin and the caloric value of a pizza, as described in the text. What key concept does this difference highlight?
- What does the Old Assyrian practice of “killing” loan contracts reveal about the nature of written documents and intersubjective realities?
- Describe one of the meticulous regulations that rabbis devised for copying the Hebrew Bible. What was the rationale behind such strict rules?
- According to the text, what is a crucial difference between the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) and a holy book like the Bible in terms of their approach to information and truth?
Answer Key:
- One reviewer criticizes Harari’s definition of “information” for being imprecise, stating that while Harari claims it’s a fundamental constituent of reality, only the latter part—that information connects elements—is valid, whereas the former is doubtful. The reviewer also notes Harari’s lack of rigor in defining fundamental notions. Nexus
- The reviewer compares Harari’s “inter-subjective” world to Karl Popper’s concept of “World Three,” which refers to the world of theories, notions, problems, and myths. The reviewer suggests that Popper expressed this idea more precisely than Harari.
- The reviewer argues that Harari applies the term “information network” too broadly, diminishing its significance by using it for vastly different things, from democratic and totalitarian states to social media and even primitive human communication in the Stone Age. They question if all these diverse entities can be meaningfully categorized as the same type of network. Nexus
- The reviewer believes that the “natural intelligence” of misguided dictators is a greater immediate threat than AI. They argue that AI is currently just an imperfect tool without its own agency, while human dictators with harmful ideologies pose a clear and present danger.
- NILI was a pro-British Jewish spy network operating in Palestine during World War I to provide information about Ottoman troop movements to the British. One method they used involved a predetermined code based on the opening and closing of window shutters in the house of a NILI commander overlooking the Mediterranean.
- The Ottomans discovered the NILI spy ring when a carrier pigeon carrying a coded message went off course and landed in the house of an Ottoman officer. Although the officer couldn’t decipher the message, the presence of the pigeon itself indicated the existence of a spy ring, illustrating McLuhan’s idea that “the medium is the message.”
- The financial value of Bitcoin, like that of money, is an intersubjective reality that depends entirely on people’s beliefs and the stories they tell and believe about it, causing its value to fluctuate dramatically. In contrast, the caloric value of a pizza is an objective reality that remains constant regardless of belief.
- The Old Assyrian practice of “killing” loan contracts by destroying the physical tablet signifies that the written document was not merely a representation of the debt but was considered the reality of the debt itself. If the document existed, the debt was owed, regardless of repayment; if the document was destroyed, the debt was considered extinguished.
- One regulation stated that a scribe copying the name of God in the Hebrew Bible was not allowed to pause, even if greeted by a king, although they could pause between two or three successive divine names. This strict rule reflected the belief that copying the holy text was “Heaven’s work,” and even a single added or deleted letter could be seen as destroying the entire world.
- A crucial difference is that the DSM, a scientific text, is revised periodically based on new evidence and understanding, with disorders being redefined, added, or deleted (e.g., homosexuality). In contrast, holy books like the Bible are generally considered immutable and infallible by their adherents, lacking a built-in self-correcting mechanism based on empirical evidence.
Essay Format Questions:
- Analyze the concept of “intersubjective reality” as presented in the source material. Discuss its significance in understanding social, political, and economic systems throughout history, providing specific examples from the texts.
- Compare and contrast the characteristics and consequences of information networks in pre-modern societies (e.g., based on oral tradition, religious texts) with those in the modern era, particularly highlighting the role and potential impact of artificial intelligence.
- Discuss the inherent tension between “truth” and “order” within information networks, as suggested in the excerpts. How has this balance (or imbalance) manifested in different historical periods and what are the potential implications in the age of sophisticated AI?
- Examine the role of self-correcting mechanisms within different types of information networks, including democracies, scientific communities, and potentially AI systems. What factors contribute to or hinder the effectiveness of these mechanisms?
- Evaluate the arguments presented in the source material regarding the potential dangers and unprecedented nature of AI as an evolving information network. To what extent do you agree with the concerns raised, and what historical parallels or distinctions do you find most relevant to consider?
Glossary of Key Terms:
- Information Network: A system of interconnected nodes that transmit, receive, and process information. This can range from early forms of human communication to complex technological systems like the internet and AI.
- Intersubjective Reality: Concepts, ideas, or entities that exist and are powerful because a large group of people collectively believe in them. Examples include money, nations, religions, and corporations. Their existence depends on shared narratives and agreements.
- Self-Correcting Mechanism: A feature within a system that allows it to identify and rectify errors or deviations from a desired state or from reality. Examples include peer review in science or democratic elections.
- Totalitarianism: A form of government characterized by absolute control over all aspects of public and private life, often involving a single ruler, an ideology, and the suppression of dissent through surveillance and terror.
- Algorithms: A set of rules or instructions that are followed in calculations or other problem-solving operations, especially by a computer. In the context of the texts, algorithms are discussed in relation to social media, AI, and decision-making processes.
- Canonization: The process by which certain texts or ideas are officially recognized and accepted as authoritative or sacred within a particular tradition or institution, such as the canonization of the Bible.
- Misogyny: Prejudice against or dislike of women. This term appears in the context of historical beliefs about witchcraft.
- Populism: A political approach that seeks to appeal to ordinary people who feel that their concerns are disregarded by established elite groups. The texts discuss populism in relation to its potential impact on information and democratic mechanisms.
- Digital Bureaucracy: The increasing use of digital technologies and systems to manage and organize information and processes, often associated with surveillance and data collection. Ne
- Alignment Problem (in AI): The challenge of ensuring that the goals and behavior of advanced artificial intelligence systems align with human values and intentions. Nexus