Nature vs Info?

I watched a fascinating interview on Youtube the other day. My mother sent it to me. Yuval Noah Harari was being interviewed. You know him, don’t you? He wrote “Sapiens” and “21 Lessons for the 21st Century” - he’s quite famous and well regarded. I didn’t realize the breadth of his studies and experience though. He is an “Israeli medievalist” - I’m not sure what that means - as well as a military historian, popular science writer, and a professor at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem. Anyway, the interview piqued my interest as it pertained to realities and human nature. 

I’ve long argued that there is no such thing as “one reality”, as much as we humans want to believe as such. But, it’s simply not true, and I’ve written about this before. When an incident occurs, if a dozen people are present, whether to take part or witness, each person will have a different version - their own reality. So, how do we discern truth from lies? Right from wrong? I guess discerning right from wrong should be easy enough - it’s morally based, not truth based, but I digress.

In his latest work, “Nexus: A Brief History of Information Networks from the Stone Age to AI,” Harari delves into the profound impact of information networks on human civilization. He posits that while these networks have been instrumental in fostering large-scale cooperation and advancing societies, they also harbour inherent vulnerabilities that can lead to detrimental outcomes. This dual nature of information networks raises critical questions about human nature, the quality of information we consume, and the role of emerging technologies like artificial intelligence (AI).

Harari argues that the foundation of human power lies in our ability to create expansive networks of cooperation. These networks, built upon shared information, have enabled remarkable achievements throughout history. If you’re looking for examples, here are just a few: 

Religious Networks - Religions have created some of the longest-lasting and most influential networks in history by uniting people through shared beliefs, texts, and rituals. Take the Catholic Church, it functioned as a powerful global network, uniting millions, spreading literacy through the copying of religious texts, and influencing laws, ethics, and governance. Also Islam, in its golden age (8th-14th century) saw a vast network of scholars and traders sharing scientific, mathematical, and medical advancements across regions from Spain to India, leading to breakthroughs such as algebra and modern medicine.

Scientific and Technological Networks - Scientific progress relies on networks that share research and discoveries. Such as the printing press (invented in 1440) allowed knowledge to spread rapidly across Europe, fueling the Renaissance, the Reformation, and the Scientific Revolution, ultimately leading to advancements in physics, medicine, and astronomy.

Military and Strategic Networks - Warfare and military alliances depend on coordinated information-sharing. Take the Allied Forces in WWII. The coordination of intelligence (i.e. code breaking at Bletchley Park) and shared military strategies among the Allies helped defeat the Axis powers.

These are all amazing feats we humans have achieved over time. However, the very structure that makes these networks powerful also predisposes them to misuse. Harari states, “Humankind gains enormous power by building large networks of cooperation. But the way these networks are built predisposes them to use power unwisely. Our problem then is a network problem. It is an information problem.”

This insight prompts reflection on why, despite the vast amount of information available today, societies often make decisions that seem counterproductive or even self-destructive. Is this a flaw in human nature, or does it stem from the quality of information we consume?

Harari argues that large-scale human cooperation is often built not on objective truths, but on shared fictions. These narratives - ranging from religions doctrines to national myths - serve as unifying forces, guiding collective behavior. For instance, fairy tales teach moral lessons to children, while propaganda can mobilize entire populations toward a common goal.

However, these shared fictions can also lead to destructive outcomes, as we’ve seen throughout history. Stories that unite people by giving them a common belief can be dangerous when misinformation, ideology, and propaganda fuel harmful actions. Here are a few historical examples:

Nazi Propaganda and the Holocaust - the Nazi Regime used deeply ingrained myths of Aryan superiority and Jewish conspiracy theories to justify persecution and genocide. Propaganda, spread through newspapers, films and rallies, convinced ordinary Germans that Jews were responsible for Germany’s economic struggles and society decline. This shared fiction enabled the Holocaust, leading to the systematic murder of six million Jewish people and millions of others, including the Romani people, disabled individuals, and political dissidents.

The Salem Witch Trials - In colonial Massachusetts, widespread fear of witchcraft - fueled by religious fanaticism and superstition - led to a series of trials and executions. A few accusations of witchcraft, based on hysteria and fabricated evidence, escalated into a mass panic. Over 200 people were accused, and 20 were executed, illustrating how a shared fiction can spiral into violence and injustice.

Weapons on Mass Destruction (WMD) and the Iraq War (2003( - The US governments promoted the belief that Iraq possessed WMD and posed an imminent threat. This narrative, supported by selective intelligence and media repetition, led to public and political support for the invasion of Iraq. No WMD were found, but the war resulted in hundreds of thousands of deaths, prolonged instability in the Middle East, and the rise of extremist groups like ISIS.

Each of these cases illustrates Harari’s argument: shared fictions, whether based on religion, nationalism, or ideology, can unite people - but when built on falsehoods or manipulated narratives, they can lead to immense suffering and destruction.

So, is Artificial Intelligence a tool or agent?

This is a discussion I’ve found myself very interested in as not simply a human being, but also as an artist. I’m still not sure why we’re bent on finding the ways AI can replace our artists, as opposed to the jobs that humans really don’t want to do, but I digress. The advent of AI introduces a new dimension to this discussion. Harari contends that AI should not be viewed merely as a tool, but as an autonomous agent capable of making decisions and generating content independently. He suggests that “AI” might more aptly apply for “Alien Intelligence”, given its capacity to operate beyond direct human control.

This perspective raises concerns about the role of AI in disseminating information. Algorithms, designed to maximize engagements, often prioritize content that elicits strong emotional responses, regardless of its veracity. This can lead to the amplification of misinformation, shaping public perception and influencing behavior on a massive scale.

The question of accountability becomes paramount in this context. While freedom of speech protects content creators, the algorithms that curate and promote content wield significant power over the information individuals consume. Harari suggests that holding these algorithms accountable is crucial, as they play a pivotal role in shaping narratives and, by extension, reality itself.

Ultimately, Harari’s insights lead to a sobering conclusion: our perception of reality is heavily influenced by the information we are exposed to. In an era where information networks are ubiquitous and AI plays an increasingly prominent role in curating content, discerning fact from fiction becomes ever more challenging.

As we navigate this complex landscape, Harari’s work serves as a reminder of the power of information networks and the importance of critically engaging with the content we consume. By fostering media literacy and advocating for responsible algorithmic design, we can strive to harness the benefits of these networks while mitigating their potential harms.

In conclusion, while information networks have been central to human progress, their inherent vulnerabilities necessitate a thoughtful and proactive approach to ensure they serve the collective good. As Harari aptly puts it, “If we are so smart, then why are we so stupid?” The answer may lie in how we manage and interact with the information networks we have created.

Sources:

Vox.vom - Yval Noah Harari on whether democracy and AI can coexist

theguardian.com - Nexus: A Brief History of Information Networks from the Stone Age to AI by Yuval Noah Harari review - rage against the machine

ft.com - AI: too much information?

Youtube interview that got me started: https://youtu.be/thZUMaGEE-8?si=2nMqhdqFIVDcLtnY

Ⓒ February 2025. Beki Lantos. All Rights Reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, or transmitted in any form by any means without prior written permission of the author.