21 Lessons for the 21st Century

21 Lessons for the 21st Century – Yuval Noah Harari

After exploring the human past in Sapiens and possible futures in Homo Deus, historian Yuval Noah Harari turned his attention to the present. In 21 Lessons for the 21st Century, he examines the most pressing issues of our time and asks how we can make sense of a world changing at unprecedented speed.

The book is divided into five parts. In The Technological Challenge, Harari argues that the liberal story that dominated the late twentieth century is losing credibility, and he explores how artificial intelligence and biotechnology could transform work, disrupt employment and concentrate power in the hands of those who control data. In The Political Challenge, he discusses community, civilization, nationalism and religion, and whether humanity can cooperate to solve global problems such as nuclear war, ecological collapse and technological disruption.

In Despair and Hope, he examines terrorism, war, humility and secularism, warning against both panic and complacency. In Truth, he considers ignorance, justice, the rise of fake news and the power of fiction to bind societies together. Finally, in Resilience, he reflects on education, the meaning of life and the importance of knowing oneself, suggesting that young people will need flexibility and emotional balance more than fixed knowledge. He closes by describing his own practice of meditation.

Provocative and wide-ranging, the book encourages readers to think clearly about complex questions rather than offering simple answers. 21 Lessons for the 21st Century is a stimulating read for anyone concerned about the present and future, though some of its arguments and predictions are debated.