By Yuval Hariri
(deus is god in Latin)
It is a hard book to review, not because of the content or style but rather the ideas it presents, so instead of discussing the book let's discuss couple of ideas as scenarios from the book:
Scenario I:
Plastic surgery was introduced initially to treat wounded soldiers, then expanded to burns and accidents victims. Slowly and gradually it started providing service to the rich and those who can afford it: to maintain youth, to improve appearance and to change features according to the fashion of the day.
Dementia, is now one of the most researched illnesses. Hopefully, soon scientists may produce a treatment to this disease which means slowing the loss of memory. Soon after people will start using the treatment to enhance their memory, and as the treatment improves, the usage will become exclusively to improve and enhance healthy people's brain abilities, those who can afford it.
There is a possibility that the treatment for dementia might be not just a pill, it might be a software on a chip implanted in the patient's brain. Later, healthy rich people will be undergoing the procedure to improve their memory. With the memory implant, rich people might also opt for replacing their limbs with artificial limbs. We already have advanced metal limbs, soon these prosthetic limbs will be integrated with advanced software for fast and precise responses and titanium strength.
If you think this is not possible, think about plastic surgery, Viagra, Steroids in sports and the list goes on. We - homosapiens- acknowledge how weak we are and would take any chance to improve our bodies, even if we don't need it, as long as we can afford it.
Scenario II:
In 1997 Deep Blue crossed an imagined barrier we created and believed : computers can not beat humans in chess. A giant computer that costs millions and took hundreds of hours of programming and preparation won a chess match, not a big deal, we move the gold post.
Luddites in early 19th century tried and failed to oppose the machines taking over, strikes and sabotage, nothing could stop the change, because it was effective.
Gradually, automation replaced most of the industrial and farming jobs, and most homosapiens moved to service sectors hoping that the machines will not be able to do their jobs, except for chess players.
Today, and everyday we are seeing computers stepping in jobs that we always knew they will not last. Yes, it is frustrating to go through the self check out in the supermarket, but if it cuts the queuing time then we are happy to compromise.
We think we know what is next in the job loss market: drivers. But we are wrong, very wrong. If you are a computer programmer, a doctor, a music composer or a lawyer, AI (artificial intelligence) will be replacing you sooner than you think. If you are a sports referee, you should start looking for another job.
When automation replaced the muscular abilities of homosapiens, we transferred to intellectual jobs that the steam engine cannot do. As AI quickly is competing and succeeding in replacing us in intellectual jobs, where do you go? What can we do?
Now, do I have your attention?
Before the end of the century humanity will face it's biggest threat ever since creation: extinction.
Homosapiens with enhanced qualities and features, what we might call cyborg, representing the 1% of all humans, controlling the power, economy and health of the planet. On the other hand, 99% of jobless humans, who have no power, influence or need to exist. Where do you see yourself?
Back to the book review :)
It is very well written and I am a fan of Yuval Hariri's methodology in establishing his arguments. However, having read Sapiens - brief history of humankind, I found the book mainly repeating the same notions in the last few chapters of that book. This was frustrating and disappointing, the ideas Harari was arguing in the entire book, he summarised in two chapters in Sapiens. It would be unfair to say that the presentation was boring or poor, also the focus on research findings and scientific examples made the ideas clearer and stronger.
I struggle to say that you must read Homo Deus, I would not hesitate in recommending Sapiens, indeed I urge you to read Sapiens. After reading Sapiens and familiarising yourself with Harari's philosophy you can make an informed decision about reading Homo Deus. As for me, my next read will be Harari's previous book 21 lessons for the 21st century.
Ahmad Baker
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