Category Archives: Politics & Government

Day After Thoughts

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Today I live in a new country. I am now an ex-pat with fond memories of a better place. Grateful that I lived there for so long. Yesterday I was the most fortunate person I know. That is no less true today.

For the past ten years I have been riding the Doom Roller Coaster, dreading the worst thing that could happen. Now that it has happened, I can get off.

I’m reminded of an old joke that ends with, “I know there’s a pony in here somewhere.” I choose to believe that. No idea where or when the pony will be, but I plan to keep shoveling.

NEXUS: A Brief History of Information Networks from the Stone Age to AI

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I have read and enjoyed each of Yuval Noah Harari’s previous books. Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind; Homo Deus: A Brief History of Tomorrow; and 21 Lessons for the 21st Century. As the titles suggest, he writes about history and persuaded this reader that is the only context to fully understand what is happening in the world.

This book scared the shit out of me. I grew up during the early days of the Cold War, watching B-52 bomber packed with nukes flying overhead. As a teenager, I held my breath with the rest of the world during the Cuban Missile Crises. But Harari makes a compelling case for AI (assuming we fuck it up and we will) as a greater existential threat.

Like all of Harari’s books, this one (about 400 pages) got a loft of highlighter. More excerpts after the jump. Or you can watch this 40 minute discussion with Sam Harris. Continue reading →