Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind - Yuval Noah Harari

I recently reread Sapiens by Yuval Noah Harari. It is one of the few books that I've ever read more than once. If you've not read it, I would definitely recommend it.

Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind

Yuval Noah Harari's bestselling book, Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind, presents a sweeping narrative of human history from the Stone Age to the present day, identifying three major revolutions that shaped our species and the world as we know it: the Cognitive Revolution, the Agricultural Revolution, and the Scientific Revolution. Harari's work synthesises history, biology, and economics to challenge conventional narratives and offer provocative insights into the nature of humanity.

The Cognitive Revolution: The Power of Fiction

At the heart of Harari's thesis is the Cognitive Revolution, which occurred roughly 70,000 years ago. This period was characterised by the development of new cognitive abilities in Homo sapiens, most notably the capacity for abstract thought and communication through a unique and flexible language. This allowed humans to create and believe in "fictions" or "imagined realities" – concepts that have no material existence, such as gods, nations, laws, money, and human rights.

This ability to construct and share myths and stories enabled Sapiens to cooperate in large numbers and with unprecedented flexibility. While other species' social behaviour is largely determined by genetics, humans could rewrite their social structures and collaborations by changing their shared beliefs. This cooperative power, Harari argues, is what allowed Sapiens to outcompete other human species, like the Neanderthals, and eventually dominate the planet.

The Agricultural Revolution: History's Biggest Fraud?

Harari provocatively labels the Agricultural Revolution, which began around 12,000 years ago, as "history's biggest fraud." He challenges the traditional view that this shift from a nomadic hunter-gatherer lifestyle to settled farming was a great leap forward for humanity. While agriculture allowed for a significant increase in the total human population, Harari contends that for the average individual, life became harder and less satisfying.

Farmers worked longer hours than foragers, their diets were less varied and more susceptible to famine if a single crop failed, and they were exposed to new diseases due to crowded and unsanitary living conditions. Furthermore, the concept of private property and the accumulation of surplus food led to social hierarchies, inequality, and increased anxiety about the future. Harari argues that it was wheat that domesticated Sapiens, rather than the other way around, as our species became tethered to the demanding cycle of planting, watering, and harvesting.

The Unification of Humankind: The Rise of Global Orders

Following the Agricultural Revolution, human societies grew larger and more complex. Harari traces the gradual unification of humankind through the emergence of three universal orders that transcended geographical and cultural boundaries:

• Money: The invention of money created a system of mutual trust between strangers, allowing for the expansion of trade and the development of complex economies.

• Empires: Through conquest and assimilation, empires brought diverse populations under a single political and cultural framework, spreading common languages, laws, and customs.

• Universal Religions: Religions like Buddhism, Christianity, and Islam, with their belief in a universal truth, further connected people across vast distances and fostered a sense of shared identity.

These forces, according to Harari, have progressively eroded the "us vs. them" mentality of early human societies, leading towards an increasingly interconnected global civilisation.

The Scientific Revolution: The Discovery of Ignorance

The most recent and arguably most transformative of the three revolutions is the Scientific Revolution, which began around 500 years ago. Harari argues that the key to modern science is the "discovery of ignorance" – the willingness to admit that we do not have all the answers and the subsequent drive to seek new knowledge through observation and experimentation.

This pursuit of knowledge, often funded by empires and fueled by the engine of capitalism, has led to unprecedented technological advancements and a surge in human power. Harari explores the symbiotic relationship between science, empire, and capital, demonstrating how they have worked together to shape the modern world. However, he also raises critical questions about the impact of this newfound power on human happiness and the future of our species. He posits that while we are more powerful than ever, it is not clear that we are happier. The book concludes with a look towards the future, contemplating the potential for genetic engineering and artificial intelligence to fundamentally alter what it means to be human, possibly leading to the end of Homo sapiens as we know it.

How to Build Good Habits and Break Bad Ones - Dr Rangan Chatterjee with James Clear

Atomic Habits by James Clear

Here Dr Rangan Chatterjee discusses some of the concepts:

and a summary from Ali Abdaal:

Master Your Habits, Master Your Life: Key Learnings from Atomic Habits

James Clear's bestselling book, Atomic Habits, offers a powerful and practical framework for making small, incremental changes that lead to remarkable results over time. The core message is that focusing on tiny improvements - the "atomic habits" - is the most effective way to build good habits and break bad ones. Here are the key learning and action points from the book.

The Power of 1% Better Every Day

A central theme of Atomic Habits is the concept of "aggregate marginal gains." Clear argues that improving by just 1% each day will lead to a 37-fold improvement over the course of a year. Conversely, a 1% decline each day will bring you close to zero. This illustrates the profound impact of small, consistent actions.

Action Point: Instead of aiming for drastic, unsustainable changes, focus on making a tiny improvement in your desired habit each day. For example, if you want to start exercising, begin with a five-minute walk and gradually increase the duration.

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Focus on Systems, Not Goals

While goals are useful for setting a direction, Clear emphasizes the importance of the systems and processes that lead to those goals. "You do not rise to the level of your goals," he writes. "You fall to the level of your systems." A well-designed system will naturally lead to the desired outcome.

Action Point: Shift your focus from the end result to the daily and weekly routines that will get you there. Instead of obsessing over losing 20 pounds, concentrate on building the habits of meal prepping, regular exercise, and mindful eating.

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Identity-Based Habits: The Key to Lasting Change

The most profound and lasting habit changes come from shifting your identity. Instead of focusing on what you want to achieve, focus on who you want to become. When a habit is tied to your sense of self, it becomes much more powerful.

Action Point: Define the type of person you want to be. For instance, instead of saying "I want to write a book," start thinking of yourself as "a writer." Then, prove it to yourself with small wins. A writer writes, so your action is to write one page—or even just one paragraph—each day.

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The Four Laws of Behavior Change

Clear outlines a simple yet powerful four-step framework for building good habits and breaking bad ones.

For Building Good Habits:

1. Make it Obvious: Our environment plays a significant role in our habits. To make a good habit obvious, design your environment to cue you towards it.

   • Action Point: If you want to read more, place a book on your pillow. If you want to drink more water, keep a water bottle on your desk at all times.

2. Make it Attractive: The more appealing a habit is, the more likely you are to stick with it.

   • Action Point: Use "temptation bundling" by pairing a habit you want to do with a habit you need to do. For example, only listen to your favorite podcast while you're exercising.

3. Make it Easy: Reduce the friction associated with a good habit. The easier it is to do, the more likely you will do it.

   • Action Point: Apply the Two-Minute Rule. When starting a new habit, it should take less than two minutes to do. "Read before bed" becomes "read one page." "Do 30 minutes of yoga" becomes "take out my yoga mat."

4. Make it Satisfying: We are more likely to repeat a behavior if the experience is satisfying. The reward should be immediate.

   • Action Point: Use a habit tracker to create a visual representation of your progress. The satisfaction of not breaking the chain can be a powerful motivator.

For Breaking Bad Habits (The Inversion of the Four Laws):

1. Make it Invisible: Reduce your exposure to the cues that trigger bad habits.

   • Action Point: If you want to stop eating junk food, remove it from your house. If you're distracted by your phone, put it in another room while you work.

2. Make it Unattractive: Reframe your mindset to highlight the negative aspects of your bad habits.

   • Action Point: Instead of thinking of smoking as a stress reliever, focus on the damage it does to your lungs and the money it costs.

3. Make it Difficult: Increase the friction for bad habits.

   • Action Point: If you watch too much television, unplug it after each use and store the remote in a different room.

4. Make it Unsatisfying: Associate a negative consequence with the bad habit.

   • Action Point: Find an accountability partner and agree to a penalty (e.g., paying them a certain amount of money) every time you engage in the bad habit.

By understanding and applying these key principles, you can take control of your habits and make meaningful, lasting changes in your life.