Notes for this have been sitting over a month. Like Sapiens, so much is covered. Unlike Sapiens, the author emphasizes that what’s discussed is speculation. But the outcomes proposed are at the very least near-future scenarios that we should prepare for.

The importance of history. Given our past record and our current values of modernity, humanity’s next targets are likely to be immortality, happiness, and divinity.

Religion cooperating with science, finding common ground in order and power. Religious texts as an authority. Fiction allowing societies to cooperate (some overlap from Sapiens here in capitalism and religion). Humanism as a new religion: Knowledge = experiences x sensitivity.

Embracing dataism. Give up meaning for power, knowing thyself through mass collections of biometric data and relinquishing our expectations of individuality. Basically, AI not only taking most common jobs, but also handling our personal lives with more accuracy and grace than we could manage ourselves. Humans as algorithms, accepting the illusion of free will.

Technology increasing inequality, which threatens liberalism. Three specific threats are discussed. The pace of knowledge, tech, political upheavals, and social changes are faster than traditional governments can handle.

Censorship through the flooding of needless information.

Growth is necessary. Economic growth depends on the freedom of information. The shift from a homo-centric to a data-centric worldview. Wasn’t discussed who controls the data.

What should we focus on? If we think in months, it’s one thing. If we think in decades, it’s another. "If we take the really grand view of life, all other problems and developments are overshadowed by three interlinked processes": basically AI, separating intelligence from consciousness, and science converging on all organisms becoming algorithms.