Title of the Book: 21 Lessons for the 21st Century
Author: Yuval Noah Hariri
Pages: 333
Publishing House: Jonathan Cape, London
This book is a lucid piece of work by the contemporary Historian Yuval Hariri. The author has championed the cause of Liberal Democracy and puts forward its pitfalls and upcoming challenges with ample inputs to preserve its essence in the coming times. The author introduces us to the consequences of the fusion of InfoTech and biotech giants resulting in DISILLUSIONMENT with the rise of Artificial intelligence as the ultimate being. To sell this threat he puts forward a rational Scenario of AI taking up our JOBS, Tyrants utilizing it to crush our LIBERTY and the rich evolving to Super Humans, as such eliminating the EQUALITY. To obtain an effective response to this potential but unavoidable threat, he calls for strengthening of the offline/on-ground COMMUNITY. The author challenges the ‘clash of civilizations’ narrative and by citing numerous examples, emphasizing that the 21st Century has turned into a single CIVILIZATION with economic, political and social values/goals merging and uniting the arch rivals globally. Next comes the criticism of NATIONALISM and RELIGON, their relevant role in 21st century and how IMMIGRATION and its politics is leading to novel interpretations of both. The reader is then asked to rally united as a global citizen of liberal creed, manage the fears and march against the weak-few people professing TERRORISM. The author suggests an off-camera elimination and puts forward the risks of going to WAR in current times. Instead the author has preached HUMILITY as a way out of all the conflicts. Since observing humility seems to be a religious commandment, author argues that moral values are in built to human beings and not necessarily a decree by the GOD. The author manifests tolerance as a virtue of the global citizens of 21st Century imbibed by a pure understanding of SECULARISM. The author prescribes realizing IGNORANCE at individual levels as a means to do JUSTICE in this era of POST-TRUTH where fake news prevails. Besides access to quality information, the author has recommended SCIENCE FICTION as an indispensible tool to counter these challenges and preparing ourselves for the future. The author also seeks massive reforms in EDUCATION to equip the children with necessary skills to contribute and adjust themselves in the fascinating future that awaits them. The author concludes by asking the reader to find MEANING to his individual story and cites MEDITATION from his own experiences as a helpful tool.
PS: The book is full of exaggerated citations against Islam and Christianity. Although the author has thoroughly criticized Judaism (his birth religion) in terms of its miniscule contributions to the development of human civilizations, he places Jews as victims thus exposing his personal bias. The book seems to be highly motivated by the Rise of Ultra-national Donald Trump and the Brexit, both signifying the weakening (if not the fall) of the West.
by Jasmeet Kaur
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