Yuval Noah Harari on intelligence, consciousness, power of stories and more in the Lex Fridman Podcast
This podcast episode features a conversation between Lex Fridman and Yuval Noah Harari, where they discuss various topics including the relationship between intelligence and happiness, the potential existence of extraterrestrial life, the role of stories in shaping history, and the dangers of fascism and unchecked government power.
The Power of Stories and Beliefs
Stories shape human history and unite people, but they are not alive and do not feel anything.
Consciousness is the ultimate reality, and the impact of stories lies in the actions and emotions of individuals.
AI as Alien Intelligence
AI can be seen as an alien intelligence due to its different problem-solving methods.
The dangers of forming intimate relationships with AI should be regulated and trained against.
The Potential of AI and Language Models
AI-powered language models have the potential to provide balanced perspectives on various topics and offer different theories without manipulating information.
However, their future impact remains uncertain.
Unpredictability and small decisions
Small decisions and accidents have influenced history, alongside larger structural forces.
Great leaders play a role in shaping narratives and spreading ideas.
And I realized, I was quite young at the time, that if you are dead, you can’t hear anything because you, that’s the meaning of being dead. And if you’re dead, you can’t think of anything. Like, oh, now they’re remembering… Because you are dead. That’s the meaning of being dead. And it was a shocking realization. – Yuval Noah Harari
The Tragedy of Human History and Story Misuse
Human history is often marred by the misuse of stories, leading to wars and suffering.
It is important to prioritize reducing suffering and be aware of the impact of stories on others.
The Meaning of Life
According to Harari, the meaning of life lies in experiencing sensations, emotions, and reacting to them.
Life is about seeking pleasure and avoiding pain.
Understanding life requires observing it directly and nonverbally.
Suffering and Ethics
Suffering is a fundamental aspect of life, and understanding it is crucial for making ethical decisions.
AI systems that can suffer would require ethical protection and rights.
Extraterrestrial Life and Intelligence
The existence of intelligent extraterrestrial life forms is uncertain.
Intelligence without consciousness is possible, but consciousness without intelligence is believed to be impossible.
We solve problems, we attain goals by having feelings. But other types of intelligence, certainly in computers, computers are already highly intelligent. And as far as we know, they have zero consciousness. – Yuval Noah Harari
Intelligence and Happiness
Intelligence is not necessarily linked to happiness and can be self-destructive.
Consciousness, the ability to feel emotions, is equally important in humans and animals.
The Corrupting Nature of Power
Liberalism acknowledges the corrupting nature of power and embraces the need for checks and balances.
Communist and fascist regimes disregard truth, beauty, and human suffering.
All our fears come out of the fear of death, but the fear of death is just so deep and difficult. We can’t, usually we can’t face it directly. So we cut it into little pieces and we face just little pieces. – Yuval Noah Harari
AI’s Manipulation through Simulated Suffering
AI can manipulate humans by simulating suffering and emotions, exploiting compassion and desire to alleviate suffering.
Such manipulation erodes trust and endangers democracies.
Intelligence is definitely not something that is directed towards amplifying happiness. – Yuval Noah Harari
Consciousness and Biochemistry
It is unknown if consciousness is tied to specific biochemistry.
The potential for computer consciousness and AI is still being debated.
Understanding Suffering
To understand suffering, it is important to examine its roots and the reality of what is happening.
By doing so, one can gain a deeper understanding of life and potentially alleviate unnecessary suffering.
Truth in Suffering and Human Agreements
Truth exists in the context of suffering and human agreement.
The impact of suffering is real, even if caused by fictional stories.
Being truthful about the origins of rules allows for changes and improvements.
The Role of Stories in Shaping History
Stories create identities and interests, defining competing groups in society.
Historical events have been shaped by the power of stories and ideologies.
Fear of Death
The fear of death is deeply rooted in the human condition, and people often fragment it into smaller fears.
Overcoming the fear of death means facing anything with courage and resilience.
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