Computers have infiltrated every aspect of life, not limiting their gaze to any particular moment, but silently reading the entire pattern of life. These social networks have made taking a break from work impossible and rendered vacations unattainable, even on holiday.
The last few chapters of Harari’s book are a collection of various warnings. Like his previous work, Sapiens, this book captivates the reader. Almost every chapter is structured in a way that keeps the reader constantly traveling between the past and the present. While reading “Extinction of the Smartest” in this book, one cannot help but recall a remark by the postmodern thinker of the last century, Marshall McLuhan:
“Nothing will hold on the speed of light.” McLuhan’s words suggest that traditional structures will collapse in the face of information moving at the speed of light. If humans in this century fail to discover a “self-correcting mechanism” in time, this AI-driven world will end. An end that seems reminiscent of T.S. Eliot’s vision in Four Quartets:
“And we all go with them, into the silent funeral, nobody’s funeral, for there is no one to bury.”
The Quiet Collapse of Structure in the Age of AI
We live in a world where technology, particularly AI, has embedded itself into our daily lives. It doesn’t just influence specific moments but gradually shapes the way we think, interact, and experience life. Harari, in his latest work, brings this unsettling reality to light, warning of the slow erosion of control that humanity may face in an AI-driven future.
In the past, work and personal life had distinct boundaries, but the rise of social media and digital platforms has blurred those lines, making the idea of a “break” almost impossible. Even when we’re on vacation, we are not fully disconnected. This perpetual state of connection creates a paradox — we’re constantly surrounded by information and stimuli, yet we struggle to find real peace or solitude.
The Impact of Information Overload
Marshall McLuhan’s observation that “nothing will hold on the speed of light” speaks to the rapid transmission of information in the digital age. As data moves faster, traditional frameworks—whether they be societal, cultural, or personal—begin to crumble. The sheer volume of information coming at us every second overwhelms our capacity to process it meaningfully. We become more reactive and less reflective, driven by the speed of digital interactions rather than the depth of thought.
This unending torrent of data isn’t just a superficial concern. It affects how we perceive reality, make decisions, and even understand our purpose. If the traditional structures of thought and governance fail to adapt to this rapid transformation, they may face inevitable collapse, leaving individuals without a foundation to hold onto.
The Search for a Self-Correcting Mechanism
Harari emphasizes the need for humanity to discover a “self-correcting mechanism” in this AI-driven age. Without one, we risk losing ourselves to the machines we’ve created. The march of artificial intelligence, driven by its own logic and learning, could lead to a future where human agency becomes increasingly irrelevant.
This idea recalls the existential dread present in T.S. Eliot’s Four Quartets. Eliot’s vision of a “silent funeral” where “there is no one to bury” speaks to the potential for a dystopian future. In a world dominated by AI, where human agency has been eroded, the ultimate fear is that humanity will reach a point where there is no one left who matters, no one to mourn for. It’s a poignant reminder that the unchecked advance of technology without a moral or ethical guide could lead to a future devoid of meaning.
Conclusion: A Call for Awareness
As we move deeper into the 21st century, the warnings of thinkers like Harari, McLuhan, and Eliot are increasingly urgent. The challenge is not to fear AI but to actively engage with it, ensuring that humanity remains at the center of the technological revolution. To do this, we need to establish mechanisms that allow us to correct our course, preserving the essential qualities of being human — empathy, creativity, and free will.
Only by acknowledging the potential dangers of this AI-driven world can we begin to shape a future where technology serves humanity rather than enslaving it.