“Death is just a technological problem”, says historian

Some researchers dream to see in real life what sci-fi films have been telling us for years.

Hebrew University of Jerusalem Professor Yuval Noah Harari is one of them. His predictions about the future of human beings have helped him translate his latest book into 30 languages.

Harari argues that within the next 200 years there will be an amalgamation of man and machine, what he calls the “biggest evolution in biology”.

According to the controversial historian, human beings will gradually merge with technology like computers and smart phones, to become “God-like cyborgs.”

Humanity willl even defeat death, defends Harari in his latest book ‘Sapiens: A History of Humankind’.

DISSACTISFACTION LEADS TO THE NEED TO BE LIKE A GOD

Human beings are driven by dissatisfaction, and this would help the technological evolution: we would not be able to resist the temptation to ‘upgrade’ ourselves, whether by genetic engineering or technology.

“We are programmed to be dissatisfied”, said Prof Harari. “Even when humans gain pleasure and achievements it is not enough. They want more and more.”

“I think it is likely in the next 200 years or so homo sapiens will upgrade themselves into some idea of a divine being, either through biological manipulation or genetic engineering or by the creation of cyborgs, part organic part non-organic.”

GOD AND HUMAN RIGHTS ARE USEFUL “FICTIONS”

“God is extremely important because without religious myth –argues the historian- you can’t create society. Religion is the most important invention of humans. As long as humans believed they relied more and more on these gods they were controlable.”

“But what we see in the last few centuries is humans becoming more powerful and they no longer need the crutches of the Gods. Now we are saying we do not need God, just technology.”

‘HUMAN CANT EFEAT DEATH’

This leads Harari to a conclusion: “The most interesting place in the world from a religious perspective is not the Middle East, it is Silicon Valley where they are developing a techno-religion. They believe even death is just a technological problem to be solved.”

According to the professor, Money and Human Rights are also an invention. “Most legal systems are based on human rights but it is all in our imagination. Money is the most successful story ever. You have the master storytellers, the bankers, the finance ministers telling you that money is worth something. It isn’t. Try giving money to a chimp. It’s worthless.”

Hararis’ opinions about Science, Humankind and God have been picked up by many newspapers and televisions.