The Cognitive Revolution: How Shared Myths Built Our World

What sets humans apart from other species is not just intelligence but imagination — the ability to create and believe in shared fictions. In Homo Deus, Harari reveals how this cognitive revolution sparked unprecedented cooperation among large groups.

Shared myths — whether religious beliefs, national identities, or corporate brands — enable strangers to trust and collaborate. Language evolution around 70,000 years ago facilitated communication of abstract ideas, plans, and norms, transforming social structures.

This storytelling ability created the frameworks for laws, economies, and cultures that govern us today. Understanding this helps us appreciate the narratives shaping our lives and the potential to craft new stories for the future.

This blog dives into the origins and implications of the cognitive revolution, illuminating the roots of human society.

Sources: The Guardian, Bill Gates Notes, Medium, LitCritPop 1 2 3 4