How Sapiens Changed the Way We See Human History: The Untold Story of Our Rise

Imagine a world where humans were just one among many species, insignificant and unnoticed. For millions of years, our ancestors lived quietly on the African savannah, sharing the landscape with other human species like Neanderthals and Denisovans. It was only about 70,000 years ago that a cognitive leap allowed Homo sapiens to begin reshaping reality itself. This leap, known as the Cognitive Revolution, endowed us with language capable of describing things that do not exist physically—myths, gods, nations, and money. These shared beliefs enabled cooperation among strangers, a feat no other animal could achieve.

This capacity for shared imagination is the cornerstone of human societies. It allowed small bands of hunter-gatherers to grow into vast empires and global networks. Yet, the story of human progress is complex. The Agricultural Revolution, often celebrated as progress, paradoxically increased labor and disease while reducing diet quality. Early farmers worked harder and suffered more than their foraging ancestors.

Harari reveals that money, laws, and religions are all imagined orders—social constructs that exist because millions believe in them. Money, for example, has no intrinsic value but functions because of collective trust. Empires unified diverse peoples under shared myths, enabling cooperation on an unprecedented scale.

The Scientific Revolution further accelerated human power by embracing ignorance and curiosity, leading to breakthroughs that fueled the Industrial Revolution. This era transformed energy use, urban life, and consumer culture but also introduced ecological challenges that persist today.

Looking forward, Harari warns that biotechnology and artificial intelligence may soon redefine what it means to be human. Ethical dilemmas and environmental crises call for wisdom as we shape our future.

Understanding our past through Sapiens offers profound lessons about adaptability, imagination, and responsibility. It invites us to reflect on who we are and what legacy we wish to leave.