Coronavirus: Yuval Noah Harari, philosopher and historian, on the legacy of Covid-19 - BBC HARDtalk

The coronavirus pandemic has presented humanity with an almighty shock. Our evermore interconnected and technologically advanced societies are now in lockdown and we are fearful for our health and economic futures thanks to an invisible virus. HARDtalk’s Stephen Sackur speaks to the Israeli historian and best-selling author Yuval Noah Harari. What 21st century lesson can we draw from the spread of Covid-19?

[Stefanovic]

00:00 Introduction
00:59 This seems to be a moment that our mastery of the environment is extremely fragile, do you see it that way?
3:13 Since your last talk 1 month ago, where you explained that the decision we make in the coming weeks will define our years to come. How are we doing?
4:30 Why at this moment where leadership is needed, is it so lacking?
7:33 Authoritarian strains of government seem to be effective right now, is that because of the lack of leadership?
12:17 Is surveillance a power that we should be happy to invest in?
17:09 "Algorithms knowing us better than we know ourselves" is that a good or bad thing for our species?
19:45 How dangerous is fake news and misinformation?
21:51 Does the covid-19 present a bump in the road in the development of humanity or is it something bigger?

Yuval is always such an inspiration, amazing intellectual. In fact most of my videos on my channel are inspired by him. If you like topics like "how coronavirus will change our future" or "how AI is slowly getting to know us better than we know ourselves" then check out my latest videos.

Cheers!

[msfh]

Is it called hard talk because the interviewer interrupts him and makes it hard for him to talk?

[Trinitypater]

Please stop cutting Yuval when he talks. It’s impolite and unpleasant to the viewers.

[cyruskalali]

He is so great.
A young Aristotle.
I love Yuval..
He is one of the few intellectuals who brings wisdom and care and calmness to us during these hard times.
Thanks so very much yuval from Iran

[AnaDiaz-qjph]

"It's not about health, it's about control".

[AnaDiaz-qjph]

STOP THE ABUSE TO HUMANITY AND THE MIND CONTROL, LIVE AND LET LIVE

[Kakaobutter]

2:50 "as conditions improve, expectations increase, so people can remain as dissatisfied or as vulnerable as before"

huh, now that's something to think about

[bradwalton]

Harari seems to think that we can have totalitarian technologies without totalitarianism. He warns about despotism, but seems strangely optimistic about combining catastrophically abusable technologies with human beings.

[detoxbody]

Hard Talk has been one of the best programme I watch, it's because the way the interviewer navigates and asks tricky questions. Like from Down under !

[grizzlymartin]

So glad I "found" his books. One of my most valuable reads ever.

[yankhofreemansomanje]

I read his books, and I was like "well, sounds like a smart guy". But listening and actually watching him speak, I am blown away. This guy thinks so clearly. True genius

[nhatnguyen]

HARDtalk’s woke up after a long sleep. Hope to see more videos like this one.

[chandrashekarsrinivas]

BBC hardtalk interviewer needs some basic training on active listening skills!

[pensieri]

Thank you Yuval, what a wonderful interview! The world definitely need more rational, intelligent people like him!

[mariaaugustasilva]

Very good talk by Harari. Altough he was interrupted sometimes that did not altered the flow of his thinking and actualy improved the quality of his answers. So, thank you all

[hintonhamilton]

Interviewer should do more listening and less talking and interrupting.

[amyrosenold-music-healing-yoga]

I hope the interviewer reads these remarks, he needs to see how he's seen.

[rowlandbarkley-oestilistad]

The idea that that government surveillance of people could know them better than they know themselves is the most dangerous idea I ever heard that threatens the human race. I appreciate how brilliantly Yuval Noah Harari expresses himself. However, he will certainly change his mind about the value of being monitored if visits a regime that disappears philosophers.
The interviewer starts many questions with "but", which creates separation and shows rejection.

[lilianaciocoiu]

It is a dialog. I found it coherent enough to express important questions, opinions, concepts. I am perfectly happy with this conversation.

[rosesareredhehe]

Perhaps because of the interviewer, I now understand why this called HARDtalk.