Yuval He Lali is a well-regarded historian cutting-edge. "A brief history of mankind," "A Brief History of the future" and this "A Brief History Today" constitute his "Brief History" series trilogy, had a broad impact in the world. "A Brief History of mankind" is an overview of the human past, a step by step look at how apes became the ruler of the earth; "A Brief History of Future" discussion is long-term vision of life, thinking human beings may eventually go from here; "Jane today history ", aimed at the moment is taking place, or the near future things will happen.
In the book, an overview of the technical and political difficulties facing the world today, around double revolution in information technology and biotechnology, expounded with human destiny is closely related to the 21 issues. The author believes that the human face of these major issues and is not ready, our existing system simply can not face such a profound change and enormous challenges. And to deal with these problems, mankind united by a common action, but because of the nation-state, cultural differences, human solidarity and cooperation difficult. Therefore, the authors only suggests these problems, caused people to reflect, did not give the answer to appear.
These issues are summarized here organized into seven of the more important questions:
The first question: artificial intelligence will give a huge impact on employment.
Although artificial intelligence to create some new jobs, but most jobs will be replaced by robots and artificial intelligence. A lot of people will be unemployed, or forced restructuring, or even become a so-called "useless class."
The second question: the traditional educational model no longer meet the requirements of the times.
The traditional mode of education still gather to impart knowledge and teach skills. And now it is easy to acquire knowledge, skills learned may at any time be replaced by artificial intelligence. In the future, the most important thing is to learn how to improvise, learn new things and remain balanced state of mind in an unfamiliar environment.
The third question is: human freedom and equality will be seriously threatened.
In the future, large data algorithm might really be better than we understand ourselves and help us make a decision, we will also live under strict surveillance, no privacy. Advances in biotechnology, human beings will be in economic inequality into inequality creatures.
The fourth question is: nationalism make global cooperation difficult.
Nuclear war, global ecological crisis, science and technology to subvert the other major challenge that requires human beings to work together, to cooperate to deal with. However, nationalism Let every nation from their own national interests, this dispute, it is difficult to cooperate.
The fifth question: the dilemma caused by cultural conflict.
European Immigration is a typical case of cultural conflict. If the values of human freedom and tolerance, yet unable to cope with cultural differences and the integration of immigrants such problems, then where there are opportunities to address global civilization is facing a deeper conflict it?
The sixth question is: the threat of terrorism and war.
Damage caused by terrorism is very small, its purpose is to hope panic and confusion caused by the attack, opponents all out, overreact. Treat terrorism should not overreact. Today, the main economic asset is technology, knowledge, and institutional advantages, we can no longer go through the plunder of war. The possibility of war greatly reduced. But we can not underestimate human stupidity.
The seventh question is: People will become increasingly difficult to find the truth.
Technological development and globalization, so that a causal relationship highly differentiated and more complex, the information we get flooded with all kinds of lies and false government, enterprises and institutions engaged in the avalanche of advertising and promotion, competing to control our feelings.
