Ideas worth spreading

Why fascism is so tempting -- and how your data could power it

4,672,617 views | Yuval Noah Harari • TED2018

In a profound talk about technology and power, author and historian Yuval Noah Harari explains the important difference between fascism and nationalism -- and what the consolidation of our data means for the future of democracy. Appearing as a hologram live from Tel Aviv, Harari warns that the greatest danger that now faces liberal democracy is that the revolution in information technology will make dictatorships more efficient and capable of control. "The enemies of liberal democracy hack our feelings of fear and hate and vanity, and then use these feelings to polarize and destroy," Harari says. "It is the responsibility of all of us to get to know our weaknesses and make sure they don't become weapons." (Followed by a brief conversation with TED curator Chris Anderson)

In a profound talk about technology and power, author and historian Yuval Noah Harari explains the important difference between fascism and nationalism -- and what the consolidation of our data means for the future of democracy. Appearing as a hologram live from Tel Aviv, Harari warns that the greatest danger that now faces liberal democracy is that the revolution in information technology will make dictatorships more efficient and capable of control. "The enemies of liberal democracy hack our feelings of fear and hate and vanity, and then use these feelings to polarize and destroy," Harari says. "It is the responsibility of all of us to get to know our weaknesses and make sure they don't become weapons." (Followed by a brief conversation with TED curator Chris Anderson)

This talk was presented at an official TED conference. TED's editors chose to feature it for you.

About the speaker

Yuval Noah Harari

Yuval Noah Harari

Historian, author

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Yuval Noah Harari is a historian, philosopher and the bestselling author of "Sapiens," "Homo Deus," "21 Lessons for the 21st Century" and the graphic novel series "Sapiens: A Graphic History." He is considered one of the world's most influential public intellectuals today.

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This talk was presented at an official TED conference. TED's editors chose to feature it for you.