Book 207 - A Year of Magical Learning (2 of 5)

Reflection Title: Never Stop Your Quest for Knowledge!

Book – Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind by Yuval Noah Harari (Part 2/5)

Book Description: From a renowned historian comes a groundbreaking narrative of humanity’s creation and evolution—a #1 international bestseller—that explores the ways in which biology and history have defined us and enhanced our understanding of what it means to be “human.”

One hundred thousand years ago, at least six different species of humans inhabited Earth. Yet today there is only one—homo sapiens. What happened to the others? And what may happen to us?

Most books about the history of humanity pursue either a historical or a biological approach, but Dr. Yuval Noah Harari breaks the mold with this highly original book that begins about 70,000 years ago with the appearance of modern cognition. From examining the role evolving humans have played in the global ecosystem to charting the rise of empires, Sapiens integrates history and science to reconsider accepted narratives, connect past developments with contemporary concerns, and examine specific events within the context of larger ideas.

Reflection:

I remember having this holy shit moment once when reading Sapiens about the quest for knowledge.

It was in the section off the book talking about theories as to how and why Europeans came to dominate the world’s stage seemingly out of nowhere. Thriving and dominate cultures of humans had existed in Asian for 1,000 of years, but for some reason the lowly, uncultured, and uneducated humans that lived in an area of the world that lacked many advantages slowly over time began to rise up and rapidly evolve into what became the empires of Europe that spread throughout the globe. It seemingly makes no sense why this would happen.

The logical question then becomes…why?

The author’s theory is that the reason this happened is because European culture was centered around the idea that they don’t know anything and that it was their duty to explore the world to seek answers to our universe’s biggest mysteries.

As soon as I heard this, my mind began racing. I began to visualize all these explorers willing to leave their families, friends, and lives behind to hop on a boat, risk their lives, and set sail around the world in hopes of bringing back 1 tiny new piece of knowledge that they didn’t have when they began their journey. Whenever these explorers would embark on a new quest for knowledge, they literally had zero guarantees that they would find anything on this journey. They had no idea what future hardships lay in store for them. Hell, they didn’t even have any guarantees that they would even return, but they set sail anyway to see what they could find.

That is the power of the quest for knowledge. It is so addicting, fun, and rewarding that people are literally willing to accept the idea of death versus a lifetime of unanswered questions. Humans are fueled and propelled forward by our unquenchable thirst for finding answers to our questions. It is in this unquenchable thirst for knowledge and exploration of this world that led this lowly tribe of humans to rise out of nowhere and ascend to global domination through the spread of ideas throughout the Earth never before seen in human history.

I was blown away and my mind was spinning. This happened a few times while reading this book which is why it is one of my all-time favorites.

As I zoomed back to reality of my present day, I couldn’t help but to feel very sad for myself, and modern-day society overall. I thought, our ancestors were willing to risk their lives and leave their loved ones behind all for the chance (with no guarantee) to learn something new to add to the collective tribal knowledge. Then I looked at my life. I thought of how much time I’ve wasted in my adult life “knowing things” and becoming an “expert”. It had been forever since I really actively tried to seek out new knowledge regularly. I thought, I have access to more information than anyone 500 years ago could probably have even dreamed at the tip of my fingers, literally, and yet I still am too lazy to find time to educate myself regularly.

I felt disgusted with myself.

I thought of all the things that Emilia never would have a chance to learn about from this magical world of ours. Then I thought to myself, I’m not going to let that be my life anymore. I’m going to make it my goal to always strive to intentionally try to seek out new knowledge each and every day I have the privilege to exist in this world.

I decided that I’m no longer going to try and be an “expert” anymore and return to our roots of being an explorer. It is in this moment that I officially added “Learn Something New Everyday” to my core values list.

I’ve kept my promise and honored my values from that day forward and I’ve never had more fun. The regular quest for knowledge is the most satisfying thing I’ve ever done in my life, and I will plan to do so until the day I die. If these explorers could risk everything for the chance to learn something new, I for damn sure can pull up my phone that is always at the ready to read a book, listen to a podcast or audiobook, watch a documentary, or whatever else I decide that day in an attempt to always try to seek new knowledge on this quest of life.

Question: Do you want to be an Expert or an Explorer?

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Links:

What is The Year of Magical Learning? An Introduction

YOML Podcast Discussion - Coming Soon

YOML Bookstore - Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind by Yuval Noah Harari