Yuval Noah Harari, the author of Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind, argues that much of human society is built on shared imaginaries—stories, myths, and ideas that exist only because we collectively agree to believe in them. These constructs allow humans to cooperate on a large scale, but they are not inherently “real” in the same way physical objects are.

• Shared Myths Drive Humanity: Harari in Sapiens argues that much of our world—money, nations, laws—exists only because we believe in them.

• Imagination Enables Cooperation: Humans’ ability to share and believe in stories allows large-scale collaboration, unlike any other species.

• Constructed Realities: Religion, economies, and governments are powerful fictions shaping our behavior and society.

• Manipulation Through Narratives: Leaders and systems use these stories to unite or control people.

• The Root of Human Dominance: This ability to create shared imaginaries started with the “cognitive revolution” 70,000 years ago.

“Most of what we call ‘reality’ is just a story we tell ourselves.”

#history #homosapien #money #religion #economics