How Sapiens Changed the Way I See Humanity

I first picked up Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind by Yuval Noah Harari back in middle school. At the time, I was fascinated by the idea that humans evolved over millions of years, but most of the details went over my head. Coming back to it now, I’m amazed by how much more I can appreciate—and how much it makes me think about the stories that define us.

Harari argues that what truly sets humans apart isn’t our strength or intelligence, but our ability to create and believe in shared stories. Religion, money, laws, and nations exist only because we collectively agree they do. As Harari writes, “Large numbers of strangers can cooperate successfully by believing in common myths.” That idea completely reshaped how I see the world. Every system we rely on—our governments, schools, even our sense of identity—depends on our shared imagination.

The book takes readers through sweeping moments in history: the Cognitive Revolution, when humans began to think symbolically; the Agricultural Revolution, when we traded freedom for stability; and the Scientific Revolution, which continues to shape our future. I was struck by Harari’s observation that “One of history’s few iron laws is that luxuries tend to become necessities.” It’s a reminder of how quickly we adapt to comfort, and how progress often creates new forms of dependency.

Reading Sapiens now, I find myself reflecting not just on the past, but on the present and future. The same storytelling power that built civilizations now fuels technology, culture, and global connection. Our myths have evolved, but they remain at the heart of who we are.

If you’ve ever wondered how humanity transformed from small bands of foragers to complex, interconnected societies, Sapiens is an incredible place to start—and to rethink what it means to be human.