“The feedback loop between science, empire, and capital has arguably been history’s chief engine for the past 500 years” (p 274). According to Harari, at least what I gathered, is that these three effects are linked by money. You need money to fund science, you need science to fund your empire, and you need money to create a capital that works for people. Money is what controls the notion of each of these, creating a flow to everything. Scientists are a major backbone to our modern society. They have paved the way for population growth, economic growth, and political growth. Without innovation, we would not have the human population at 7 billion people, we would not be driven to buy new products, and life would simply not be as convenient as it is today. With that understanding of a scientist’s role in society and progression, an example given in each chapter of the reading linking science, empire, and capitalism is war. War puts scientists to work, gives them funding, and ultimately gives government the egotistical boost it thinks it deserves.
Harari said “the idea of progress is built on the notion that if we admit our ignorance and invest resources in research, things can improve” (p 310). I think for the most part, his description of progress is correct – especially in the linkage of science, empire, and capitalism. If we admit that future explorations in the field of science at any time can be disproven or incorrect, we can still strive to make things better for the human benefit of all. If we dedicate enough funds to scientists and researchers to constantly find innovations for already-existing inventions, we can almost always improve things. Things can improve with the right minds and the right funds behind said things.