Reading Club #2 - 21 Lessons for the 21st Century A visionary investigation into today’s issues as we move into the future01

Have you ever wondered how we can protect ourselves from nuclear war, ecological cataclysms and technological disruptions? What can we do about the epidemic of fake news or the threat of terrorism? Award-winning writer, Yuval Noah Harari may have got the answers in his book entitled 21 Lessons for the 21st Century.

On 20 November 2020, the English Language Centre conducted the second reading club and for this time around, it was held online via Google Meet. Not only our students took part, it was also open to the public. A total of forty-five intellectuals came together to discuss and share their views on this powerful book. The event started after Mdm Boo gave a short speech to thank the event sponsors, the Tan Sri Yeoh Tiong Lay & Puan Sri Tan Kai Yong Aided ELC Teachers & Students Training Charitable Fund and Mr. Eric Chin Wee How, Chairman of the Parent-Teacher Association. The presenters of the day were Tan Hui Yi, Chua Li Earn, Sarah Yew Nuo-Lyn and Elisa Ng Wee Xin from S2 Melbourne. Together, they took the participants on a quest for the truth of living in the 21st century. 

The first presenter, Li Earn presented the concept of technological challenge which focuses on the battle between human and technology. She then continued to give us a quick rundown about the main points the author has made which are liberalism, work, liberty and equality. She highlighted Harari’s standpoint that in the long-run, giant tech companies like Google will have enough information to reengineer humans or/and have the ability to manipulate how we humans make decisions if we continue to give access to our private data freely. Ethan Chee, from S3 Ottawa added that as the technology of Artificial Intelligence and bioengineering rises, most humans might lose their economic value and political power. This is because as biotechnology advances, it is possible that economic inequality will translate to biological inequality. He also gave the audience a very detailed explanation of the history of inequality.

The second presenter, Hui Yi touched on Harari’s presentation on terrorism and how he thinks the governments, the public as well as the media should react to it. She then shared with us her thoughts on why we seem to fear terrorism more than sugar. In her opinion, diabetes is often perceived as a common sickness due to selective reporting by the media which leads to the consequences of misinterpretation of the truth. As a result, everybody is unconcerned with the health threats which sugar brings. She also presented on secularism and the six values brought up in the book which are truth, compassion, equality, freedom, courage and responsibility. She also analyzed the writer’s way of thinking and described it as pragmatic, realistic, down-to-earth and practical. However, she warned that his way of thinking might not be relatable to people like Malaysians, who are used to being around religion.