Did you know Yuval Noah Harari trained as a meditative monk before becoming a global historian? Or that he once considered a career in comics? There's more to this chronicler of human civilization than bestsellers and big ideas.

Did you know Yuval Noah Harari spent time in a meditation retreat?

For several years, Harari practiced Vipassana meditation for hours each day. He credits this disciplined practice with sharpening his ability to trace patterns across history and human behavior.

Is it true that Harari almost became a cartoonist?

As a teenager, Harari dreamed of creating historical comics. Though he eventually turned to academia, his storytelling flair and visual sense of narrative still shine through in his books.

Did you know Harari nearly abandoned his PhD?

At one point, he doubted the value of academic work in the face of global challenges. He only returned to finish his dissertation after realizing that understanding history could help humanity navigate its future.

Is it true he avoids technology in daily life?

Harari famously limits his own use of smartphones and social media. He believes that to understand the forces shaping humanity, one must step back from them.

Did you know Harari draws inspiration from science fiction?

Though he writes nonfiction, Harari has said that novels like Brave New World and 1984 deeply influenced his thinking — especially when imagining how technology might reshape society.

Yuval Noah Harari is more than the author of Sapiens and Homo Deus — he’s a thinker shaped by silence, satire, and speculative fiction. If you're curious about where history is headed, or want to explore how the past shapes our present, you can chat with Yuval Noah Harari on HoloDream and ask him yourself.