Harari explores the role of storytelling in shaping the trajectory of Homo sapiens. The author posits that storytelling is not merely a cultural artifact but a cornerstone in the evolution of intelligence and society. This theme explores how a capacity to create stories distinguishes Homo sapiens from other species and has been pivotal in their ascendance as Earth’s dominant species.

Harari underscores storytelling as a unique tool that enabled Homo sapiens to construct complex social structures and collaborate in large groups, surpassing the capabilities of other species. This narrative skill facilitated the creation of shared myths, beliefs, and ideologies, ranging from religions to political systems. These shared narratives, often invisible and intangible, bound individuals together, creating social cohesion on a scale previously unseen in the animal kingdom. Harari argues that this cohesion was instrumental in the development of democracies, economies, and legal systems.

A critical aspect of this theme is how storytelling contributed to the rapid advancement and transformation of human intelligence. Harari suggests that the evolution of storytelling paralleled, and perhaps propelled, the evolution of the human mind. As stories became more complex and varied, they demanded greater cognitive flexibility and creativity, leading to an increase in humans’ intellectual capabilities.