Last Minute Lecture

A Permanent Revolution — Industrial Modernity, Social Upheaval, and the Future of Humanity Explained | Chapter 18 from Sapiens by Yuval Noah Harari How has the modern world become a state of constant revolution? In Chapter 18 of Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind , Yuval Noah Harari examines the profound and ongoing transformations sparked by the Industrial Revolution—from ecological devastation to the collapse of traditional family structures, to the emergence of global peace and new forms of imagined community. Watch the full chapter summary below and subscribe to Last Minute Lecture for scholarly guides to every chapter! Living in a State of Permanent Revolution Harari argues that the one certainty about the future is radical change. The Industrial Revolution ushered in an era of non-stop upheaval—not only in technology, but also in society, psychology, time perception, and our relationship to the environment. Key Topics in Chapter 18 Ecological Costs: Expone...

The Wheels of Industry — Energy, Consumerism, and the Industrial Revolution Explained | Chapter 17 from Sapiens by Yuval Noah Harari How did the Industrial Revolution reshape not only economies, but the very fabric of daily life and the fate of billions of humans and animals? In Chapter 17 of Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind , Yuval Noah Harari explores the origins, mechanisms, and consequences of industrialization—from steam engines to consumer culture and factory farming. Watch the full chapter summary below and subscribe to Last Minute Lecture for detailed guides to every chapter! The Industrial Revolution: Energy and Materials Harari explains how the modern era’s explosive growth started with new ways to extract and convert energy—steam, electricity, fossil fuels—and invent materials like aluminum, plastic, and synthetic fertilizers. This technological leap unlocked a cycle of productivity, invention, and rapid change unlike anything before. Key Topics in Chapt...