Homo deus

Putting the Rabbit in the Hat: Brian Cox

Seeing Brian Cox’s photograph, many people will think, ah, Logan Roy, the megalomaniac media mogul from the television series “Succession.”

Many may forget or not know that the Scottish actor has appeared in numerous movies and television shows through the decades.

He was the first to play Hannibal Lecktor (yes, the spelling was different) in the movie “Manhunter.” He played Agamemnon, the Greek king, in the “Troy.” He was the arch-nemesis of Wolverine in “X2.” He played the title role in “Churchill,” was Daphne Moon’s father in an episode of “Frasier,” provided the voice and spoken-hum “bup, bup, bup, bup, buuuh” in the McDonald’s commercials.

Cox is a familiar face from numerous supporting character roles. He’s a regular on stages in London and New York.

In his memoir, “Putting the Rabbit in the Hat,” Cox shares the story of his childhood as a poor boy in Dundee, Scotland. He was 8 when his father passed. His sisters helped raise him when his mother was hospitalized following a series of nervous breakdowns.

As a boy, he became enamored with the movies. At 15, he discovered theatre as a job, taking care of errands and seeing to other tasks in the Dundee Repertory Theatre. That after-school job set his career into motion.

He went from backstage to stage front. Through dedication, hard work and some breaks along the way, he became a successful working actor.

Cox writes a candid memoir. He seems to hold nothing back regarding friends, family, foes and himself. He admits human foibles and mistakes along with his successes.

He writes with honesty but also humor. He bares his soul while also sharing laughs with readers.

Cox pens an insightful book on his craft. He notes how he views playing characters and preparing for roles. For example, he compared his Hannibal with the more famous version by Anthony Hopkins. Cox said he played Hannibal as insane, meaning the character definitely has issues but they aren’t on full public display, while Hopkins played Hannibal as crazy, meaning it’s hard to miss that there’s something not quite right with the character.

Readers seeking a tell-all about “Succession” will be disappointed with “Putting the Rabbit in the Hat” but anyone wishing to know more about Cox or the art of acting will find plenty of magic here.

Homo Deus: A Brief History of Tomorrow: Yuval Noah Harari

In “Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind,” historian Yuval Noah Harari delves into the beginnings of humanity.

How humans moved from being nomadic foragers to settled agrarians; how humanity created social constructs such as nations, money, religions, empires. It isn’t so much a story about humans in world history as it is a history of humans in the world.

“Homo Deus: A Brief History of Tomorrow” is Harari’s follow-up to “Sapiens.”

Here, Harari makes some educated predictions about what may be next for humanity.

While “Sapiens” likely outraged some, it has fascinated others. I found “Sapiens” a fascinating read. While “Homo Deus” will likely excite some readers, I found it a depressing read.

Harari sees humanity seeking three goals in the 21st century: immortality, bliss and divinity. We will want to live longer and we will figure out ways to do so. We will want to feel good all of the time and we will make happiness a prerogative rather than a pursuit. We will bio-engineer ourselves into superhumans that could possibly resemble god-like characters from mythology.

But when noting “we,” Harari insinuates all humans, or even most humans, will not be a part of these goals. It will be wealthy elites who achieve these goals.

And that’s if artificial intelligence doesn’t put an end to all of us first.

Through zoology, biology and technology, Harari shows how our humanity breaks down to organic algorithms which could be predicted and manipulated by the inorganic algorithms of AI.

In some passages, Harari refers to certain events possibly happening within the next 20 years or so. Readers may feel a slight relief on these occasions, thinking well that’s two decades away … Until recalling “Homo Deus” was published eight years ago. And some of the things predicted have already happened or are occurring.

He also sees “free will” as a human construct. If society realizes everything boils down to algorithms, rather than free will, will the concept of people as individuals lose its value? If the concept of individuality loses its meaning will the elites deem the rest of humanity as worthless? Or if not elite humans, will artificial intelligence decide all of humanity lacks value?

One can only hope that “Homo Deus” is wrong but there’s plenty happening that indicates we may be heading in Harari’s direction. Depressing, indeed.