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Famine Quote by Yuval Noah Harari

“Before answering this question, we need to say a few more words about famine, plague and war. The claim that we are bringing them under control may strike many as outrageous, extremely naïve, or perhaps callous. What about the billions of people scraping a living on less than $2 a day? What about…” quote by Yuval Noah Harari
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““Before answering this question, we need to say a few more words about famine, plague and war. The claim that we are bringing them under control may strike many as outrageous, extremely naïve, or perhaps callous. What about the billions of people scraping a living on less than $2 a day? What about the ongoing AIDS crisis in Africa, or the wars raging in Syria and Iraq? To address these concerns, let us take a closer look at the world of the early twenty-first century, before exploring the human agenda for the coming decades.””

Yuval Noah Harari

About This Quote

Source Book: Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind, 2014

The passage warns against oversimplifying complex global crises by claiming they are under control, urging deeper scrutiny of ongoing suffering.

In simple terms: Ignoring real crises is dangerous.

Key Takeaway

Examine and address root causes.

Themes

ethics global issues responsibility

Mood

concerned critical

Type

analytical reflective

When to use this quote

  • policy planning
  • public health
  • conflict resolution
  • poverty alleviation

Key Concepts

systems thinking humanitarianism historical analysis

Questions to Reflect On

  • How can we balance optimism with realistic assessment?
  • What responsibilities do we have to those suffering?
A Different Perspective

Oversimplification can mask needed action.

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