If you take 10,000 chimpanzees and cram them together into Wembley Stadium or the Houses of Parliament, you will get chaos. But if you take 10,000 people who have never met before, they can co-operate and create amazing things.
In this quote, Yuval Noah Harari contrasts the behavior of chimpanzees and humans to illustrate the unique ability of people to cooperate and create order. He uses the hypothetical scenario of cramming 10,000 chimpanzees into a crowded space like Wembley Stadium or the Houses of Parliament to suggest that without any structure or shared understanding, the result would be chaos. Chimpanzees, like many animals, act on instincts and do not possess the same capacity for complex cooperation as humans do.
Harari then compares this scenario to humans, pointing out that even though 10,000 strangers who have never met before may seem unlikely to work together harmoniously, they can still cooperate and create amazing things. This highlights one of the most distinctive features of human beings: the ability to collaborate despite differences, organize resources, and work toward common goals. Humans are capable of forming societies and building complex systems that lead to innovations and achievements, from technology to art, business, and more.
The quote reflects Harari’s broader views on human social structures and culture. He argues that humans thrive not just because of individual intelligence or strength, but because of their ability to create and believe in shared narratives. These shared beliefs allow people to come together and cooperate toward achieving goals, even when they don’t know each other personally. This shared vision is what enables people to accomplish things that seem impossible.
Ultimately, Harari’s words emphasize the remarkable nature of human cooperation and the power of collective action. Unlike animals, who may be driven by basic instincts, humans can unite and build complex, meaningful structures that have a profound impact on the world. It’s this ability to collaborate, despite differences, that has allowed humanity to achieve extraordinary feats.
VHViet Vu Hoang
This is an interesting take, but it makes me wonder — does this ability to cooperate mean we’re inherently more moral or advanced than other animals? Or is it just that we’ve evolved different survival strategies? I’d be interested in hearing from people who study animal behavior or anthropology. Maybe cooperation is just one form of intelligence among many, not necessarily a superior one.
MQTran Nguyen Minh Quan
Reading this made me think about events like protests, flash mobs, or humanitarian efforts where total strangers cooperate almost effortlessly. What allows that kind of coordination to happen so seamlessly? Is it empathy? Shared purpose? I’d love to dive deeper into how spontaneous cooperation works and why it can sometimes outperform even structured efforts led by institutions.
LNLinh Nguyen
I love the optimism in this idea, but I also think it overlooks some important realities. Humans can work together, yes, but often only when there's a shared goal or system in place. Without leadership, norms, or accountability, things can spiral quickly. So does this quote assume too much about human nature? Or is it pointing to our potential, rather than our average behavior?
TH10 Sinh Nguyen Viet Tuan Huy
This quote made me think about social structures. Why is it that humans can create order out of chaos so efficiently while other species can’t? Do we naturally crave organization, or has society conditioned us to seek it? I’d be curious to hear what others think is the key element that allows strangers to form functioning groups — especially when there’s no pre-existing relationship or trust.
Ttrung
It’s a fascinating comparison, but it makes me ask: are we really that different from other primates, or is it just that our systems are more refined? When people come together, we can do amazing things, sure — but we’re also capable of large-scale conflict, misinformation, and division. So what conditions determine whether our collective efforts produce beauty or disaster? Is it culture, leadership, or something deeper?