Podcast appearances and mentions of Steven Pinker

The Harvard psychologist discusses recent gains for free speech at Harvard, growing political and ideological threats to academic freedom, and the importance of shared knowledge in sustaining truth and progress.

CNN Michael Smerconish delivers his commentary on three key issues the Trump administration wants to take on: Harvard University, Abrego Garcia, and scaling back the IRS. CNN Senior Analyst Elie Honig weighs in on the Supreme Court temporarily pausing deportations under Alien Enemies Act. Then Texas Tech University law professor Bryan Camp addresses how audit rates and tax revenues will drop if the Trump administration makes the largest workforce reduction in history at the IRS. Finally, Harvard professor Steven Pinker reacts to new reporting about the Trump administration mistakenly sending a list of demands to Harvard University. Professor Pinker also welcomes greater viewpoint diversity at Harvard but rejects the idea that the federal government should micromanage a private university.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Renowned Harvard cognitive psychologist Steven Pinker studies the big questions facing human nature: Why do we fight? What helps us get along? How do we understand the world around us? His research has uncovered an insight we might not expect – that humanity is doing better than we might think. Despite host of major challenges that still exist, from geopolitical unrest to climate change, data shows that humans today live longer, face fewer wars, and live more comfortable lives than in preceding generations. He explains why a better understanding of progress and its uneven nature can help us better appreciate the unique moment of time in which we live, avoid decision-making blindspots and strengthen leaders' confidence to solve the big complex problems we still face. This interview was recorded at the Annual Meeting in Davos Switzerland in January 2025.  About this episode: Steven Pinker: Future of Jobs report: Video podcast version of this interview: Transcript: Related Podcasts: Adam Grant: Future leaders won't succeed without this key trait  How leaders can prepare teams for the future of work: ADP's Chief Economist

Outside of the academics and activists whose ideology came to dominate the West in the second decade of the twenty-first century, arguably no group influenced public discourse as much as the Intellectual Dark Web. Challenging the intellectual and cultural orthodoxies that engulfed universities, the media, and big tech, this group—a loose collective of politically diverse intellectuals, commentators, and scholars critical of political correctness, identity politics, and cancel culture—relied on alternative platforms like podcasts, digital magazines, and YouTube to promote free speech, universal rights, and individual liberty. While the term is most commonly identified with Sam Harris, Ben Shapiro, Jordan Peterson, Bret and Eric Weinstein, and Joe Rogan, the group's concerns and philosophy extended more broadly to include a wide range of individuals who helped mainstream critiques of “woke” culture and a robust defense of free speech, including Steven Pinker, Michael Shermer, Jonathan Haidt, Dave Rubin, Ayaan Hirsi Ali, and Stephen Fry. The Intellectual Dark Web's coherence began to unravel in the early 2020s due to internal differences (such as over the response to COVID-19 and climate change), and its full legacy and historical impact are yet to be determined. Jamie Roberts is a lecturer in the Department of Government and International Relations at the University of Sydney. His new book is The Intellectual Dark Web: A History (and Possible Future).

Harry sits down with Steven Pinker, who wears many intellectual hats, all well: linguist, psychologist, political philosopher, historian, and social critic, for starters. After some brief discussion of his childhood and background, they dive into Pinker's best-selling “The Better Angels of Our Nature,” (Bill Gates's favorite book at the time), “Enlightenment Now,” and Rationality” (Bill Gates's new favorite book). In those works, Pinker lay out an argument that by and large, in fits and starts, society is advancing incrementally in health, safety, knowledge, and other key benchmarks of Enlightenment values. The two also touch on Pinker's strong if idiosyncratic views about writing (he rejects much of modern pedantry about correct usage); his original Promethean work in linguistics; and his views about certain human cognitive biases. A wide-ranging and provocative discussion with one of the great public intellectuals of our time.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode of the Existential Hope Podcast, cognitive psychologist and bestselling author Steven Pinker explores why, despite massive gains in human progress, many people remain pessimistic about the future—and why that matters for shaping what comes next.Steven argues that while progress isn't automatic, it is real. By tracking long-term trends in violence, poverty, democracy, and innovation, we can see how human effort—driven by reason, science, and cooperation—has repeatedly pushed civilization forward. Yet, media narratives and cognitive biases often make us blind to these achievements, reinforcing a sense of stagnation or decline.In this conversation, we explore:The hidden progress shaping our world today—from rising literacy rates to declining poverty, and why these trends rarely make the news.Why pessimism can be self-defeating—and how a more accurate understanding of history can help us build a better future.The role of AI, biotech, and clean energy—and why they might unlock transformative improvements, if used wisely.How to communicate ideas that inspire hope—including Steven's advice on cutting through jargon and tribalism to make ideas stick.If you've ever wondered whether humanity is on the right track—or how to ensure we stay on it—this episode is for you. Listen now to hear how we can move from existential dread to existential hope.

In this episode of The Poetry of Reality, Richard Dawkins engages in an insightful conversation with Steven Pinker about evolution, his motivation for writing The Blind Watchmaker, and a breakdown of his latest book, The Genetic Book of the Dead Steven Pinker is a Canadian-American cognitive psychologist, psycholinguist, popular science author, and public intellectual. He is an advocate of evolutionary psychology and the computational theory of mind. This was filmed in Boston, Massachusetts, as part of Richard Dawkins' tour.

In this class series, Rabbi Shmuly will explore the Torah of the mind. Examining thinkers like Freud, Piaget, Maslow, Frankl, and so many others over 50 interactive sessions, we will explore how Jewish thought intersects with modern psychological studies and theories. Looking at consciousness, moral reasoning, ego, love, learning, and evil, how can we better understand why humans act as they do? Considering our relationships, traumas, memories, conflicts, and self-esteem, how can reflecting on the deep complexity of our minds help us live more meaningful lives? Further, how might Jewish ethics and Jewish philosophy help us ask not just “how do we live” but “how might we live?” Join us for a deep dive into the collective, individual, and the Jewish mind.Attended these classes live over Zoom by becoming a member for just $18 per month: https://www.valleybeitmidrash.org/become-a-member.------------------Stay Connected with Valley Beit Midrash:• Website: https://www.valleybeitmidrash.org• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ValleyBeitMidrash ★ Support this podcast ★

In this episode, Rabbi David Wolpe joins us for a thought-provoking conversation about the challenges and opportunities facing the Jewish people today. In the wake of October 7th, intra-faith dialogue is as critical as interfaith dialogue. The Jewish community must find ways to foster understanding, break down barriers, and build unity among diverse perspectives. Rabbi Wolpe reflects on the enduring influence of Maimonides, whose teachings continue to resonate across Jewish movements and explores how his philosophy shapes modern Jewish thought. We discuss the evolution of New Atheism, from Christopher Hitchens to Alex O'Connor, and what this shift means for conversations about faith within the Jewish context. The conversation also delves into culturally religious figures like Dennis Prager and Jordan Peterson, examining whether a meaningful religious message can be upheld without traditional observance. Rabbi Wolpe addresses the hardest questions raised by atheists—about evil, belief, and God's hiddenness—and shares his vision for making faith relevant and compelling in a skeptical world. This episode challenges us to think deeply about faith, unity, and the future of Judaism. Don't miss this essential conversation.---• Bio: Named The Most Influential Rabbi in America by Newsweek and one of the 50 Most Influential Jews in the World  by The Jerusalem Post, and twice named one of the 500 Most Influential People in Los Angeles by the Los Angeles Business Journal, David Wolpe is the Max Webb Emeritus Rabbi of Sinai Temple. He serves as the ADL's inaugural rabbinic fellow and a scholar in residence at the Maimonides Fund. Rabbi Wolpe has taught at Harvard, the Jewish Theological Seminary, the American Jewish University, Hunter College, and UCLA. Rabbi Wolpe has published widely, including in The New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Washington Post, Time, Newsweek and The Atlantic. He has been featured on The Today Show, Face the Nation, ABC This Morning, and CBS This Morning as well as series on PBS, A&E, History Channel, and Discovery Channel, and has engaged in widely watched public debates with Christopher Hitchens, Sam Harris, Richard Dawkins, Steven Pinker and many others about religion and its place in the world. Rabbi Wolpe is the author of eight books, including the national bestseller Making Loss Matter: Creating Meaning in Difficult Times (Riverhead). His latest is titled David, the Divided Heart (Yale U Press). It was a finalist for the National Jewish Book Awards, and has been optioned for a movie by Warner Bros.---• Welcome to JUDAISM DEMYSTIFIED: A PODCAST FOR THE PERPLEXED | Co-hosted by Benjy & Benzi | Thank you to...Super Patron: Jordan Karmily, Platinum Patron: Craig Gordon, Gold Patrons: Dovidchai Abramchayev, Lazer Cohen, Travis Krueger, Vasili Volkoff, Rod Ilian, Silver Patrons: Ellen Fleischer, Daniel Maksumov, Rabbi Pinny Rosenthal, Fred & Antonio, Jeffrey Wasserman, and Jacob Winston! Please SUBSCRIBE to this YouTube Channel and hit the BELL so you can get alerted whenever new clips get posted, thank you for your support!

On this installment of “A Bit of Blue Sky,” host Bill Burke describes five books he recommends that will help listeners be more optimistic (and hopefully, fulfill their New Year's resolution to do so)!    Blue Sky Bookshelf: Link    Chapters:   00:00 Welcome to A Bit of Blue Sky Host Bill Burke introduces the podcast and its mission to inspire optimism through engaging discussions. He sets the stage for a conversation about books that can help listeners maintain their New Year's resolutions.  01:29 Factfulness: A New Perspective Bill discusses ‘Factfulness' by Hans Rosling, a book that challenges common misconceptions about the world and highlights the progress we've made. He emphasizes the importance of understanding facts to foster a more optimistic outlook.  03:56 The Enlightenment and Its Impact Next, Bill explores ‘Enlightenment Now' by Steven Pinker, which reflects on the values established during the European Enlightenment. He highlights how these values have contributed to a more peaceful and prosperous world.  05:31 Humankind: A Case for Optimism Bill introduces ‘Humankind' by Rutger Bregman, a book that argues for the inherent goodness of humanity. Through compelling examples, Bregman refutes the notion that humans are naturally violent and emphasizes cooperation.  06:49 The Rational Optimist: A Thoughtful Approach In this chapter, Bill revisits ‘The Rational Optimist' by Matt Ridley, discussing how free trade and cooperation have historically led to human progress. He advocates for a rational approach to optimism based on facts.  07:12 The Power of Kind Words Bill shares insights from ‘The Power of A Few Kind Words' by Tracy Gates, a book inspired by the author's father that encourages expressing appreciation through handwritten letters. This practice aims to uplift both the sender and the recipient. 

Disclaimer: This podcast does not provide medical advice. The content of this podcast is provided for informational or educational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for informed medical advice or care. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat any health issue without consulting your doctor. Always seek medical advice before making any lifestyle changes. Dr. Douglas J. Lisle, Ph.D.is the co-author of The Pleasure Trap available here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1570671974?tag=onamzchefajsh-20&linkCode=ssc&creativeASIN=1570671974&asc_item-id=amzn1.ideas.1GNPDCAG4A86S Dr. Doug Lisle is an evolutionary psychologist and co-author of The Pleasure Trap: Mastering the Hidden Force that Undermines Health and Happiness. He and his colleagues (Jennifer Howk and Richard Seidel) have developed a revolutionary method for approaching life challenges and improving self-confidence and self-esteem. They describe their approach as Esteem Dynamics — an approach with clinical insights derived from evolutionary psychology. Central figures having major influence on the development of Esteem Dynamics include Richard Dawkins, John Tooby and Leda Cosmides, David Buss, Robert Trivers, Steven Pinker, and Geoffrey Miller. All of these individuals are considered world-leading theorists in evolutionary theory and human psychology. Somewhat surprisingly, insights from these trailblazers has yet to reach mainstream clinical psychology, and thus major advances stemming from some of the world's greatest thinkers have yet to be systematically applied to problems of helping people improve their lives. Esteem Dynamics is the first such effort, and weds Dr. Lisle's 30-years of clinical experience to the deep insights into human nature only recently available via evolutionary psychology. Dr. Lisle received his undergraduate education from the University of California, San Diego. He completed his Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology at the University of Virginia, and was then appointed Lecturer in Psychology at Stanford University. His research and clinical interests include health and wellness, self-esteem, relationship satisfaction, the treatment of anxiety and depression, the genetics of individual differences, and optimizing achievement motivation. In addition to his work with Esteem Dynamics, Dr. Lisle lectures widely on health and wellness. Dr Lisle is available at selected days and times for a one-to-one, personal phone consultation: https://drdouglisle.as.me/schedule.php

Vegans have a marketing problem: they're perceived to be annoying, self-righteous, judgmental, and inflexible. Author Matthew Halteman's book Hungry Beautiful Animals is designed to fix that perception and make veganism more appealing and less threatening. Visit his website about Hungry Beautiful Animals. Matthew Halteman and I discuss his book Hungry Beautiful Animals. Here's the timeline of our discussion in case you want to skip to a section. 00:00 Intro 04:30 Marketing Problem? 07:00 Practical Tips 10:00 Kindergarten Values 12:00 Abstract food 16:30 Aspirations 20:40 Fish Watch the Video Book review In his excellent book "The Better Angels of Our Nature," Steven Pinker observed that humanity has become less barbarous with each passing century. Consider the improvements to: - Women's rights - Gay rights - Racism - Slavery - Death penalty - Wars - Prisons Pinker was asked, "What will people in the 22nd century think of us? What are we doing that will seem barbarous and immoral to future humans?" Pinker said (I'm paraphrasing), "The way almost everyone financially supports the barbarous and inhumane treatment of animals by buying and eating animals." True. Today's vegans are like the anti-slavery people 200 years ago: annoying, and everyone wished they would just go away. How can vegans be more inviting? It seems like an all-or-nothing club.  This book says, "Relax. You're welcome to join the tribe." Hungry Beautiful Animals is a vibrant and engaging exploration of veganism.  The book stands out for its joyful and inclusive approach, aiming to transform the often polarizing topic of veganism into an inviting conversation.  Halteman's writing can be too verbose, but it is filled with humor and anecdotes that resonate regardless of one's dietary choices. ### Key Themes - Joy and Kindness: Halteman emphasizes that adopting a vegan lifestyle can be a source of joy rather than a burden. He encourages readers to view veganism as a journey filled with possibilities rather than a strict set of rules that can lead to feelings of shame or guilt.    - Personal Stories: The book is rich with anecdotes that illustrate the interconnectedness of all living beings. For instance, Halteman reflects on moments his dog (Gus), who inspired him to write this book. - Community Focus: Halteman invites readers from all backgrounds to join in a collective movement towards kindness and compassion for animals, promoting the idea that everyone is welcome in this exploration of veganism, even if you're not hardcore, full-time. - Practical Guidance: Beyond philosophical discussions, the book provides practical suggestions for leading a more animal-friendly life, including tips on creating pollinator-friendly habitats in one's yard. The book offers profound insights and the ability to provoke thought without condemnation.  It is an engaging read that challenges preconceived notions about veganism while fostering a sense of community and shared purpose. Overall, Hungry Beautiful Animals is a book about veganism and an invitation to live more compassionately and joyfully with all beings. VERDICT: 9 out of 10 stars!

Steven Pinker is a Canadian-American cognitive psychologist, linguist, and influential author, and professor in the Department of Psychology at Harvard University. Pinker's research spans psycholinguistics, visual cognition, and the science of human behaviour. He is a proponent of rationality, evidence-based thinking, and the application of evolutionary psychology to understand human nature. Pinker is frequently cited as one of the most influential thinkers of his time.Peter & Kasia engage with Steven for a profound discussion revolving around the themes of global peace and progress in modern times. The conversation references Pinker's books, 'The Better Angels of Our Nature' (2011) and 'Enlightenment Now' (2018), which argue that humanity currently lives in the most peaceful era in history. Further topics include the role of nuclear weapons in maintaining global peace, and the moral and ethical implications of technological advancements like AI.Learn more about Steven Pinker and read his books!Keep up to date with Peter!Website: www.petersinger.infoSubstack: https://boldreasoningwithpetersinger.substack.com/YouTube: www.youtube.com/@peter_singerKeep up to date with Kasia!https://www.facebook.com/katarzyna.delazariradek Executive Producer: Rachel Barrett Audio Producer: Stuart BucklandThanks to our volunteer researchers Hendrik Dahlmeier and Mihika ChechiIf you are enjoying this podcast, consider supporting us over at PATREON Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Rebroadcast: this episode was originally released in November 2022.Is war in long-term decline? Steven Pinker's The Better Angels of Our Nature brought this previously obscure academic question to the centre of public debate, and pointed to rates of death in war to argue energetically that war is on the way out.But that idea divides war scholars and statisticians, and so Better Angels has prompted a spirited debate, with datasets and statistical analyses exchanged back and forth year after year. The lack of consensus has left a somewhat bewildered public (including host Rob Wiblin) unsure quite what to believe.Today's guest, professor in political science Bear Braumoeller, is one of the scholars who believes we lack convincing evidence that warlikeness is in long-term decline. He collected the analysis that led him to that conclusion in his 2019 book, Only the Dead: The Persistence of War in the Modern Age.Links to learn more, highlights, and full transcript.The question is of great practical importance. The US and PRC are entering a period of renewed great power competition, with Taiwan as a potential trigger for war, and Russia is once more invading and attempting to annex the territory of its neighbours.If war has been going out of fashion since the start of the Enlightenment, we might console ourselves that however nerve-wracking these present circumstances may feel, modern culture will throw up powerful barriers to another world war. But if we're as war-prone as we ever have been, one need only inspect the record of the 20th century to recoil in horror at what might await us in the 21st.Bear argues that the second reaction is the appropriate one. The world has gone up in flames many times through history, with roughly 0.5% of the population dying in the Napoleonic Wars, 1% in World War I, 3% in World War II, and perhaps 10% during the Mongol conquests. And with no reason to think similar catastrophes are any less likely today, complacency could lead us to sleepwalk into disaster.He gets to this conclusion primarily by analysing the datasets of the decades-old Correlates of War project, which aspires to track all interstate conflicts and battlefield deaths since 1815. In Only the Dead, he chops up and inspects this data dozens of different ways, to test if there are any shifts over time which seem larger than what could be explained by chance variation alone.In a nutshell, Bear simply finds no general trend in either direction from 1815 through today. It seems like, as philosopher George Santayana lamented in 1922, "only the dead have seen the end of war."In today's conversation, Bear and Rob discuss all of the above in more detail than even a usual 80,000 Hours podcast episode, as well as:Why haven't modern ideas about the immorality of violence led to the decline of war, when it's such a natural thing to expect?What would Bear's critics say in response to all this?What do the optimists get right?How does one do proper statistical tests for events that are clumped together, like war deaths?Why are deaths in war so concentrated in a handful of the most extreme events?Did the ideas of the Enlightenment promote nonviolence, on balance?Were early states more or less violent than groups of hunter-gatherers?If Bear is right, what can be done?How did the 'Concert of Europe' or 'Bismarckian system' maintain peace in the 19th century?Which wars are remarkable but largely unknown?Chapters:Cold open (00:00:00)Rob's intro (00:01:01)The interview begins (00:05:37)Only the Dead (00:08:33)The Enlightenment (00:18:50)Democratic peace theory (00:28:26)Is religion a key driver of war? (00:31:32)International orders (00:35:14)The Concert of Europe (00:44:21)The Bismarckian system (00:55:49)The current international order (01:00:22)The Better Angels of Our Nature (01:19:36)War datasets (01:34:09)Seeing patterns in data where none exist (01:47:38)Change-point analysis (01:51:39)Rates of violent death throughout history (01:56:39)War initiation (02:05:02)Escalation (02:20:03)Getting massively different results from the same data (02:30:45)How worried we should be (02:36:13)Most likely ways Only the Dead is wrong (02:38:31)Astonishing smaller wars (02:42:45)Rob's outro (02:47:13)Producer: Keiran HarrisAudio mastering: Ryan KesslerTranscriptions: Katy Moore

Happy New Year 2025! To celebrate, here is an encore of what proved to be the most popular episode of 2024. This rerun combines episodes 30 and 31 into one epic journey towards the frontiers of human understanding. My guest is Donald Hoffman. Our topics are consciousness, cosmos, and the meaning of life. Enjoy! Original show notes Laws of physics govern the world. They explain the movements of planets, oceans, and cells in our bodies. But can they ever explain the feelings and meanings of our mental lives? This problem, called the hard problem of consciousness, runs very deep. No satisfactory explanation exists. But many think that there must, in principle, be an explanation. A minority of thinkers disagree. According to these thinkers, we will never be able to explain mind in terms of matter. We will, instead, explain matter in terms of mind. I explored this position in some detail in episode 17. But hold on, you might say. Is this not contradicted by the success of natural sciences? How could a mind-first philosophy ever explain the success of particle physics? Or more generally, wouldn't any scientist laugh at the idea that mind is more fundamental than matter? No — not all of them laugh. Some take it very seriously. Donald Hoffman is one such scientist. Originally working with computer vision at MIT's famous Artificial Intelligence Lab, Hoffman started asking a simple question: What does it mean to "see" the world? His answer begins from a simple idea: perception simplifies the world – a lot. But what is the real world like? What is “there” before our perception simplifies the world? Nothing familiar, Hoffman claims. No matter. No objects. Not even a three-dimensional space. And no time. There is just consciousness. This is a wild idea. But it is a surprisingly precise idea. It is so precise, in fact, that Hoffman's team can derive basic findings in particle physics from their theory.  A fascinating conversation was guaranteed. I hope you enjoy it. If you do, consider becoming a supporter of On Humans on ⁠⁠Patreon.com/OnHumans⁠⁠.  MENTIONS Names: David Gross, Nima Arkani-Hamed, Edward Whitten, Nathan Seiberg, Andrew Strominger, Edwin Abbott, Nick Bostrom, Giulio Tononi, Keith Frankish, Daniel Dennett, Steven Pinker, Roger Penrose, Sean Carroll,  Swapan Chattopadhyay Terms (Physics and Maths): quantum fields, string theory, gluon, scattering amplitude, amplituhedron, decorated permutations, bosons, leptons, quarks, Planck scale, twistor theory, M-theory, multiverse, recurrent communicating classes, Cantor's hierarchy (relating to different sizes of infinity... If this sounds weird, stay tuned for full episode on infinity. It will come out in a month or two.) Terms (Philosophy and Psychology): Kant's phenomena and noumena, integrated information theory, global workspace theory, orchestrated objective reduction theory, attention schema theory Books: Case Against Reality by Hoffman, Enlightenment Now by Steven Pinker Articles etc.: For links to articles, courses, and more, see ⁠https://onhumans.substack.com/p/links-for-episode-30⁠

GET MY FREE INSTANT POT COOKBOOK: https://www.chefaj.com/instant-pot-download MY BEST SELLING WEIGHT LOSS BOOK: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1570674086?tag=onamzchefajsh-20&linkCode=ssc&creativeASIN=1570674086&asc_item-id=amzn1.ideas.1GNPDCAG4A86S Disclaimer: This podcast does not provide medical advice. The content of this podcast is provided for informational or educational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for informed medical advice or care. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat any health issue without consulting your doctor. Always seek medical advice before making any lifestyle changes. Dr. Douglas J. Lisle, Ph.D.is the co-author of The Pleasure Trap available here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1570671974?tag=onamzchefajsh-20&linkCode=ssc&creativeASIN=1570671974&asc_item-id=amzn1.ideas.1GNPDCAG4A86S Dr. Doug Lisle is an evolutionary psychologist and co-author of The Pleasure Trap: Mastering the Hidden Force that Undermines Health and Happiness. He and his colleagues (Jennifer Howk and Richard Seidel) have developed a revolutionary method for approaching life challenges and improving self-confidence and self-esteem. They describe their approach as Esteem Dynamics — an approach with clinical insights derived from evolutionary psychology. Central figures having major influence on the development of Esteem Dynamics include Richard Dawkins, John Tooby and Leda Cosmides, David Buss, Robert Trivers, Steven Pinker, and Geoffrey Miller. All of these individuals are considered world-leading theorists in evolutionary theory and human psychology. Somewhat surprisingly, insights from these trailblazers has yet to reach mainstream clinical psychology, and thus major advances stemming from some of the world's greatest thinkers have yet to be systematically applied to problems of helping people improve their lives. Esteem Dynamics is the first such effort, and weds Dr. Lisle's 30-years of clinical experience to the deep insights into human nature only recently available via evolutionary psychology. Dr. Lisle received his undergraduate education from the University of California, San Diego. He completed his Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology at the University of Virginia, and was then appointed Lecturer in Psychology at Stanford University. His research and clinical interests include health and wellness, self-esteem, relationship satisfaction, the treatment of anxiety and depression, the genetics of individual differences, and optimizing achievement motivation. In addition to his work with Esteem Dynamics, Dr. Lisle lectures widely on health and wellness. Dr Lisle is available at selected days and times for a one-to-one, personal phone consultation: https://drdouglisle.as.me/schedule.php

This week we discuss the chapter “Why are Flowers Beautiful?” from the book Beginning of Infinity by David Deutsch. Through our discussion we consider: Does relativism make any sense? Is preferring Mozart to a child banging on a piano really just an arbitrary preference? If progress in art is real, will human minds ever stop increasing the level of beauty in the world? Are humans more objectively beautiful than other species? (And are women more beautiful than men?) Is music “cheesecake for the ears,” as Steven Pinker puts it? And is cheesecake itself even “cheesecake for the mouth”? Is progress in science also intertwined with aesthetic progress? --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/four-strands/support

Jordan Peterson sits down with theorist and researcher Mark Changizi. They discuss the biological reasons for mass hysteria on the societal level, why we evolved to have color vision, and how we understand and interpret the patterns of the natural world. Mark Changizi is a theorist aiming to grasp the ultimate foundations underlying why we think, feel, and see as we do. He attended the University of Virginia for a degree in physics and mathematics, and to the University of Maryland for a PhD in math. In 2002, he won a prestigious Sloan-Swartz Fellowship in Theoretical Neurobiology at Caltech, and in 2007, he became an assistant professor in the Department of Cognitive Science at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. In 2010, he took the post of Director of Human Cognition at a new research institute called 2ai Labs and also co-founded VINO Optics, which builds proprietary vein-enhancing glasses for medical personnel. He consults out of his Human Factory Lab. He curated an exhibition and co-authored a (fourth) book — “On the Origin of Art” (2016) by Steven Pinker, Geoffrey Miller, Brian Boyd, and Mark Changizi — at MONA museum in Tasmania in 2016, illustrating his “nature-harnessing” theory on the origins of art and language. This episode was filmed on November 22, 2024  | Links | For Mark Changizi: On X https://x.com/MarkChangizi/highlights On YouTube https://www.youtube.com/c/markchangizi Website https://www.changizi.com/?_sm_nck=1 

Are things really as bad as they seem? Has Gen Z given up hope for the world? And why was the father of positive psychology a lifelong pessimist? SOURCES:Albert Bandura, professor of psychology at Stanford University.David Brooks, author and opinion columnist. Andrew Grove, former C.E.O. and chairman of Intel Corporation.Kalev Leetaru, founder of the GDELT Project.Steven Maier, professor of behavioral neuroscience at the University of Colorado Boulder.Michelle Obama, attorney, author, and former first lady of the United States.Steven Pinker, professor of psychology at Harvard University.Amanda Ripley, journalist and author.Martin Seligman, professor of psychology at the University of Pennsylvania.Jean Twenge, professor of psychology at San Diego State University.Edward Zigler, professor emeritus of psychology at Yale University. RESOURCES:"Chicken Littles Are Ruining America," by David Brooks (The Atlantic, 2024).Generations, by Jean Twenge (2023).Enlightenment Now, by Steven Pinker (2018)."The Short History of Global Living Conditions and Why It Matters That We Know It," by Max Roser (Our World in Data, 2016)."Learned Helplessness at Fifty: Insights from Neuroscience," by Steven F. Maier and Martin E. P. Seligman (Psychological Review, 2016)."Short- and Long-Term Consequences of Stressor Controllability in Adolescent Rats," by Kenneth H. Kubala, John P. Christianson, Steven F. Maier, et al. (Behavioural Brain Research, 2012).The Better Angels of Our Nature, by Steven Pinker (2011)."Forecasting Large-Scale Human Behavior Using Global News Media Tone in Time and Space," by Kalev Leetaru (First Monday, 2011)."Motivational Aspects of Changes in IQ Test Performance of Culturally Deprived Nursery School Children," by Edward Zigler and Earl C. Butterfield (Child Development, 1968)."Failure to Escape Traumatic Shock," by Martin E. P. Seligman and Steven F. Maier (Journal of Experimental Psychology, 1967).Upworthy. EXTRAS:"Why Is U.S. Media So Negative?" by Freakonomics Radio (2021).

This Week's Guests: Author - John Tierney Comedian - Boris Khaykin Episode 339 "Rethink Production presents "Live From America Podcast" - a weekly show that combines political commentary with humor. Hosted by the comedy cellar owner Noam Dworman and producer Hatem Gabr, the show features expert guests discussing news, culture, and politics with a blend of knowledge and laughter. John Tierney is a journalist and bestselling author. He is a contributing editor to City Journal, a former columnist at the New York Times, and has written for dozens of magazines and newspapers. His reporting has taken him to all seven continents, and his books have been translated into more than 20 languages. During more than two decades at the New York Times, he was a science columnist, an Op-Ed columnist and a staff writer for the Times Magazine. He wrote about New York in a column, “The Big City,” which ran in the Times Magazine and in the Metro section. Together with the social psychologist Roy Baumeister, he wrote a New York Times best-seller titled, Willpower: Rediscovering the Greatest Human Strength. The psychologist Steven Pinker, writing in the New York Times Book Review, called it “an immensely rewarding book, filled with ingenious research, wise advice and insightful reflections on the human condition.” His latest book, also co-authored with Roy Baumeister, is The Power of Bad: How the Negativity Effect Rules Us and How We Can Rule It. It has been praised by P.J. O'Rourke as “the best bad news ever,” and described by Martin Seligman, the eminent psychologist, as “the most important book at the borderland of psychology and politics that I have ever read.” Tierney is the author of a humor book, The Best-Case Scenario Handbook, which explains, among other things, how to deal with a broken ATM spewing cash and how to accept the Nobel Peace Prize. He is also the co-author, with Christopher Buckley, of a novel parodying self-help books, which is titled God Is My Broker: A Monk Tycoon Reveals the 7 ½ Laws of Spiritual and Financial Growth. Follow Live From America YouTube @livefromamericapodcast twitter.com/AmericasPodcast www.LiveFromAmericaPodcast.com LiveFromAmericapodcast@gmail.com Follow Hatem Twitter.com/HatemNYC Instagram.com/hatemnyc/ Follow Noam Twitter.com/noam_dworman #ThepowerofBad #John Tierney #Willpower

Hello to you listening all around the world!Coming to you from Whidbey Island, Washington this is Stories From Women Who Walk with 60 Seconds for Wednesdays on Whidbey and your host, Diane Wyzga.It feels like a year-long week since the circus of epic proportions rolled into town. Maybe like me you feel anxious, apprehensive, alarmed, afraid, even angry. But here's the thing. We don't have to buy a ticket to the circus. We don't have to give away our power to circumstances.The 2024 election isn't our problem, any more. Our choices going forward can forge new narratives out of old fears, habits, attitudes, and behaviors. Rather than getting caught up in the specifics of the outcome, let's talk about how to hold space for peace and understanding, stay centered, and remember the incredible influence we each have to create change — beginning from within.Here's a bit of courage for your (seemingly impossible) mission should you choose to accept it:✓ "Yesterday I was clever, so I wanted to change the  world. Today I am wise, so I am changing myself." [Rumi]✓ “The greatest challenge of the day is: how to bring about a revolution of the heart, a revolution which has to start with each one of us.” [Dorothy Day]✓ “We can all do the right thing, act for the good of all, even when the walls feel like they are closing in on us.” [Jon Stewart]  ✓ “Take care of yourself and help each other. How? Each One Lift One!” [Diane Wyzga]ResourcesA Conversation between Jon Stewart & Professor Heather Cox RichardsonMetaphysical and Spiritual Perspectives About the US Presidential Election from Mike DooleyWhy Progress Is Possible with Steven PinkerRely on your brains, your courage, your strength. Make it different, don't complain, and get moving with Maria ShriverYou're always invited: “Come for the stories - stay for the magic!” Speaking of magic, would you subscribe and spread the word with a generous 5-star review and comment - it helps us all - and join us next time!Meanwhile, stop by my Quarter Moon Story Arts website to:✓ Check out Services I Offer ✓ Arrange your no-obligation conversation about your communication challenges, get in touch with me today✓ Stay current with Diane as “Wyzga on Words” on Substack, and on LinkedInStories From Women Who Walk Production TeamPodcaster: Diane F Wyzga & Quarter Moon Story ArtsMusic: Mer's Waltz from Crossing the Waters by Steve Schuch & Night Heron MusicAll content and image © 2019 to Present Quarter Moon Story Arts. All rights reserved. 

Our societies, our norms, our values are all shaped by stories from the past. Devdutt Pattanaik joins Amit Varma in episode 404 of The Seen and the Unseen to discuss his life, our society and why we should take mythology seriously. (FOR FULL LINKED SHOW NOTES, GO TO SEENUNSEEN.IN.) Also check out 1. Devdutt Pattanaik on Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, Wikipedia, YouTube, Amazon and his own website. 2. Myth = Mithya: Decoding Hindu Mythology -- Devdutt Pattanaik. 3. The Girl Who Chose -- Devdutt Pattanaik. 4. The Boys Who Fought -- Devdutt Pattanaik. 5. Ramayana Versus Mahabharata -- Devdutt Pattanaik. 6. My Gita -- Devdutt Pattanaik. 7. Bahubali: 63 Insights into Jainism -- Devdutt Pattanaik. 8. Sati Savitri -- Devdutt Pattanaik. 9. Business Sutra -- Devdutt Pattanaik. 10. Ahimsa: 100 Reflections on the Harappan Civilization -- Devdutt Pattanaik. 11. Olympus -- Devdutt Pattanaik. 12. Eden -- Devdutt Pattanaik. 13. East vs West -- The Myths That Mystify -- Devdutt Pattanaik's 2009 TED Talk. 14. Today My Mother Came Home -- Devdutt Pattanaik. 15. The Incredible Curiosities of Mukulika Banerjee — Episode 276 of The Seen and the Unseen. 16. The Life and Times of Mrinal Pande — Episode 263 of The Seen and the Unseen. 17. Sara Rai Inhales Literature — Episode 255 of The Seen and the Unseen. 18. The Life and Times of Shanta Gokhale — Episode 311 of The Seen and the Unseen. 19. Yuganta -- Irawati Karve. 20. Women in Indian History — Episode 144 of The Seen and the Unseen (w Ira Mukhoty). 21. The Jewel in the Crown -- BBC TV series. 22. Heat and Dust -- James Ivory. 23. The Sexual Outlaw -- John Rechy. 24. Bombay Dost and Gay Bombay. 25. The Double ‘Thank You' Moment — John Stossel. 26. The Kama Sutra. 27. Liberty -- Isaiah Berlin. 28. Thought and Choice in Chess -- Adriaan de Groot. 29. The Seven Basic Plots -- Christopher Booker. 30. The Seven Basic Plots -- Episode 69 of Everything is Everything. 31. The Hero with a Thousand Faces -- Joseph Campbell. 32. The Big Questions -- Steven Landsburg. 33. 300 Ramayanas — AK Ramanujan. 33. The egg came before the chicken. 34. The Evolution of Cooperation — Robert Axelrod. 35. The Trees -- Philip Larkin. 36. Who We Are and How We Got Here — David Reich. 37. Early Indians — Tony Joseph. 38. Tony Joseph's episode on The Seen and the Unseen. 39. A Life in Indian Politics — Episode 149 of The Seen and the Unseen (w Jayaprakash Narayan). 40. The BJP Before Modi — Episode 202 of The Seen and the Unseen (w Vinay Sitapati). 41. Jugalbandi -- Vinay Sitapati. 42. Perfect Days -- Wim Wenders. 43. The Loneliness of the Indian Woman — Episode 259 of The Seen and the Unseen (w Shrayana Bhattacharya). 44. The Loneliness of the Indian Man — Episode 303 of The Seen and the Unseen (w Nikhil Taneja). 45. Mary Wollstonecraft and bell hooks. 46. If India Was Five Days Old -- Devdutt Pattanaik. 47. The Road to Freedom — Arthur C Brooks. 48. The Master and His Emissary -- Iain McGilchrist. 49. This Be The Verse — Philip Larkin. 50. Human -- Michael Gazzaniga. 51. The Elephant in the Brain — Kevin Simler and Robin Hanson. 52. The Blank Slate -- Steven Pinker. 53. Amitava Kumar Finds the Breath of Life — Episode 265 of The Seen and the Unseen. 54. Wanderers, Kings, Merchants — Peggy Mohan. 55. Understanding India Through Its Languages — Episode 232 of The Seen and the Unseen (w Peggy Mohan). 56. The Reformers -- Episode 28 of Everything is Everything. 57. The Golden Bough -- James Frazer. 58. Myth And Reality: Studies In The Formation Of Indian Culture -- DD Kosambi. 59. Srimad Bhagavatam -- Kamala Subramaniam. 60. Boris Vallejo on Instagram, Wikipedia and his own website. 61. The Last Temptation Of Christ -- Nikos Kazantzakis. 62. The Last Temptation Of Christ -- Martin Scorcese. 63. Jeff Bezos on The Lex Fridman Podcast.  64. The Poem of the Killing of Meghnad -- Michael Madhusudan Dutt. 65. Eichmann in Jerusalem: A Report on the Banality of Evil — Hannah Arendt. 66. The Crown -- Created by Peter Morgan. 67. Profit = Philanthropy — Amit Varma. 68. Imaginary Number — Vijay Seshadri. 69. The Buddha's Footprint -- Johan Elverskog. 70. A Prehistory of Hinduism -- Manu Devadevan. 71. The ‘Early Medieval' Origins of India -- Manu Devadevan. 72. Unmasking Buddhism -- Bernard Faure. 73. The Red Thread -- Bernard Faure. 74. The Power of Denial -- Bernard Faure. 75. The Thousand and One Lives of the Buddha -- Bernard Faure. 76. A Modern Look At Ancient Chinese Theory Of Language -- Chad Hansen. 77. Hermann Kulke, Umakant Mishra and Ganesh Devy on Amazon. 78. The Hours -- Michael Cunningham. 79. The Hours -- Stephen Daldry. 79. Ancestral Dravidian languages in Indus Civilization -- Bahata Ansumali Mukhopadhyay. 80. Myth -- Laurence Coupe. This episode is sponsored by Rang De, a platform that enables individuals to invest in farmers, rural entrepreneurs and artisans. Amit Varma and Ajay Shah have launched a new course called Life Lessons, which aims to be a launchpad towards learning essential life skills all of you need. For more details, and to sign up, click here. Amit and Ajay also bring out a weekly YouTube show, Everything is Everything. Have you watched it yet? You must! And have you read Amit's newsletter? Subscribe right away to The India Uncut Newsletter! It's free! Also check out Amit's online course, The Art of Clear Writing. Episode art: ‘Story' by Simahina.

Things aren't what they used to be: they're actually better. Yet even though many measures show how much progress we've made, many people feel like things are worse than ever. How do we change this perspective? In this episode, host Samantha Laine Perfas speaks with positive psychologist Tal Ben-Shahar, global governance expert Jane Nelson, and evidence-based optimist Steven Pinker about choosing optimism.

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This week on Q&A, Whole Foods co-founder John Mackey and Harvard University psychology professor Steven Pinker discuss their books. John Mackey, author of "The Whole Story," talks about the rise of Whole Foods, the organic foods grocery store chain, and his political and intellectual development. Professor Steven Pinker talks about the role that rationality plays in a functioning society and the growth of irrationality in the United States. These interviews were recorded in Las Vegas at FreedomFest, an annual libertarian conference. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on Q&A, Whole Foods co-founder John Mackey and Harvard University psychology professor Steven Pinker discuss their books. John Mackey, author of "The Whole Story," talks about the rise of Whole Foods, the organic foods grocery store chain, and his political and intellectual development. Professor Steven Pinker talks about the role that rationality plays in a functioning society and the growth of irrationality in the United States. These interviews were recorded in Las Vegas at FreedomFest, an annual libertarian conference. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I am thrilled to announce that our new book, the Kindness Daily Reader: Season One, is now available on Amazon. (See Link Below)  Secondly, we are embarking on a new chapter with Season Three of the One Kind Moment podcast. In Season One, we primarily focused on broad topics of kindness and compassion, while in Season Two, we explored areas such as self-compassion, self-help, and self-care. Now, in Season Three, we're shifting our focus to a specific area of self-care that we call Practical Spirituality for Everyone. We'll be delving into topics like spirituality in nature, spiritual intelligence, everyday mindfulness, the science of consciousness, the mystery of life, the science of awe, and managing uncertainty. We're excited to take this new direction and are grateful for your continued support and interest in the One Kind Moment podcast. EXPLORE OUR NEW BOOK! Kindness Daily Reader: Season One https://a.co/d/04RvXldy #onekindmoment #spirituality Yesterday by John Hobart - Music Design by Jason Inc. https://brucewaynemclellan.com/  

Tuvo que leer dos veces, estupefacto, las declaraciones del fiscal general del Estado en la televisión pública. Porque está por probarse, naturalmente, el delito por el que el Tribunal Supremo lo investigará, ¡pero esa entrevista es un hecho! «Le aseguro que si yo quisiera hacer daño a un determinado espectro político, tengo información de sobra, que por supuesto no voy a usar jamás», dijo García Ortiz con absoluta naturalidad, en el spa masaje de Xabier Fortes, demostrando el vaciado institucional al que ha llegado España. Los medios tienen mucho que ver, y a propósito también leyó el editorial de Viva la Pepa, ignorante de las más elementales normas del Estado de derecho. El diario cómico de la mañana le proporciona, no obstante, momentos de gran entretenimiento, como ese reportaje sobre las erecciones afectivas. Por lo demás, la situación de Sánchez recuerda un poco aquel felipismo crepuscular de directores de la Guardia Civil y mujeres en bragas con la marca de la vacuna. ¿Se atreverá Feijóo a una moción de censura, sabiendo que Vox y Junts estarían dispuestos? No se atreve a predecirlo pero estará muy atento. Steven Pinker ha estado en Barcelona y para decir, de nuevo, que los periódicos no sirven para anotar el progreso. Pero, increpado por él, sí le reconoció una vez el canadiense que sirven para progresar. Y fue así que Espada yiró.   Bibliografía: Steven Pinker, El instinto del lenguaje, La tabla rasa, En defensa de la Ilustración y Los ángeles que llevamos dentro Judith Rich Harris, El mito de la educación y No hay dos iguales «¿Influencers insalubres? Redes sociales y salud mental en jóvenes» («Unhealthy influencers? Social media and youth mental health»), The Lancet See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

《馬力歐陪你喝一杯》節目第八年製作，喝一杯經典「人物故事訪談」持續進行中，本週來點特調！ ▲本集內容 本次單口，馬力歐挑戰了磚頭書《再啟蒙的年代》。 馬力歐提到，另一個和搭檔主持人 JuJu 主持說書節目《閱讀提案》因為興趣關係，所以安排這本磚頭書在喝一杯單口登場！ 這本書作者是Steven Pinker，以「理性、科學、人文主義」為主軸。馬力歐說，這本書頁數高達672頁，希望透過這個閱讀過程，擴張思維邊界。同時他也彙整個人的閱讀體驗，建議大家可如何閱讀這本書。 節目中，探討了啟蒙運動的歷史背景，以及如何保持啟蒙運動的核心觀念，以應對當前社會的各種挑戰，並強調個人福祉在追求進步過程中的重要性。希望聽眾與馬力歐一同探討關於社會進步的主題。 ▲本集使用的音樂：Impressions (Acoustic) by Robert Alan DunnCreative Commons CC BY SA 3.0Robert-dunn-15 – Impressions-acousticSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Life Outside Poker is a new podcast for PokerNews hosted by Connor Richards that seeks to pull back the curtain on poker players and allow viewers and listeners to get to know them on a personal level. In the 18th episode, Connor speaks with author and psychologist Maria Konnikova about her family leaving Russia to come to the US, writing her first story in kindergarten, being mentored by Steven Pinker at Harvard, meeting Erik Seidel for the first time and her 2020 bestseller The Biggest Bluff that explored her poker journey. Konnikova, a PokerStars ambassador, also talked about her research for an upcoming book into cheating in poker and other games, as well as game integrity rule changes implemented at EPT Barcelona that Konnikova said needed to go even further. "I think what PokerStars has done is amazing. I think you need to go a step further and not have any electronics anywhere on the table. Like, I think phones need to be on the floor, in your bag." "I would actually also ban sunglasses because ... there's so much technology that (that can enable cheating)." This interview was filmed in Spain during the 2024 PokerStars EPT Barcelona festival at Casino Barcelona. The Life Outside Poker podcast is available on major streaming platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify and iHeartRadio. You can also watch the interview with Maria Konnikova by heading to the PokerNews YouTube channel. Be sure to follow Maria Konnikova and Connor Richards on X. Learn More About Life Outside Poker!   Time Stamps TIME TOPIC 0:00 Intro 1:09 EPT Barcelona 20th anniversary 2:35 Parents leaving Russia 6:25 Writing 10:27 First story 14:36 Mastermind: How to Think Like Sherlock Holmes 18:44 Being mentored by Steven Pinker 25:37 The Biggest Bluff 27:34 First time meeting Erik Seidel 31:55 New cheating methods in poker 36:22 Should sunglasses be banned? 39:46 Upcoming book on cheating in games 40:57 Being a PokerStars ambassador 44:53 Women in poker 47:16 Risky Business podcast w/ Nate Silver 52:07 Book recommendation 52:37 What makes you hopeful? 54:49 Advice for younger self 56:05 Favorite life lesson from poker

In this episode of History 102, In this episode of History 102, 'WhatIfAltHist' creator Rudyard Lynch and Erik Torenberg explore the origins, impacts, and global spread of the Industrial Revolution, from 18th century Britain to modern challenges. Unleashing progress or Pandora's box? This episode presents a unique perspective, framing the Industrial Revolution as "the magic of kings" - a transformative force that granted humanity godlike powers while leaving our fundamental nature unchanged.

From the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic to the rise of DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) initiatives and Artificial Intelligence, in this episode Steven Pinker, Matt Ridley, and Michael Shermer challenge conventional narratives and explore how we can continue to move forward. They discuss the state of democracy, autocracy, and the lessons learned from historical crises, while offering insights into how innovation, rationality, and education can lead us through challenging times. This session was presented at FreedomFest 2024. To see more speeches and sessions from FreedomFest, visit freedomfest.com/civl.

My guests for this episode include science ‘influencer' Mr. @Evopsychgoogle, evolutionary biologist Kevin Bird @thebirdmaniac on Twitter and anthropologist Cathryn Townsend @cathryntownsend On this part of the panel we discuss the panelists' recent article in Stat News (linked below), on how this type of junk science continues to be legitimized to this day, despite glaring errors in the data. We discuss self-described ‘scientific racist' Richard Lynn as well as E.O. Wilson, Steven Pinker, Sam Harris, Charles Murray and their contributions to race ‘science'. We also talk more broadly about how the Intellectual Dark Web has played a major role in reviving it in recent years. Links: The Panelists' article that we discussed in the beginning of the episode: Journals that published Richard Lynn's racist ‘research' articles should retract them https://www.statnews.com/2024/06/20/richard-lynn-racist-research-articles-journals-retractions/ My previous episodes with Mr. @evopsychgoogle: Pt 1 - https://open.spotify.com/episode/4jSFhcmT6xNJ4JOwbEkscE?si=JnGZZ36GTNSVYKr0dYz4Fg Pt 2 - https://open.spotify.com/episode/5gvuP3xLyqKSpJgTjf43A3?si=AenT06jVTuGNc-pd6W4BtA My Miniseries on Sam Harris ‘Woking Up' https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1caIpbHnvDjKu0Ph4DA0Nb?si=DxI59yjtRjuDV7rQSv9cEw&pi=u-kmAFEyuTRNiJ If you'd like to support the show pls subscribe to the YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/@politeconversationspodcast —— Other Related articles: Quinn Slobodian article about the Pioneer Fund and The Bell Curve: https://thebaffler.com/salvos/the-white-man-unburdened-slobodian-schrader The Tainted Sources of The Bell Curve: https://www.nybooks.com/articles/1994/12/01/the-tainted-sources-of-the-bell-curve/ Free book by William Tucker on The Bell Curve: https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-031-41614-9 Primary research articles debunking Lynn: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S104160801000035X?via%3Dihub https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1041608009001071?via%3Dihub https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0191886909003675?via%3Dihub https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0160289609001470?via%3Dihub https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0160289609000634?via%3Dihub https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0191886909002475?via%3Dihub https://osf.io/preprints/psyarxiv/tzr8c https://osf.io/preprints/psyarxiv/26vfb https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1041608024000141?via%3Dihub

-Listen to the audio album of Kellen's new 30-minute comedy special "Negative Comments"! Available by joining The Book Pile's Patreon at:https://www.patreon.com/TheBookPileSUMMARY: The world is probably a better place than it ever has been to live in. Don't believe that? Are you calling Steven Pinker's 700 page book a liar?-If you want to read Enlightenment Now and support the podcast in a fun way, click here to buy the book! Free on Audible to first-time subscribers!https://amzn.to/3YGrYFU-Dave's book / game The Starlings is here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CMBBLGXN?ref=myi_title_dp-Kellen Erskine has appeared on Conan, Comedy Central, Jimmy Kimmel Live!, NBC's America's Got Talent, and the Amazon Original Series Inside Jokes. He has garnered over 200 million views with his clips on Dry Bar Comedy. In 2018 he was selected to perform on the “New Faces” showcase at the Just For Laughs Comedy Festival in Montreal. He currently tours the country www.KellenErskine.com-David Vance's videos have garnered over 1 billion views. He has written viral ads for companies like Squatty Potty, Chatbooks, and Lumē, and sketches for the comedy show Studio C. His work has received two Webby Awards, and appeared on Conan. He currently works as a writer on the sitcom Freelancers.

******Support the channel****** Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thedissenter PayPal: paypal.me/thedissenter PayPal Subscription 1 Dollar: https://tinyurl.com/yb3acuuy PayPal Subscription 3 Dollars: https://tinyurl.com/ybn6bg9l PayPal Subscription 5 Dollars: https://tinyurl.com/ycmr9gpz PayPal Subscription 10 Dollars: https://tinyurl.com/y9r3fc9m PayPal Subscription 20 Dollars: https://tinyurl.com/y95uvkao   ******Follow me on****** Website: https://www.thedissenter.net/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thedissenteryt/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheDissenterYT   This show is sponsored by Enlites, Learning & Development done differently. Check the website here: http://enlites.com/ Dr. Sophie Scott-Brown is a Research Fellow at the University of St. Andrews, and Future Fellow at Remarque Institute, NYU. She is also Founder of the Everyday Democracy project with Open Society Foundation. She is well-known for her historical work on left-wing politics, especially the post-war British left, and for her intellectual biography of Raphael Samuel entitled The Histories of Raphael Samuel - A Portrait of A People's Historian (2017). In this episode, we first talk about the history of European political thought, how old it is, and how it changed with the advent of modernism. We discuss the origins of “left-wing” and “right-wing”, and why these terms are problematic. We talk about the main tenets of anarchism as a political ideology, and focus on the topics of liberty and whether society needs hierarchy. We discuss the relationship between history and politics. Finally, we discuss some of the issues with Steven Pinker's take on the Enlightenment and progressivism. -- A HUGE THANK YOU TO MY PATRONS/SUPPORTERS: PER HELGE LARSEN, JERRY MULLER, BERNARDO SEIXAS, ADAM KESSEL, MATTHEW WHITINGBIRD, ARNAUD WOLFF, TIM HOLLOSY, HENRIK AHLENIUS, FILIP FORS CONNOLLY, DAN DEMETRIOU, ROBERT WINDHAGER, RUI INACIO, ZOOP, MARCO NEVES, COLIN HOLBROOK, PHIL KAVANAGH, SAMUEL ANDREEFF, FRANCIS FORDE, TIAGO NUNES, FERGAL CUSSEN, HAL HERZOG, NUNO MACHADO, JONATHAN LEIBRANT, JOÃO LINHARES, STANTON T, SAMUEL CORREA, ERIK HAINES, MARK SMITH, JOÃO EIRA, TOM HUMMEL, SARDUS FRANCE, DAVID SLOAN WILSON, YACILA DEZA-ARAUJO, ROMAIN ROCH, DIEGO LONDOÑO CORREA, YANICK PUNTER, CHARLOTTE BLEASE, NICOLE BARBARO, ADAM HUNT, PAWEL OSTASZEWSKI, NELLEKE BAK, GUY MADISON, GARY G HELLMANN, SAIMA AFZAL, ADRIAN JAEGGI, PAULO TOLENTINO, JOÃO BARBOSA, JULIAN PRICE, EDWARD HALL, HEDIN BRØNNER, DOUGLAS FRY, FRANCA BORTOLOTTI, GABRIEL PONS CORTÈS, URSULA LITZCKE, SCOTT, ZACHARY FISH, TIM DUFFY, SUNNY SMITH, JON WISMAN, WILLIAM BUCKNER, PAUL-GEORGE ARNAUD, LUKE GLOWACKI, GEORGIOS THEOPHANOUS, CHRIS WILLIAMSON, PETER WOLOSZYN, DAVID WILLIAMS, DIOGO COSTA, ANTON ERIKSSON, ALEX CHAU, AMAURI MARTÍNEZ, CORALIE CHEVALLIER, BANGALORE ATHEISTS, LARRY D. LEE JR., OLD HERRINGBONE, MICHAEL BAILEY, DAN SPERBER, ROBERT GRESSIS, IGOR N, JEFF MCMAHAN, JAKE ZUEHL, BARNABAS RADICS, MARK CAMPBELL, TOMAS DAUBNER, LUKE NISSEN, KIMBERLY JOHNSON, JESSICA NOWICKI, LINDA BRANDIN, NIKLAS CARLSSON, GEORGE CHORIATIS, VALENTIN STEINMANN, PER KRAULIS, KATE VON GOELER, ALEXANDER HUBBARD, BR, MASOUD ALIMOHAMMADI, JONAS HERTNER, URSULA GOODENOUGH, DAVID PINSOF, SEAN NELSON, MIKE LAVIGNE, JOS KNECHT, ERIK ENGMAN, LUCY, YHONATAN SHEMESH, MANVIR SINGH, PETRA WEIMANN, PEDRO BONILLA, CAROLA FEEST, STARRY, MAURO JÚNIOR, 航 豊川, TONY BARRETT, AND BENJAMIN GELBART! A SPECIAL THANKS TO MY PRODUCERS, YZAR WEHBE, JIM FRANK, ŁUKASZ STAFINIAK, TOM VANEGDOM, BERNARD HUGUENEY, CURTIS DIXON, BENEDIKT MUELLER, THOMAS TRUMBLE, KATHRINE AND PATRICK TOBIN, JONCARLO MONTENEGRO, AL NICK ORTIZ, NICK GOLDEN, AND CHRISTINE GLASS! AND TO MY EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS, MATTHEW LAVENDER, SERGIU CODREANU, BOGDAN KANIVETS, ROSEY, AND GREGORY HASTINGS!

Steven Pinker is a Canadian-American cognitive psychologist, psycholinguist, popular science author and Harvard College Professor. One of the world's leading authorities on language and the mind, he is an advocate of evolutionary psychology and the computational theory of mind. Pinker has written many books for general audiences including The Blank Slate (2002), Enlightenment Now (2018) and his most recent, Rationality: What It Is, Why It Seems Scarce, Why It Matters - is available here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08WK3JNLT/ Check out more of Steven's work: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B000AQ3GGO/ SPONSOR: Qualia Senolytic. Go to Qualialife.com/TRIG for up to 50% off and use code TRIG at checkout for an additional 15% off.  Join our Premium Membership for early access, extended and ad-free content: https://triggernometry.supercast.com OR Support TRIGGERnometry Here: Bitcoin: bc1qm6vvhduc6s3rvy8u76sllmrfpynfv94qw8p8d5 Music by: Music by: Xentric | info@xentricapc.com | https://www.xentricapc.com/ YouTube: @xentricapc  Buy Merch Here: https://www.triggerpod.co.uk/shop/ Advertise on TRIGGERnometry: marketing@triggerpod.co.uk Join the Mailing List: https://www.triggerpod.co.uk/#mailinglist Find TRIGGERnometry on Social Media:  https://twitter.com/triggerpod https://www.facebook.com/triggerpod/ https://www.instagram.com/triggerpod/ About TRIGGERnometry:  Stand-up comedians Konstantin Kisin (@konstantinkisin) and Francis Foster (@francisjfoster) make sense of politics, economics, free speech, AI, drug policy and WW3 with the help of presidential advisors, renowned economists, award-winning journalists, controversial writers, leading scientists and notorious comedians. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Linguist, noted ‘Pinkerologist' and friend of the show Dr. Caitlin Green (@Caitlinmoriah) joins me to analyze and discuss the Extremely Rational thoughts of one Steven Pinker. In pt 2 we discuss Pinker's constant downplaying of r*pe statistics and the inadequate, cherry-picked sources he uses to support his flawed arguments. —— If you have experienced sexual assault or violence here are some helpful resources: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/safe-campuses-bc/what-is-consent https://www.brown.edu/campus-life/health/services/promotion/sexual-health-sex-101-sexual-assault-dating-violence-learn-more-alcohol-other-drugs-learn-more Brown University: Yes, it is possible to establish consent if you and/or your partner(s) have been drinking or using other drugs. Consent cannot be obtained through the use of coercion or force or by taking advantage of the incapacitation of another individual. If anyone is incapacitated for any reason, they cannot give consent. If someone has been using alcohol or other drugs and you are thinking about having any kind of sexual interaction with them, it is your responsibility to check in, ask, and make sure they consent to what is going on. Being intoxicated yourself does not absolve you of the responsibility of obtaining consent. If you are unsure whether you can establish consent, don't have sex. https://endingviolencecanada.org/sexual-assault-centres-crisis-lines-and-support-services/ https://www.wannatalkaboutit.com/ca/sexual-violence/ https://www.rainn.org/international-sexual-assault-resources —— Links: Great thread by Kate Manne which came up in the episode https://x.com/kate_manne/status/1149902823200632833?s=61&t=w7q_ejvwZ_gCFj9WV50Lqw Detailed thread on Pinker's discussion on R*pe in Better Angels of our Nature https://x.com/magi_jay/status/972958282125062144?s=61&t=w7q_ejvwZ_gCFj9WV50Lqw! If you enjoy the show pls consider supporting via patreon.com/nicemangos

List of the six books in question: 1) Steven Pinker (2018). Enlightenment Now: The Case for Reason, Science, Humanism, and Progress. 2) Eric J. Johnson (2021). The Elements of Choice: Why the Way We Decide Matters. 3) Pascal Bruckner (2010). The Tyranny of Guilt: An Essay on Western Masochism. 4) Bernard Lewis (1995). The Middle East: A Brief History of the Last 2,000 Years. 5) David Robson (2019). The Intelligence Trap: Why Smart People Make Dumb Mistakes. 6) Savannah Gibson (2019). The Spirit of Inquiry: How One Extraordinary Society Shaped Modern Science. _______________________________________ If you appreciate my work and would like to support it: https://subscribestar.com/the-saad-truth https://patreon.com/GadSaad https://paypal.me/GadSaad To subscribe to my exclusive content on Twitter, please visit my bio at https://twitter.com/GadSaad _______________________________________ This clip was posted on July 18, 2024 on my YouTube channel as THE SAAD TRUTH_1709: https://youtu.be/JbgI6JlpCXQ _______________________________________ Please visit my website gadsaad.com, and sign up for alerts. If you appreciate my content, click on the "Support My Work" button. I count on my fans to support my efforts. You can donate via Patreon, PayPal, and/or SubscribeStar. _______________________________________ Dr. Gad Saad is a professor, evolutionary behavioral scientist, and author who pioneered the use of evolutionary psychology in marketing and consumer behavior. In addition to his scientific work, Dr. Saad is a leading public intellectual who often writes and speaks about idea pathogens that are destroying logic, science, reason, and common sense.  _______________________________________

This is a public SAMPLE of an upcoming episode. Please subscribe via patreon.com to hear the full episode. Part 2 is available via Patreon.com/nicemangos ——- Linguist, noted ‘Pinkerologist' and friend of the show Dr. Caitlin Green (@Caitlinmoriah) joins me to analyze and discuss the Extremely Rational thoughts of one Steven Pinker. In pt 2 we discuss Pinker's constant downplaying of r*pe statistics and the inadequate, cherry-picked sources he uses to support his flawed arguments. —— If you have experienced sexual assault or violence here are some helpful resources: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/safe-campuses-bc/what-is-consent https://www.brown.edu/campus-life/health/services/promotion/sexual-health-sex-101-sexual-assault-dating-violence-learn-more-alcohol-other-drugs-learn-more Brown University: Yes, it is possible to establish consent if you and/or your partner(s) have been drinking or using other drugs. Consent cannot be obtained through the use of coercion or force or by taking advantage of the incapacitation of another individual. If anyone is incapacitated for any reason, they cannot give consent. If someone has been using alcohol or other drugs and you are thinking about having any kind of sexual interaction with them, it is your responsibility to check in, ask, and make sure they consent to what is going on. Being intoxicated yourself does not absolve you of the responsibility of obtaining consent. If you are unsure whether you can establish consent, don't have sex. https://endingviolencecanada.org/sexual-assault-centres-crisis-lines-and-support-services/ https://www.wannatalkaboutit.com/ca/sexual-violence/ https://www.rainn.org/international-sexual-assault-resources —— Links: Great thread by Kate Manne which came up in the episode https://x.com/kate_manne/status/1149902823200632833?s=61&t=w7q_ejvwZ_gCFj9WV50Lqw Detailed thread on Pinker's discussion on R*pe in Better Angels of our Nature https://x.com/magi_jay/status/972958282125062144?s=61&t=w7q_ejvwZ_gCFj9WV50Lqw!

Note for this encore presentation: While much of our discussion centered on Professor Pinker's views on how the world continues to improve while we have trouble believing it, he also goes into details about his concerns about the state of public discourse on college campuses. He and I conducted this interview in June of 2023, several months before the conflict between Hamas and Israel began, and subsequent demonstrations caused huge disruptions on college campuses around the country, including Pinker's own Harvard University.   He's since been very active in shaping his school's policy on open speech and debate and whether or not universities should take public positions on political issues that don't directly relate to those schools.   It's interesting now to listen to what he had to say about his campus's climate, before it became an issue of press coverage and public debate.  In this wide-ranging conversation, renowned author and professor Steven Pinker describes that while he resists being called an “optimist,” as the label doesn't necessarily suit his temperament, his deep dives into historical data have convinced him that the world is indeed getting better and has been on a steady trajectory since the days of the Enlightenment, the subject of one of his many acclaimed books.  Dr. Pinker also describes why he believes so many intellectuals resist acknowledging that the world is making progress; and adds, ironically, that self-described “progressives” often have the toughest time with this.  He also shares his concerns about the policing of speech on college campuses – including Harvard – and the deleterious effects this has on students' wellbeing.      Chapters:   03:30 The World Getting Better Steven Pinker discusses the concept of human progress and how our cognitive abilities allow us to overcome negative impulses. He explains the importance of acknowledging progress despite inherent biases towards negativity.  11:00 Optimism vs. Pessimism Explore Steven Pinker's view on optimism and pessimism, highlighting how his perspective is rooted in data and empirical evidence rather than personal temperament. Understand the societal perception of optimism and pessimism in intellectual circles.  12:07 Glorifying the Past Delve into the tendency to glorify the past and criticize the present. Learn about the societal inclination to equate pessimism with moral seriousness and the impact of historical perspectives on current discourse.  23:01 Criticism and Academic Freedom Steven Pinker addresses concerns about academic freedom and the culture of censorship and intolerance in higher education. Understand the importance of open discourse and challenging dominant orthodoxies for societal progress.  27:33 Campus Climate and Mental Health Pinker describes how campus orientations and cultural shifts impact young people's mental health, leading to feelings of loneliness and isolation.  31:53 Positive Historical Trends Discussing surprising positive historical trends related to violence, environmental improvements, and changing perceptions of war and heroism.  36:18 War and Peaceful Service Exploring the shift from glorifying war to promoting peaceful service as a means to cultivate heroic and altruistic qualities in individuals.  38:50 Spreading Optimism and Data-Driven Progress Pinker offers advice on spreading awareness of positive trends, emphasizing data-driven optimism, acknowledging challenges, and the role of human agency in creating a better world.  40:31 Reflections on War and Optimism Dr. Pinker reflects on the historical glorification of war and the potential for mandatory peaceful service, along with the importance of data-driven optimism in shaping perspectives. 

Ever wonder how one book can change your life? In this episode, Kevin and Alan share the two books that have significantly impacted their lives. Kevin passionately recommends "Mindset" by Carol Dweck. This book transformed his outlook from a fixed mindset to a growth mindset, revealing the power of believing in your ability to grow and change. Alan highlights "Rationality" by Steven Pinker, emphasizing the importance of making intelligent, logical decisions to achieve your goals. Whether you want to change your mindset or make more rational choices, these books offer valuable insights to guide your personal development journey.Links mentioned:Subscribe at NLU: https://www.buzzsprout.com/742955/shareFree 30-Minute Coaching Call with Alan: https://bit.ly/3zLc1Up______________________NLU is not just a podcast; it's a gateway to a wealth of resources designed to help you achieve your goals and dreams. From our Next Level Dreamliner to our Group Coaching, we offer a variety of tools and communities to support your personal development journey.For more information, please check out our website at the link below.

Linguist, noted ‘Pinkerologist' and friend of the show Dr. Caitlin Green joins me to analyze and discuss the Extremely Rational thoughts of one Steven Pinker. In part 1 we discuss hats, gloves, rationality, hypocrisy, Pinker's special brand of ‘positivity P 0rn' and more! Links: Steven Pinker's aid in Jeffrey Epstein's legal defense renews criticism of an increasingly divisive public intellectual. https://www.insidehighered.com/news/2019/07/17/steven-pinkers-aid-jeffrey-epsteins-legal-defense-renews-criticism-increasingly A thread on the ironically named organization FAIR (Foundation Against Intolerance and Racism) - a who's who of some of the most intolerant and racist rightwing hacks around https://x.com/nicemangos/status/1367585945160146947?s=61&t=w7q_ejvwZ_gCFj9WV50Lqw The Harvard Crimson: Pinker is often willing to defend his colleagues — even when it attracts controversy. In 2012, the University of Miami philosopher Colin McGinn was accused of sexual harassment by a graduate student. When the matter became public, Pinker wrote in an open letter that McGinn was a “brilliant and distinguished scholar” and that if the University of Miami pursued disciplinary action against McGinn for “exchanging sexual banter with a graduate student,” it would “put a chill on communication between faculty and graduate students and on the openness and informality on which scholarship depends.” In our conversation, Pinker often brings up “The Blank Slate: The Modern Denial of Human Nature,” which, even two decades after its release, illustrates core aspects of his thinking today. The book argues that our individual behaviors — our intelligence, our sociability, our tendencies toward violence — are rooted in our genes, not just the environment in which we are raised. “.. in 2006 Pinker published a favorable review of a scientific paper which argued that Ashkenazi Jews may have evolved to have higher IQs than other racial and ethnic groups.” One of the first academics to be canceled, Pinker says, was E. O. Wilson. Wilson was a biologist and professor of evolutionary biology at Harvard. Today, he is known for two things: his award-winning work on biodiversity and his public branding as a racist. In 1975, Wilson published a book called “Sociobiology: The New Synthesis,” which argues that behaviors result from genes — “very much in the strain of work that I wrote about on human nature,” Pinker says — and stepped into a debate about scientific racism. In his book, Wilson writes that there should be a “discipline of anthropological genetics” to explore whether cultural differences are biological. https://www.thecrimson.com/article/2022/10/27/steven-pinker-scrut/ Pinker currently serves on the E. O. Wilson Biodiversity Foundation's board of advisers https://eowilsonfoundation.org/about-us/our-team/ Screenshot, Pinker upset at anti-scientism and historians ‘historicizing' https://x.com/mccormick_ted/status/1182645627169263616?s=61&t=w7q_ejvwZ_gCFj9WV50Lqw Pinker smears anti-genocide students as ‘Pro-Hamas' https://x.com/nicemangos/status/1810472709580570796?s=61&t=w7q_ejvwZ_gCFj9WV50Lqw Pinker's video about how ‘Political Correctness is redpilling America' https://x.com/nicemangos/status/1138497096569540609?s=61&t=w7q_ejvwZ_gCFj9WV50Lqw Pinker Publishes response about associations with Epstein on Jerry Coyne's blog which has also done the Just Asking Questions routine about whether convicted child r*pist Jerry Sandusky was truly guilty or not. https://x.com/nicemangos/status/1150216005114912769?s=61&t=w7q_ejvwZ_gCFj9WV50Lqw —— Pls subscribe via patreon.com/nicemangos to support the show Pt 2 available early to patrons

*This is a public sample of an upcoming episode. Please subscribe via patreon.com to hear the full episode. Part 2 is available via the Premium tiers on Patreon.* —— Linguist, noted ‘Pinkerologist' and friend of the show Dr. Caitlin Green joins me to analyze and discuss the Extremely Rational thoughts of one Steven Pinker. In part 1 we discuss hats, gloves, rationality, hypocrisy, Pinker's special brand of ‘positivity P 0rn' and more! —— Links: Steven Pinker's aid in Jeffrey Epstein's legal defense renews criticism of an increasingly divisive public intellectual. https://www.insidehighered.com/news/2019/07/17/steven-pinkers-aid-jeffrey-epsteins-legal-defense-renews-criticism-increasingly A thread on the ironically named organization FAIR (Foundation Against Intolerance and Racism) - a who's who of some of the most intolerant and racist rightwing hacks around https://x.com/nicemangos/status/1367585945160146947?s=61&t=w7q_ejvwZ_gCFj9WV50Lqw The Harvard Crimson: Pinker is often willing to defend his colleagues — even when it attracts controversy. In 2012, the University of Miami philosopher Colin McGinn was accused of sexual harassment by a graduate student. When the matter became public, Pinker wrote in an open letter that McGinn was a “brilliant and distinguished scholar” and that if the University of Miami pursued disciplinary action against McGinn for “exchanging sexual banter with a graduate student,” it would “put a chill on communication between faculty and graduate students and on the openness and informality on which scholarship depends.” In our conversation, Pinker often brings up “The Blank Slate: The Modern Denial of Human Nature,” which, even two decades after its release, illustrates core aspects of his thinking today. The book argues that our individual behaviors — our intelligence, our sociability, our tendencies toward violence — are rooted in our genes, not just the environment in which we are raised. “.. in 2006 Pinker published a favorable review of a scientific paper which argued that Ashkenazi Jews may have evolved to have higher IQs than other racial and ethnic groups.” One of the first academics to be canceled, Pinker says, was E. O. Wilson. Wilson was a biologist and professor of evolutionary biology at Harvard. Today, he is known for two things: his award-winning work on biodiversity and his public branding as a racist. In 1975, Wilson published a book called “Sociobiology: The New Synthesis,” which argues that behaviors result from genes — “very much in the strain of work that I wrote about on human nature,” Pinker says — and stepped into a debate about scientific racism. In his book, Wilson writes that there should be a “discipline of anthropological genetics” to explore whether cultural differences are biological. https://www.thecrimson.com/article/2022/10/27/steven-pinker-scrut/ Pinker currently serves on the E. O. Wilson Biodiversity Foundation's board of advisers https://eowilsonfoundation.org/about-us/our-team/ Screenshot, Pinker upset at anti-scientism and historians ‘historicizing' https://x.com/mccormick_ted/status/1182645627169263616?s=61&t=w7q_ejvwZ_gCFj9WV50Lqw Pinker smears anti-genocide students as ‘Pro-Hamas' https://x.com/nicemangos/status/1810472709580570796?s=61&t=w7q_ejvwZ_gCFj9WV50Lqw Pinker's video about how ‘Political Correctness is redpilling America' https://x.com/nicemangos/status/1138497096569540609?s=61&t=w7q_ejvwZ_gCFj9WV50Lqw Pinker Publishes response about associations with Epstein on Jerry Coyne's blog which has also done the Just Asking Questions routine about whether convicted child r*pist Jerry Sandusky was truly guilty or not. https://x.com/nicemangos/status/1150216005114912769?s=61&t=w7q_ejvwZ_gCFj9WV50Lqw

Steven Pinker is a world-renowned cognitive psychologist, and is widely regarded as one of the most important public intellectuals of our time. His work delves into the complexities of cognition, language, and social behavior, and his research offers a window into the fundamental workings of the human mind.  Pinker, who is the author of nine books including Enlightenment Now: The Case for Reason, Science, Humanism and Progress and Rationality: What It Is, Why It Seems Scarce, Why It Matters, approaches his work with a kind of data-driven optimism about the world that has set him apart from the chorus of doomer voices we hear so much from in our public discourse.    Today, we talk to Pinker about why smart people believe stupid things, the psychology of conspiracy theories, free speech and academic freedom, why democracy and enlightenment values are contrary to human nature, the moral panic around AI, and much more. The Free Press earns a commission from any purchases made through Bookshop.org links. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Doug Stuart welcomes a distinguished guest, Mark Skousen, renowned investment expert, economist, university professor, author, and founder of FreedomFest. Skousen shares insights into his journey towards libertarianism, shaped by his upbringing in a conservative Democratic and Mormon family, and underscores the significance of individual liberty and maximum choice in both personal and business spheres, inspired by Adam Smith's principles.Skousen provides an in-depth look into the origins and evolution of FreedomFest, conceived during his tenure as president and CEO of the Foundation for Economic Education (FEE) in 2001. Despite fundraising challenges that curtailed his time at FEE, Skousen's vision of an annual gathering of freedom enthusiasts persisted, culminating in the creation of FreedomFest in 2007. This vibrant event, held annually in Las Vegas, offers attendees an eclectic mix of entertainment, keynote speeches, breakout sessions, networking opportunities, media coverage, and lively debates.Drawing notable figures from various fields, FreedomFest boasts a diverse lineup of speakers, including celebrities like William Shatner and George Foreman, and this year expects appearances from Rob Schneider and Ice T. The event also features full presidential debates and a focus on pressing topics such as bitcoin. Skousen highlights the upcoming event's theme, "Brave New World," aimed at addressing current global issues with an optimistic perspective, and mentions key speakers like Javier Millay, Steven Pinker, and Lord Matt Ridley.This July, LCI will be joining thousands of passionate defenders of liberty in Las Vegas for FreedomFest, “the world's largest gathering of free minds.” Just like last year and the years before that, it will be a rewarding four-day conference like no other, with big debates, world-class speakers, film/music/comedy/arts festivals, social events, the “Tradeshow for Liberty” exhibit hall, and so much more.LCI will be there with hundreds of other premier speakers and top-level experts in a wide range of topics. Don't miss yours truly, along with Javier Milei, Ice-T, Kennedy, Steven Pinker, Emily Compagno, Steve Forbes, Justin Amash, and many others.New signups save $50 off the current “Attendee” rate! Use our special code: CHRISTIAN50Learn more about what's included in your conference pass, who you'll meet, and the life-changing experience you'll have at FreedomFest Vegas: “Brave New World?” July 10-13, 2024 at CAESARS FORUM conference center.Register now with our code: CHRISTIAN50!FreedomFest is for the independent mind and spirit who chooses to be alive. We detest authoritarianism in all of its forms and seek unequivocal liberty for all. We believe in the pursuit of knowledge, diversity of ideas, human flourishing for all, fraternity with all, toleration for those we disagree with, and aspire for a life well and fully lived, a life of meaning and purpose in the service of goals, ends, and values worth serving. FreedomFest, at its core, is the embodiment of the Liberty Lifestyle. Audio Production by Podsworth Media - https://podsworth.com ★ Support this podcast ★

AI's human-like, but inhuman, language skills ... Bob argues that LLMs don't vindicate the ‘blank slate' view of the mind ... Do humans and AIs acquire language in totally different ways? ... Will AIs ever quit hallucinating? ... The importance (or not) of “embodied cognition” ... What is it like to be an AI? ... Why Steve is skeptical of AI doom scenarios ...

AI's human-like, but inhuman, language skills ... Bob argues that LLMs don't vindicate the ‘blank slate' view of the mind ... Do humans and AIs acquire language in totally different ways? ... Will AIs ever quit hallucinating? ... The importance (or not) of “embodied cognition” ... What is it like to be an AI? ... Why Steve is skeptical of AI doom scenarios ...

This week we're tackling Steven Pinker's 900 page dissection of the reasons why violence, torture and war have declined over the last 10,000 years. Was it an indeterminate mixture of politics, economics, technology and serendipity?  Or did some European guys write some books that said murder was bad?Special thanks to Philip Dwyer, Eleanor Janega, David M. Perry and Doug Thompson for help researching and fact-checking this episode!Where to find us: Peter's other podcast, 5-4Mike's other podcast, Maintenance PhaseSources:The Darker Angels of Our NatureGetting Medieval On Steven PinkerThe Decline of Violence in the West: From Cultural to Post-Cultural HistoryPinker's (Mis)Representation of the Enlightenment and ViolenceHerding and Homicide: An Examination of the Nisbett-Reaves HypothesisPeace in Our TimeJohn Gray: Steven Pinker is wrong about violence and warThe business class doesn't understand the EnlightenmentDelusions Of PeacePinker And ProgressNorbert Elias and the History of ViolenceModernization, Self-Control And Lethal ViolenceExplaining Long Term Trends in Violent CrimeThe Enlightenment's Dark Side Thanks to Mindseye for our theme song!

Has America lost its sense of humor? In Jonah's view, only a Brit with a distinctly stiff upper lip can answer that question. He's joined on today's Remnant by journalist and politician Daniel Hannan, who's back on the show to explore when and why America began to take a turn for the crazy. Why do recessions lead to populism? Is political apathy actually a good thing? And has the United Kingdom become besotted by its own post-liberal movement? Show Notes: – Daniel's webpage – Steven Pinker's The Better Angels of Our Nature – Matt Ridley's The Rational Optimist – The Remnant with Yuval Levin - Watch this episode on YouTube Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices