Steven Pinker dares to believe that human beings are better off than ever before in human history. A world-renowned linguist, Pinker has dedicated his career to unveiling the ways by which we express our human nature through our language, behaviors, and beliefs. In an era often plagued by fatalism, Pinker maintains a radical and unwavering dedication to his ... Show More
Oct 10
Why America’s Real Wealth Isn’t in Silicon Valley
Yascha Mounk, Owen Zidar, and Eric Zwick examine how America's hidden fortunes are built on garage doors, car dealerships, and beverage distribution. Owen Zidar is a Professor of Economics and Public Affairs at Princeton University. Eric Zwick is the Joel F. Gemunder Professor of ... Show More
52m 47s
Oct 3
Galen Druke on the Midterms
Yascha Mounk and Galen Druke examine why the data points to a possible blue wave—and whether the polls can be trusted. Galen Druke is the founder and host of “GD Politics,” a leading nonpartisan podcast and Substack that explains politics with curiosity, rigor, and a sense of hum ... Show More
1h 14m
Jun 2020
Steven Pinker – Talking About Talking
<p>Steven Pinker and Alan explore the words we use that bind us together, even when asking someone to pass the guacamole. A conversation that explores the surprising ways we have of connecting through language – and why, despite our current crises, some things in the world really ... Show More
44m 49s
Nov 2018
Steven Pinker argues that our pessimism about today's world is profoundly wrong
Was 2017 really the "the worst ever," as some would have us believe? Cognitive psychologist and linguist Steven Pinker shares data that shows: actually, it was one of the best overall. At TED2018, Chris sat down with Steven to take a closer look at the data that suggest the world ... Show More
56m 8s
Sep 2021
RATIONALITY: Steven Pinker’s Love Song to Critical Thinking
In his new book, “Rationality: What It Is, Why It Seems Scarce, Why It Matters,” Steven Pinker writes: “When humans set themselves the goal of improving the welfare of their fellows … and they apply their ingenuity in institutions that pool it with others’, they occasionally succ ... Show More
1h 2m
Aug 2019
Progress, Despite Everything
Steven Pinker returns for a conversation with Dr. Jordan B. Peterson. Steven Arthur Pinker is a Canadian-American cognitive psychologist, linguist, and popular science author. He is a professor in the Department of Psychology at Harvard University, and is known for his advocacy o ... Show More
2h 5m