logo
episode-header-image
Aug 2020
42m 24s

1. Steven Pinker: "I Manage My Controver...

Freakonomics Radio + Stitcher
About this episode
By cataloging the steady march of human progress, the Harvard psychologist and linguist has become a very public intellectual. But the self-declared “polite Canadian” has managed to enrage people on opposite ends of the political spectrum. Steve Levitt tries to understand why. 
Up next
Oct 17
44. Edward Glaeser Explains Why Some Cities Thrive While Others Fade Away
An expert on urban economics and co-author of the new book Survival of the City, Ed says cities have faced far worse than Covid. Steve talks with the Harvard professor about why the slums of Mumbai function so well, high-quality housing in China sits empty, and declining cities h ... Show More
45m 32s
Oct 10
43. Arne Duncan Says All Kids Deserve a Chance — and Criminals Deserve a Second One
Former U.S. Secretary of Education, 3x3 basketball champion, and leader of an anti-gun violence organization are all on Arne’s resume. He’s also Steve’s neighbor. The two talk about teachers caught cheating in Chicago public schools and Steve shares a story he’s never told Arne, ... Show More
45m 12s
Oct 3
42. America’s Math Curriculum Doesn’t Add Up
A special episode: Steve reports on a passion of his. Most high-school math classes are still preparing students for the Sputnik era. Steve wants to get rid of the “geometry sandwich” and instead have kids learn what they really need in the modern era: data fluency. Originally br ... Show More
42m 1s
Recommended Episodes
Aug 2020
Introducing “People I (Mostly) Admire"
<p>A new interview show with host Steve Levitt. Today he speaks with the Harvard psychologist and linguist Steven Pinker. By cataloging the steady march of human progress, the self-declared “polite Canadian” has managed to enrage people on opposite ends of the political spectrum. ... Show More
42m 52s
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
Jul 2024
Is This the Death of Harvard? - Steven Pinker
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. P ... Show More
1h 2m
Apr 2020
Steven Pinker: Cognitive Psychologist, Linguist, and Author
This week on Remarkable People, Guy will blow your mind interviewing Harvard Professor Steven Pinker. Steven Pinker is a professor of cognitive science (the study of the human mind) who writes about language, mind and human nature. 
28m 6s
Sep 2022
514. Roland Fryer Refuses to Lie to Black America
<p>The controversial Harvard economist, recently back from a suspension, “broke a lot of glass early in my career,” he says. His research on school incentives and police brutality won him acclaim — but also enemies. Now he’s taking a hard look at corporate diversity programs. The ... Show More
59m 54s
Dec 2022
528. Yuval Noah Harari Thinks Life is Meaningless and Amazing
tail spinning
51m 59s
May 2018
Steven Pinker: Enlightenment Now
I spoke with Harvard's Dr. Steven Pinker about the immense improvements in human living conditions that are now happening with amazing speed almost everywhere in the world -- as detailed in his new book, Enlightenment Now! (https://amzn.to/2jDwv7D) -- a careful, clear-headed and ... Show More
1h 10m
Mar 2018
Evil Genius with Russell Kane
Public brilliance and private faults are weighed up - and it's John Lennon's turn. 
31m 56s