Enlightenment Now... | Steven Pinker | Talks at Google

If you think the world is coming to an end, think again. People are living longer, healthier, freer, and happier lives, and while our problems are formidable, Steven Pinker believes the solutions lie in the Enlightenment ideal of using reason and science.

Is the world really falling apart? Is the ideal of progress obsolete? In this elegant assessment of the human condition in the third millennium, cognitive scientist and public intellectual Steven Pinker urges us to step back from the gory headlines and prophecies of doom, which play to our psychological biases. Instead, follow the data: in seventy-five jaw-dropping graphs, Pinker will demonstrate that life, health, prosperity, safety, peace, knowledge, and happiness are on the rise, not just in the West, but worldwide. This progress is not the result of some cosmic force, it is a gift of the Enlightenment: the conviction that reason and science can enhance human flourishing.

But now, more than ever, Enlightenment principles require vigorous defense.

With intellectual depth and literary flair, Enlightenment Now makes the case for reason, science, and humanism: the ideals we need to confront our problems and continue our progress.

[phlapjacks]

I find it charming and comforting that a person capable of such brilliance makes PowerPoint look just as shitty as everyone else.

[santibanks]

Another reason why these progresses are not mainstream celebrated and reported is because there are a lot of people in the western world for which these statistics are undermining their agenda.

[viggosmiles]

Hey Google: Free speech is an important value. Stop being evil.

[cearraamaro]

seeing this during the corona virus pandemic has given me so much hope...

[meesumnaqui]

Wow so accurate
We in India are quickly falling trap to the fourth problem that everything was perfect in past and alien powers came and disrupt us.
So true

[Jedizen]

One of the most vital aspects of progress ( not really mentioned in this wonderful speech ) is from musician Frank Zappa: " Without deviation from the norm, progress is NOT possible. " Things around us are indeed slowly improving. But, make no mistake: There ARE people who are making headway into a better way of life for all of us. And, there are just as many people who DO NOT want deviation from the norm. So, thanks to Mr. Pinker, progress is possible and life WILL continue to get better.

[andrewthomas]

Thanks Steven. I really needed to hear this. Really great.

[squamish]

People get SO angry when I mention stuff like this to them. I get the feeling a lot of them are unhappy about other things in their lives.

[mxyzptlk...]

This lecture makes me happy to be living in these times. I hope the progress continues.

[squamish]

I think the human race has collective Stockholm Syndrome when it comes to suffering, because for so long we suffered so pervasively without being able to do much about it. So suffering has been justified as "personal growth" etc. But I think about 95% of it, both outer and inner, is meaningless and we could mature and develop with a tiny fraction of what many of us actually suffer without it.

[dahliathereader]

He’s such a humble person for someone with such great intelligence

[ramakalapaidipalli]

Excellent snap shot of the world where it stands now to then based on reason &empirical evidence.It is a must watch for all those who knows English. I request Steven Pinker to get it dubbed into all the world languages, if it is possible.Since it gives an alternative picture hopeful picture of the world.I hope our indian babas, Sadgurus, Chagantis, Garikapatis &their ilk must watch it

[tommy--dash]

The book opened my eyes, connecting dots within my universal understanding of life's mysteries. I explored more about Mr. Pinker's parents and wife, and was blown away by how he was raised and the wonderful person he married. When people think of power couples, I would list these two. Thanks for writing this book, and thanks to his parents for developing his thought process.

[mitchkahle]

Poor audio and awkward cuts, Google. You should have higher production values.

[SKD]

Must read his book "Enlightenment Now "👌👌

[LarsLarsen]

I'm surprised none of the google employees started screaming and throwing things at him.

[leonardzane]

These extensive and relevant facts are exalting, and test each one's respect for evidence and own sense of life. Bravo again, great Prof. Pinker!

[Jimyblues]

Along with “The Greatest Show on Earth” by Richard Dawkins, this in my top 5 books ever- and I’ve read a lot!

[vin.handle]

Great lecture. At least, we have a way forward. Thirty years ago if you said billions of people would leave poverty and ascend to the middle class people would assume that would mean a greater reliance on fossil fuels, a diminishing resource. Now, we see a path to increasing wealth and doing it with more renewable energy.

[jenna]

Great talk and much respect for Pinker, but honey, time isn't WASTED on housework. I find handwashing my dishes and vacuuming my floor is a nice brain-break, kind of meditation. Time "devoted" to housework would be a better word choice.