Oslo Freedom Forum
Is democratic progress inevitable, or does it require constant work? At OFF in NY, author and Harvard psychologist Steven Pinker used statistical data and historical trends to paint a picture of the state of the world’s democratic ideals. While media trends continue to portray global events in a more negative light, Steven showed us how the world is actually becoming more free and democratic with every decade — but only due to the hard work and dedication of activists, journalists, and politicians.
Source
STEVEN PINKER | THE CASE FOR REASON, SCIENCE, HUMANISM, AND PROGRESS | OFFinNY
Pinker certainly is one of my favorite, if not my favorite, lecturer.
+1
Pinker is great, can't wait for the new book
One of the best short and dense secular lectures since a long time. Great!
Yuval Harari has argued that the rise of AI has the potential to undermine humanism because algorithms could overpower it, and the need for most humans, therefore reducing our value and returning civilization to a feudal state where a handful of the very powerful who control the algorithms let the masses starve.
the common sense editor in my brain kicked out not one word Mr Pinker spoke.
தலைவா !!!
Jacob Bronowski left the strict science of mathematics to enter the study of humanities. He delivered 3 lectures at MIT that were later turned into a book "Science and Human Values" The 3 lectures were 1. the creative mind 2. the habit of truth 3. the sense of human dignity. Once past the hunter gatherer stage and it's many gods, man had time to become what man is, a thinker. JB wrote that the development of poetry and art in a creative sense were just as important as the science that followed in finding a likeness in nature. His thesis was that the true nature of science comes about because of civilized educated thinking man's human values. This man understands the value of churches in community good and bonding, but remains perplexed at the juvenile mythology's that hold it together. Science could not exist without human values, human values will not remain without science that has given us everything good we have, fighting ignorance, superstition and religion every step of the way.
தலைவா !!!
What a boring and silly talk. I don't know it is his style or the examples he is using; like really, are you going to ignore the unmatched progress in philosophy and science between 7th and 12th centuries; there is nothing to learn about peoplekind from those centuries where people lived in peace in different parts of the world which was not Europe or America? but this is one of the worst talks I have ever listened to. If anyone thinks the same and understand why world is becoming a better place, I will recommend Abigail Marsh's talks.