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https://motherboard.vice.com/en_us/article/steven-pinker-talks-about-donald-trumps-victory-long-term-progress-and-wheth>
"The Harvard cognitive scientist tells us how life is always getting
better, despite what Trump has said."
It's important to remember humanity's enormous achievements and seek
further progress without giving in to negativity.
Via David Brin, who wrote:
Here’s an interview with someone hated by both parts of the far-left and the
entire right, Professor Stephen Pinker, who, along with Peter Diamandis
(“Abundance”) has used facts to shatter the delusion that everything is
spiraling into hell. That mythology doesn’t help inspire us to save the
world, but rather spreads nihilism and cynicism. In fact, statistically,
there are dozens of reasons for (guarded) optimism! Which, in turn, ought to
inspire a can-do spirit and belief that we can act vigorously, to solve
problems. Pinker is interviewed by Phil Torres. One special insight: When
people believe that the world is heading off a cliff, they are receptive to
the perennial appeal of demagogues: "What do you have to lose?" Sound
familiar?
Share and enjoy,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://www.xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
http://www.glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
http://www.sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
