Enlightenment Now: The Case for Reason, Science, Humanism, and Progress by Steven Pinker
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Summary
The follow-up to Pinker's groundbreaking The Better Angels of Our Nature presents the big picture of human progress: people are living longer, healthier, freer, and happier lives, and while our problems are formidable, the solutions lie in the Enlightenment ideal of using reason and science.
While I'm a fan of Pinker's usual quality, 'Enlightenment Now: The Case for Reason, Science, Humanism, and Progress' takes a different approach. It primarily focuses on political criticism related to Donald Trump and the Right. Pinker weaves in his statistical examples to showcase what he views as foolishness and malevolent actions. As someone who appreciates Pinker's work, I must admit this was a letdown. It's unfortunate since the core content of the book is fantastic. I simply didn't expect or desire a heavy dose of his personal opinions. Regardless of my political leaning, I didn't purchase the book for that reason. If not for the inclusion of his political perspectives, this book would easily receive 5 stars.
This book presents a well-crafted argument that encourages the application of reason in tackling current issues. The author backs up their points with empirical evidence, which is often analyzed over a longer time frame than what the media tends to focus on - sensationalized outliers and narrow predictions. If I were granted three wishes by a magical genie, one of them would undoubtedly be that every person reads and comprehends the message conveyed in this book. The author presents the information in an unbiased, captivating, educational manner that sparks numerous enlightening moments. This book, along with its author, serves as a soothing remedy and countermeasure for the prevalent apathy, irrational thinking, and divisive tribalism that seem to be pervasive in today's society.
This book is really uplifting and provides a lot of factual information about the progress that humanity has made. It presents a strong argument for why this progress will continue, making it a book that everyone should definitely read.
This intellectually persuasive requiem for progress, science, humanism, and reason is a clear, concise, and profoundly relevant work that debunks myths and dispels pessimism, nihilism, and gloom. It deserves applause and accolades! Well done! Bravo! Bravissimo!
I picked up this book with the expectation of finding a passionate advocate for the importance of science and reason in a world that often seems to have lost its way. However, to my disappointment, the author spends a significant portion of the book promoting global capitalism and neo-liberalism, without giving proper consideration to the overwhelming evidence of the negative consequences these ideologies have had on society, the economy, and the environment. One particularly bewildering argument the author makes is that owning a smartphone somehow invalidates any claims of long-term income inequality, suggesting that individuals should stop complaining and just be happy. This kind of reasoning is completely illogical and fails to acknowledge the deliberate regressive policies implemented by political elites over the past few decades, which have steadily eroded the progress made through programs like the New Deal and anti-poverty initiatives of the 1960s. The decline of the American middle class cannot be attributed to upward economic mobility, as the author suggests, but rather to decades of deliberate retrenchment and the prioritization of the interests of a small group of billionaires who subscribe to a fanatical belief in the infallibility of the free market. It is disheartening to see the author squander his intellectual capabilities on such flawed arguments. The truth is, when the majority of people express discontent and unhappiness, it is important to listen to them rather than dismissing their concerns with complex charts and graphs. We should take a cue from figures like Bernie Sanders and Jeremy Corbyn, who understand the importance of genuinely hearing the voices of the people.
This audiobook is decent, but it's definitely one of the less impressive ones I've come across. Maybe my hearing isn't as sharp as it once was, but I haven't found other narrations to be so subdued. It would be great if they let the listener control the volume and turned up the volume themselves! Much appreciated!
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