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Books by Steven Pinker mentioned on podcasts
Steven Pinker's sociological and psychological works are widely referenced by podcast hosts and guests. On Modern Wisdom, Rob Henderson cited How the Mind Works to illustrate sexual dynamics and mating preferences through a line about women and John F. Kennedy. People I (Mostly) Admire featured Dan Gilbert noting that his colleague Pinker authored several books arguing that the world is improving, while No Stupid Questions discussed Enlightenment Now and The Better Angels of Our Nature to highlight themes of optimism and societal progress. The Joe Rogan Experience touched upon several of Pinker's titles: Jimmy Carr mentioned Enlightenment Now in the context of appreciating the current state of human affairs, David Buss discussed The Blank Slate regarding human nature, and Joe Rogan highlighted Pinker's research on violence over time from The Better Angels of Our Nature. Additionally, The Rubin Report referenced Pinker's perspective on human nature and societal progress while discussing Enlightenment Now.
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Enlightenment Now
Enlightenment Now by Steven Pinker is a nonfiction book that uses data and quantitative charts to argue that humanity has made remarkable progress in health, prosperity, safety, peace, and knowledge through the ideals of the Enlightenment.
Discussed“Yeah, I mean I don't know Steven Pinker at all, but his book Enlightenment Now...”
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The Better Angels of Our Nature
Why people recommend it: The Better Angels of Our Nature is a comprehensive study by Steven Pinker that argues violence has steadily declined throughout human history as civilization has progressed.
Discussed“I believe, yeah, there's no doubt, and my colleague Steve Pinker has now written several books convincingly arguing, at least convincingly, I think, that on most parameters, the world is getting better.”
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How the Mind Works
Discussed“I always think of this famous this very nice line in in Steven Pinker's famous book, How the Mind Works. And it's something like most women would rather share John F. Kennedy than have Bobo the clown all to themselves.”
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The Blank Slate
Discussed“I'm I'm a big fan of his I've been asthma uh friends with him for for many many years and his book The Blank Slate um lays all this out”
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The Language Instinct
Discussed“So I started looking at their bookshelf and came across a pop science book called 'The Language Instinct' by Stephen Pinker. That was a turning point for me.”
Speaker Huberman Lab How to Shape Your Identity & Goals | Dr. Maya Shankar 2023-07-24 Listen at 59:10Where to get it
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The Stuff of Thought
Discussed“Question: you've got this kind of euphemism treadmill that Stephen Pinker talks about where it starts off as a bad word, but then people use it more and more, and then you get used to it, and then it falls away, and then you need to come up with another bad word.”
Speaker Freakonomics Radio 540. Swearing Is More Important Than You Think 2023-04-20 Listen at 30:16Where to get it
