"If it is difficult to look at the twentieth century with a steady eye, so terrible are its crimes, the temptation is great to allow one’s eye to wander. Steven Pinker is, in this regard, one step away from clinical strabismus." cosmopolitanglobalist.com/the-best-of-ti… Part I
"Poorly defined problems very often lead to absurd solutions, the ensuing circle having, in the case of homicide rates, the virtue, at least, of long-term stability." Part II cosmopolitanglobalist.com/the-best-of-ti…
Stay tuned for Part III, today.
Pinker's book was widely hailed as "amply documented" and "counterintuitive."
It was counterintuitive because it was wrong; and the sources collapse on scrutiny.
Pinker's book was widely hailed as "amply documented" and "counterintuitive."
It was counterintuitive because it was wrong; and the sources collapse on scrutiny.
Why are we laboring so hard to tell you that the world isn't getting better? It's a bit of a downer, no?
Because that book was not just an achievement in shoddy scholarship, it was hugely influential. It became a large-scale exercise in delusion.
Because that book was not just an achievement in shoddy scholarship, it was hugely influential. It became a large-scale exercise in delusion.
The truth is the 20th century was a catastrophe and an orgy of violence. There's no guarantee that the 21st century will be better; it could easily be worse.
Assuring ourselves that we're on an 800-year sunny upward trajectory doesn't allow us to think clearly about violence.
Assuring ourselves that we're on an 800-year sunny upward trajectory doesn't allow us to think clearly about violence.
Nor about how to avoid it.
Also, he's my father, so I'm partial, it's true, but I think the essay is a master class in "how to read a book carefully, and why you should."
Also, he's my father, so I'm partial, it's true, but I think the essay is a master class in "how to read a book carefully, and why you should."
• • •
Missing some Tweet in this thread? You can try to
force a refresh
