I enjoyed his book "Enlightenment Now," although I can't say I subscribe to his ultra positive outlook of the world. For all our sake, I hope he's right and I am wrong. So far I like his "Rationality" one. It's more useful, I think.
I agree. I know what you are saying about the ultra positive outlook. What I have been reading about him lately didn't encourage me to pick up the new book. But I should give it a try.
What have you been reading about him lately? Send it my way. The way I look at it, is people are a mixed bag of nuts. Take what you like, leave the rest behind. And don't judge one writer by a single book. Lol. Next one could be better or worse than the last. You never know.
Again, I have not read the new book. And yes, I agree with the mixed bag statement. However, his being popular and best-seller has some impact on the general public opinion.
Thank you so much for the work you do here! I was wondering if you might write about regaining lost confidence one day? A bumpy decade leaves mine nowhere to be seen. x
I just got back from a brief visit to San Diego and Dana Point. Reading this, I can sense the simultaneous hope and despair. It makes perfect sense, as this year was such a mixed bag. I traveled all over the U.S.-twice due to family matters, and twice-closer to Home Base, for both spirituality and human connectedness. 2021 has been, and still is, an astonishingly intense year. Stay safe and well, Val.
Got here from another newsletter. Was enjoying the post then...Pinker!! Oh no!! Isn't he a bit cliched now? I will try to read the rest.
I enjoyed his book "Enlightenment Now," although I can't say I subscribe to his ultra positive outlook of the world. For all our sake, I hope he's right and I am wrong. So far I like his "Rationality" one. It's more useful, I think.
I agree. I know what you are saying about the ultra positive outlook. What I have been reading about him lately didn't encourage me to pick up the new book. But I should give it a try.
What have you been reading about him lately? Send it my way. The way I look at it, is people are a mixed bag of nuts. Take what you like, leave the rest behind. And don't judge one writer by a single book. Lol. Next one could be better or worse than the last. You never know.
Again, I have not read the new book. And yes, I agree with the mixed bag statement. However, his being popular and best-seller has some impact on the general public opinion.
Here are a few links.
This one talks about how radical right has been influenced by his ideas https://www.opendemocracy.net/en/steven-pinker-jordan-peterson-neoliberalism-radical-right/. Of course any ideas can be misappropriated, I am aware of that.
There's also a NYT article about this from 2018: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/08/opinion/intellectual-dark-web.html (this article puts Pinker and Jordan Peterson in the same box which might be bit simplistic). Another one here about Pinker's take on the enlightenment: https://www.vox.com/the-big-idea/2018/5/17/17362548/pinker-enlightenment-now-two-cultures-rationality-war-debate
A more academic critique here: https://doi.org/10.1080/21598282.2019.1649170
Here's another old debate about his views on science and gender:
https://www.thecrimson.com/article/2005/4/25/profs-spar-on-innate-differences-in/
And most recently his involvement with the University of Austin is also interesting: https://www.salon.com/2021/11/13/bari-weiss-field-of-right-wing-dreams-will-the-university-of-austin-ever-actually-exist/
So as you tell not a big fan on his..:)
Thank you so much for the work you do here! I was wondering if you might write about regaining lost confidence one day? A bumpy decade leaves mine nowhere to be seen. x
Thank you for reading! Most definitely. I'll put it on the list and pen it out in a couple of weeks. Thank you for your suggestion!
I just got back from a brief visit to San Diego and Dana Point. Reading this, I can sense the simultaneous hope and despair. It makes perfect sense, as this year was such a mixed bag. I traveled all over the U.S.-twice due to family matters, and twice-closer to Home Base, for both spirituality and human connectedness. 2021 has been, and still is, an astonishingly intense year. Stay safe and well, Val.
Thank you. Same to you :)