I was thinking the other day about how wild it is that, despite all the chaos we see in the world, humanity has actually come pretty far. We’re living longer, we’ve got more money in our pockets, and most of us can read and write—things our ancestors could only dream of. So, what’s the trick behind all this? I stumbled across a talk by Steven Pinker, this big-shot psychology professor from Harvard, and he says it’s all about rationality and progress. Let’s unpack that idea and figure out why it’s such a big deal today.
Pinker kicks things off by saying he doesn’t buy into progress as some mystical force. He’s got this great line from Fran Lebowitz: “I don’t believe in anything you have to believe in.” Basically, he’s telling us the universe isn’t handing us success on a silver platter. If anything, it’s out to get us. Parasites want to munch on us, entropy’s always breaking stuff down, and human nature? Well, evolution didn’t exactly make us saints—we’ve got a knack for revenge and stepping on each other.
So, with all that working against us, how do we even get anywhere? Pinker’s got a simple answer: rationality. When people start thinking straight, using their heads and words to make life better for others, that’s when rationality and progress start holding hands. It’s not magic—it’s just us being smart over time.
The proof’s in the pudding, too. Think about how long we live now—more than double what our great-great-grandparents managed. That’s like getting a bonus life! Or take money: 200 years ago, 90% of folks were dirt poor. Now, only about 9% are, and that number keeps shrinking. And wisdom? Most of us can read now, unlike back in the day when only the fancy few knew how. Barack Obama once said if you could pick any time to be alive, you’d choose right now. Hard to argue with that.
People hear Pinker talk about this stuff and go, “Oh, you’re such an optimist!” But he’s not having it. He says he’s not cheering for the world—he’s just reading the numbers. News might make you think everything’s a dumpster fire, but data shows rationality and progress are quietly winning.
Still, you’ve got to wonder—if we’re so rational, why are people out there swearing the COVID vaccine’s a Bill Gates microchip scheme? Pinker calls it “rationality inequality.” We’ve got mind-blowing stuff like 3D printing and killer medicine, but then there’s this other side where folks believe the wildest stories. It’s like we’re acing some tests and flunking others.
He figures it’s because we’re suckers for a good tale. We love stories that pump up our crew and dunk on the bad guys. Truth? Eh, sometimes we’d rather have a juicy plot than boring old facts—especially with big stuff like how the world started or what’s cooking in politics. Digging for answers feels hard, so we just pick the story that feels right.
But here’s the cool part: we’ve got ways to fight that. Pinker points to things like science and good journalism. Scientists test their ideas and fess up when they’re wrong. Reporters—at least the solid ones—chase facts, not rumors. These setups, with their rules and standards, let us team up and think clearer than we ever could solo. That’s where rationality and progress really kick into gear.
So, can we get more people on the rationality train? Pinker says yeah, but it’s not just about school. Sure, learning critical thinking’s great, but who remembers half that stuff after the test? It’s gotta sink deeper—like, become a vibe we all live by. Imagine if arguing without facts felt as weird as walking outside in your birthday suit. That’s the goal.
There’s hope, too. A few centuries back, people thought werewolves were real and laughed at folks in asylums for fun. Those ideas? Mostly gone now, thanks to rationality and progress creeping in slow and steady. It’s not instant, and some folks will always cling to crazy, but we can keep nudging things forward.
If you’re into this whole rationality and progress thing, you should totally grab Steven Pinker’s book, Rationality: What It Is, Why It Seems Scarce, Why It Matters. It digs way deeper into how we think and why it’s such a game-changer. I’m halfway through it, and it’s already got me looking at stuff differently.
Bottom line? Rationality isn’t just brainy nonsense—it’s what’s powered human progress forever. When we lean into it, we tackle the universe’s curveballs and make things better. But when we ditch it? Yikes—think vaccine scares sparking health messes or nutty conspiracies starting fights. It’s on us to keep rationality alive. Next time someone’s spouting gibberish, maybe give ‘em a nudge—because rationality and progress? That’s how we keep this whole human thing rolling.
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