In seventy-five jaw-dropping graphs, Pinker shows that life, health, prosperity, safety, peace, knowledge, and happiness are on the rise….
Such is the Amazon blurb on Steven Pinker’s Enlightenment Now. You think I would disagree; let’s see.
Who can complain about a longer and healthier life, safety and peace, more food and shelter than almost any of your contemporaries and certainly more than those who came before you?
Yes, who can complain? Peace and material comfort beyond compare. Better health care too.
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Of course, one must subtract the violence inflicted on you by your keeper, and life couldn’t be better. Unless, of course, you are after meaning in life. And liberty.
Is this lion happy? Enjoying a meaningful life?
John Vervaeke made an interesting comment about Pinker’s work (I think during this conversation, but I am not sure). Something along the lines: the most ironic thing about Pinker’s book is the fact that he had to write it. If life was really so wonderful, why would we need to be convinced?
Conclusion
Wouldn’t the lion consider this his gulag?
Reprinted with permission from Bionic Mosquito.
