Game theory can explain humanity’s biggest problem | Steven Pinker

Harvard professor Steven Pinker explains that everyone suffers from this rationality error.
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Cognitive psychologist Steven Pinker argues that while the Enlightenment ideals of using knowledge to enhance human well-being are not inherently natural to us, they are vital for societal progress.
But one obstacle standing in front of greater progress centers on game theory, particularly situations involving the tragedy of the commons. The tragedy of the commons describes a predicament in which individuals independently pursue their own interests, leading to the overexploitation and eventual depletion of a shared resource, ultimately harming everyone's well-being.
According to Pinker, one example of a tragedy of the commons lies within what we choose to believe in public. An individual might be incentivized to believe in something because it will make them look good to people in their circle. But if enough people behave in this way, the likely consequence is that fewer people will be incentivized to earnestly search for truth.
Still, Pinker maintains a hopeful outlook. He cites advancements in science and morality as evidence of progress, and he argues that humanistic values hold an inherent advantage, as they appeal to universal human desires and shared experiences.
0:00 Knowledge: It’s unnatural
1:17 Game theory’s ‘tragedy of the commons’
1:59 The rationality commons
2:55 Is there hope for civilization?
Read the video transcript ► bigthink.com/series/great-que...
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About Steven Pinker:
Steven Pinker is an experimental psychologist who conducts research in visual cognition, psycholinguistics, and social relations. He grew up in Montreal and earned his BA from McGill and his PhD from Harvard. Currently Johnstone Professor of Psychology at Harvard, he has also taught at Stanford and MIT. He has won numerous prizes for his research, his teaching, and his nine books, including The Language Instinct, How the Mind Works, The Blank Slate, The Better Angels of Our Nature, The Sense of Style, and Enlightenment Now: The Case for Reason, Science, Humanism, and Progress.
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[@bigthink]

What's an example of the tragedy of the commons that you hope we move past?

[@Novastar.SaberCombat]

"Reflect upon the Past. Embrace your Present. Orchestrate our Futures." -- Artemis 🐲✨🐲✨🐲✨ "Before I start, I must see my end. Destination known, my mind’s journey now begins. Upon my chariot, heart and soul’s fate revealed. In time, all points converge, hope’s strength re-steeled. But to earn final peace at the universe’s endless refrain, We must see all in nothingness... before we start again." 🐲✨🐲✨🐲✨ --Diamond Dragons (series)

[@gkwilly716]

Bank runs. Safer for every individual to put money elsewhere, but if everyone does the bank fails.

[@mundokabaso9240]

@@gkwilly716 Particularly fitting rn

[@WeylandLabs]

Example : The realization of global resources is limited and is not forever, and humanity makes the changes to preserve and protect it. We conserve it in a safe uncapitalized way that only benefits humanity instead of wealthy. The global wealth divide is getting bigger and bigger and we are developing a problems in our global free market system with corruption and greed being hidden more.

[@earthjustice01]

You should check out Elinor Ostrom's "Governing the Commons" This shows that people can share common resources without depleting them if they agree to enforce common rules.

[@AtomLabX]

This should be an hour video, going into detail, and explaining more about it. I do think that 4 mins is not enough, yet great topic, I never knew about the game theory, and now I do. Fun fact: my thesis paper, was against Steven Pinker, because I did not agree that the world is making progress as he claims. What is funny is, later after a year from writing that, I read two of his books, and now I'm one of his biggest fans, because I do think he is own to something. That is the power of reading and trying to have an open mind.

[@bigthink]

Good news: we're releasing the full hour-long interview on Wednesday 😀. And that's a great story, thanks for sharing!

[@Hazzerbat]

The Better Angels of our Nature is one of my favourite books I've ever read purely because of how it shifted my perception of civilization and humanity. An astounding work of literature.

[@neur0ness]

To the tragedy of the commons, I might also include the bystander effect. Things we would all benefit from working on.

[@iche9373]

The only Problem is identity politics.

[@The-Devils-Advocate]

Oh, the whiff of irony is slight yet overwhelming here

[@josefk1491]

Also, people would often rather be ignorant if it meant comfort. This is why people are afraid to explain their reasoning for their strong beliefs. Being scared of contradictions to beliefs you identify with. So many ways for a person to want to be ignorant. And probably the main one being that it requires work to know things. Often only relying on entertainment to educate is just not practical to most people since what attracts peoples attention is probably not going to make them smarter.

[@bromo4666]

100% true

[@frcomet5009]

Very true nd it triggers people for instance if I say incest is actually not wrong and should be legalized, people will instantly get triggered and attack you, but barely any of them will be able to give rational thought about why it's illegal or legal. They will say genetics bcuz there like birds who repeat what they hear but don't realize that it's a myth that incest results in bad genetics if there's not a long line of incest lineagy. Not only by that logic we should also not allow diabetics to have sex, people predisposed with cancer to have sex, lupus, sickle cell, we should have health screenings for people to have kids yet we don't. But see people don't even think about there beliefs they hear it from somewhere somebody tells them it's bad a reason why it's bad now that's a built in defense mechanism that they never question or research

[@Afreshio]

Yeah, plenty of intellectuals preach that most or all the human race would naturally be inclined to seek knowledge for the sake of it or for their own benefit. Thats just projecting and falling into the usual and comical stereotype of the very clever guy who is very very naive. I've observed most people want to remain ignorant.

[@frcomet5009]

@@Afreshio well u also have to remember intelligence is for the rich, being a philosopher use to be a rlly admirable and respectable thing bcuz everybody couldn't just sit around and read and collect books and travel to other places and study e.t.c people had to labor to make ends meet and some labored and barely ever made ends meet. So for us people who are well studied and researched in psychology, philosophy, theology, biology , science, history u have to remember some people have to go work at Amazon for 12 hours nd do the same repetitive thing all day no time to learn or self develop. And even with all the knowledge nd wisdom we have it took years to obtain. Nd lots of life experience and this is with fact asked information think of the days where it was hard to even get one book and any information. So ya knowledge is a rich man's game

[@aservant1284]

Very true

[@Semper_Iratus]

Humanity’s biggest problem is the arrogance of self belief and the inflection of it onto others.

[@Thetruth-fe8fj]

I concur live and let live but at the end everyone suffers from a higher sense of self

[@memorysometimers3067]

Yes exactly. Social media has ruined society as a whole. People take a picture of themselves and expect the world to see it. Just the click of a button makes people think they are so gifted and special. Comparable to spoiled rotten children.

[@genx60five]

Arrogance just in itself is a disaster.

[@mindymild]

Are you a god believer?

[@racecarrik]

I wouldn't go as far as to say humanities biggest problem but definitely the biggest problem in politics today

[@hwway4488]

I would love to see an example of a mathematical model/simulation of game theory applied to the social sciences like this such as to an area of the economy or to the city transportation like in the example. Everyone’s best interests can be compatible and seen to in a humanistic way.

[@OGCHUCK1]

There is no such thing as everyone best interest the word is selfish i like how you stupid people thing we all align and want the same thing that so foolish and childless.😂😂

[@ImHeadshotSniper]

there are some people who do that on the "GAMETHEORY" subreddit, though i'm not sure how accurate they all are though cause i personally more enjoy the philosophical/political aspect of game theory as i have very minimal interest in math but am alright at discussing verbal ideas. i don't mean for this to sound anti-math at all as i am massively appreciative of the people who do the real applicative work, but i often wonder if sometimes the math in game theory could miss some majorly influencing unforeseen variables which exist in the real world. i personally believe that knowing basic narrative ideas from history or even fictional books can be a simpler way for most people to learn very possible fundamental cause and effect relationships of social events, and how we might be able to "predict" when one may be close to happening as there will be an increasing pattern of observation of similarities to the learned ideals, such as the general ideals of "extremist authority", and how it generally looks like a restriction of very basic freedoms. i also feel narrative/history education could help in ensuring that nationalist logicians aren't just trying to win battles with cold logical math, but are also intend to increase survivability around the world as a whole as is the name of the game of life. this may include purposefully surrendering a battle because of an awareness that they are fighting for people who represent wanting to decrease the survivability of other people (or even animals if you consider forfeiting deforestation or something similar as an act of surrendering to animals so that they may survive.)

[@hwway4488]

@@ImHeadshotSniper I actually agree with you, thank you for the rare and interesting reply

[@ImHeadshotSniper]

@@hwway4488 i really appreciate you taking the time to read it! i seem to drag on for a bit too long sometimes :P

[@iche9373]

If Mankind is only about striving for its own interest, then it's not better than an animals. Because animals are only following interests.

[@markotrieste]

3:53 not sure about that last one... the saying goes that, in times of universal availability of knowledge, ignorance is a choice, and I see too many people choose ignorance.

[@gregbors8364]

Being informed involves work. Being stupid is *much* easier

[@ncedwards1234]

I think you're right. That has to do with our comfort society. Too complacent with a life we hate because changing it is perceived as harder. Ignorance is easier, but worse for you. People love to "turn their brains off" and they know they're doing it. I ask people why, and I never understand their explanations. It seems that pure ignorance is neutral, but choosing ignorance is the same as killing 5 people in the trolley problem. People need to stop killing the metaphorical 5 people every single day, and choose to kill 1 person (again, metaphor) even if the thought makes them uncomfortable because it's worth it. We need more cognitive empathy, ironically the kind of empathy that sociopaths tend to be high in.

[@pedrova8058]

the problem is that these "liberal" ideas tend to minimize the impact of the environment, of material conditions. If you are born in poverty, and during your childhood your main concern is to survive, little time is available for "enlightenment" (even today thousands of children are working, or die from complications of malnutrition). The practical results of "game theory" ideas on many social issues, is rampant individualism ..."they are doomed by meritocracy"

[@dsa20009]

There are also way too many cases where there's a strong cultural incentive to remain ignorant - usually from within one's own community or friend circle.

[@oliveoil7642]

@@pedrova8058 Meritocracy saved my family from generations of serfdom and poverty. Having left an Eastern block country first controlled by absolute rule of monarchy then tyranny of communism my grand parents came to America where their hard work and intelligence paid off! The next generation and the next even more so. We are all professionals or entrepreneurs so the system of meritocracy served us well. Now we are being told we genocided the indigenous populations 🤔Interesting since we lived elsewhere when that occurred. We are also being told we are “privileged” due to our skin colour 😳🤔Again interesting as our family has worked hard and sacrificed all our lives here in America. Nothing presumed or handed to us and yet we must accept that label? 😤🤔🤔🤔🤔Something is amiss!

[@pohkeee]

Yes BEAUTIFUL MINDS are being drowned out by the insanity of “ othering “ for power grabs. Divided the earth goes down in flames…the final lose/lose. Gosh, I had forgotten what a bright light of hope Steven is…I have got to dust of a couple of his books and reinvigorate myself!

[@mrlucius57]

the world needs more enlightenment humanism. As Pinker said, we all want and need a food water, warmth etc. I think there is a most efficient model where everyone gets those things(through technological applications; for example ease of "creating" food today vs. 2000 years ago) instead of competing and hoarding them. Im rooting for us

[@erdwaenor]

'Communism 2.0' is the way to go then. I'm not sure it is possible to send BILLIONS in the name of NATO and the US, to aid Ukraine at war against Russia, and at the same time send BILLIONS to help generate the basic needs (which also have a relevant cost) for people that really needs them for surviving & thriving. Look at what the fellow President of Brazil, Lula, answered to the German Chancellor, Scholz, when the latter asked the former to send weapons to Ukraine along with other NATO allies: 'Our only War is against Hunger.' (something similar). This is the way to think right.

[@jacobjones630]

you should read marxist writings if you're looking for alternatives to competition and hoarding

[@user-uf4fd7dx6y]

@@jacobjones630 what alternative did Marx offer?

[@jacobjones630]

@@user-uf4fd7dx6y Public ownership of the means of production. You can't hoard what you don't own and you also can''t use it in competition or compete for it.

[@SupaPlayerYoBoi]

But that’s just a theory. A humanity theory! Thanks for watching!

[@PierceArner]

2:42 reminds me of a quote from Captain Jean-Luc Picard in *Star Trek: The Next Generation* on prioritizing truth, _"The first duty of every Starfleet officer is to the truth, whether it's scientific truth or historical truth or personal truth! It is the guiding principle on which Starfleet is based. And if you can't find it within yourself to stand up and tell the truth about what happened, you don't deserve to wear that uniform!"_

[@iche9373]

Cpt. Picard is basically an Universalist.

[@gokhantoksoy2826]

who ever created Star Trek universe and now writing for the series are amazingly intelligent people. i loved that there are people other than me who take Star Trek serious.

[@huveja9799]

At first glance it looks paradoxical that the phenomenon of infection by a certain ideology or idea as an example of the "tragedy of the commons", i.e. that it is rational for a person to agree with his group, and in that way the group arrives at the problem of "group-think", which is bad for everyone, is something the Pinker exhibits precisely here, he is "infected" with the idea of the Apocalyptic consequences from the Global Warming or what Russian is supposed to do to Ukraine .. let's say that in that way the video is a recursive video that is very good showing how difficult it is to escape from the "tragedy of the commons" ..

[@Screw_This]

Since many people lie with abandon, including to themselves, please realize "personal truth" or the more frequent "my truth" may have no relation to actual truth beyond mere coincidence.

[@EugeneKhutoryansky]

The problem with Game Theory is that it assumes all players will be motivated only by their own self-interest, without regards to the greater good. With this assumption, we are guaranteed to be doomed.

[@robertarvanitis8852]

No. Self-interest is a only place to begin. Then we sacrifice for good reason, like two kids or eight cousins...

[@EmperorsNewWardrobe]

What makes you think game theory isn’t entirely flexible with its variables?

[@ksheshadri1167]

Was this talk delivered to this channel, or, is there a full talk that one can access? Link to that?

[@luthfinashi5558]

Can game theory modified to include irrational behavior? I don't think people usually think rationally. When you assume people think rationally, it will give a big contradiction, practically and even theoretically.

[@robertarvanitis8852]

See my post on "rational irrationality" That's how retaliation preserves cooperation.

[@noahschulte7601]

I agree. Matpat may just be able to explain humanity's biggest problems.

[@spaceman4313]

I was looking for this comment.

[@noahschulte7601]

@@spaceman4313 I was too so I thought I would make it myself lol.

[@Walleyedwosaik]

Dude I totally thought that’s what he meant too lol

[@nonstopdrama06]

thats what i thought this video was about lmao but fr he will solve everything

[@wyattvanhorn8361]

Yea I was totally trying to find this comment

[@jsb354]

I don't see our present day threats and challenges [just] where this presenter sees them, and I don't see "progress" where sees it. I do see game theory being played out globally by different sets of factors and variables.

[@dokgo7822]

This video was ok. I enjoyed it, but wish it was longer & more in depth, as it just seemed to scratch the surface with a general overview. Does the word rational insinuate that logic must be backed by math? Is it illogical or irrational if personal logic or rationale is based on beliefs? Does finding common ground mean that people/a person is being rational by establishing a "more correct" answer? Does a "more correct" answer really differ from a black & white answer if the outcome is the same?

[@shantanudahiya5122]

This video is a small excerpt from the 1 hour 20 minute long video he has on "Rationality." You can find it on BigThink's channel or just search for it.

[@austinedeclan10]

Downplaying the value, role and impact of emotions and feelings in all the progress thats been made as well as the upheaval that's been created. Somethings were changed, not because we thought they were horrible but because we felt they were horrible. Rational though and action are one part of the human puzzle and not the whole of it

[@perrywidhalm114]

There is no such thing as "human progress". It is an illusion of the highly civilized, detached from reality mind (mostly left brain thinking).

[@huveja9799]

At first glance it looks paradoxical that the phenomenon of infection by a certain ideology or idea as an example of the "tragedy of the commons", i.e. that it is rational for a person to agree with his group, and in that way the group arrives at the problem of "group-think", which is bad for everyone, is something the Pinker exhibits precisely here, he is "infected" with the idea of the Apocalyptic consequences from the Global Warming, or what Russian is supposed to do to Ukraine .. let's say that in that way the video is a recursive video that is very good showing how difficult it is to escape from the "tragedy of the commons" ..

[@ncedwards1234]

The truth has been known for decades. Attempts to communicate it also has. Why do people choose ignorance? I believe it's because they're selfish and not nudged properly where compassion becomes easier than purposeful ignorance of complacency.

[@SOMAnxg]

In the sense that homo sapiens have always been "explorers", seekers of facts, one would hope that [facts] "truth" is far more important than personal "feelings". All through childhood and even into a state of maturity we are always reminded and encouraged to "learn to control our emotions". As an undergraduate majoring in Sociology I had the fortune of Game Theory study, except then where I was in university it was taught as a slight variant referred to as "Exchange Theory". It "woke" me to a new understanding of human social intercourse.

[@jotighe2]

'Tragedy of the Commons' refers to the overgrazing of (now) Central Park in the 1800s, not shared tragedies of the common man.

[@EmperorsNewWardrobe]

‘Overgrazing’ is such a good word for it, one that I’d never considered. Collective overgrazing is the problem

[@TryWithKev]

Life is beautiful, even when you ‘lose’. If you actually try, you don’t lose.

[@gonetoheck]

I am reminded that we are no longer in a toilet paper crisis each time I see someone in your videos sitting on a big fat roll of it !!

[@therealzilch]

As good a short introduction to the application of game theory to living better that I've ever heard.

[@Fallzel]

The biggest humanity problem is that the evil people cares more the responsability to rule the world than the good people. on the other side the good people support them in silence and doesnt care about governate the masses.

[@jamesreed422]

1:23 board is set up incorrectly (king and queen should be flipped) and black is based for playing the symmetrical grob.

[@mpetry912]

just exceptional. thank you !

[@docnickmacaluso112]

Humanity's biggest problems are the same as they have always been: selfishness and dishonesty.

[@idontknowanypotatochips3849]

When we think there's no hope ... There's a hope .. that's what I think I learn .. maybe I don't want to stay here anymore... That's my Hope.

[@paulocoelho558]

In my opinion, humanism is facing a significant crisis due to our slow progress in learning how to be better humans. While some thinkers and scientists may applaud our achievements over the past century, I believe this is a misleading and dangerous notion that conceals the many problems that disturbe our society today. Despite technological advancements, the majority of people continue to struggle with a range of issues, and it's crucial that we acknowledge and address these challenges rather than pretending they don't exist. Ultimately, I worry that our focus on positivity may be causing us to overlook the urgent need for change and improvement, and we must remain vigilant in our efforts to create a more just and equitable world. The quality of this video is only as good as the melody playing in the background. I wonder if this pleasant tune is merely a lullaby intended to lull us into a state of complacency...

[@raphaelreichmannrolim25]

I dont see how we can make it. Maybe we are headed to disgrace, and this disgrace will allow better times to come... Slowly... Until, yet, again, the harmony cannot sustain itself anymore...

[@Afreshio]

Yup. Wealth inequality is so big it might make a black hole and suck us in. Too many religions where tribalism prevails, cultish way of thinking still makes the paradigms of most people. And academia is leaning more into the ivory tower, favoring already priviledge people and making us believe they are the ones who suffer the most. i.e white women in Western societies.

[@simonfriedman9212]

I don't think anyone of sound mind would contend that humanity doesn't face significant challenges (climate change, inequality, authoritarianism, etc). That said, I think if you listen to people like Steven Pinker, Hans Rosling, or even Bill Gates, you learn that it is both important to work towards solving challenges, but also to take them in perspective and to acknowledge where progress is being made. Contrary to your claim of being lulled into complacency, I think the bigger problem is of paralysis on all sides due to a feeling of apocalyptic crisis. It is hard to discuss the nuts and bolts of solving our problems and negotiate between opposing groups when everyone believes that every choice is an existential one. Indeed, even though we as humans are not designed to take in suffering and change at global scales and timeframes, we are approaching a point in time when we mostly have the technology to provide relatively comfortable lives for everyone on the planet, and the remaining challenge to do so is sociopolitical.

[@paulocoelho558]

@@simonfriedman9212 Yes you are fully right "we as humans are not designed to take in suffering and change at global scales and timeframes" maybe focusing learning those skills will help us to become better humans. We really have the technologies and the resources to change the way we life in this planet and improve life for everyone (what may sounds like an utopia) but the problem that it's complicated because we need a better social interface on a global scale and was we know that's hard to achieve when there are people that simply don't care and do exactly the opposite. People like Putin for example that just for egotist reasons make pain, suffering and war a reality on the 21st century. I don't only blame him I blame everyone including myself, because we have to stop dividing the world in small pieces and groups and factions...

[@TBTHEONE]

Like Paulo Coelho the author?

[@Chamelionroses]

Cults happen and social media failures of empathy/ sympathy in good mental health ( individuals and group) ...including on 4chan. Explains much.

[@lloydgush]

This man's biggest mistake was asking a shriek for a coffee.

[@alanhehe4508]

Austute analysis. Imo, the ego is the barrier to almost all things good. It's what causes our (illusionary) feeling of separation from each other and nature, our environment. ✌❤🔥

[@nealwailing3870]

...and superfluous KZbin videos...

[@AlphaHaze]

Damn Matpat grew fast 😢

[@CuriosityGuy]

I just love Steven Pinker!

[@iyenrowoemene3169]

In my opinion human progress is attained not by the rationality of the actors but by the ability to make use of available resources. Resources is the key. when it goes dry humans become wicked when it abound humans seem good. An example what stopped the slave trade? Human ethics? No. The invention of a better slave the machines.

[@huveja9799]

At first glance it looks paradoxical that the phenomenon of infection by a certain ideology or idea as an example of the "tragedy of the commons", i.e. that it is rational for a person to agree with his group, and in that way the group arrives at the problem of "group-think", which is bad for everyone, is something the Pinker exhibits precisely here, he is "infected" with the idea of the Apocalyptic consequences from the Global Warming or what Russian is supposed to do to Ukraine .. let's say that in that way the video is a recursive video that is very good showing how difficult it is to escape from the "tragedy of the commons" ..

[@Graybeard_]

Earth is a classroom. We come here to learn and grow. When we, as a group, are doing well, the classroom becomes a nicer place to be, temporarily. When we don't do well as a group, the classroom becomes more challenging, more difficult. We will come and go, many times, but the classroom endures. We are not here to fix the classroom. We are here to improve ourselves.

[@iamstartower]

what problem... humanity's problem is not everyone's problem... let the weak succumb to their failed destiny and the strong live in glory...

[@samaila241]

Anti-fragility is a system that gains from disorder, according to Nassim. Resilience is how quickly we revert to mean after a disturbance. Two different concepts. Human psyche can be resilient but can the concept of anti-fragility apply to it?

[@leonardzane]

Hear, hear! Win-win rationality for each so often requires rationality for all of us together, and reason is the most proven way to grasp reality.

[@robertarvanitis8852]

Not a win for pure rationality. See my post above on "rational irrationality." You allocate 10,000 between us, on condition that I approve the split or no one gets anything. Veto. Almost everyone does something 60/40. They anticipate the other guy's resentment of an unequal split. But the other guy should be glad for even a free 1,000 -- irrelevant if you keep 9,000. But you anticipate my "rational-irrationality and curb your own greed.

[@leonardzane]

@@robertarvanitis8852 Interesting, and couldn't find your post on "rational irrationality," so maybe you could summarize or link it. Are you an expert game theorist, and can your RI method be rational if everybody practices it? Did John Nash find a win-win resolution to your counterexample, that you could show, or have you and can you?

[@robertarvanitis8852]

@@leonardzane Let's play a game. You decide how we should split 10,000. Then I look at your split and say yes or no for both. How do you allocate? Most people say between 60%/40% either way. It should be ok for you to keep 9,000 and give me 1,000, because hey it's a free thousand for me! But you rationally anticipate my irrationality at perceived "injustice." As social animals, we temper our enthusiasms. So my irrationality turns out to be quite rational after all.

[@leonardzane]

@@robertarvanitis8852 While not answering my queries, your belonging to MAAA hints you might be able to but are still dodging. So here's an open invitation for expert game theorists to comment here and show how to avoid zero-sum. Efharisto poli, oli.

[@bigchungus7648]

Matpat: "its just a GAME THEORY!"

[@youngjezy23]

It’s always the desire for a better life

[@tigertiger1699]

🙏🙏🙏 just found my local Rational/ humanist society meetings in 2 weeks 👍

[@mesplin3]

I'm going to disagree with the phrase "objectively good." 2:50 Objective: not influenced by personal feelings or opinions in considering and representing facts Good: to be desired or approved of This phrase "objectively good" seems contradictory. First, I consider desire or seeking approval to be a type of emotion. Second, for something to be good, it seems that thing would require desire. Third, an objective thing would be a thing that doesn't require desire. Fourth, a thing cannot require desire and not require desire. Therefore, I conclude that "objective good" is logically inconsistent.

[@huveja9799]

At first glance it looks paradoxical that the phenomenon of infection by a certain ideology or idea as an example of the "tragedy of the commons", i.e. that it is rational for a person to agree with his group, and in that way the group arrives at the problem of "group-think", which is bad for everyone, is something the Pinker exhibits precisely here, he is "infected" with the idea of the Apocalyptic consequences from the Global Warming, or what Russian is supposed to do to Ukraine .. let's say that in that way the video is a recursive video that is very good showing how difficult it is to escape from the "tragedy of the commons" ..

[@Pengalen]

Unfortunately, we are doomed.

[@mrcuttime22]

Sadly, very many Americans seem to be actually proud to be "ignorant" of huge branches of knowledge, common sense or wisdom. And it seems true that knowledge or even wisdom is not the panacea that knowledgeable and wise people sometimes make them out to be. There are times to best let them go and just live intuitively or passively. Instead, I wish our institutions of learning would emphasize the PARADOXES present in all aspects of life. We don't need to be, and indeed we are each not, completely smart, wise beyond our years, funny as Robin Williams (RIP), beloved as Tom Hanks, attractive or not, rich or poor, inspired or not, creative or not, committed or not. We are almost all in a middle somewhere and there's no report card after school encouraging us to study or be more. In fact, (another general statement) most people seem to reduce their ambitions once they have a kid. So I think it might be better, given all these ambiguities, mixed feelings and missing information, that we should study paradox from grade school and get comfortable with our ignorance and that truth itself depends on our perspectives and theories of mind.

[@01mustang05]

I'll like your comment for the most part, but from decades of experience I think you're wrong to claim that there are "knowledgeable and wise people" right now, if ever because if there were I'm pretty sure the majority of us would be practicing actual reasonableness - which is my claim that nobody is actually reasonable nor ending harming and doing worse to innocent and helpless children that I also know for an absolute fact that the majority is horrifically doing. I also don't think you're right about "We are almost all in a middle somewhere", because child abuses are still happening by the majority and pretty much always rule anyone calling them out are crazy or something. In fact, my children and I having been and still being tortured and harmed on purpose, even after saying no and stop, I believe this so-called way of life is in fact barbaric and a scam. And I don't exactly know what you mean by "paradox" study right now, I just think something more simple would be better to address, like coming to an even basic agreement about what actual an actual reasonable person would be like? And something that the harmed & harmful if not corrupt majority or at least most of it could learn too?

[@Josealdojunior248]

I really liked this video, first because of the presenter he is interesting guy, am always doing something or other while watching KZbin but whenever he is on the screen his Voice, don’t know but he get my full attention & I always understand 40-50% and then after 5 mins I find a very small quiet spot in office alone time Spot 😅 then watch it again. So 🅱️🎚️I am really watching many videos I take you guys seriously, I hope U guys must be sharing Honest and credible knowledge. 🙏🏽✌🏼

[@affiliatereviews4079]

Having one currency used as the measuring stick creates a tragedy of the commons situation.

[@karlaboerger3619]

Hey it a theory. A game theory. Thanks for watching.

[@adamburnett202]

Love me some MatPat

[@armartin0003]

I love this guy's words and his look. Wise professor hair, and cowboy boots.

[@Highlyskeptical]

Game theory results in rule utilitarianism of the selfish without need for morality. Simplified Game Theory Steps; 1. Betray/ Coop (one side takes advantage of the other, "fool me once") 2. Betray/ Betray (both sides fight, better than being abused, "fool me twice") 3. Coop/ Coop (both sides coop, even if they hate each other, because better than fighting) Society would be transformed if everyone was sensitive to game theory, as well as our confirmation biases and conditioning. If you can empathize with the Tic Tac aliens, you can see us for the struggling apes we are.

[@nealwailing3870]

We all emirate from one consciousness and that makes us the same (including animals) but the split in the original consciousness makes us a unique node of a greater psychopathic parent...

[@MrG100000008]

"Sanity Now" should be written

[@BoloBouncer]

Humanity's biggest problem is that Earth sits in a prime location for an intergalactic expressway.

[@robertarvanitis8852]

Not if you have a Thumb...

[@l3ss1sm0r3]

Now we only need more scientists to see that currently science also is not void of problems and that conceived notions on what is right or wrong might also be based on an ideological tug of war and the supposed practitioners of the scientific method also sometimes even seem to descent into cult-like realms.

[@thebeatclinic9000]

Science a cult? Nice try

[@iche9373]

So you are basically pleading for a (radical) Universalism - beyond of all identity politics from left- and right-wing..

[@huveja9799]

At first glance it looks paradoxical that the phenomenon of infection by a certain ideology or idea as an example of the "tragedy of the commons", i.e. that it is rational for a person to agree with his group, and in that way the group arrives at the problem of "group-think", which is bad for everyone, is something the Pinker exhibits precisely here, he is "infected" with the idea of the Apocalyptic consequences from the Global Warming or what Russian is supposed to do to Ukraine .. let's say that in that way the video is a recursive video that is very good showing how difficult it is to escape from the "tragedy of the commons" ..

[@l3ss1sm0r3]

@@iche9373 Would it be a bad idea to vouch in favor of strengthening the sense that self-reflection and trying to be aware of one's own biases (or for some even almost dogmatic behavior)? It does look like that it could be beneficial for science (especially in a rather polarized society; scientists are still humans after all) ... I don't think it is wise to let politics steer or abuse science to get it's way. Fact seeking, facts, and logic are important. Open debate and therefore freedom to draw conclusions for oneself and share ideas also is, in my opinion. One could say that the scientific way therefore is somewhat "universalist" and beyond politics. But as I said, scientists are human and therefore bound to have biases, I only wish more of them would be aware of that (which is also true for the rest of humanity I guess).

[@l3ss1sm0r3]

@@thebeatclinic9000 of course not all of science. But some recent events show in my opinion that various figureheads of science and politics (and in-between) don't act in a very scientific way but came across as unaware of their bias and even a bit dogmatic in a sense. Say more like an echo-chamber situation combined with the will to force their view on the rest. I think we might be better off with more of an idea-lab kind of situation and freedom to decide for oneself. I don't, for example, think it is wise to let politics or big corporations steer or abuse science to get their way..

[@coachhannah2403]

The atmosphere and the oceans are the two biggest commons on earth, both from a productivity and a waste-disposal function.

[@DamKaKaDaNi]

I would like to see monopolies dealt with, crucial infrastructure to be nationalized, and planned obsolescence replaced by the right to repair.

[@visamap]

thank you all very much

[@hko2006]

3:19 Curing diseases on TV is very much still a thing

[@josstintoledo5080]

Our own demise as our nature is finest minds , is the tendency to constantly wanting to evolve and advance. Loosing our inner human side. That’s most likely hundreds of years in the future to come. Let’s just hope I am wrong about it.

[@TheyCallMeNewb]

This man writes a good book. Always as clever as it is evincing.

[@malenkayaloshadka9319]

Everyone should apply principles from this video to beliefs in this video

[@pandam9638]

Civilization is moving slowly towards rationality. I may add something it's moving backwards

[@pawan4920]

But, HEY THAT'S JUST A- wait... No.

[@Regimeshifts]

the choice of images and videos to match the points he was making were interesting...interesting why those

[@rayzan9561]

Was this video about Game Theory or Enlightened Humanism?

[@Djellowman]

Love Steve, but not all the things that were named as such are progress.

[@carlospulpo4205]

Greed is by far humanities greatest problem.

[@tzerocs]

I disagree with Pinker's "The Better Angels of Our Nature", instead, I find Fazal's work "Dead Wrong?" to be a better outlook on the Exaggerated Reports of War’s Demise by Pinker. Not to say he's not a good thinker, but His work often is what I'd call "the sleeping pill for the masses" . It makes you think that the world is getting safer and better to live in. It's like if the Matrix had an Agent lets say to keep the peace so you don't realize you're being used as a battery for the capitalistic machine. Agent Pinker

[@feeelix]

Didn't know Thomas Gottschalk was such a wise man.

[@nonstopdrama06]

Why did I think this was actually about Game Theory (the yt channel with matpat) like that was the only reason I clicked on this- bro i feel stupid, i really thought matpat's game theory videos are really doing something to the world 😭

[@tehsansara]

What a compelling man

[@01mustang05]

I find him disgusting, but I also find the majority disgusting as well. I only interact because I have to and I want the majority to stop letting and causing harm and worse to continue.

[@bohdansokol3191]

It seems that the theory of Brownian motion explains more.

[@viski659]

I really came to this video expecting Matpat to get roasted

[@Fadfad1]

I ike playing games. And I think it's more than that. And I'm right

[@librarycard3748]

Creepy sounds at 0:13 ...

[@grandlotus1]

Wow! Professor Pinker really hits the nail on the head.

[@XeL__]

i agree, meditation and nihilism explain it easily who am i, so be it, whatever, im not special, billions trillions human, spec of dust in space

[@reallifefaith]

Pinker presumes there is an objective moral standard against which we are progressing, but gives no basis for asserting that standard. In fact, he wants a world where everyone just agrees with his moral preferences, which is just as tribal as any other bias. If someone wants to believe that competition brings the best out of humanity, neither Pinker nor game theory can objectively say why his moral standard is universally better or more advisable.

[@dongrinuan]

Due to cognitive limitation, perhaps nearly impossible to reach objective truth in some issues, but peace and not war should be the beneficial course I think, but the reality is there is always no room for co-exist of different beliefs, but always a zero-sum game

[@RICKONORATO]

Well that's all great, but it vastly underestimates human selfishness, self absorption, self obsession and self centeredness - all of which has run amok and is getting worse by the hour thanks to big tech. Me me me me me me me...

[@davidrandell2224]

“The Unique and Its Property “, Max Stirner 1844/2017 Landstreicher translation says otherwise. Sorry Pinkco.

[@aquiledelrosa]

The true only way to enlightment is syntethism, transhumanism call whatever. Our biological desire will always tends to bias, positive or negative. You can be positive of some vaccine or negative, you will tend to go to your group, we cant actually listen and question things. Expecially things that someone "fight" for. Our brain cant handle destruction of an ideia immediatly bc of energy compensation. The unique true hope, in a life time, to humanity is become a machine and be capable of handle every single bit of information, or probably the nature will give some mechanism to that work in like hundreds of thousands of years a far.

[@KeithFeickert]

Now do Elite Theory!

[@ezrahermanzaeh3989]

Anyone else hearing a background guy clearing his throat at the beginning like a savage ?😂😂😂

[@PrplTrap]

Ohhh that game theory

[@perrywidhalm114]

Humans are not like machines. The machine analogy of life is wrong and destructive.

[@horkade]

"Our country"? What do you mean? I'm from Brazil, Dr. Pinker.

[@joeldarroux7279]

Wait a minute!!!!! People have been out here choosing what they believe? 😮

[@todaystrends494]

We can purchase the same boots as Pinker - Progress.

[@Judoka008]

And here I thought I was stupid for getting with my now ex. It's just that I was smart and so were all of my friends.

[@01mustang05]

Sorry but with all the horrific things still going on, there simply isn't any "smart" people here or on this planet.

[@whatsup3519]

I have a question. Does promis cuous lifestyle cause problems with pair bonding? Pls, explore this topic

[@tschorsch]

No

[@nayyabenayat7075]

Background music is annoying! To some extent

[@NothingMaster]

The question is: Could technology ultimately save or destroy the ailing human enterprise?

[@lucafresi6739]

Humanity’s biggest problem is money.

[@DarthNVious]

I'll ask MatPat how he managed to explain humanity's biggest problem.

[@01mustang05]

Hey, you spelled "humanity's" correctly - the first I've seen after a bunch of misspelled ones I've seen here. Not that it matters all that much when worse things like child abuses that the majority is letting and causing to happen still and more.

[@maisetas]

its just a game folks

[@jspoosener6729]

I came here just to hear Dr Pinker explain something. The man is a marvel of clarity. Thank you.

[@jacobjones630]

He's an apologist for capitalism without any real ideas other than to sit around and wait for utopia to land in your lap.

[@marcusantebi4896]

I love ❤️ Pinker so much. Only I believe humans are wired for enlightenment- but only it’s fragile and it’s tangled up in the dysfunctions and traumas of our youth

[@HardcorebergO]

About the right violation. Less is better. And to succeed with our agenda we have to set up the chain of consumption. With the acts helping the reduction is not only helping the animals not getting breeded into a misery but the society is getting ready for tje change since the system changes with the reduction! So it should be a goal. But the vegan message must be clear at the same time. Reducing suffering what ever our tools are forit is a vertue, but it isn't what veganism about. And not only the market rearranges by the reduction it getting deeper into the popular culture the understanding that the nonhumananimals can and are suffering and they matter.

[@HardcorebergO]

Oh I started to write this comment under another video. Since someone already can vibe with it I will keep it here. And sorry for waisting the time of others. Anyhow The context I am refering to with this text above is @Reasonable Vegan's video chat on suffering.

[@01mustang05]

@@HardcorebergO "Reasonable"; I like that word, it's like fair & sensible, yes? From decades of experience, I don't think the majority is all that reasonable, if not horrible actually. I don't think anybody knows what it means to be actually reasonable, do you? Seems to me that we should be coming to an even basic agreement about what actual an actual reasonable person would be like, yes? - Something that the majority or at least most of it could learn too, as well?

[@HardcorebergO]

@@01mustang05 yeah well reasonable is something an individual can accept at the vergy moment makjng a decision. This isn't a universal thing. Cause the reason lies within ones experience and options. This is what I think of a reasonable action. In a case when an outsider suggest the reasonable action the second person has to guide the convincable person through the reasoning if it is not obvious to the one who should act on it. What do you think?

[@01mustang05]

​@@HardcorebergO I might be too harmed to understand your reply below or you're not very good at writing English; perhaps both, idk, which I see presents a problem to your claim - which is that I'm too harmed to guide another harmed person that you think might already understand when something goes obviously wrong - which I don't think they do understand - alike the majority clearly seeing the governments are clearly messed up, yet they don't understand that they are what let and caused the problem to happen and continue, instead of abolishing the scheme and trying something else that doesn't perpetuate harm nor worse. Like seriously, people protest against the controlling and ruling people, but then go vote - perpetuating the same control & rule scheme that I know is a scam to continue the scam. Politicians, Judges, Police, and all kinds of people don't listen to me, my daughter and I are still alienated from my son, even after they tortured and extorted over 9k for a worthless court order that all kinds of people are in contempt of but it goes nowhere - pretty much just like us not agreeing on what an actual reasonable person would be like. Does this make any decent sense to you? Re: @HardcorebergO 20 hours ago @01mustang05 yeah well reasonable is something an individual can accept at the vergy moment makjng a decision. This isn't a universal thing. Cause the reason lies within ones experience and options. This is what I think of a reasonable action. In a case when an outsider suggest the reasonable action the second person has to guide the convincable person through the reasoning if it is not obvious to the one who should act on it. What do you think?