Steven Pinker in conversation with Stuart Ritchie | Full Q&A | Oxford Union Web Series

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Dr. Pinker is a linguist at Harvard University. He is the author of many books including the forthcoming, Rationality: What It Is, Why It’s Scarce, and How to Get More. Dr. Ritchie is a psychologist at King’s College London and the author of Science Fictions. He was also featured in issue three of Works in Progress, writing The Great Reinforcer. You can visit Works In Progress here: worksinprogress.co
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[@boydhooper4080]

I’ve listened to pinker talk at least 100 times and read several of his books. Just when I think he can’t get any better he blows me away. A true modern master intellect with very few peers.

[@killa3x]

same

[@shimes424]

He also had a close relationship to JEFFREY FUCKING EPSTEIN

[@killa3x]

@@shimes424 Some dudes like to party

[@maxim54321]

@@shimes424 I didn't know that, I wonder what skeletons he has in his closet

[@BrianMcGuirkBMG]

@@shimes424 You keep bringing up this Epstein guy. What exactly was your relationship with him?

[@kittykatzcenteno7160]

Looking great! Yes to a knew book.

[@Iambecome]

Fantastic discussion. Thank you!

[@justifiably_stupid4998]

New book? Yes please!

[@VladyslavKL]

🕊

[@antoniomarsicola8608]

Prof. Pinker is my maitre a penser, this time I wish he had a better microphone :-)

[@olgablanco4690]

What kind of Q is that one to start an interview? Luckily, the interviewee does pretty well with his answer

[@andrewmah5605]

The Queen takes The Bishop 😬😬

[@justifiably_stupid4998]

It is a good reminder that there are no rational conclusions. There are simply conclusions which are reached by an individual using reason, for a specific goal. I think the host at one point explicitly stated that herd immunity was irrational, while evading that the purpose of vaccinations is herd immunity.

[@Dante3085]

@@pashadyne But you could then say, it is only held as an ideal, because it has all of these positive side-effects to human goals. What are you reasoning for? It doesn't make sense to say "I reason that x is the thing to do." if there is no explicit or implicit goal that you are measuring that against. I think reason is a subgoal of human terminal goals.

[@user-vr4pp3qx6b]

The covid gloating didn't age well. Generally appreciate Pinker nonetheless.

[@punkrachmaninoff]

🤡🏖️

[@derpmarc288]

I thought the interviewer was a lesbian at first

[@sisyphus645]

Hey Steven your doctor just called, you died about an hour prior to this interview

[@shimes424]

@@Iambecome no, he's referring to the insanely pale skin, probably because he's not allowed to go outside anymore. Ya know, the whole "being friends with Epstein" thing. Cancel culture, amirite?!

[@Iambecome]

@@shimes424 you know how lighting works, don't you?

[@andrewmah5605]

Jesus Christ talks about being human Not what is done 🙏😇🙏🎩😎⛪🕍🤗😍

[@Justbemyselff]

Speaking of irrationality...

[@smileyface702]

What are you talking about?