Dr. Stephen Pinker - Why Violence Has Declined
 

I meant to post this earlier but I was still sulking about the Skins Panthers game:

[B][SIZE=2][URL="http://www.skeptic.com/past-lectures/why-violence-has-declined/"]The Better Angels of Our Nature: [/URL][/SIZE][/B][URL="http://www.skeptic.com/past-lectures/why-violence-has-declined/"]
[B][SIZE=2]Why Violence Has Declined[/SIZE][/B][/URL]

It was a very interesting lecture on the decline of violence world wide, spoilt only by my realization that it mostly referred to the Redskins D of late.

[SIZE=1][I]FACED WITH THE CEASELESS STREAM OF NEWS about war, crime, and terrorism, one could easily think we live in the most violent age ever seen. Yet as the Harvard University psychologist and New York Times bestselling author Steven Pinker shows in this startling and engaging new work, just the opposite is true: violence has been diminishing for millennia and we may be living in the most peaceful time in our species’ existence. For most of history, war, slavery, infanticide, child abuse, assassinations, pogroms, gruesome punishments, deadly quarrels, and genocide were ordinary features of life. But today, Pinker shows all these forms of violence have dwindled and are widely condemned. How has this happened? This groundbreaking work continues Pinker’s exploration of the essence of human nature, mixing psychology and history to provide a remarkable picture of an increasingly nonviolent world. The key, he explains, is to understand our intrinsic motives—the inner demons and the better angels—and how changing circumstances have allowed our better angels to prevail.[/I][/SIZE]

Fear not, the [I]'Better angels of our nature'[/I] is just a quote from Lincoln, Dr. Pinker hasn't found religion.

I'd be interested as always in hearing forum members' opinions on rates on violence or personal experience.

HTTR!

Re: Dr. Stephen Pinker - Why Violence Has Declined
 

There are three reasons why violences has relatively declined in the world. The world has become more educated, is taking a long overdue break from violence, or it been pussified by the abundance of breeding leftist pussies.

I'm not buy this crap about better angels of our nature crap. We're aren't competing for material and territory like we use to and if the inequality of this world gets any worse you will see more bloodshed and fight for resources in no time. I just hope I am not around for the spring of WW III.

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