Steven Pinker
Canadian-American cognitive psychologist, linguist, and author, an advocate of evolutionary psychology and the computational theory of the mind
Common Themes
Videos Mentioning Steven Pinker
Conversations with Tyler 2025 Retrospective
Conversations with Tyler
Guest discussed; noted as one of the top episodes in the year.
Reality Check: A Conversation with David Wallace-Wells (Episode #365)
Sam Harris
Mentioned as part of Sam Harris's intellectual circle and collaborations.
Donald Hoffman: Reality is an Illusion - How Evolution Hid the Truth | Lex Fridman Podcast #293
Lex Fridman
A cognitive psychologist and linguist who, despite favoring Global Workspace Theory, acknowledged a 'fundamental gap' in explaining conscious experience from physical assumptions, suggesting it might need to be stipulated as a brute fact.
Jonathan Haidt: The Case Against Social Media | Lex Fridman Podcast #291
Lex Fridman
Co-author with Jonathan Haidt, Nadine Strossen, and Pamela Peresky on an essay for Politico about The New York Times' self-censorship.
The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck — Mark Manson on Writing, Career Reinvention, and More
Tim Ferriss
A thinker mentioned by Tim Ferriss as an influence.
David Buss: Sex, Dating, Relationships, and Sex Differences | Lex Fridman Podcast #282
Lex Fridman
Possibly coined the phrase that ancient humans 'store the meat in the bodies of other people' when discussing resource sharing in hunter-gatherer societies.
Is Moral Progress a Fantasy?: A Conversation with John Gray (Episode #354)
Sam Harris
Mentioned as an example of someone, perhaps misunderstood, who holds a more confident view of progress.
Jimmy Carr: The Easiest Way To Live A Happier Life | E106
The Diary Of A CEO
Cognitive psychologist and author known for 'Enlightenment Now', representing a positive, optimistic view of societal progress.
How to Shape Your Identity & Goals | Dr. Maya Shankar
Andrew Huberman
Author of 'The Language Instinct,' whose book inspired Maya Shankar to pursue cognitive science.
Richard Wrangham: Violence, Sex, and Fire in Human Evolution | Lex Fridman Podcast #229
Lex Fridman
Psychologist and author famous for his book observing the decline of violence over time in human history.
Animal Minds & Moral Truths: A Conversation with Peter Singer (Episode #342)
Sam Harris
Mentioned for his work 'Better Angels of Our Nature', where he contrasted past animal experimentation practices with current ones, initially suggesting significant improvement, though Singer notes issues persist.
How Humans Select & Keep Romantic Partners in Short & Long Term | Dr. David Buss
Andrew Huberman
Public figure who endorsed Dr. Buss's book 'When Men Behave Badly'.
Tim Ferriss and Matt Mullenweg Get Personal in Antarctica
Tim Ferriss
Canadian-American cognitive psychologist and author known for his book 'The Better Angels of Our Nature,' which argues for a more optimistic view of human nature than Hobbesian, aligning with Matt Mullenweg's perspective.
Game Theory #13: Epstein's World
Predictive History
A famous scholar from Harvard, pictured at a dinner with Jeffrey Epstein and Larry Summers.
Tim Dillon: Comedy, Power, Conspiracy Theories, and Freedom | Lex Fridman Podcast #156
Lex Fridman
Acknowledged for articulating how data suggests the world is improving on measures like violence and opportunity.
Michael Littman: Reinforcement Learning and the Future of AI | Lex Fridman Podcast #144
Lex Fridman
Cognitive scientist who co-authored a paper critically examining neural networks, similar to contemporary critiques of deep learning.
Jack Kornfield — Finding Freedom, Love, and Joy in the Present | The Tim Ferriss Show (Podcast)
Tim Ferriss
A Harvard professor and author of 'The Better Angels of Our Nature', discussing human progress and the reduction of violence.
Manolis Kellis: Meaning of Life, the Universe, and Everything | Lex Fridman Podcast #142
Lex Fridman
Author of 'The Better Angels of Our Nature', referenced for the concept that civilization reduces violence.
Yaron Brook: Ayn Rand and the Philosophy of Objectivism | Lex Fridman Podcast #138
Lex Fridman
Mentioned as an intellectual voice trying to counteract postmodernism's dismissal of reason, although Yaron Brook believes he needs to be stronger in his arguments.
Eric Weinstein: Geometric Unity and the Call for New Ideas & Institutions | Lex Fridman Podcast #88
Lex Fridman
Criticized for his optimism about declining violence, with Weinstein arguing that while kinetic variables improved, potential for destruction skyrocketed.
Eric Schmidt: Google | Lex Fridman Podcast #8
Lex Fridman
Expert whose views on AI do not align with those emphasizing existential threats like Elon Musk.
Kai-Fu Lee: AI Superpowers - China and Silicon Valley | Lex Fridman Podcast #27
Lex Fridman
Author of a book on the decrease of conflict, mentioned in the context of potential international conflict arising from AI.
Sam Harris & Jordan Peterson in Vancouver 2018 (with Bret Weinstein moderating) — Night One
Sam Harris
Grouped with 'Enlightenment types' who Peterson believes 'radically overestimate' the degree to which rationality alone brought about progress, underplaying the lengthy developmental history of such advancements.
Steven Pinker: AI in the Age of Reason | Lex Fridman Podcast #3
Lex Fridman
Cognitive psychologist, linguist, and author who has studied the human mind and rationality. He suggests that knowing the meaning of life is beyond our cognitive capabilities and that a broader sense of fulfillment, involving health, stimulation, and connection, is closer to life's meaning.