Hope Drop #35: Steven Pinker | On why the future looks better than you think
"The techno-optimists need to do a better job at showing the real benefits of technology—not just theoretical possibilities or gimmicks, but actual improvements in people’s lives."
In this episode of the Existential Hope Podcast, cognitive psychologist and bestselling author Steven Pinker explores why, despite massive gains in human progress, many people remain pessimistic about the future—and why that matters for shaping what comes next.
Steven argues that while progress isn’t automatic, it is real. By tracking long-term trends in violence, poverty, democracy, and innovation, we can see how human effort—driven by reason, science, and cooperation—has repeatedly pushed civilization forward. Yet, media narratives and cognitive biases often make us blind to these achievements, reinforcing a sense of stagnation or decline.
In this conversation, we explore:
The hidden progress shaping our world today—from rising literacy rates to declining poverty, and why these trends rarely make the news.
Why pessimism can be self-defeating—and how a more accurate understanding of history can help us build a better future.
The role of AI, biotech, and clean energy—and why they might unlock transformative improvements, if used wisely.
How to communicate ideas that inspire hope—including Steven’s advice on cutting through jargon and tribalism to make ideas stick.
If you’ve ever wondered whether humanity is on the right track—or how to ensure we stay on it—this episode is for you. Listen now to hear how we can move from existential dread to existential hope. 🚀
Steven’s recommended resources
Steven's books
Enlightenment Now – A defense of reason, science, and progress.
The Better Angels of Our Nature – Examines the decline of violence over human history.
How the Mind Works – A deep dive into cognitive psychology and human intelligence.
Rationality: What It Is, Why It Seems Scarce, Why It Matters – Explores the role of rational thinking in decision-making and progress.
The Sense of Style – A modern guide to writing with clarity and impact.
Other books
Full Earth Discipline by Stewart Brand – An eco-modernist take on environmentalism and technology.
The Roots of Progress – A movement and resource hub focused on understanding and fostering human progress.
Ada Palmer’s Sci-Fi Books – Mentioned as a science fiction author discussing historical trends and future challenges.
Organizations, websites, and data sources
Our World in Data – A data-driven platform that visualizes long-term global trends on progress.
Human Progress – A libertarian-leaning website showcasing economic and technological progress.
Hans Rosling’s Work – Data visualization on global development trends by the late Hans Rosling.
80,000 Hours – A career planning resource focused on making a positive impact.
Future of Life Institute (FLI) – A nonprofit addressing existential risks from transformative technologies.
Steven’s vision for the future: A future without war, poverty, or disease, & why it’s within reach
Pinker has a long list of potential breakthroughs that could transform our world for the better. He points to history as proof that seemingly impossible progress—such as the abolition of slavery, gruesome punishments, and debtor’s prisons—can and does happen. War, he argues, could follow the same trajectory, becoming a relic of the past rather than an unavoidable reality.
He envisions a future where extreme poverty is eradicated, especially in Africa, following the economic successes of South Korea, China, and India. Advances in medicine could drastically reduce premature deaths, curing diseases like cancer and neurodegenerative disorders. AI-driven diagnostics could revolutionize healthcare, providing personalized and precise treatments far beyond human capability.
Automation could eliminate dangerous and repetitive jobs, allowing people to focus on more meaningful work. At the core of his vision is the need for abundant, clean, and affordable energy—unlocking economic prosperity while solving environmental challenges. With innovations in battery storage and next-generation nuclear power, this could become a reality.
Beyond technology and economics, Steven is optimistic about the future of human rights. Democracy could continue its expansion, women’s rights could reach full equality worldwide, and LGBTQ+ rights could become universal. Just as past social movements reshaped history, these changes are possible—not inevitable, but within reach if we choose to work toward them.
Xhope library recommendations
We need a new philosophy of progress - Traces the rise, fall, and potential revival of optimism about human progress. From Enlightenment ideals to 19th-century breakthroughs and 20th-century disillusionment, the essay argues for a renewed philosophy of progress that confronts challenges while envisioning a positive future. Advocates for learning from history to inspire solutions and avoid stagnation in the 21st century. Article
Human Behavioral Biology - Robert Sapolsky. Entertaining lectures, explaining why and how we make decisions that he expands on in his book Behave by exploring human behavior from the factors that bear on a person's reaction in the moment the behavior occurs to factors in our evolutionary legacy. Video
Tools to Transform Our Thinking - Daniel Dennett, A talk on how to get better at reasoning, including popular methods such as the “intuition pump”. Video
Community updates
Join the new “Pathways to Progress” reading group!
Pathways to Progress aims to create a community of individuals committed to exploring and contributing to human prosperity. They seek to encourage discussions on technological and scientific innovation and foster a deeper understanding of the mechanisms behind human advancement. Readings will investigate historical examples of progress, the implications of economic growth on moral progress, industrial policy, and the relationship between technological progress and societal change.
Short story: The Gentle Romance
What the journey from AI assistant to full-virtuality can teach us about the nature of love. A short story by Richard Ngo.
Explore more on Existentialhope.com.