The Rational Optimist

The book in 3 sentences: Social and political freedom increases happiness much more effectively. Humans are the most advanced species on Earth because they can share knowledge and learn from one another. You can learn how economic development has contributed to global prosperity. Favorite quotes: “"Random violence makes the news precisely because it is so rare, while routine kindness does not make the news because it is so common."” “"My argument is that the human species has become a collective problem-solving machine, solving problems by changing its habits."” “"The failure to invent and adopt new ideas can, in itself, be dangerous and even immoral."”

Key points: The positive effects of the invention of cooking. The downsides of innovation. The driving force behind human progress. Summary + notes: The Positive Effects of the Invention of Cooking

Today, when we read the news or watch TV, we encounter numerous experts who talk about the dangers of the modern world and tell us to fear the impending catastrophes. They claim that new diseases are unstoppable, famine will kill billions, overpopulation will destroy the environment, and climate change will devastate the planet.

Many of these experts argue that the solution to avoiding these looming modern disasters lies in the past. They suggest that because past societies lacked these modern problems, they were simpler and more idyllic. Some even claim that our society should be modeled after those of the past. In reality, this romanticized view of history is far from the truth; living in the past was truly terrible.

Until the Industrial Revolution, life was dominated by violence, famine, disease, and early death. In early hunter-gatherer societies, where neighboring tribes fought over scarce resources, violence was a frequent occurrence. Many ancient burial sites provide evidence of entire communities being massacred with blows to the head, as well as wounds from arrows, spears, and lances.