Steven Pinker is a cognitive psychologist, linguist, and one of the world’s leading public intellectuals. He is a professor at Harvard University and the author of numerous bestselling books, including Enlightenment Now, The Better Angels of Our Nature, and How the Mind Works. His research spans language, human nature, and the psychology of rationality, with a strong focus on how reason, science, and humanism drive progress. A two-time Pulitzer Prize finalist and a frequent contributor to major publications, Pinker is known for his data-driven optimism about the future of civilization.

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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.

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