I learned to focus my energy on high-quality, long-term projects rather than lower-quality projects with quicker payoffs. Steven Pinker energyfocushigh Change image and share on social
The idea that children are passive repositories to be shaped by their parents has been massively overstated. A child's peer group is a far greater determinant of its development and achievements than parental aspiration. Steven Pinker achievementaspirationchild share on social
You don't like to be lied to, by your friends or in your business dealings. So why would you want to be lied to when it comes to the origin of life or the fate of the planet? Steven Pinker businessdealingfate Change image and share on social
Paris Hilton, it turns out, is related to fellow celebrity jailbirds Zsa Zsa Gabor and G. Gordon Liddy. Steven Pinker celebrityfellowgabor Change image and share on social
Morality is not just any old topic in psychology but close to our conception of the meaning of life. Moral goodness is what gives each of us the sense that we are worthy human beings. Steven Pinker beingcloseconception Change image and share on social
The strongest argument against totalitarianism may be a recognition of a universal human nature; that all humans have innate desires for life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. The doctrine of the blank slate... is a totalitarian's dream. Steven Pinker argumentblankdesire share on social
Capitalism saved the world, and there is even a heretical theory now, moving up from the level of individuals to countries: countries that trade more and have more open economies are less likely to fight wars and less likely to have genocides. Steven Pinker capitalismcountryeconomy share on social
An enormous amount of scientific language is metaphorical. We talk about a genetic code, where code originally meant a cipher; we talk about the solar system model of the atom as though the atom were like a sun and moon and planets. Steven Pinker amountatomcipher share on social
With violence, as with so many other concerns, human nature is the problem, but human nature is also the solution. Steven Pinker concernhumannature Change image and share on social
The brain is not a bag of traits. It's startlingly complex. There are few or no single genes with a consistent effect on the mind. Steven Pinker bagbraincomplex Change image and share on social
