Jeremy Stangroom

I don't understand why people hate Pinker so much. I've some reservations about his work, but he doesn't seem like a monster to me.

Ah, I may be able to help. At the purely instinctive level (sys1), any time he speaks or writes, he makes all my "do not trust a word" alarms ring. At the purely intellectual level (sys2), the opposite. I think this is common, I might be in good company. cc @BrianSaetre 1/n

I've started by trusting system2 (default option!). Then I've read: https://www.edge.org/conversation/steven_pinker-the-false-allure-of-group-selection … It clashes with: A: my understanding of the science (I do know something about it) B: my epistemological stance (big-time!) C: my expectations of what an honest debate should look like 2/n

Thus, I've started paying more attention. At the same time I was becoming more aware of many things about stances of the "new atheist" area, in US specifically, with which I used to identify (in GB/IT). 3/n

Instances of B and C (alarm bells!) became very common. Added with: D: the odd alliance/flirting with anti-Islamic and/or anti-Palestine positions. E: the teaming together of various intellectuals in that area. F: my growing understanding of how much the status quo sucks. 4/n

Multiply the same pattern enough times, and system2 aligned more and more with system1. Now, I do introspect a lot, so I can talk about it. Many won't. But it's possible that my journey is common. 5/n

Not only does he not challenge the status quo, he celebrates it (Better Angels). Citing metrics of improvement is fine but it doesn't erase growing inequality, he benefits. Doesn't make him a monster, just your average shitheel. People naturally want to maintain their advantages.