“Progress is not a matter of faith…but the greatest fact in human history” Steven Pinker
Every day…every single day, we are inundated with so many hypothesis of Apocalypse; the assortment may shuffle through the mind before one goes to sleep, and as a result, may be in the forefront of consciousness upon awakening. That is due to the power of impression. Images viewed during the day can stick like magnetic memorabilia to the fridge. Words heard, can echo through the massive canyon of our minds, looking for a place to purchase…but…what if most of that noise, was just…well, noise. Noise with no foundation in truth.
What if it was and is, the natural inclination for human beings to seek the highest ground in all matters economic, environmental, social relations and of course politics too. Of course we know that spark of inspiration guiding, leading and suggesting the highest road comes from God; we know that because of how it makes us feel. A warning bell sounds deep in the viscera when espying a lower road, and the bell of ring-a-ding-the-bright-spot signals a better way. We know all that…but what if it was more than faith…what if there were stats to prove it?
Consider watching this broadcast of a lecture from Steven Pinker posted on TED TV and observe how it makes you feel. Truth feels good, doesn’t it? This does not mean there aren’t challenges and temptations as we all clean house, but it does suggest: we can do this…we have done this, things are better than they used to be and so with God’s help to light the way…we can do this.