The Better Angels of Our Nature

Mark Zuckerberg Founder/FacebookMy second book of the year is The Better Angels of Our Nature by Steven Pinker. It's a timely book about how and why violence has steadily decreased throughout our history, and how we can continue this trend. Recent events might make it seem like violence and terrorism are more common than ever, so it's worth understanding that all violence -- even terrorism -- is actually decreasing over time. If we understand how we are achieving this, we can continue our path towards peace. A few people I trust have told me this is the best book they've ever read. It's a long book, so I plan on taking a... (Source)

Bill Gates CEO/MicrosoftYong succeeds in his intention to give us a 'grander view of life' and does so without falling prey to grand, unifying explanations that are far too simplistic. He presents our inner ecosystems in all their wondrous messiness and complexity. And he offers realistic optimism that our growing knowledge of the human microbiome will lead to great new opportunities for enhancing our health. (Source)

Eric Schmidt CEO/GoogleWhen you finish [this book], which takes a long time, you conclude that the world is in a much, much better place than it has been in the past. (Source)

Ben Silbermann Takes a long view and shows the long-term decline in violence that has occurred. (Source)

Chris Anderson [I recommend] anything [by this author]. He’s one of the clearest thinkers and communicators of our time. (Source)

Chris Anderson [I recommend] anything [by this author]. He’s one of the clearest thinkers and communicators of our time. (Source)

A.J. Jacobs Traces the history of violence and how we are in the safest time ever. (Source)

Bruce Schneier Steven Pinker’s explanation as to why, despite the selection pressures for murderousness in our evolutionary past, violence has declined in so many cultures around the world. It’s a fantastic book, and I recommend that everyone read it. (Source)

David Heinemeier Hansson Great reminder that for all that is terrible in modern societies, we’ve still made dramatic leaps over even the pretty recent past. Yet still there are these pockets of intense violence, especially in the US, that beggars investigation. And investigate Mr Pinker does. I’m only about 20% through this 800-page tome, but it’s surprisingly easy reading, if not always easy to stomach (he goes DEEP on all the ways humans used to torment each other in all its gory detail). (Source)

Michael Herrmann Recommended by Bill Gates as well. Nothing to do with business. But shows that we live in the best of times on Earth. Ever. (Source)

Lex Fridman Encouraged the better side of ourselves. (Source)

Alex Stojkovic Bill Gates says this is the most inspiring book he has ever read https://t.co/wqiXBowSe6 (Source)

John Arnold [John Arnold said this is one of his most-recommended books.] (Source)

Chris Anderson [I recommend] anything [by this author]. He’s one of the clearest thinkers and communicators of our time. (Source)

Chris Anderson [I recommend] anything [by this author]. He’s one of the clearest thinkers and communicators of our time. (Source)