

#341
Mentioned in 47 episodes
The Rational Optimist
How Prosperity Evolves
Book • 2010
In 'The Rational Optimist', Matt Ridley presents a bold and provocative interpretation of economic history, arguing that the innate human tendency to trade goods and services, along with specialization, is the source of modern human civilization.
The book covers the entire sweep of human history from the Stone Age to the Internet, highlighting how life is improving at an accelerating rate through increased food availability, income, and life span, while disease, child mortality, and violence are decreasing globally.
Ridley emphasizes the role of free trade, individual rights, and innovation in enhancing human prosperity and natural biodiversity despite potential setbacks.
The book covers the entire sweep of human history from the Stone Age to the Internet, highlighting how life is improving at an accelerating rate through increased food availability, income, and life span, while disease, child mortality, and violence are decreasing globally.
Ridley emphasizes the role of free trade, individual rights, and innovation in enhancing human prosperity and natural biodiversity despite potential setbacks.
Mentioned by





























Mentioned in 47 episodes
Mentioned by 

as a book on innovation.


Bill Gurley

1,962 snips
#651: Legendary Investor Bill Gurley on Investing Rules, Finding Outliers, Insights from Jeff Bezos and Howard Marks, Must-Read Books, Creating True Competitive Advantages, Open-Source Strategies, Adapting Mental Models to New Realities, and More
Recommended by 

to understand the mechanisms of economic growth and prosperity.


Bill Gurley

248 snips
BG2 with Bill Gurley & Brad Gerstner | MANG VC Gone Wild, Can You Trust AI Valuations, 2024 Set Up for Public Tech Stocks, & the VC Correction Grinds On | E01
Mentioned by 

in the context of discussing long-term historical trends and human adaptability.


Jonathan Haidt

197 snips
Jonathan Haidt on Adjusting to Smartphones and Social Media
Mentioned by 

when discussing the link between free trade, the exchange of ideas, and human prosperity.


Bill Gurley

182 snips
Ep9. GPT-4o, Astra, Multi Modal, China Tariffs, Tech Earnings | BG2 with Bill Gurley & Brad Gerstner
Mentioned by 

, highlighting its impact on the understanding of rational optimism.


Shane Parrish

130 snips
#107 Matt Ridley: Infinite Innovation
Mentioned by ![undefined]()

as an author whose work explores rational optimism.

Stewart Brand

110 snips
#281: Stewart Brand - The Polymath of Polymaths
Mentioned by ![undefined]()

when discussing the benefits of trade.

Matthew Syed

91 snips
Israel vs Iran - Matthew Syed
Recommended by 

for its rational optimism perspective on technological advancement.


Naval Ravikant

79 snips
Matt Ridley: How Innovation Works, Part 1
Mentioned by Jordan Peterson as one of 

's books.


Matt Ridley

77 snips
310. Viral: The Origin of Covid 19 | Matt Ridley
Mentioned by 

as one of the books frequently recommended in 'Tribe of Mentors'.


Tim Ferriss

71 snips
#442: Tribe of Mentors — Naval Ravikant, Susan Cain, and Yuval Noah Harari
Mentioned by ![undefined]()

as a book he is rereading, finding its optimistic message valuable in uncertain times.

Justin Khanna

67 snips
193: The Problem with Mise en Place, with Justin Khanna
Mentioned by 

as one of his books, showcasing his optimistic view on human progress.


Matt Ridley

65 snips
#311 — Did SARS-CoV-2 Escape from a Lab?
Mentioned by 

in the context of his optimistic outlook on the future, despite challenges posed by AI and environmental issues.


Shane Smith

64 snips
The U.S. Media Is LYING To You—Here’s The Truth About Global Chaos | Shane Smith PT 2
Recommended by 

as an excellent piece of work.


Robert Breedlove

50 snips
Ideas Having Sex: How Money & Language Evolve Civilization w/ Matt Ridley (WiM574)
Mentioned by Matt Ridley to explain the benefits of recombination and how multiple ideas combine to create innovation.

43 snips
Compounding Optimism
Mentioned by 

as one of 

's previous books.


Michael Shermer


Matt Ridley

42 snips
Sex and Beauty: The Extraordinary Implications of Darwin’s Strangest Idea (Matt Ridley)
Mentioned by 

as a book on rational optimism.


Steven Pinker

36 snips
Matt Ridley, Steven Pinker, and Michael Shermer Challenge Conventional Narratives
Mentioned by 

in the context of specialization.


Tom Bilyeu

33 snips
Tom Bilyeu Q&A: Superhero Skills: Retirement Hacks & Mindset Tricks (Replay)
Mentioned by Peter Diamandis when discussing the concept of time saving and the reduction in time needed to acquire resources.

30 snips
EP #31 The Truth About Overpopulation w/ Dr. Marian L. Tupy & Dr. Gale L. Pooley
Recommended by 

and David Meyer.


David Gardner

30 snips
David Gardner, The Case for Rational Optimism