The Transvaluation of All Values: Scarcity and Abundance - Ep. 1

This book, the first volume in a projected cultural history of the United States, examines the folkways of four groups of immigrants from distinct regions of Great Britain and their lasting impact on American culture. Fischer argues that these groups—Puritans, Cavaliers, Quakers, and Scotch-Irish—each contributed uniquely to the formation of modern America, influencing aspects such as education, government, gender roles, and violence. Despite most Americans not having British ancestors, these regional cultures have persisted and continue to shape national politics and societal attitudes.

In 'Enlightenment Now', Steven Pinker presents a comprehensive argument that the values of the Enlightenment—reason, science, and humanism—have been instrumental in the progress of human society. He challenges the prevailing pessimism in modern discourse by presenting empirical evidence that life, health, prosperity, safety, peace, knowledge, and happiness are on the rise globally. Pinker uses data and graphs to illustrate improvements in various aspects of human life, such as increased life expectancy, reduced child and maternal mortality, and advancements in medicine and technology. He also addresses the psychological biases that lead people to underestimate these improvements and emphasizes the importance of continuing to uphold Enlightenment ideals to ensure further progress.