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Steven Pinker

Harvard Professor who has written nine books and spent his life studying language, cognition, and writing. He has been thinking about AI since the 1980s.

Top 10 podcasts with Steven Pinker

Ranked by the Snipd community
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710 snips
Jun 4, 2025 • 43min

Steven Pinker: Harvard Professor Explains The Rules of Writing | How I Write

In this insightful discussion, Steven Pinker, a Harvard Professor and renowned author, delves into the intricacies of effective writing. He addresses 'The Curse of Knowledge,' emphasizing the need to simplify language for broader audience connection. Pinker also reflects on the value of childhood perspectives in enhancing creativity and humor. Furthermore, he explores the impact of AI on writing, contrasting human creativity with AI's structured outputs, and urges writers to embrace clarity and brevity in their craft.
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638 snips
Sep 23, 2025 • 23min

231. Secret Signals: Why We Rarely Say Exactly What We Mean

Steven Pinker, Harvard's Johnstone Professor of Psychology and a prominent cognitive scientist, explores the intricate dance of indirect communication. He reveals how we often rely on hints and euphemisms to maintain social bonds, emphasizing the importance of context in understanding messages. Pinker discusses the power of metaphors in shaping our thoughts and communication styles, while also highlighting the emotional nuances of swearing. He shares key ingredients for effective communication: empathy, calibrated directness, and an awareness of relationships.
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402 snips
Sep 24, 2025 • 46min

Steven Pinker on Coordination, Common Knowledge, and the Retreat of Liberal Enlightenment

Cognitive psychologist and bestselling author Steven Pinker dives into the concept of common knowledge, emphasizing its role in human coordination and societal functions. He debates whether deep recursive knowledge is truly necessary for everyday interactions, like navigating traffic circles. Alongside Tyler, he explores the pros and cons of anonymity in online discourse, discusses benign hypocrisies in society, and examines the retreat of liberal enlightenment. The conversation touches on the challenges of rational agreement and the influence of linguistics on AI, all sprinkled with humor and insights.
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221 snips
Sep 6, 2025 • 1h 2min

Ep. #705: Steven Pinker, Kaitlan Collins, Stephen Moore

In this engaging discussion, cognitive scientist Steven Pinker highlights insights from his latest book on the complexities of human behavior and societal dynamics. Stephen Moore offers a bold critique of government funding practices, shedding light on the treatment of tech industry giants versus struggling companies. The conversation humorously navigates military presence in civilian life and the absurdities of modern diplomacy, alongside the intersection of politics, public health, and culture, making for a thought-provoking blend of humor and serious discourse.
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183 snips
Sep 22, 2025 • 1h 23min

Steven Pinker on Common Knowledge

Get ready for an enlightening conversation with Steven Pinker, a renowned cognitive psychologist and Harvard professor known for his insights on language and human nature. He dives into the concept of common knowledge, discussing how it shapes societal coordination, from Super Bowl ads to driving norms. Pinker explores the psychological underpinnings of miscommunication, the role of laughter in social dynamics, and the dangers of uncertainty in totalitarian regimes. It's a thought-provoking exploration of how we connect and misunderstand each other.
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154 snips
Sep 22, 2025 • 1h 17min

329 | Steven Pinker on Rationality and Common Knowledge

Join cognitive psychologist Steven Pinker, a Harvard professor and acclaimed author, as he delves into the fascinating concept of common knowledge. He explains how shared norms and the awareness of those norms shape society—integral to everything from economics to social interactions. Pinker discusses real-world implications, such as public events creating common knowledge and the complexities of human behavior through recursive mentalizing. He also touches on the importance of nonverbal cues and the misinterpretations that can arise from communication.
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138 snips
Dec 19, 2023 • 1h 56min

David Deutsch & Steven Pinker (First Ever Public Dialogue) — AGI, P(Doom), & The Enemies of Progress

Physicist David Deutsch and psychologist Steven Pinker engage in their first public dialogue, discussing AGI, P(Doom), and enemies of progress. They explore topics like the misconceptions of AGI, programming goals in AI systems, intuition on human disablement, assigning probabilities to subjective feelings, prediction markets, cognitive hygiene, stock market information, children's cognitive development, secrecy in research, and the slowdown in scientific progress.
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122 snips
Sep 23, 2025 • 27min

Steven Pinker on Speculation Bubbles, Super Bowl Ads, and What Leaders Need to Know About Group Psychology

In this discussion, Steven Pinker, a Harvard psychology professor and author known for his insights on language and cognition, delves into the concept of common knowledge. He examines how this phenomenon influences markets, including meme stocks and crypto bubbles. Pinker explains the importance of shared awareness in successful Super Bowl ads and how misperceptions can lead to group dynamics like panic buying. He highlights the power of knowledge in negotiation and the impact of media fragmentation on polarization. A fascinating exploration of psychology in everyday life!
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110 snips
Sep 27, 2025 • 59min

167. The Secret of Humanity? It’s Common Knowledge.

In this conversation, Steven Pinker, a Harvard cognitive psychologist and author, dives into the essence of common knowledge and its impact on our relationships. He explains how shared assumptions shape our social interactions and even economic behaviors, from currency stability to Super Bowl ads. Pinker also reflects on the dynamics of cancel culture, the psychology behind eye contact, and the consequences of public signaling. His insights highlight the intricacies of human connection and the importance of rational discourse in a contentious world.
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108 snips
Aug 11, 2025 • 15min

How common knowledge shapes the world | Steven Pinker

Steven Pinker, an experimental cognitive scientist, delves into the hidden logic of human harmony and societal norms. He reveals how common knowledge is crucial for everything from everyday interactions to global diplomacy. With engaging anecdotes, he discusses why autocrats fear blank signs and the pitfalls of vocalizing certain thoughts. Pinker highlights the delicate balance in relationships and warns of the dangers when shared norms begin to wobble. His insights remind us how intricate and vital our social connections truly are.

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