A notable increase in anti-Semitism and anti-Israel sentiment has emerged since October 7th, overshadowing other global crises, such as the situation in Syria. This raises questions about the motives of student activists focusing specifically on Israel. Many are uninformed about the facts, as evidenced by their inability to specify which river and which sea they reference in protests. This phenomenon could suggest a revival of latent prejudices or ignorance among activists. The prevailing attitude in some academic and intellectual circles seems to equate progress with conflict, diverging from an alternative vision where progress is achieved through knowledge, humanism, and informed discourse.
From the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic to the rise of DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) initiatives and Artificial Intelligence, in this episode Steven Pinker, Matt Ridley, and Michael Shermer challenge conventional narratives and explore how we can continue to move forward.
They discuss the state of democracy, autocracy, and the lessons learned from historical crises, while offering insights into how innovation, rationality, and education can lead us through challenging times.
This session was presented at FreedomFest 2024. To see more speeches and sessions from FreedomFest, visit freedomfest.com/civl.