The Better Angels of our nature

By Stephen Pinker.

The book is very interesting. It argues that violence is decreasing over time, and goes into how and why.

But that's not what I want to remember.

One of the common themes in this book deals with the perspective switch from "idealism" to "integrated complexity"

idealists often hold a common narrative. They believe the world is unhealthy and on the wrong path. All our problems would be solved if only everyone believed in … Marxism, Nazism, Capitalism, Socialism, the Catholic Church, Anti-Islamacists, Anti-Americanism; whatever. People who don't support your cause are demonized. A revolution or judgment day is pushed to deal with these troublemakers. Once  get rid of these people our problems will be solved.

Of course the great judgment, the big revolution is destructive and inconclusive.

The alternative is to acknowledge our "integrated complexity," the fact that we have to make compromises. But, not to give up and accept the problems, but to dig in and understand the different dimensions of the problems, the different viewpoints, their connections, synergies, balances and compromises.

One of the reasons why we like ideologies and shy away from "integrated complexity" is that we like to believe in stories. An emotionally compelling story of good v.s. evil is far more believable and motivating that a more probable explanations that results in a set of compromises that must be resolved by hard work.