Steven Pinker: podcast appearances and interviews

Steven Pinker is a Canadian cognitive psychologist, psycholinguist, and popular science author who is a professor at Harvard University. He specializes in visual cognition and developmental linguistics, conducting experimental research in these areas. Pinker has contributed to the field through the development of theories on language acquisition, notably proposing that children use default rules and learn irregular forms individually. As an author, he has written nine books for general audiences including The Language Instinct, How the Mind Works, Words and Rules, The Blank Slate, The Stuff of Thought, The Sense of Style, The Better Angels of Our Nature, Enlightenment Now, and Rationality. His works explore topics such as the innate nature of language, the historical decline of violence, the overall improvement of human conditions, and the importance of reason and science in contemporary society. Pinker has received numerous recognitions and awards from organizations including the American Psychological Association, the National Academy of Sciences, and the Royal Institution. He was named one of Time magazine's 100 Most Influential People in the World in 2004 and has appeared multiple times on Foreign Policy's list of Top 100 Global Thinkers. Additionally, Pinker has served on editorial and advisory boards for various scientific journals and institutions. He held the position of chair of the Usage Panel of the American Heritage Dictionary from 2008 to 2018, reflecting his influence and standing in the field of language and cognitive science.