Clash of civilizations Quote by Steven Pinker
““People today think of the world as a uniquely dangerous place. It’s hard to follow the news without a mounting dread of terrorist attacks, a clash of civilizations, and the use of weapons of mass destruction. But we are apt to forget the dangers that filled the news a few decades ago, and to be blasé about the good fortune that so many of them have fizzled out.””
About This Quote
Source Book: The Better Angels of Our Nature by Steven Pinker, 2011
People overestimate modern threats and underestimate past dangers, forgetting that many feared catastrophes never materialized.
In simple terms: We fear current dangers more than past ones.
Key Takeaway
Recognize historical context to reduce fear.
Themes
perception
risk
history
media
psychology
Mood
anxious
reflective
Type
analytical
informative
When to use this quote
- news consumption
- policy making
- personal anxiety
- education
- public discourse
Key Concepts
cognitive bias
availability heuristic
optimism bias
Questions to Reflect On
- How does media shape our sense of danger?
- What past threats have faded without incident?
A Different Perspective
Historical data shows many predicted catastrophes never occurred.
![“I can hardly believe what these 12 caricatures [about Prophet Muhammad] have caused in the world. We Danes feel like we have been placed in a scene in the wrong movie. But I don't see the fight as a clash of civilizations. Rather, we must focus on avoiding exactly this type of conflict. We have to…” quote by Anders Fogh Rasmussen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/8d8/anders-fogh-rasmussen-21056_acknowledgement_i-can-hardly-believe-what-these-12-caric_14933.jpg)
