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The book that started it all
In his 2010 masterpiece The Rational Optimist, Matt Ridley demonstrated, with scientific rigor, how freedom leads to innovation and innovation leads to prosperity for all.
People around the world are now wealthier, healthier, less violent, better fed, safer, and more literate than ever. Don’t take our word for it – here’s the data.
But too many have forgotten what got us here. Prosperity is no accident. Its enemies – alarmism, ideology, and bureaucracy ‒ are on the rise. We must defend our values, or risk slipping back into darkness and stagnation.
Our near future will be incandescently bright… as long as we fight for it.
Rational Optimist Honoree
Hans Rosling
Rosling was a renowned Swedish doctor and statistician known for his passion and zeal. He realized that people overwhelmingly believe the world is much worse than it is, and grossly underestimate the progress mankind has made. For example, most people believe extreme poverty is rising when it has, in fact, declined to all-time lows.
Three reasons to become a Rational Optimist
Reason 1:
Your kids will thank you
Rational optimists know humans can solve almost any problem through innovation.
How inspiring! Yet our kids are more likely to learn the opposite – that the world is on the brink of catastrophe. Is it any wonder kids today are depressed, anxious, and often gripped by dangerous ideologies?
Its up to us to teach our kids the inspiring truth, so they can’t be swept away by pervasive irrational pessimism.
Reason 2:
Benefit from
breakthroughs
Technology is advancing faster than ever. Rational optimists take advantage of breakthroughs to become healthier, wealthier, happier, and even live longer.
Knowledge is power. You can be confused and worried by the rapid changes, or you can master them to improve virtually every aspect of your life, from your health to your career to your investment portfolio.
Reason 3:
Optimists make better lovers
No joke. Research shows optimists have happier marriages, make more money, raise happier kids, suffer less anxiety, and are much better investors.
Anyone of any age can become a rational optimist… and it just might transform your life.
Latest Free Research
Rational Optimist Podcast
Stephen McBride and Dan Steinhart bring you their weekly podcast series where they discuss the latest in rational optimist thinking. Listen and watch and subscribe for regular updates.
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