The Rational Optimist
#828 of 2,654 all-time
The Rational Optimist
Matt Ridley
8 people recommended it in 6 threads, 2011–2021.
What people on Hacker News said
Ridley's basic thesis is that specialization and trade are the primary means of the betterment of the human condition, and he has a lot of thought provoking ways of looking at the world that will forever change the way I think about technology and business.
Presents a compelling case for being optimistic that economic growth really will keep making the world continually better on average, and in particular explores the reasons why the contrary position is often so prevalent in the media, popular opinion etc.
Regardless of whether you agree with the thesis of the book per se it's a fascinating read which will definitely give you a lot of new perspective on debates on big topics - things that come up often on HN such as AI, climate change, international relations etc.
I read that first and was struck by his many insights into how human society has prospered by collaboration and exchange.
Where it comes up
- Ask HN: What's the best book you read in 2021? 2021 · 2 recommendations
- Ask HN: Books you plan to read in 2020? 2019 · 2 recommendations
- Ask HN: Best books you read in the past decade? 2019 · 1 recommendation
- Ask HN: What books changed the way you think about almost everything? 2019 · 1 recommendation
- Ask HN: Books you read in 2016? 2016 · 1 recommendation
- Ask HN: What are your favorite books of 2010? 2011 · 1 recommendation