Political Rhetoric, Explained - Steven Pinker

Steven Pinker explains why political rhetoric often tends to be vague, empty, and bland. He is one of the principal researchers on language and cognition and here he turns his focus to what our language says about us. He explores the sometimes comic, sometimes tragic ways our mind works, using language as a clue. He answers - why do we impose taboos on certain topics, like sex? Why do we go to great lengths to bribe or convince? How can a choice of metaphors start a war, impeach a president, or win an election? Why do some names thrive while others fall out of circulation? How do we control the amount of information that we absorb? And what good does this actually do us? Pinker answers all these questions and many, many more. He shows us that language really can tell us unexpected and fascinating things about ourselves.