> We see it in cultural evolution too, as Robert Wright explained in his 1999 book, Nonzero: The Logic of Human Destiny. Wright showed that history involves a s

> We see it in cultural evolution too, as Robert Wright explained in his 1999 book, Nonzero: The Logic of Human Destiny. Wright showed that history involves a series of transitions, driven by rising population density plus new technologies (writing, roads, the printing press) that created new possibilities for mutually beneficial trade and learning. Zero-sum conflicts—such as the wars of religion that arose as the printing press spread heretical ideas across Europe—were better thought of as temporary setbacks, and sometimes even integral to progress. 100% one of my favorite books to have run into as a youth, a great great materialist philosphy book. Feels like a very weirdly reductionist take thought, making mock rather than taking seriously what cooperation enabled. There's scant recognition of what zero sum systems are, of how cooperation moves things out of stagnant points into better. Such a loved text & tbis article starts off paying some respect, but ultimately missing the point so so bad, only starting to re-entertain human possibility.