Rhymed Reflections on Steven Pinker`s The Better Angels of Our Nature: Why Violence Has Declined
By Francisco Gomes de Matos, a peace linguist, Recife, Brazil
So good to know : In the History of Humankind, violence has decreased
Still sad to say: In some countries, urban-ethnic violence has increased
So good to know : In the History of Humankind, use of nuclear weapons has subsided
Still sad to say: The threat of the making nuclear weapons has not been elided
So good to know: In the History of Humankind, peace and nonviolence initiatives have grown
Still sad to say: More and more types of violence in videogames, movies and TV are shown
So good to know: In the History of Humankind, violence against children and women has diminished
Still sad to say: In political communication, humiliating, offensive uses of language have not finished
So good to know: In the History of Humankind, the decline of violence is now scientifically documented
Still sad to say: In world education systems, relational dignity is not yet being systematically implemented
Steven Pinker
The Better Angels of Our Nature: Why Violence Has Declined
New York: The Penguin Group, 2011
New York: The Penguin Group, 2011
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