S6 ENSAG ENGLISH
Homework for next week is to read/watch at least one of the resources below.
A letter to Steven Pinker (and Bill Gates, for that matter) about global poverty — Jason Hickel
A letter to Steven Pinker (and Bill Gates, for that matter) about global poverty — Jason Hickel
*Note: the discussion of historical poverty trends here is updated and developed more fully in the recent article, “ Capitalism and extreme poverty ”, published in World Development . Dear Steven, I’m writing to respond to a letter you posted regarding claims I made in the Guardian about
S6 Patrick BRIGGS 2026 - Student Resources
S6 Patrick BRIGGS 2026 - Student Resources
Access Google Drive with a Google account (for personal use) or Google Workspace account (for business use).
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Access Google Sheets with a personal Google account or Google Workspace account (for business use).
The New Optimists: A theory
How not to be ignorant about the world | Hans and Ola Rosling
How not to be ignorant about the world | Hans and Ola Rosling
How much do you know about the world? Hans Rosling, with his famous charts of global population, health and income data (and an extra-extra-long pointer), de...
Steven Pinker Makes the Case for Optimism [Interview]
Steven Pinker Makes the Case for Optimism [Interview]
Author and Harvard professor Steven Pinker lays out what he see as a basic paradox. The news today seems worse than ever - but based on a number of key metri...
We don't think the world is getting better. This is why we're wrong
We don't think the world is getting better. This is why we're wrong
Viewpoint: Five ways the world is doing better than you think
Viewpoint: Five ways the world is doing better than you think
Many people are convinced life is getting worse across the planet, but they have failed to notice the enormous progress most countries have made in recent decades.
Is the world getting better or worse? A look at the numbers
Is the world getting better or worse? A look at the numbers
Now for the good news: things really are getting better | Steven Pinker
Now for the good news: things really are getting better | Steven Pinker
Isis and Syria dominate global headlines, but new data shows that violence remains in retreat overall
Good news at last: the world isn’t as horrific as you think | Hans Rosling
Good news at last: the world isn’t as horrific as you think | Hans Rosling
The Techno-Optimist Manifesto | Andreessen Horowitz
The Techno-Optimist Manifesto | Andreessen Horowitz
We are told that technology is on the brink of ruining everything. But we are being lied to, and the truth is so much better. Marc Andreessen presents his techno-optimist vision for the future.
The New Optimists: A Critique
Steven Pinker’s ideas are fatally flawed. These eight graphs show why. | openDemocracy
Steven Pinker’s ideas are fatally flawed. These eight graphs show why. | openDemocracy
It’s time to reclaim the mantle of “Progress” for progressives.
Why You Shouldn’t Listen to Self-Serving Optimists Like Hans Rosling and Steven Pinker
Why You Shouldn’t Listen to Self-Serving Optimists Like Hans Rosling and Steven Pinker
Why ‘Factfulness’ Cannot Save Us
Why ‘Factfulness’ Cannot Save Us
Optimism is great, but not when it’s the product of ignoring the obvious.
Is the world actually getting better? | UpFront
Is the world actually getting better? | UpFront
We need optimism – but Disneyfied climate predictions are just dangerous | George Monbiot
We need optimism – but Disneyfied climate predictions are just dangerous | George Monbiot
Techno-utopianism is popular precisely because it doesn’t challenge the status quo, and lets polluters off the hook, says Guardian columnist George Monbiot
PROGRESS AND ITS DISCONTENTS
PROGRESS AND ITS DISCONTENTS
The world has never been better. From global poverty to inequality between nations, all the indicators are showing progress. This is a comforting narrative – popularized by the likes of Bill Gates and Steven Pinker. But is it true? Jason Hickel examines the rise of this so-called ‘New Optimism’.
The super-rich ‘preppers’ planning to save themselves from the apocalypse
The super-rich ‘preppers’ planning to save themselves from the apocalypse
‘Techno-Optimism’ is Not Something You Should Believe In ❧ Current Affairs (long)
‘Techno-Optimism’ is Not Something You Should Believe In ❧ Current Affairs (long)
Class Materials
Architect Quotations
Document
Architect Quotations
Architect quotations from women - (homemade - very few "inspirational quotes" by women online)
Architect quotations from women - (homemade - very few "inspirational quotes" by women online)
British Slang Words & Phrases Dictionary | Oxford International English
British Slang Words & Phrases Dictionary | Oxford International English
Debating materials
The Rules of Civil Conversation
The Rules of Civil Conversation
Let's reframe our conversation so we're working toward a shared understanding.
Thou shalt not commit logical fallacies
Thou shalt not commit logical fallacies
A logical fallacy is a flaw in reasoning. Logical fallacies are like tricks or illusions of thought, and they're often very sneakily used by politicians and the media to fool people. Don't be fooled! This website has been designed to help you identify and call out dodgy logic wherever it may raise its ugly, incoherent head.
24 Cognitive Biases
24 Cognitive Biases
Cognitive biases make our judgments irrational. This website helps you identify some of the most common biases and how to avoid falling victim to them.
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