The Rational Optimist

How Prosperity Evolves

By: Matt Ridley

Narrated by: L.J. Ganser

“A delightful and fascinating book filled with insight and wit, which will make you think twice and cheer up.” — Steven Pinker

In a bold and provocative interpretation of economic history, Matt Ridley, the New York Times-bestselling author of Genome and The Red Queen, makes the case for an economics of hope, arguing that the benefits of commerce, technology, innovation, and change—what Ridley calls cultural evolution—will inevitably increase human prosperity. Fans of the works of Jared Diamond (Guns, Germs, and Steel), Niall Ferguson (The Ascent of Money), and Thomas Friedman (The World Is Flat) will find much to ponder and enjoy in The Rational Optimist.

For two hundred years the pessimists have dominated public discourse, insisting that things will soon be getting much worse. But in fact, life is getting better—and at an accelerating rate. Food availability, income, and life span are up; disease, child mortality, and violence are down all across the globe. Africa is following Asia out of poverty; the Internet, the mobile phone, and container shipping are enriching people's lives as never before.

An astute, refreshing, and revelatory work that covers the entire sweep of human history—from the Stone Age to the Internet—The Rational Optimist will change your way of thinking about the world for the better.

Exchange is the essence of humanity

This book is arrestingly, surprisingly, refreshingly different to the current tide of thinking about the World and the future, almost to the point of making you feel that it might be heretical to be persuaded by its ideas. I listened to it and felt completely convinced - but I also felt like I ought to consult some other clever person (other than the author, not other than me!) to ask whether it’s OK to believe this book.

Another surprising thing about this work is that it appears to take a totally different direction to other works by the same author (I had to Wiki the name to make sure the author was the same person). I’ve previously read ‘Genome’ and ‘Nature via Nurture’ by Matt Ridley and thoroughly enjoyed the output of this popular science author, but ‘the Rational Optimist’ is utterly different (reminding me of the difference between Dawkins’ ‘Selfish Gene’ and his ‘God Delusion’ in terms of an author of nonfiction radically changing their subject matter). The ‘Rational Optimist’ posits the theory that THE key feature of humanity that has given rise to progress and prosperity is trade and exchange – more than any other thing. Not education, not culture, not government, not science, but the free market – and this going right back to our earliest hunter-gatherer origins.

He presents this argument in a very convincing (and enjoyable) way - so much so, that someone with slight socialist tendencies (like me) fears that he is being suckered into buying into capitalist propaganda! Like someone who reads ‘The Art of the Deal’ by Donald Trump and is seduced by its tub-thumping inanity.

Ridley argues that the ability of man to continue to invent and reinvent and create new ways of growing prosperity continues at such a fantastic – even exponential – rate, that we will easily manage to overcome the challenges of the future, such as climate change and increasing population. In this respect the book is very similar to ‘Abundance’ by Peter Diamandis and Steven Kotler, also a great optimistic - highly recommended - audiobook available from Audible.

On the downside, the narration was a bit disappointing. With most audiobooks you get a bit of inappropriate word emphasis and occasional word mispronunciation (exceptions are audiobooks narrated by their authors), but in this case the incidence of these avoidable, unforced errors was unacceptably high. However, in mitigation, the narrator does have a proper ‘actor’s’ voice with the requisite gravitas to be pleasing on the ear.

Finally, I would say that this is an extremely thought-provoking and interesting book - so good that I’m just about to listen to it for a second time.

The most important book I've read in years.

Assuming all of the facts are true and you can believe the conclusions of the studies, this book is a critical read. I plan to come back and read it six months hence to help deepen my recall of how it impacts my thinking on economy, society, and environment.

Excellent book, shifted my mindset with facts

This is the type of book that challenges your thinking and beliefs on age old promoted ideas and concepts. It allows you to break away from the chains that may have held you back from progress while succinctly pointing out what has!

A different way of thinking about the future

I consider myself to be an environmentalist and my beliefs to be on the liberal side. This book makes a good case to have a positive outlook of the future, rather than the typical predictions that our world is going to hell in a hand basket. It certainly has me revisiting a lot of my strongly held beliefs. I didn't agree with everything said, but I definitely enjoyed the optimistic approach at viewing society.

Almost perfect...

Would you listen to The Rational Optimist again? Why?

I'm already on my second listen. There is a lot of data to absorb that I want to be able to share as needed.

What was the most compelling aspect of this narrative?

How much we just hate good news!

Any additional comments?

One thing he got wrong was about farming methods. While I agree he may have a point about organic industrial not being efficient, its worth noting that that particular niche in the market was created by consumer demand. In fact, traditional mixed farms produce far more food per acre than do industrial farms.

This in no way negates the central theme of the book in that things are getting better. Mixed use farming, and biodynamic growing methods are increasing because consumers desire this product and because can produce food on land that might otherwise be very difficult. Efficiency and productivity are increasing to the point where the farmers can feel free to take time off!

A compelling case for optimism

If you're tired of all the negativity and pessimism in the world today, 'The Rational Optimist' is the perfect antidote. Matt Ridley presents a compelling case for why we should be optimistic about the future, and his arguments are backed up by extensive research and evidence. The audiobook is expertly narrated and easy to follow, making it a pleasure to listen to. Overall, an uplifting and informative listen that will leave you feeling hopeful about the future.

A Refreshing and Reasonable World View

Matt Ridley does a great job of taking a serious and rational look at history to explain where we came from, how we got here and why we should look forward to a sunny future, far better than anything that we can currently imagine.

Fact based evidence as discuss by author/narrator.

Turns out that we are blessed to be alive right now ( fact based evidence ). I am going to turn away for news media that contains so many negativities. Thanks for the historical incites. Starting my rational optimism today.

History for Optimists

Despite the constant barrages of doom in the days of the Covid 19, there is hope. in this book, Matt Ridley gives a brief history of the advance of Human progress. The delivery is light but thoughtful.

Absolutely fascinating book

An absolute must read for any open-minded individual. One of my favorite books! Read it!