From the Bookshelf of Atheists and Skeptics…

The Rational Optimist: How Prosperity Evolves

Matt Ridley

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* Goodreads/Group policies - Discussion Thread
By Will · 54 posts · 169 views

last updated Nov 07, 2024 11:34AM

"Religion: The Original Pyramid Scheme?"
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last updated Aug 16, 2025 12:14PM

What Members Thought

Jun 16, 2012 Steve rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favorites, non-fiction, popular_science, politics

Another Goodreads member, Helen Grant, wrote a scathing review of The Rational Optimist:

http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

I found it particularly offensive and hypocritical that she took Ridley to task for his tone, calling it “blithe and pompous” in the midst of a review which was itself sarcastic, insulting, smugly self-congratulatory, and just plain vulgar. Certainly, Ridley can be sarcastic, and I consider that a blemish on his otherwise excellent writing. However, if Grant is going to ...more

19 likes · Like · see review

Jun 10, 2012 Jesus rated it did not like it · review of another edition

Shelves: non-fiction, economy

Cannot like it. :-(
Some quotes from the book:
- "Capitalism exterminated slavery."
- "Chernobil [...] The evacuation of the area has caused wildlife to flourish there to an extraordinary degree."
- "Wind turbines require five to ten times as much concrete and steel per watt as nuclear power plants." ...more

Like · see review