i'm thrilled and honored to have steven pinker here with us today to talk about his book enlightenment now the case for reason, science, humanism and progress. which spent many weeks on new york time best seller list. and mix case for reasoned rational optimism and we could really use some of that right now. as a linguist scientist and profess of psychology steven brings wealth of knowledge to his topic. interview with steven today will be robbing young co-host fabulous here an now heard on 450npr stations across country. thank you so much to the presenting sponsor for the boston book festival after a the session today, plb pleased to sign books next door and next turn it over to it robyn. >> well i am going to just introduce steven who needs no introduction so let's get started. god ahead. [applause] thank you robyn. many people face the news each morning with trip are prep dation and dread things every day we read of shootings, inequality, policing, dictatorship, war and nuclear weapons. these are some of the reasons that year 2016 was frequently call thed the worst year ever until 2

and september 25, steven pinker will be with us to talk about science and reasoning. if you're not a member this is a good time to join. are you enjoying the new building? we do to. we feel lucky to be here. it's a great time to see many events in our building and lots of interesting ones coming up. if you join yew the first to know when we have guests like april ryan coming if the fall, and a noted chef and many others. there's a gentleman in the back named billy, our own billy bean, raise your hand. there he is. he won't talk about money ball but he will save you money on great memberships, and he will tell you the details about joining the club. finally let me tell you there are question cards on your seats for our distinguished speaker tonight. they'll be collected and brought to our moderator. we want to remind everyone that copies of michael chertoff's book are for sale outside the room and he will sign them after the program. we want to mention the commonwealth club of california is a nonpartisan organize, and the speakers be able to make their are speeches wit