Powerful ideas from top nonfiction
Try Blinkist to get the key ideas from 7,500+ bestselling nonfiction titles and podcasts. Listen or read in just 15 minutes.
Get started
Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
Listen to the Intro
The Stuff of Thought summary
Language as a Window into Human Nature
21 mins
Brief summary
The Stuff of Thought by Steven Pinker explores language and how it reflects our thoughts. It delves into the intricacies of human communication and the relationship between language and thought.
Topics
Table of Contents
The Stuff of Thought
Summary of 8 key ideas
Audio & text in the Blinkist app
Key idea 1 of 8
Even the most tragic events can spur linguistic debates, and words have more practical importance than we think.
Everybody remembers September 11, 2001, the day two hijacked planes collided with the twin towers of the World Trade Center in New York City. On that day, the two planes crashed in quick succession, the first hitting the north tower at 08:46 a.m. and the second hitting the south tower at 09:03 a.m.
But what does that have to do with language or linguistics?
Well, even highly traumatic events can launch debates about the precise meaning of words. For instance, while it may seem obscure, in the aftermath of this tragedy, a debate ensued about whether the 9/11 attacks on New York constituted a single event or two separate ones.
Here’s how the two sides saw it:
The commonly held understanding of the World Trade Center attack as a single event – a coordinated terrorist attack that provoked a series of military and political responses. But it can also be viewed as two separate instances: one attack on the north tower and a second on the south.
Seeing footage of the first tower engulfed in flames while the second remains intact drives home just how separate the two attacks were, at least for 20 or so minutes.
While such distinctions might seem insignificant, they’re actually more important than people might believe. After all, words, and the details around them, have a great deal of practical importance in daily life.
And this is particularly the case when it comes to law. Returning to the example of 9/11, the debate between seeing it as a single event or two separate ones held $3.5 billion in the balance; the leaseholder of the World Trade Center, Larry Silverstein, was insured for a maximum of $3.5 billion per destructive event. Therefore, if the attack was considered two separate events, he would have received compensation for both.
So, exploring language and its intricacies isn’t just some intellectual game. It can have real-world consequences, and in the following blinks, we’ll explore how, using some less tragic examples.
Want to see all full key ideas from The Stuff of Thought?
Key ideas in The Stuff of Thought
More knowledge in less time
Read or listen
Get the key ideas from nonfiction bestsellers in minutes, not hours.
Find your next read
Get book lists curated by experts and personalized recommendations.
Shortcasts New
We’ve teamed up with podcast creators to bring you key insights from podcasts.
What is The Stuff of Thought about?
The Stuff Of Thought (2007) offers an in-depth look at language and, more specifically, what it can tell us about human nature and the complexities of the human mind. These blinks touch on everything from our ability to unconsciously detect subtle grammatical patterns to the linguistic rules surrounding politeness.
The Stuff of Thought Review
The Stuff of Thought (2007) by Steven Pinker is a fascinating exploration of the hidden rules that govern our inner thoughts and communication. Here's why this book is definitely worth reading:
- With insightful analysis and thought-provoking examples, the book sheds light on how language shapes our perception of the world around us.
- By examining concepts like euphemisms and metaphors, Pinker reveals the complexity and power of language, allowing readers to better understand the human mind.
- The book's engaging exploration of controversial topics like taboo words and offensive language ensures that it is never boring, sparking curiosity and challenging conventional wisdom.
Best quote from The Stuff of Thought
In trying to crack a puzzle in how children infer the syntax of their mother tongue, we were forced to reconceptualize what they had to learn.
—Steven Pinker
Who should read The Stuff of Thought?
- Readers interested in the complexity of language
- Psychologists and language therapists
- Students of linguistics and literature
Categories with The Stuff of Thought
Book summaries like The Stuff of Thought
People ❤️ Blinkist
Sven O.
It's highly addictive to get core insights on personally relevant topics without repetition or triviality. Added to that the apps ability to suggest kindred interests opens up a foundation of knowledge.
Thi Viet Quynh N.
Great app. Good selection of book summaries you can read or listen to while commuting. Instead of scrolling through your social media news feed, this is a much better way to spend your spare time in my opinion.
Jonathan A.
Life changing. The concept of being able to grasp a book's main point in such a short time truly opens multiple opportunities to grow every area of your life at a faster rate.
Renee D.
Great app. Addicting. Perfect for wait times, morning coffee, evening before bed. Extremely well written, thorough, easy to use.
People also liked these summaries
4.7 Stars
Average ratings on iOS and Google Play
37 Million
Downloads on all platforms
10+ years
Experience igniting personal growth
The Stuff of Thought FAQs
What is the main message of The Stuff of Thought?
The main message of The Stuff of Thought is that language shapes how we think and perceive the world.
How long does it take to read The Stuff of Thought?
The reading time for The Stuff of Thought varies, but it typically takes several hours. The Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.
Is The Stuff of Thought a good book? Is it worth reading?
The Stuff of Thought is a thought-provoking book that offers new insights on language and cognition. It's definitely worth reading for those interested in the power of words.
Who is the author of The Stuff of Thought?
The author of The Stuff of Thought is Steven Pinker.
What to read after The Stuff of Thought?
If you're wondering what to read next after The Stuff of Thought, here are some recommendations we suggest:
- The Language Instinct by Steven Pinker
- Rationality by Steven Pinker
- The Blank Slate by Steven Pinker
- The Better Angels of Our Nature by Steven Pinker
- The Sense of Style by Steven Pinker
- Discipline Is Destiny by Ryan Holiday
- Trust Yourself by Melody Wilding
- Outgrowing God by Richard Dawkins
- Why Taiwan Matters by Kerry Brown
- The AI-fication of Jobs by Huy Nguyen Trieu