Earlier this week, the LA Times reported that Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg named Fellow Steven PinkerÔÇÖs The Better Angels of Our Nature: Why Violence Has Declined as his book clubÔÇÖs second pick of the year. Up to 270,000 members will use the group ÔÇ£A Year of BooksÔÇØ to read and discuss a new volume every two weeks in 2015.
PinkerÔÇÖs Better Angels poses the argument that, in terms of our human history, violence is currently on the decline around the world. As Zuckerberg explained: “Recent events might make it seem like violence and terrorism are more common than ever, so it’s worth understanding that all violenceÔÇöeven terrorismÔÇöis actually decreasing over time. If we understand how we are achieving this, we can continue our path towards peace.”
The Facebook CEO went on to comment that in spite of its hefty 800-page volume, he chose PinkerÔÇÖs book because several trusted sources told him it was the best they had ever read. Based on the stats of the clubÔÇÖs first pick, hundreds of Page comments are expected in the dialogue following the one-month read. Regardless, ZuckerbergÔÇÖs selection may yield additional purchases of PinkerÔÇÖs book in the tens of thousands, which means an ever-broader reach for a renowned proponent of secular values.
On Wednesday, Fellow Michael Shermer held the floor at the Cato Institute when he gave a talk on The Moral Arc of humanity, and signed copies of his latest book by the same name. On Wednesday afternoon and Thursday morning, he embarked on a greater challenge: joining Edwina Rogers in direct meetings with members of the 
House to discuss how his findings relate to the current state of American politics.
Among the Representatives with which SPI made a connection were Congressman McCaul, Congressman Swalwell, Congresswoman Lofgren, Congressman Grayson, Congressman Rohrabacher, and Ranking Member Eddie Bernice Johnson.  All are members of the Science Committee who were willing to brainstorm with Shermer on how to increase the influence of scientific knowledge on U.S. policy. Partnership with these offices means they will be able to act as conduits of reason-oriented legislation.