RSA Animate - Language as a Window into Human Nature Videos

Added: Feb 10, 2011

Duration: 10:54

In this new RSAnimate Steven Pinker shows us how the mind turns the finite building blocks of language into infinite meanings. Taken from the RSA's free public events programme www.thersa.org/events

Channel: Nonprofit

Rating: ( ratings) Views: 859662 Comments: 648

jules1342 Says:

Apr 4, 2012 - Thats just to do with the different ways of using sarcasm. I didnt say that sarcasm is always used in the way I mentioned, only that it can be used in that way. Different comments also have different chances of being interpreted as serious or not to start with and this also depends on the way the two people speak and how much of a deviation from the norm a comment is. Something that is in character would be more likely to be taken seriously than something that is out of character. The...

jules1342 Says:

Apr 4, 2012 - ..The level of sarcastic inflection in the voice also makes a difference. Overall however, if one was to try to jokingly say "wcf" when that comment is usually used in a serious manner that run a great risk of being misinterpreted. The etchings comment has no predetermined agreed upon (key term) semantic value in the context of the relationship (even with the video)(I'm assuming neither person had heard of the term before). Thus the two individuals can never be 100% sure if its meaning.

jules1342 Says:

Apr 4, 2012 - This kind of terminology relies on mutual knowledge between people of the subject matter. Nobody likes going to the dentist so obviously the comment will be interpreted as sarcastic. The extra inflection adds to that interpretation but isnt necessary.I was commenting more on the use of sarcasm without that overexaggerated inflection and on a topic for which mutual knowledge isnt entirely agreed upon.The whole "Im so good at sarcasm people cant tell if Im serious or not" thing. ie, subtle sarcasm

Berkebsn Says:

Apr 8, 2012 - There is a hyena in the audience (and in the drawings too!) 2:00

1984ekul Says:

Apr 12, 2012 - The reciprocal businessmen at 04:35 are both Jews. Nice.

SanbaiSan Says:

Apr 14, 2012 - But some folks want it both ways - if not a lover, then a friend - they want to try and access the next level, but still want the current friend status if the overture is turned down. Very few are willing to kill the friendship fiction altogether if the relationship fiction doesn't materialize. Personal preference/torture threshold really. Comes down to what you really want, or what you can really tolerate. I imagine this might be a little harder for men than for women.

snwbrdkd92 Says:

Apr 16, 2012 - Hello everyone, My name is Anthony Anselmo. I recently gave a speech at my college and I am looking for feedback. The video is about a speech I gave in college about "The Pursuit of Happiness". Please, if you have time check it out and read the description. I will truly appreciate it. Thank you for your time,Sincerely,Anthony Anselmo/watch?v=4EOQ7QnbeIk

snwbrdkd92 Says:

Breerox108 Says:

Apr 23, 2012 - 2:00 lol there is one in the drawing too.

Sovietborne855 Says:

Apr 25, 2012 - This is so stupid.. Some of these RSA's are really profound, and some of them are a bunch of doofs who think that using big words to explain the obvious somehow constitutes wisdom.

dunneh Says:

Apr 26, 2012 - Personally I found this really interesting. This is why when I'm in a relationship/friendship with someone I always prefer to come right out and say what I mean. Ugh. Beating around the bush is my pet peeve. Thing is, what if the 'etchings' question is asked with no hidden motives? Then there's always an assumption from person B that person A that someone is offering more even it might be only friendship that they want after all.Also, lol at the Gok Wan nod at 9:00 -- awesome.

DoctressJulia Says:

May 1, 2012 - BLOVIATING RAPE APOLOGIST.

seacaptain72 Says:

May 1, 2012 - Yet you must step outside yourself and ask, 'is it just obvious to me, or is it obvious to everyone?'. I bet you can think of a ton of socially awkward individuals who, if this was so obvious as you claim, wouldn't be in the position they find themselves in. Don't be so quick to jump to conclusions, as everyone may not be as intelligent as you.

lotusbubu Says:

May 2, 2012 - the ambiguity of language is sometimes needed to maintain relationship and avoid award situations. That makes sense!

beccajennie Says:

May 8, 2012 - that was intense

nevillewood1 Says:

May 8, 2012 - I love that comment. you legend

thecaveoawesomeness Says:

May 14, 2012 - That was interesting! It makes sense though! How we use innuendos to make us feel comfortable and act as a buffer preventing us from knowing the objective truth of a situation! I always thought we made them because we humans are clever and sly people xD

thecaveoawesomeness Says:

May 14, 2012 - This was better than the hour long version.....

dat3tree Says:

May 14, 2012 - I feel like he just made something really simple into something really complicated. I could be wrong...

EnergyOrient Says:

May 16, 2012 - Boom! Using these etchings for parties

Eny4lius Says:

May 16, 2012 - He forgot the L in the word knowledge on the left at 7:56

23456Mr1 Says:

May 18, 2012 - So mutual knowledge is related to the Prisoner's Dilemma?

verifymyageful Says:

May 19, 2012 - that made me laugh so fucking hard lololol :P :P :P the person who drew this is great :D