While persuasive, Mokyr’s theory has until recently been only that: a theory. But a fascinating paper published last month puts some evidence behind the argument bsky.app/profile/jare...

JRjaredcrubin.comDec 19, 2023 1:01pm

**NEW WORKING PAPER** Enlightenment Ideals and Belief in Progress in the Run-up to the Industrial Revolution: A Textual Analysis w/ Ali Almelhem, Murat Iyigun & Austin Kennedy Available at: docs.iza.org/dp16674.pdf Short 🧵 below… 1/7

It seems odd to paint these as opposites. Making genuine useful change does require you to be cautious about risks. I don't think it's good to charge ahead ignoring all dissent and criticism (but some people seem to think that should be their right)

The researchers analysed the contents of 173,031 books printed in England between 1500 and 1900, tracking how the frequency of different terms changed over time, which they use as a proxy for the cultural themes of the day.