The Colbert Report Season 5 Episode 23 Eleanor Holmes Norton, Steven Pinker

On this episode of The Colbert Report, Stephen welcomes two guests to the show: Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton and Harvard psychologist Steven Pinker. Congresswoman Norton is a well-known civil rights advocate who has served as the non-voting delegate to the United States House of Representatives from the District of Columbia since 1991. Stephen and Congresswoman Norton discuss the ongoing struggle for statehood for D.C., and Norton explains why she believes it is a necessary fight for her constituents and for democracy in America.

Later, Stephen sits down with Steven Pinker to discuss his latest book, The Better Angels of Our Nature: Why Violence Has Declined. Pinker makes a compelling case that, despite the 24-hour news cycle that constantly bombards us with stories of crime and violence, human society has steadily become less violent over time. He cites a variety of factors, from greater economic interdependence to advances in science and medicine, as the driving forces behind this trend.

As always, Stephen injects plenty of his trademark humor into the proceedings, finding ample opportunity to make fun of both his guests and the politicians and pundits he skewers on his show. But beneath the jokes and satire, there is a serious message about the importance of civil rights, social justice, and the ongoing evolution of human society. This is a thought-provoking and entertaining episode of The Colbert Report that will leave viewers thinking about the big issues long after the show is over.