Matt Ridley author photo
Image via Wikimedia Commons, sous licence CC BY 3.0.

Matt Ridley

Né(e): February 07, 1958 – Newcastle-upon-Tyne, England, United Kingdom

Liens sociaux:

Matt Ridley is a British science writer and journalist known for exploring genetics, evolution, economics, and innovation. His notable works include Genome, The Red Queen, and The Rational Optimist. Ridley's books have been shortlisted for major prizes, translated widely, and recognized for their influence on public understanding of science and progress.

Biographie et Parcours de l'Auteur

Matt Ridley was born in Newcastle-upon-Tyne in 1958 into a family with a distinguished public service and architectural heritage. His early education at Eton College laid the groundwork for his entry into Magdalen College, Oxford, where he earned first-class honors in zoology. Building on his academic prowess, Ridley pursued a Doctor of Philosophy at Oxford, focusing his research on avian behavior and evolutionary biology. These formative academic experiences provided a strong scientific foundation that would later distinguish his writing and analytical approach.

Afficher Plus

Citations

quote
A true scientist is bored by knowledge; it is the assault on ignorance that motivates him - the mysteries that previous discoveries have revealed
-Genome: The Autobiography of a Species in 23 Chapters
quote
The fuel on which science runs is ignorance. Science is like a hungry furnace that must be fed logs from the forests of ignorance that surround us. In the process, the clearing we call knowledge expands, but the more it expands, the longer its perimeter and the more ignorance comes into view
-Genome: The Autobiography of a Species in 23 Chapters
quote
Life is a Sisyphean race, run ever faster toward a finish line that is merely the start of the next race
-The Red Queen: Sex and the Evolution of Human Nature
quote
Random violence makes the news precisely because it is so rare, routine kindness does not make the news precisely because it is so commonplace
-The Rational Optimist: How Prosperity Evolves
quote
Because it is a monopoly, government brings inefficiency and stagnation to most things it runs; government agencies pursue the inflation of their budgets rather than the service of their customers; pressure groups form an unholy alliance with agencies to extract more money from taxpayers for their members. Yet despite all this, most clever people still call for government to run more things and assume that if it did so, it would somehow be more perfect, more selfless, next time
-The Rational Optimist: How Prosperity Evolves
quote
Simplicity piled upon simplicity creates complexity
-Genome: The Autobiography of a Species in 23 Chapters
quote
At some point, human intelligence became collective and cumulative in a way that happened to no other animal
-The Rational Optimist: How Prosperity Evolves
quote
Society works not because we have consciously invented it, but because it is an ancient product of our evolved predispositions. It is literally in our nature
-The Rational Optimist
quote
For barter to work, two individuals do not need to offer things of equal value. Trade is often unequal, but still benefits both sides
-The Rational Optimist: How Prosperity Evolves
quote
Our minds have been built by selfish genes, but they have been built to be social, trustworthy and cooperative
-Genome: The Autobiography of a Species in 23 Chapters

Découvrir plus

The Skeptic's Guide to Causal Genomics
PLAN D'APPRENTISSAGE

The Skeptic's Guide to Causal Genomics

This guide is essential for bioinformaticians and researchers who need to move beyond simple correlation to identify true disease drivers. It provides the critical toolkit necessary to navigate the complexities of TWAS and confounding variables in modern regulatory networks.

1 h 12 m3 Sections
The Rise of Sapiens
PLAN D'APPRENTISSAGE

The Rise of Sapiens

This plan offers a profound look at the cognitive and structural shifts that defined humanity's trajectory. It is ideal for history enthusiasts and curious minds seeking to understand how collective beliefs and scientific breakthroughs shaped the modern world.

1 h 12 m3 Sections
The Quiet Power of Contrarian Insight
PLAN D'APPRENTISSAGE

The Quiet Power of Contrarian Insight

This learning plan is designed for intellectual explorers and strategic thinkers who want to move beyond mainstream narratives. It provides a structured approach to analyzing anomalies in physics and biology, making it essential for those seeking a competitive edge through non-obvious insights.

1 h 36 m3 Sections
The Smart Decade in Medicine
PLAN D'APPRENTISSAGE

The Smart Decade in Medicine

This learning plan explores the frontier where biology meets engineering, detailing the technologies redefining human health. It is essential for healthcare professionals, biotech investors, and tech enthusiasts looking to understand the next decade of medical innovation.

1 h 24 m4 Sections
The Science of Self and Social Influence
PLAN D'APPRENTISSAGE

The Science of Self and Social Influence

This plan bridges the gap between evolutionary biology and modern social psychology to help individuals regain control over their minds. It is ideal for professionals and leaders who want to master their internal emotional state while navigating complex social dynamics.

1 h 12 m3 Sections
The Science of Better Judgment
PLAN D'APPRENTISSAGE

The Science of Better Judgment

In an era of information overload, the ability to think clearly is a competitive advantage. This plan is essential for leaders and professionals who need to minimize predictable errors and remain rational under pressure.

2 h 18 m3 Sections
The Biology of Belonging
PLAN D'APPRENTISSAGE

The Biology of Belonging

Understanding the biological roots of social interaction is essential for anyone looking to deepen their interpersonal skills or lead more effectively. This plan is ideal for psychologists, leaders, and curious minds seeking to bridge the gap between hard science and human connection.

1 h 12 m3 Sections
The Antediluvian Blueprint
PLAN D'APPRENTISSAGE

The Antediluvian Blueprint

This plan bridges the gap between historical philosophy, genetics, and catastrophe theory to uncover the hidden foundations of human history. It is designed for researchers and history enthusiasts eager to explore the intersection of myth, science, and the antediluvian past.

1 h 30 m3 Sections

Voix de la Communauté

"Ridley's magnum opus, decades in the making, argues that change in technology, language, and society emerges from interactions of millions"

The Independent

"Matt Ridley's biography of Francis Crick won the Davis Prize for the history of science from the US History of Science Society"

US History of Science Society

"The Rational Optimist by Matt Ridley was shortlisted for the 2011 BBC Samuel Johnson Prize"

BBC Samuel Johnson Prize

"Matt Ridley makes a sustained polemic on behalf of libertarian anti-State ideas not a million miles from those of the US Republican Tea Party"

The Independent

"Ridley was inspired by the Roman poet Lucretius's work on atheistical atomism, whose arguments seem uncannily modern like those of Richard Dawkins"

The Independent

"Ridley is a heretic on most counts, with a book that has many excesses but is necessary reading"

The Independent

"Matt Ridley's Genome was shortlisted for the Samuel Johnson Prize in 2000"

Samuel Johnson Prize

FAQ sur cette page

Cree par des anciens de Columbia University a San Francisco

BeFreed rassemble une communauté mondiale de 1,000,000 esprits curieux

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA
platform
comments
12
likes
117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum
platform
comments
12
likes
108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC
platform
comments
254
likes
17

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful
platform
comments
96
likes
4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon
platform
comments
201
thumbsUp
16

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn
platform
comments
37
likes
483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA
platform
comments
12
likes
117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum
platform
comments
12
likes
108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC
platform
comments
254
likes
17

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful
platform
comments
96
likes
4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon
platform
comments
201
thumbsUp
16

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn
platform
comments
37
likes
483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA
platform
comments
12
likes
117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum
platform
comments
12
likes
108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC
platform
comments
254
likes
17

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful
platform
comments
96
likes
4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon
platform
comments
201
thumbsUp
16

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn
platform
comments
37
likes
483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu
platform
star
star
star
star
star
1.5K Ratings4.7
Commencez votre parcours d'apprentissage, maintenant