Rutger Bregman
@rutgerbregman.com
Historian | Author of ‘Utopia for Realists’ (2014), ‘Humankind’ (2020) and ‘Moral Ambition’ (2025) | Co-founder of The School for Moral Ambition | moralambition.org | rutgerbregman.com
Reposted by Rutger Bregman
‘The chill wind from the White House is already rippling through New Broadcasting House.’
@lewisgoodall.com reacts after the BBC edited out an anti-Trump line from a historian’s lecture.
@lewisgoodall.com reacts after the BBC edited out an anti-Trump line from a historian’s lecture.
November 25, 2025 at 4:01 PM
‘The chill wind from the White House is already rippling through New Broadcasting House.’
@lewisgoodall.com reacts after the BBC edited out an anti-Trump line from a historian’s lecture.
@lewisgoodall.com reacts after the BBC edited out an anti-Trump line from a historian’s lecture.
The BBC's has responded in The Guardian that this was a routine editorial decision, but also that it was made on legal advice. Those two explanations don’t fit together. /1
I wish I didn’t have to share this. But the BBC has decided to censor my first Reith Lecture.
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
November 25, 2025 at 2:40 PM
The BBC's has responded in The Guardian that this was a routine editorial decision, but also that it was made on legal advice. Those two explanations don’t fit together. /1
Here's the transcript. When I say ‘we had a convicted reality star’, you can add ‘who now rules as the most openly corrupt president in American history’ in your head.
downloads.bbc.co.uk/radio4/reith...
downloads.bbc.co.uk/radio4/reith...
November 25, 2025 at 10:15 AM
Here's the transcript. When I say ‘we had a convicted reality star’, you can add ‘who now rules as the most openly corrupt president in American history’ in your head.
downloads.bbc.co.uk/radio4/reith...
downloads.bbc.co.uk/radio4/reith...
I wish I didn’t have to share this. But the BBC has decided to censor my first Reith Lecture.
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
November 25, 2025 at 9:26 AM
I wish I didn’t have to share this. But the BBC has decided to censor my first Reith Lecture.
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
Great to see that the White House and the Daily Mail are as excited by the upcoming publication of my BBC Reith Lectures as I am!
November 16, 2025 at 3:46 PM
Great to see that the White House and the Daily Mail are as excited by the upcoming publication of my BBC Reith Lectures as I am!
The biggest problem in the world isn’t climate change, future pandemics, or democratic collapse.
It’s that far too many of our most brilliant minds are working on *everything but* those problems. 🧵
It’s that far too many of our most brilliant minds are working on *everything but* those problems. 🧵
July 29, 2025 at 5:23 PM
The biggest problem in the world isn’t climate change, future pandemics, or democratic collapse.
It’s that far too many of our most brilliant minds are working on *everything but* those problems. 🧵
It’s that far too many of our most brilliant minds are working on *everything but* those problems. 🧵
Defenders of Israels war crimes often remind us that October 7 was the equivalent of twelve 9/11s, and that therefore, Israel had no other choice.
You never hear them do the math for Palestinians, who have now endured the equivalent of at least 2,500 9/11s.
You never hear them do the math for Palestinians, who have now endured the equivalent of at least 2,500 9/11s.
July 12, 2025 at 12:09 AM
Defenders of Israels war crimes often remind us that October 7 was the equivalent of twelve 9/11s, and that therefore, Israel had no other choice.
You never hear them do the math for Palestinians, who have now endured the equivalent of at least 2,500 9/11s.
You never hear them do the math for Palestinians, who have now endured the equivalent of at least 2,500 9/11s.
Reposted by Rutger Bregman
Historian and author @rutgerbregman.com joins the global call to #TaxTheSuperRich.
He insists we can't accept a status quo where the richest keep getting richer while people and planet suffer. Fair taxation of the super rich is essential for a just and inclusive society.
#FFD4 #FfD4People
He insists we can't accept a status quo where the richest keep getting richer while people and planet suffer. Fair taxation of the super rich is essential for a just and inclusive society.
#FFD4 #FfD4People
July 1, 2025 at 3:57 PM
Historian and author @rutgerbregman.com joins the global call to #TaxTheSuperRich.
He insists we can't accept a status quo where the richest keep getting richer while people and planet suffer. Fair taxation of the super rich is essential for a just and inclusive society.
#FFD4 #FfD4People
He insists we can't accept a status quo where the richest keep getting richer while people and planet suffer. Fair taxation of the super rich is essential for a just and inclusive society.
#FFD4 #FfD4People
Yes, this is fascism.
For years, historians and experts were cautious about using the f-word to describe today's events. But that hesitation is gone now. 🧵
For years, historians and experts were cautious about using the f-word to describe today's events. But that hesitation is gone now. 🧵
June 14, 2025 at 7:13 PM
Yes, this is fascism.
For years, historians and experts were cautious about using the f-word to describe today's events. But that hesitation is gone now. 🧵
For years, historians and experts were cautious about using the f-word to describe today's events. But that hesitation is gone now. 🧵
How to stop authoritarian takeovers, 6 simple lessons from history:
1. Build a broad pro-democracy coalition. No purity politics. Learn to work with people who annoy you. You can go back to dunking on them after democracy is safe.
1. Build a broad pro-democracy coalition. No purity politics. Learn to work with people who annoy you. You can go back to dunking on them after democracy is safe.
June 13, 2025 at 12:38 AM
How to stop authoritarian takeovers, 6 simple lessons from history:
1. Build a broad pro-democracy coalition. No purity politics. Learn to work with people who annoy you. You can go back to dunking on them after democracy is safe.
1. Build a broad pro-democracy coalition. No purity politics. Learn to work with people who annoy you. You can go back to dunking on them after democracy is safe.
Reposted by Rutger Bregman
Fascinating chart from @rutgerbregman.com‘s new book about moral ambition. It seems many of the rich have an inkling that they make money doing things that provide no benefit to society.
Also, in this media era that’s immersing society in bullshit news, the journalism number is notable.
Also, in this media era that’s immersing society in bullshit news, the journalism number is notable.
May 25, 2025 at 1:30 PM
Fascinating chart from @rutgerbregman.com‘s new book about moral ambition. It seems many of the rich have an inkling that they make money doing things that provide no benefit to society.
Also, in this media era that’s immersing society in bullshit news, the journalism number is notable.
Also, in this media era that’s immersing society in bullshit news, the journalism number is notable.
Such an honor to sit down with David Marchese for The Interview in the @nytimes — I loved this conversation about my new book, The School for Moral Ambition, and much more.
www.nytimes.com/2025/05/17/m...
www.nytimes.com/2025/05/17/m...
Rutger Bregman Wants to Save Elites From Their Wasted Lives
www.nytimes.com
May 17, 2025 at 11:52 PM
Such an honor to sit down with David Marchese for The Interview in the @nytimes — I loved this conversation about my new book, The School for Moral Ambition, and much more.
www.nytimes.com/2025/05/17/m...
www.nytimes.com/2025/05/17/m...
When the far right gets upset about the reach of your book campaign, you know something is going well :)
May 16, 2025 at 7:08 PM
When the far right gets upset about the reach of your book campaign, you know something is going well :)
Incredibly powerful investigation in Dutch newspaper NRC: Seven of the world’s leading genocide scholars — including renowned Holocaust experts — describe Israel’s actions in Gaza as genocidal.
And according to them, nearly all of their peers agree.
And according to them, nearly all of their peers agree.
May 15, 2025 at 1:09 AM
Incredibly powerful investigation in Dutch newspaper NRC: Seven of the world’s leading genocide scholars — including renowned Holocaust experts — describe Israel’s actions in Gaza as genocidal.
And according to them, nearly all of their peers agree.
And according to them, nearly all of their peers agree.
Reposted by Rutger Bregman
What is "moral ambition" — and should you have more of it? Would it make your career feel a lot more meaningful?
@rutgerbregman.com thinks so. I talked to him about his new book — read an excerpt of our convo here and listen to the podcast version linked in the piece!
www.vox.com/future-perfe...
@rutgerbregman.com thinks so. I talked to him about his new book — read an excerpt of our convo here and listen to the podcast version linked in the piece!
www.vox.com/future-perfe...
Does your job feel meaningless? Try “moral ambition.”
What if we measured success in terms of how much good we do?
www.vox.com
May 13, 2025 at 4:04 PM
What is "moral ambition" — and should you have more of it? Would it make your career feel a lot more meaningful?
@rutgerbregman.com thinks so. I talked to him about his new book — read an excerpt of our convo here and listen to the podcast version linked in the piece!
www.vox.com/future-perfe...
@rutgerbregman.com thinks so. I talked to him about his new book — read an excerpt of our convo here and listen to the podcast version linked in the piece!
www.vox.com/future-perfe...
Reposted by Rutger Bregman
In the latest episode of “Lives Well Lived”, we’re joined by historian and author @rutgerbregman.com for a wide-ranging conversation on moral ambition, effective altruism, and what it means to move from awareness to action.
New Podcast Release: Rutger Bregman
In the latest episode of Lives Well Lived, the podcast I co-host with Kasia de Lazari-Radek, we talk to historian and author Rutger Bregman.
boldreasoningwithpetersinger.substack.com
May 12, 2025 at 3:31 AM
In the latest episode of “Lives Well Lived”, we’re joined by historian and author @rutgerbregman.com for a wide-ranging conversation on moral ambition, effective altruism, and what it means to move from awareness to action.
Reposted by Rutger Bregman
Now on andrewyang.com/podcast historian and author of “Humankind” @rutgerbregman.com joins to talk his new book “Moral Ambition” and what he thinks people should be doing more of. Who made him feel ‘moral envy’ and what did he do about it?
May 12, 2025 at 10:17 PM
Now on andrewyang.com/podcast historian and author of “Humankind” @rutgerbregman.com joins to talk his new book “Moral Ambition” and what he thinks people should be doing more of. Who made him feel ‘moral envy’ and what did he do about it?
Just another day on Bluesky. Today we have a PhD researcher at the University of Amsterdam calling the Bolsheviks the 'most successful leftist organisation ever'.
Indeed, very successful at murdering millions of people.
Indeed, very successful at murdering millions of people.
This is obviously bait, but it should be noted that the most successful leftist organisation ever, the Bolsheviks, were characterised by 1) moral purity, 2) lack of compromise with the moderate factions, and 3) vicious infighting and call-outs in the press
I’m done with the online left. And here's why.
May 12, 2025 at 3:09 PM
Just another day on Bluesky. Today we have a PhD researcher at the University of Amsterdam calling the Bolsheviks the 'most successful leftist organisation ever'.
Indeed, very successful at murdering millions of people.
Indeed, very successful at murdering millions of people.
Reposted by Rutger Bregman
If you want to be inspired and/or have a little cry, head over to @foylesforbooks.bsky.social on Charing Cross Road for this installation promoting @rutgerbregman.com's new book on Moral Ambition. Singled out an ambition I particularly applaud 👏
May 11, 2025 at 1:46 PM
If you want to be inspired and/or have a little cry, head over to @foylesforbooks.bsky.social on Charing Cross Road for this installation promoting @rutgerbregman.com's new book on Moral Ambition. Singled out an ambition I particularly applaud 👏
I’m done with the online left. And here's why.
May 10, 2025 at 3:05 PM
I’m done with the online left. And here's why.
Reposted by Rutger Bregman
In our latest “Lives Well Lived” episode, Rutger Bregman calls factory farming “the most obvious moral atrocity of our time.”
Bentham said the key question is not whether animals can reason or talk, but whether they can suffer. Today, we know that they do. (1/2)
Bentham said the key question is not whether animals can reason or talk, but whether they can suffer. Today, we know that they do. (1/2)
May 8, 2025 at 10:09 PM
In our latest “Lives Well Lived” episode, Rutger Bregman calls factory farming “the most obvious moral atrocity of our time.”
Bentham said the key question is not whether animals can reason or talk, but whether they can suffer. Today, we know that they do. (1/2)
Bentham said the key question is not whether animals can reason or talk, but whether they can suffer. Today, we know that they do. (1/2)
Jon Stewart gave me some great advice in case I ever get asked to give a graduation speech about my new book MORAL AMBITION 😂
May 7, 2025 at 3:48 PM
Jon Stewart gave me some great advice in case I ever get asked to give a graduation speech about my new book MORAL AMBITION 😂
Reposted by Rutger Bregman
Great @thedailyshow.com segment with @rutgerbregman.com
Rutger Bregman - “Moral Ambition” | The Daily Show
YouTube video by The Daily Show
m.youtube.com
May 7, 2025 at 3:12 AM
Great @thedailyshow.com segment with @rutgerbregman.com
Reposted by Rutger Bregman
Factory farming is “the greatest moral atrocity of our time,” says @rutgerbregman.com in our latest Brief Encounter.
The Moral Ambition author also reveals the historical figure who inspires him most, and much more.
www.prospectmagazine...
The Moral Ambition author also reveals the historical figure who inspires him most, and much more.
www.prospectmagazine...
Rutger Bregman: Factory farming is a moral atrocity
The historian and author on sympathy for entrepreneurs and what it means to be morally ambitious
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk
May 7, 2025 at 12:13 PM
Factory farming is “the greatest moral atrocity of our time,” says @rutgerbregman.com in our latest Brief Encounter.
The Moral Ambition author also reveals the historical figure who inspires him most, and much more.
www.prospectmagazine...
The Moral Ambition author also reveals the historical figure who inspires him most, and much more.
www.prospectmagazine...
Reposted by Rutger Bregman
Congrats @rutgerbregman.com on the new book Moral Ambition! And thanks for the nice note. 😀 rutgerbregman.com/books/moral-...
May 7, 2025 at 12:14 PM
Congrats @rutgerbregman.com on the new book Moral Ambition! And thanks for the nice note. 😀 rutgerbregman.com/books/moral-...