Sam Harris' career as a public intellectual started in the aftermath of 9/11. To him - similarly to Christopher Hitchens - the terrorist attack was a life-changing event. It triggered him to write a book dedicated to expose faith in the supernatural as a malignant force threatening civilisation. In 2007 he became one of the four horsemen of the New Atheists and spent most of the next decade participating in public debates over religion, Islam, free speech and science. Almost all events are available on Youtube and I encourage everyone to watch them. Harris is a terrific debater. Incredibly smart, eloquent and witty.
