I think it's at least fine to say that the parent is to some extent equivocating anecdotal personal "evidence" with extensive research and drawing very different conclusions.

Much of the criticism I've read of "The Better Angels..." has towed a similar line. It's obviously a hugely complicated subject, with at best terrible data for most of the period under examination, but I found that Pinker really did synthesize and explore a tremendous amount of data, history and theory in a way I found intelligent and compelling.

Pinker at least offers a more substantial counter-narrative to the standard news cycle where you're likely to get shot the next time you walk out your door. I would argue that view drives greater violence through a disproportionate law-and-order response to even the suspicion of a crime.