ted talk: Is the world getting better or worse? A look at the numbers. Stephen Pincker

The world will end soon due to climate change or
runaway artificial intelligence

Radicalism

If things are failing, destroy everything
so whatever rises from the ashes is bound
to be better than we have now

Fatalism

Enjoy life right now for tomorrow
we die. Why throw good money
after the bad?

the world as a whole is getting better.

the world still suffers but there are a lot of ideas on how to make the world suffer less.

we don't have to be afraid

we will never live in a perfect world

it would be dangerous to seek one

Human nature is the problem of our well being, but the
solution too.

the good/ positive things are barely mentioned in the news

there are good/ positive things happening every day

positive things are seen as normal, so not interesting

things that don't happen, won't be in the news. There is peace for 40 years, won't be reported.

It takes time, before good things happen.

the bad/ negative things come in the news

there are bad/ negative things happening every day

negative things are seen as interesting

bad things happen quickly

psychologist Steven Pinker his analysis of recent data on homicide finds that we're doing better now compared with 30 years ago.

psychologist Steven Pinker his analysis of recent data on pollution finds that we're doing better now compared with 30 years ago.

psychologist Steven Pinker his analysis of recent data on war finds that we're doing better now compared with 30 years ago.

psychologist Steven Pinker his analysis of recent data on poverty finds that we're doing better now compared with 30 years ago.

psychologist Steven Pinker his analysis of recent data on autocracies finds that we're doing better now compared with 30 years ago.

psychologist Steven Pinker his analysis of recent data on nuclear weapons finds that we're doing better now compared with 30 years ago.

psychologist Steven Pinker his analysis of recent data on deaths finds that we're doing better now compared with 30 years ago.

If things that influence the human well-being, like life, health, sustenance, prosperity, peace ,freedom, safety, knowledge, leisure and happiness have increased in the passed time progress is made.

life expectancy has increased massively in the past years

more than ever, is the world ruled in democrazies.

we have become safer in almost every way

universal literacy has increased and doubled in the past 100 years

All these gains have made us happier

Why don't people appreciate progress?

cognitive psychology, we estimate risk by using a mental shortcut called the availability heuristic

nature of journalism, they decide what the reader will think/panic about for the rest of the day. (Negative news)