It’s Not All Bad News

One of the most positive global trends in the past century is the decline in life-threatening poverty. We still have a long way to go until it’s fully eradicated, and although the number increased slightly during the pandemic, the expansion of the middle class worldwide has meant that more than a billion people on the planet have risen out of extreme poverty.

Part of the worldwide revulsion over Russia’s invasion of Ukraine comes from what is seen as a regression to old, bad times when states invaded one another, often at a leader’s whim. University of Oxford’s Max Roser and other researchers have charted the growth of peace over the past centuries, and while overcoming our prehistoric instinct to battle to the death over resources isn’t something that will be resolved in one generation, the trends are still positive.

If you are old enough to remember staring out the back seat of a car without a personal screen in your palm, you are probably old enough to remember soul-crushing boredom that seemed as though it would never end. Technology seems to have solved boredom for good, so much that some researchers now wonder if we have created an even worse problem with too much screen time. If that’s the case, you can turn off your screen and be bored: It’s your choice.

In ancient times, living past the age of 30 was quite the accomplishment. Over the past century the average human lifespan has more or less doubled. And while some groups’ life expectancies have actually declined recently, the plain and simple fact is that most of us will have more time to do, well, everything, compared to our ancestors. Consider that the average age of first childbirth has risen by over six years in the U.S. in the past five decades. We know more and have better tools to extend our stay on Earth, and hopefully to do so in more comfort.

For the many who don’t relish change, there are lots of opportunities to experience nostalgia. Still want to hold music in your hands? Vinyl is booming. Prefer cars that have a vintage vibe? You are in fine company. Want some old-school sneakers? We’ve got you covered. In a diverse society that, in many ways, is becoming more compassionate while embracing individualism, freedom can take the form of staying exactly as you are.

on The Carlos Watson Show!

Not very long ago, occupational options were closely tied to one’s presenting gender, and it was a taxing ordeal to pursue a profession associated with the opposite sex. Of course, that still describes many fields today, but fewer than in the past. As arbitrary rules and standards fade somewhat, the gender pay gap is also on the decline (in some places more than others). As with any incremental gain, this change isn’t complete and remains insufficient — but, still, progress.

The legacy of the Arab Spring uprisings is mixed at best, but what isn’t in doubt is the role technology played in spreading the word and creating a climate of rapid, grassroots change. Viral protest videos that bypassed traditional media were disseminated to audiences at speed, helping and giving comfort to the forces of change. Now, 5G is likely to increase the power of handheld devices.

As you’ve been reading this, a self-driving car is getting better at its job. A massively complicated telescope is transmitting information that will fundamentally change the way we think about the universe. Quantum computing advances are changing the boundaries of what our technology can achieve. Diversity in voter participation is on the rise. COVID-19 vaccines saved an estimated 20 million lives in the first year of their use, and has produced new hope for, among other initiatives, curing cancers. Stiff upper lip, folks. We’ll get through it!

What good news have we missed? Please let us know!

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