If you're an avid newsreader you could be forgiven in thinking that the world is diving headfirst into becoming a burnt-out hellscape, but that's really not the

If you're an avid newsreader you could be forgiven in thinking that the world is diving headfirst into becoming a burnt-out hellscape, but that's really not the case -- its just that our personal access to information is a lot better now. I mean don't get me wrong, there's still a lot of horrible shit in the world (hold on to this for a second). In the last hundred years infant mortality and absolute poverty cratered, literacy is skyrocketing, the impact of war has gone into freefall. In most places things like slavery and the more horrific diseases have been all but wiped out, and far (far!) more people than ever actually have at least a modicum of control over their lives. Which is not to say things are perfect. There's still so much work to be done. If you want to start feeling better about it, start volunteering. Put in time at a homeless shelter, or food bank, or if you have a skill find a way to use it in helping the needy in your community. If a program you think will help doesn't exist where you are, start one.