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This is basically the thesis of Hans Rosling's 2006 Ted talk* . Things, on average are better. What bothers me about this way of measuring progress is that for

This is basically the thesis of Hans Rosling's 2006 Ted talk* . Things, on average are better. What bothers me about this way of measuring progress is that for some, e.g. drug addicted or abusive families, people living in war torn regions, things are not better. For some, things are bad and have been for generations. For this reason I try to refrain from "things are better" rhetoric, because it feels cruel to those people. Like I'm saying "I know it's bad for you, but I don't really care because it's better for many". And personally I think from a moral standpoint we have the same responsibility to lift up the bottom as we do to lift the average. The trouble is people at the bottom are often at the intersection of multiple intergenerational disadvantages, which makes helping extremely difficult. It's exactly this reason that I think it's so important not to say "things are better" without qualifications. If we can't help these people, the least we can do is acknowledge their situation. * https://www.ted.com/talks/hans_rosling_shows_the_best_stats_you_ve_ever_seen https://www.ted.com/talks/hans_rosling_shows_the_best_stats_...

kzrdude 10y ago
On the other hand, something must be done to push back against those opposite sentiments that, “the whole world is on fire”, “everything is getting worse” or “the world has never been more violent”, all of which are notions that are spread in media and on social media.
deleted 10y ago
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refurb 10y ago
I think the better approach is to highlight progress. Sure, many people still live in difficult situations, but overall, we've made a lot of progress over time.
- threeseed 10y ago
  The single, biggest problem is that the progress isn't being shared. In all first world countries wages are stagnant, housing is completely unaffordable, education is a luxury rather than a right and the rich are getting richer and worst of all more brazen e.g. Rich Kids of Instagram.
  - pavlov 10y ago
    The Western countries are not a uniform block. Many European countries have free or affordable colleges. Wages are not stagnant in Germany. Housing is affordable in many places, including USA except for a few coastal cities. Etc.
return0 10y ago
indeed, Calendar advancement is not progress.

kzrdude 10y ago

On the other hand, something must be done to push back against those opposite sentiments that, “the whole world is on fire”, “everything is getting worse” or “the world has never been more violent”, all of which are notions that are spread in media and on social media.

deleted 10y ago

[deleted]

refurb 10y ago

I think the better approach is to highlight progress. Sure, many people still live in difficult situations, but overall, we've made a lot of progress over time.

threeseed 10y ago
The single, biggest problem is that the progress isn't being shared. In all first world countries wages are stagnant, housing is completely unaffordable, education is a luxury rather than a right and the rich are getting richer and worst of all more brazen e.g. Rich Kids of Instagram.
- pavlov 10y ago
  The Western countries are not a uniform block. Many European countries have free or affordable colleges. Wages are not stagnant in Germany. Housing is affordable in many places, including USA except for a few coastal cities. Etc.

return0 10y ago

indeed, Calendar advancement is not progress.