Better off is relative I guess is the point I'd raise here. Are most peoples lives easier, with overall life expectancy up, and general health as well? Yes. A

Better off is relative I guess is the point I'd raise here. Are most peoples lives easier, with overall life expectancy up, and general health as well? Yes. Are we closer to the possibility of an overnight event that could lead to the overall near extinction of the species? Well, that one's a yes too, though perhaps it could be argued that we've moved back a little since the 60s. Though, with the doomsday clock at 90 seconds right now, at least some would take the argument that we're still closer now, considering the number of players on the world stage being a bit less predictable than when it was just two major nuclear powers squaring off. Sort of reminds me of economic cycles -- with great leverage comes great liquidity, but also, great instability.