Factfulness: Ten Reasons We're Wrong About the World--and Why Things Are Better Than You Think
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INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER “One of the most important books I’ve ever read―an indispensable guide to thinking clearly about the world.” – Bill Gates “Hans Rosling tells the story of ‘the secret silent miracle of human progress’ as only he can. But Factfulness does much more than that. It also explains why progress is so often secret and silent and teaches readers how to see it clearly.” ― Melinda Gates " Factfulness by Hans Rosling, an outstanding international public health expert, is a hopeful book about the potential for human progress when we work off facts rather than our inherent biases." - Former U.S. President Barack Obama Factfulnes s: The stress-reducing habit of only carrying opinions for which you have strong supporting facts. When asked simple questions about global trends― what percentage of the world’s population live in poverty; why the world’s population is increasing; how many girls finish school ―we systematically get the answers wrong. So wrong that a chimpanzee choosing answers at random will consistently outguess teachers, journalists, Nobel laureates, and investment bankers. In Factfulness, Professor of International Health and global TED phenomenon Hans Rosling, together with his two long-time collaborators, Anna and Ola, offers a radical new explanation of why this happens. They reveal the ten instincts that distort our perspective ―from our tendency to divide the world into two camps (usually some version of us and them) to the way we consume media (where fear rules) to how we perceive progress (believing that most things are getting worse). Our problem is that we don’t know what we don’t know, and even our guesses are informed by unconscious and predictable biases. It turns out that the world, for all its imperfections, is in a much better state than we might think. That doesn’t mean there aren’t real concerns. But when we worry about everything all the time instead of embracing a worldview based on facts, we can lose our ability to focus on the things that threaten us most. Inspiring and revelatory, filled with lively anecdotes and moving stories, Factfulness is an urgent and essential book that will change the way you see the world and empower you to respond to the crises and opportunities of the future. --- “This book is my last battle in my life-long mission to fight devastating ignorance…Previously I armed myself with huge data sets, eye-opening software, an energetic learning style and a Swedish bayonet for sword-swallowing. It wasn’t enough. But I hope this book will be.” Hans Rosling, February 2017.
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Hans Rosling
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0 posts • 39 mentions • top 32 shown below
17 points • nocendi
> Nei selvfølgelig ikke. Og det er jo fordi det er politikken til folk som Obama-Biden og forgjengerne deres helt tilbake til Reagan som er grunnen til at en karakter som Trump i det hele tatt kom på banen og vant valget.
Så det at autoritære, populistiske politikere på høyresiden er på fremmarsj over hele verden, det er tilfeldig? Det er Demokratene sin feil?
>Et av endeløse problemene for liberalere som støtter den uendelige akselerasjonen til den globale teknokratiske kapitalismen er at jo raskere en økonomi endrer seg jo større del av befolkningen er det som blir kastet på dynga
Dette er fundamental feil. Det er lavere fattighet på verdensbasis i dag enn det noen gang har vært før. Globaliseringen har, uten sammenligning, gjort verden (både lokalt og verdensomspennende) bedre.
>de menneskene som blir kastet på dynga har dessverre for liberalerne fortsatt stemmerett.
Det er ingen som blir kastet på dynga. Du hadde hatt godt av å lese Hans Roslings bok Factfulness, det er mye du kan lære der.
11 points • Alphafox84
There is a book called factfullness that really helped me - you should give it a shot.
Factfulness: Ten Reasons We're Wrong About the World--and Why Things Are Better Th... https://www.amazon.com/dp/1250107814/ref=cm_sw_r_sms_c_api_i_ewpfEbTE8WV7H
7 points • jeng24
Did it once. Won't do it again unless there is a purely paper benefit (ex right now I can't visit my boyfriend's family in France with a US passport and COVID. I could if we were married). I'd revisit the idea if I had kids but here's what changed my mind...
I realized its something you need to do if your country isn't at income level 4 (according to factfulness) where your population is still growing and you need community to help provide basic needs.
However, once your country is rich enough, then babies have lower infant mortality rates. Everyone (even religious people) reproduce less. Population growth stops. Everyone has access to things that support the first 2 steps in Maslow's heriarchy of needs (shelter, healthcare, food, parental leave). All of a sudden you realize you don't need the marriage to help you or your kids survival.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/1250107814/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_25qxFbNDQ8XRM
3 points • GreenTeaOnMyDesk
Excellent points. For further points, check out:
Factfulness: Ten Reasons We're Wrong About the World--and Why Things Are Better Than You Think
https://www.amazon.com/Factfulness-Reasons-World-Things-Better/dp/1250107814
2 points • Strong-Ring-3135
This book helped turned my thinking around. The world is in a better place than we know and that gives me hope to live on. Much love OP <3
https://www.amazon.com/Factfulness-Reasons-World-Things-Better/dp/1250107814
2 points • Puzzled-Sale1706
This book is really good. Helped me have a more positive world view.
https://www.amazon.com/Factfulness-Reasons-World-Things-Better/dp/1250107814
1 points • k_rol
I don't think Capitalism is sustainable at all but I do agree that the world is much better than it was. For anyone who doesn't agree with that fact, I suggest you take a look at the book Factfullness written by Hans Rosling
1 points • steadyachiever
I highly recommend the book Factfulness
1 points • axnjxn00
I recommend everyone to read the book Factfullness. It shows how much better the world is actually getting, but because of the media and other factors, our perception of the world is that it keeps getting worse.
https://www.amazon.com/Factfulness-Reasons-World-Things-Better/dp/1250107814
1 points • not_charles_grodin
I just read a really good book on this called Factfulness: Ten Reasons We're Wrong About the World--and Why Things Are Better Than You Think. People really enjoy shitting on things, but we as a.woeld are doing much better. That's not to say we don't have quite a few problems we need to sort out, just to show that we are making some progress and should both be proud of and build from those accomplishments.
1 points • Alliance1999
You are absolutely right Om, I too used to think the world is going to a **** hole but compared to the 1800/1900 we are miles ahead in poverty, world average income etc. For example 60% of women in low income countries finish at least finish middle school. Only 6% of people that have been asked this question got it correct. Six! Lots of people have this gap-instinct, negativity-instinct and last but not least a fear-instinct . Its true that the world isn't quite perfect and that some places definitely need some improvement, but it's not as bad as you think!
If you're interested please read this book as well, it points out some very common misinterpretation of the world. https://www.amazon.com/Factfulness-Reasons-World-Things-Better/dp/1250107814
I bid you all a good day!
1 points • Praxon1
Super late, but what about Factfulness by Hans Rosling?
1 points • jmos_81
I think the moon landing is still the greatest event of humankind but I’m bias cause I work in Aero :). Another positive event is how the world is actually getting better statistically. Worldwide income inequality is decreasing, less people starving, less people and babies dying to preventable diseases, greater access to water and internet connectivity.
One of the best pick me ups out there is the book Factfulness: Ten reasons we are wrong about the world and why things are better than you think. I encourage everyone to read it to restore their optimism, especially during these turbulent times. It’s been a featured read on Gates Notes and The Economist.
https://www.amazon.com/Factfulness-Reasons-World-Things-Better/dp/1250107814/ref=nodl_
3 points • zar4er
>Like if i say muslims are incompatible with modern society, that would get me arrested in a cuck country like where you are probably from. I also would get arrested for calling a biological male, sir, in your country.
No, mate, it would only prove you're a half-literate barely educated imbecile (in the medical sense of a person who has an IQ between 26-50). But, hey, don't believe me, I am just a nobody, here's a book (you've probably heard of such objects, trust me, they don't bite) you can read to educate yourself on those exact two topics you just mentioned:
https://www.amazon.com/Factfulness-Reasons-World-Things-Better/dp/1250107814
Of course, you won't read it, but I'll just leave the link here so anybody with an ounce of brain more than you (so everybody, basically) can.
1 points • flyingkiwi9
Capitalism has overwhelmingly improved the outcomes of everyone world wide. It's so good in fact, the left had to redefine the word "poverty" to mean "relative poverty" because "absolute poverty" is on the out.
Read a book: https://www.amazon.com/Factfulness-Reasons-World-Things-Better/dp/1250107814
1 points • pen15rules
>You demand we accept that:
>* socialism isn't possible as an alternative * Capitalism has been a net positive for humanity for 200 years * the Famine was caused by blight, not the free market policies of a racist British government. * the Famine was an intentional genocide rather than the culmination of centuries of oppression coupled with extreme capitalist ideas * Raising the minimum wage will always cause problematic inflation * Free market policies helped millions out of poverty in China and that they were truly free markets, not some hybrid system of Chinese communist planning mixed with opening markets
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Socialism as an alternative (i.e. seize the means and modes of production) based on the economic and technological layout today is not a feasible or worthwhile alternative. I also dont like the concept of "seizing" the means and modes. Id prefer democratic mandate, unlike many socialist ideas. Democratic socialism isn't a terrible endeavor, though it goes to far based on the examples we've seen before. The embedded growth obligation problem is something I'm not sure we know how to resolve as of yet while also pushing humanity in a progressive direction. In short, I'm open to it, I've looked at it, and I don't think it works right now.
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Capitalism has been a net positive for humanity. Its brought about technological innovation that has reduced poverty across the board and provided technological advances that such as vaccines that save millions if not billions of lives. I don't know if I can lay all these gains at the feet of "capitalism", that would be a bit simplistic. But I believe that most evidence would show that capitalist economies are far more innovative. USSR. Raising minimum wage is in fact necessary sometimes.
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Literally didn't say this. Completely made up extrapolation. I just think you're attributing causality to free markets as opposed to exacerbation. It was a genocide AND culmination of centuries of oppression. Im pretty sure the intentional genocide part would imply the latter.
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Again wrong. I think it can necessary often to raise min wage.
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No, I didnt say they were truly free markets. Most companies are backed by the CCP and need their approval to do anything. The system in totality, is of course a hybrid. But the open markets brought in wealth that pulled millions out of poverty.
Finally, based on many parameters we are doing better than ever. Depends what your definition of "better" is, but I think by most we are. In Ireland we're doing way better than our parents. And 100x better than our grandparents. Think you've gone a bit US centric in your thought process. Africa has reduced poverty at rapid rates and we haven't had a world war in a long time. World still has problems...as always...but SOL is pretty high across the board from where it was previously. Read this as a primer if you want to learn more. Also Pinker isn't wrong for the most part.
https://www.amazon.com/Factfulness-Reasons-World-Things-Better/dp/1250107814
And I've done my research and I'm still learning. But you should also note that you were wrong about nearly every assumption you made about me, therefore you should learn something about your extrapolation tendencies.
1 points • travelguy23
Well, I took off to Thailand. Having a mortgage didn't stop me. If you want to move you can either sell the house or keep it and rent it out.
As for the world, it's actually getting better in almost every way. The media just focuses on the bad stuff. The reality is that almost everything you measure shows that things are improving. Have a read of https://www.amazon.com/Factfulness-Reasons-World-Things-Better/dp/1250107814.
We can't predict the future, but that's not a reason to not plan ahead. My grandparents bought a house, yet lived through two world wars. Even if the things turn out badly, it's probably an even better reason to own your own house. Whatever the world is like, you'll still need somewhere to live.
1 points • SANcapITY
You may have a superficial view of the world that isn't backed up by data. This book details 10 major ways in which the world is improving.
Before throwing more info at you, it may be worth it to see if you can actually back up your view of the world empirically.
1 points • BlueGreenRails
Thanks.
This is my primary source: https://www.amazon.com/Factfulness-Reasons-World-Things-Better/dp/1250107814
I couldn't recommend this book hard enough. But I'm also curious about the counter arguments. Hence this CMV.
1 points • candlesinthegarage
Bruh... No one dies from terrorism (less than 1% of causes of death). Votes like these show how people have a twisted and wrong view about our world
TLDR: read Factfulness
1 points • DudeHasHops
You linking some liberal propaganda is a joke of a response. Imagine linking articles referencing like 200 hundred hillbillies in cville from 2017 with tiki torches as significant. Look at the bigger picture mate.
https://www.amazon.com/Factfulness-Reasons-World-Things-Better/dp/1250107814
(granted this was before the pandemic, and obviously global warming is an actual problem, but still)
1 points • jamesallred
Read this book about why the world is getting better.
And by saying better does not mean some things are not bad. But definitely not the message that is taught regularly that the world is getting worse.
https://www.amazon.com/Factfulness-Reasons-World-Things-Better/dp/1250107814
1 points • justsippingteahere
Actually, world population is predicted to level off. There are some really interesting research that gives evidence to this
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Projections_of_population_growth#/media/File:World_population_growth,_1700-2100,_2019_revision.png
To understand the reasons for this and to also generally feel better about the world- despite the real threats of COVID and global warming:
https://www.amazon.com/Factfulness-Reasons-World-Things-Better/dp/1250107814
1 points • happs80
As others have said, if you read the news and follow current events too closely, you'll feel a lot of anxiety.
A good place to start putting your mind at ease is by reading this book. https://www.amazon.com/Factfulness-Reasons-World-Things-Better/dp/1250107814
It's not nearly as bad as you think. By almost every measure, the world is becoming a better place to live.
It's just that bad news is injected directly in to your eyeballs by social media and the 24 hour news cycle. It's a difficult thing to ignore, but it is possible.
2 points • LeCaramelSwirl
True, the World is a better place for more people, in every metric that counts than it ever has been at any other point in human history. It is an unpopular opinion though, because individuals like to whine about how tough they have it because while having access to the best nutrition, education, technology, healthcare than anyone else in human history... Life still isn't great because (according to posts in this thread) social media, or something.
There's some really good books in this topic.
Progress - Johan Norberg - https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Progress:_Ten_Reasons_to_Look_Forward_to_the_Future
The Rational Optimist - Matt Ridley - https://www.amazon.com/Rational-Optimist-Prosperity-Evolves-P-s/dp/0061452068
Factfulness - Ten Reasons we're wrong about the world and why things are better than you we think - Hans Rosling - https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Factfulness:Ten_Reasons_We%27re_Wrong_About_the_World%E2%80%93_and_Why_Things_Are_Better_Than_You_Think
Enlightenment Now - Steven Pinker - https://www.amazon.com/Factfulness-Reasons-World-Things-Better/dp/1250107814
1 points • Kookaburrrra
I know it feels like a depressing time now, but if you take a long term view, there are so many things that have improved. Just look at life expectancy, which has greatly improved over the past centuries. My advice is to watch less mainstream media and listen to folks like Stephen Pinker and Hans Rosling.
1 points • sifow
Also, that article is a riot.
> The American Enterprise Institute for Public Policy Research, known simply as the American Enterprise Institute (AEI), is a conservative Washington, D.C.-based think tank
A conservative think tank, huh?
Do you see what he did to "fix" the problem? The initial data was clearly measuring things from a middle-class perspective. Simply by lowering the bar down to the poverty-line and everything looks great! Then he makes the wild claim that households are thriving.
How about the idea that poverty itself is bad and you'd want to give people mobility - that's the idea you initially started with, that this article doesn't address at all.
He is literally saying poor people don't have it as bad as before. This can be said about anywhere in the world, even the worst countries. Factfulness will show you that globally the quality of life has improved overall.
That's not an excuse to siphon taxpayer money into the hands of people who already have more than they need for consecutive lifetimes.
1 points • BombermanBud
As far as climate change, here's a place to get started. Those of us that are fighting often fall by the wayside but we are there. I recommend joining the CCL too.
Lastly, this book does wonders for perspective. Hope it all helps!
1 points • any1particular
Beautifully stated.....ugh....this nonesince is last thing we need now or ever...
Ray needs to read these (three) esteemed and venerated books:
Enlightenment Now: The Case for Reason, Science, Humanism, and Progress
https://www.amazon.com/Enlightenment-Now-Science-Humanism-Progress/dp/0525427570
Factfulness: Ten Reasons We're Wrong About the World--and Why Things Are Better Than You Think
https://www.amazon.com/Factfulness-Reasons-World-Things-Better/dp/1250107814
The Beginning of Infinity: Explanations That Transform the World
https://www.amazon.com/Beginning-Infinity-Explanations-Transform-World/dp/0143121359
1 points • Khabarach
If it was me, I'd ignore the homosexuality bit as it's going to be difficult to prove volume either way and I'd argue the 'imperfection' angle instead. It's always hammered into JW's that the world is getting worse due to human imperfection, but if you actually look into the statistics on this, the human condition is improving all the time and is better than it ever has been:
If you want to push it further, get him a copy of this book: https://www.amazon.com/Factfulness-Reasons-World-Things-Better/dp/1250107814/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=factfulness&qid=1582225700&sr=8-1
Here are some of the charts from it:
https://m.media-amazon.com/images/S/aplus-media/vc/b2f66283-a71a-4807-9e12-f5f8418359bf.jpg
https://m.media-amazon.com/images/S/aplus-media/vc/0bf01d7b-e515-487e-a7f6-4f33a60360cb.jpg
https://m.media-amazon.com/images/S/aplus-media/vc/7ae53846-c17b-4957-b541-81a34128932c.jpg
https://m.media-amazon.com/images/S/aplus-media/vc/72711061-d3a4-4368-be27-3444138058dd.jpg
