While it certainly appears that the world is getting worse by the day, that’s only a part of the story.
Depending on how long of a time frame you give yourself to look at, we could come to either conclusion.
If one looks at the past 2 years, I think it’s safe to say that in many parts of the world, and for many people, life has overall declined in quality. COVID, the war, supply chain issues, inflation, etc.
If you look at the past 100 years, that perspective shifts. Things for all people (for the most part) have been improved considerably (in the developed world).
We all have running water that is clean, bathrooms, etc.
Women’s rights, civil rights of all kinds, child labor laws, new life-saving medical treatments, penicillin — all of these are incredible points of progress over the past 100 years.
I think the challenge of our current age is putting things in perspective when all we see is the constant negativity that is put out by news agencies.
We are partly to blame for this.
News agencies hi-jack attention with clickbait to get more ad dollars using psychological tricks (usually outrage), to keep us engaged as long as possible. All the social media platforms do this too, just in a different way.
We have a part to play in this because we allow it to happen, not thinking of the consequences that this has on our own psyche and society as a whole.
What we put into our mind, becomes our mind. I didn’t believe this when I was a kid, now I understand.
What we consume becomes a part of us. So, be on guard with how much negativity you allow in, and, how much “numbing,” content you consume as well, as this can have the same effect.
I enjoy watching Netflix, and even the bachelor on occasion, and in the past I read tons of news… but to be consumed by these forms of media likely doesn’t have a net positive effect on your life. How could it?
