Factfulness: Ten Reasons We're Wrong About the World--and Why Things Are Better Than You Think

Factfulness: Ten Reasons We're Wrong About the World--and Why Things Are Better Than You Think by Hans Rosling, Anna Rosling Rönnlund, Ola Rosling

As humans, we often get stuck in our beliefs and confuse relative differences with absolute change. We are drawn to the urgent, and often fail to notice the slow, long term changes. Activists use these tendencies to entice us to donate to their cause via the urgency. This all combines us to view the world as a horrible place that is getting worse. 

The facts tell a different story.

Child mortality is a simple measure that is difficult to fudge. It has been improving throughout the world. Even the least developed countries in Africa tend to be better off than European countries were a few centuries ago. Though we often get caught comparing them to Europe today. 

One way to look at development is to divide people into 4 groups. Most of Europe and North America are in Group 4, though there are pockets in lower groups. Just about every country has some Group 4 citizens. Group 1 is the lowest group and what we think of as living in poverty and often on the brink of starvation. The other groups are in between. It is a significant step up from one group to the other. More and more people throughout the world have been moving to higher groups. This is typically accompanied by reduced birthrates, increased consumption and increased standards of living. Many of the countries that are "developing" are also increasing the carbon emissions - but still emit much lower per person than developed countries.

Today we see climate change advocates try to tie every extreme weather event to climate change. This may be a good way of advancing their cause today. Unfortunately, it damages long term credibility. The facts are not as dire and extreme as they would make them out. Humans are just not wired to pay attention to something that happens slowly. 

We can use statistics to help us to take a step back and make wise decisions. We may be missing opportunities due to preconceived notions. Slow change can gradually trick us into making changes that we would otherwise not make all at once. This can be used for both good and bad.