350. It’s Better Than It Looks: Reasons for Optimism in an Age of Fear
Rating: ☆☆☆☆
Recommended by: Lenna Kotke
Author: Gregg Easterbrook
Genre: Sociology, Economics, Public Policy, Politics, Science
352 pages, published February 20, 2018
Reading Format: Book
Summary
In It’s Better Than It Looks, author Gregg Easterbrook surveys a number of different metrics to see how well the world is doing and makes a convincing case that things are much better than most people think. Under every meaningful measure, the modern world is better than it ever has ever been. In the United States, disease, crime, discrimination, and most forms of pollution are in long-term decline, while longevity and education keep rising and economic indicators are better than in any past generation. Worldwide, malnutrition and extreme poverty are at historic lows, and the risk of dying by war or violence is the lowest in human history.
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My Take
As a naturally optimistic and grateful person, It’s Better Than It Looks is my kind of book. It is a clear-eyed look at how humanity is actually faring in the 21st century and the answer is amazingly well. When you think about the fact that 70 to 80 million people died during World War II alone, you have a much better appreciation for how much things have improved worldwide in the past 70 years. It’s Better Than It Looks reminded a lot of Abundance: The Future Is Better Than You Think, another worthy read on this same topic.
