Factfulness: Ten Reasons We're Wrong About the World--and Why Things Are Better Than You Think by Hans RoslingMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
It’s hard to credit the conclusions the author has reached. Statistically yes, things have improved. Wars are less frequent, hunger has been reduced worldwide, education for girls is more available. However, a lot of work is yet to be done, as Rosling himself acknowledges. With charts and stats he demonstrates a world not as much in chaos as certain right-wing ideologues who would have us believe. In fact, the media projects a vision of a world on fire because as this book points out quite rightly, that’s what sells, what gets your attention. I have to remind myself this book was published before Donald Trump was appointed President by fiat, and the Electoral College, let’s not forget. On that account alone there has been a collateral surge in hatred and the embrace of ignorance, not to mention the encouragement and rise of ultra-rightists worldwide, especially in Brasil. Rosling admits there is much left to do in areas such as combating climate change, slavery and peaceful conflict resolution. With Trump in charge, that work has become significantly more difficult.
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