What if the world isn't falling apart?
The headlines tell us what's going wrong. But there's another story worth telling.
Humanity has made extraordinary progress. We're living longer, fewer people live in extreme poverty, and advances in technology, education and human opportunity continue to reshape our world.
Optimistic Canadian explores the evidence, ideas and people proving that a better future is possible.
Because optimism isn't about ignoring reality. It's about believing we can make it better.
A message from an Optimistic Canadian
If you've read, listened to or watched the news today you'd think the world is falling apart. The evidence says otherwise. Therefore, I continue to be optimistic!
In 1651, the philosopher Thomas Hobbes described human life as "solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short." For most of history, he was right. Most people were desperately poor. Many children never saw their fifth birthday. A long life was a matter of luck.
Whatever your sources of information are today you’d think that nothing much has changed. Every day brings a fresh supply of crises, conflicts and warnings. In traditional media they used to say ‘if it bleeds it leads’ but in the 60’s, 70’s, 80’s and 90’s we got those messages in the morning paper and the evening news. Today our digital sources of information flood us with those negative stories 24 hours a day. They report what goes wrong on a given day.
They don't report the slow, steady progress that adds up over decades. When you look at the long-term data, the story is very different.
The world is getting better
None of this means our problems are solved. Hundreds of millions of people still live in poverty, and progress is uneven. Autocracy is on the rise. Regional wars are accelerating. Nevertheless, the direction of travel is clear. Hobbes would barely recognize the world we live in.
If you really want to dig into how the world is changing a great source is available at Our World in Data. Give it a look.
Progress is happening worldwide. Canada has the potential to go further.
If you were born anywhere in the world today, you'd be luckier than almost anyone in history. Born in Canada, you'd be luckier still.
Canadians can expect to live close to 82 years, among the longest lifespans on earth. Canada ranks among the top countries in the world on the UN's Human Development Index, which combines health, education and income. We are among the most educated people on the planet. We rank among the world's strongest democracies, with free elections, a free press and peaceful transfers of power. We have abundant fresh water, vast natural resources, room to grow, and a population drawn from every corner of the globe.
That doesn't mean Canada has nothing to fix. Housing is too expensive, productivity is lagging, and many Canadians, especially young people, are feeling less optimistic than they used to. But these are problems a prosperous, stable, democratic country is well equipped to solve.
Why optimism matters
Optimism isn't about ignoring problems. It's about believing problems can be solved, because history shows that they can be. Pessimists predict. Optimists build.
Optimistic Canadian is a place for the evidence, the stories and the people proving that the future can be better than the past, and that Canada is one of the best places on earth to build it.
Welcome. In the coming weeks and months we’ll be sharing content to support our story here.
If you’re optimistic or wish you were, follow us and tell us what you think.
Interested in the Future of Technology and Business?
Visit PaulBarter.com, where I explore the technologies, ideas and innovations shaping our future. From artificial intelligence and emerging technologies to business strategy and entrepreneurship, discover insights to help leaders look beyond the hype and turn disruption into opportunity.
Let me know
what you're optimistic about