Now is Better | Stefan Sagmeister | TEDxPorto

Summary

In this thought-provoking talk, the speaker reflects on the misconception that modern democracy is in decline, countering this with data showing global progress over the past two centuries. He explores how our short-term media cycles often focus on negative news, while long-term trends reveal significant improvements in health, democracy, education, and quality of life. The speaker emphasizes the importance of shifting focus to long-term perspectives, encouraging individuals to engage with non-fiction books and spend less time on social media to be better informed and empowered.

Takeaways

• 😀 The world has seen a significant rise in democratic countries, from just one (the U.S.) 200 years ago to 87 today.
• 😀 Short-term media cycles tend to focus on negativity, scandals, and catastrophes, which are easier to report on in fast-paced formats like Twitter.
• 😀 Our brains are wired to focus on negative news due to prehistoric survival instincts, which can lead to an imbalanced worldview.
• 😀 Data shows that over the long term, global conditions have improved, including life expectancy, education, democracy, and health.
• 😀 Despite ongoing challenges (e.g., wars, poverty), most global indicators show significant progress, especially when viewed over long periods.
• 😀 Positive changes, such as improvements in public health, democracy, and women's rights, have been measured and documented globally.
• 😀 The widespread pessimism among younger generations, with 50% of people aged 16-25 believing humanity will end, is paralyzing rather than motivating.
• 😀 The speaker advocates for less reliance on social media and more focus on long-term, non-fiction books to foster a more informed, less anxious mindset.
• 😀 The speaker’s family history illustrates how life has improved generationally, with fewer deaths among children and more access to rights, like voting.
• 😀 Negative media can be necessary to raise awareness, but without counterbalancing positive reinforcement, it can lead to despair and inaction.
• 😀 Major changes in society, such as the reduction in smoking and the end of extreme poverty, have been driven by a combination of positive and negative efforts, proving that both approaches are necessary for progress.

Q & A

What is the main point of the speaker's argument regarding modern democracy?

The speaker argues that modern democracy is not in decline, as some believe, but has actually flourished. While some individuals may claim that democracy is ending, data shows that democracy has expanded significantly over the past 200 years, with 87 democratic nations today compared to just one two centuries ago.

Why does the speaker think the lawyer he met in Rome was wrong about the state of modern democracy?

The speaker believes the lawyer's pessimistic view about the end of modern democracy was inaccurate because the lawyer was unaware of the broader, historical trends. The speaker's research showed that democracy has grown significantly, with more than 50% of the world's population now living in democratic systems, a fact the lawyer did not seem to grasp.

How does the media cycle contribute to the public's perception of the world?

The media cycle, which has shortened drastically over time, tends to focus on negative stories because they fit well into short, fast-paced news cycles. This constant exposure to negative news can distort public perception, making people feel that the world is more dangerous or dire than it actually is.

What biological factor contributes to our focus on negative news?

The speaker explains that humans have a biological tendency to focus on negative news due to a survival mechanism known as the 'amygdala.' This part of the brain helps us react quickly to danger, a trait inherited from our prehistoric ancestors, which makes us more sensitive to negative stimuli.

What is the significance of the speaker’s family history in illustrating societal progress?

The speaker uses his family history to highlight how far society has come in terms of health and mortality rates. For example, his great-great-grandparents lost six children before they reached adulthood, which was common in their time. In contrast, today, child mortality rates have dramatically decreased, showing significant societal progress.

What does the speaker’s grandmother’s voting rights story reveal about gender equality?

The story of the speaker’s grandmother, who could not vote until she was 49, highlights the historical struggles for gender equality. It underscores the significant progress that has been made in women’s rights, as today women have universal voting rights and political representation in many countries.

How does the speaker view the role of media in spreading positive versus negative news?

The speaker acknowledges that while negative news dominates both traditional and social media, positive news also exists. However, the short-term, sensational nature of media prefers negativity because it is easier to fit into a rapid news cycle. The speaker believes we need more long-term perspectives to counterbalance this.

Why does the speaker suggest spending less time on social media and more on long-term non-fiction books?

The speaker suggests this shift because social media tends to focus on short-term, negative stories that can cause anxiety and skew our perception of the world. By reading long-term, non-fiction books, we can better understand the broader, more positive trends in history, which can reduce anxiety and provide a clearer, more balanced view of the world.

What does the speaker say about the power of perspective in shaping how we view progress?

The speaker argues that perspective plays a crucial role in how we perceive progress. While short-term media coverage can make the world seem full of problems, a long-term view reveals that humanity has made significant improvements in areas like health, education, democracy, and gender equality.

What global trend does the UN predict, and how does the speaker interpret this prediction?

The UN predicts that extreme poverty will be eradicated within our lifetimes. The speaker interprets this as a sign of significant progress, showing that, while we may be inundated with negative news, positive changes like the reduction of extreme poverty are ongoing and should be acknowledged to help empower further action.