Why So Much Bad News?

Any glance at the myriad of world news outlets is guaranteed to give you one thing: Bad news. But is life on this planet really so bad, or is there some kind of human longing for negativity? Lucky for us, we have science!

Swedish physician and statistician Hans Rosling (whom we unfortunately lost in 2017) addressed this question in his book Factfulness, a book he completed with his son’s help–knowing he didn’t have long to live. Rosling’s approach is informative and entertaining, as he poses questions in order to illuminate our negative biases when it comes to assessing life on this planet. Let’s take a look at few and see how you do:

1. In 1980, roughly 40% of the world’s population lived in extreme poverty (less than $2 per day). What is the percentage today?

   1. 10%

   2. 30%

   3. 50%

2. How have deaths per year from natural disasters changed in the last century?

   1. More than doubled

   2. Remained about the same

   3. Decreased to less than half

3. How many years of school have women aged 30 spent in school worldwide? (Men of the same age have spent 8 years in school)

   1. 7 years

   2. 5 years

   3. 3 years

Rosling draws the conclusion that actually, life has never been better on our planet. Are there still things to work on? Yes, of course–but generally speaking, things have never been better. 

So what accounts for the negativity we see on the news? Well, unfortunately, sensationalism sells. We humans are drawn to drama–and it’s true–it’s hard to look away when passing an accident on the highway. But there may be an evolutionary reason we focus on the negative. In his new book Neurodharma, Rick Hanson describes our brain as being Velcro for painful, harmful experiences and Teflon for enjoyable, useful ones. For millions of years, this negative bias has promoted our survival as a species–keeping us sharp against potential predators and other threats–but in our modern lives it is creating much unnecessary suffering and conflict. Hanson suggests a thought exercise for combatting this negative bias, and we think it is an effective tool for coping with any challenge life has to offer. When life has dealt you some type of problem, or you witness some injustice, and you are experiencing emotional pain, consciously open your mind to what beneficial lessons this experience might be offering. Ask the question: “What are you here to teach me?” The idea is that by practicing this, and making it a working part of the mind, you become more able to cope with difficult challenges, and at the same time–decrease the negativity bias you have towards life in general. 

So, before assuming the negative–be like Rosling and arm yourself with the facts.  Then, be aware that we humans tend to have a negative bias–but we are also very teachable and adaptable–and there are effective tools to change the way our minds work. Greet each day with the salutation, “Good morning, what are you here to teach me?”

Until next time

Scott and Lennart

Answers 1. (a.) 2. (c.) 3. (a.)