re: Is the world getting worse or is there just more coverage on horrible events?

Instant news has given us too much information. Also population growth is responsible too.

How many times are crappy posters going to start the same thread? Serious question. This topic gets bought up every week. Find something else to talk about.

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I guess we'll see won't we. Or our grandkids will.

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Well, sure...but we already see and some refuse to. The problem seems to be the definition of
better." For many of us, things like safety, health and freedom for all in comparison to historical levels are fairly important in deciding if today is better than yesterday. If that's your definition, as it's largely mine, then we're clearly better and there is every reason to believe that we're getting even better at rates hardly imaginable.

If your definition of better revolves around something less tangible, then I guess I can see the issue.

As I care about the species as a whole, I can;t reasonably say I'd want to live at any other tie in history, because to do so would be turning back the clock on freedoms, health and safety for massive amounts of the world's population.

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How many times are crappy posters going to start the same thread? Serious question. This topic gets bought up every week. Find something else to talk about.

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But what about our progession as a society? Even if we are safer, does that mean things are better and that the world will prosper? What about the unintended consequences of progress? We are molding society differently today and it could have a major impact on how the world runs in the near future. Our currency is being devalued and there's zero trust in the people who run the infrastructure. Doesn't sound like a recipe for success.

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seriously it is hard for me to understand anyone that believes the world is getting worse

we live in the safest time ever for humans

just think about all the mass genocides and wars of the past

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I don't get that mentality either. You are ignorant if you think the world is getting worse. Ignorant meaning you don't know the history of man kind.

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We are molding society differently today and it could have a major impact on how the world runs in the near future. Our currency is being devalued and there's zero trust in the people who run the infrastructure. Doesn't sound like a recipe for success.

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perhaps cryptocurrencies are the future? like a better form of bitcoin?

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The rapid media coverage of negative events does skew the perspective but I do think overall morality in the U.S. is worse.

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That's just not a workable definition of better. It has far more to do with personal beliefs that are not agreed upon by the collective.

Even among the religious there are incredible variations of what constitutes "moral" acts. Better, in my opinion, to side with liberty and allow people to live as they see fit. That way, you can behave as you like (so long as it does not harm me) and I can live as I want (so long as it does not harm you.) In the meantime, I will not be offended by your behavior and declare society going down the shitter because you do not behave as I want you to, and I ask the same of you. Deal?

In ever other measurable way, though, humanity is better off today than in any time in history.

americans-believe-crime-worsening

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Less crime doesn't mean things are better or there will be better times ahead. The world is more complex than violence.

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More coverage mostly. The world has always been vicious.

But with regard to America, I think people in general are becoming less decent in some areas. There is no denying that we've made progress in accepting previous outcasts, but in general, I also think we're a little less kind, significantly more selfish and increasingly cynical.