The World Is Getting Better: Gregg Easterbrook
How Do We Fix It?5 Huhti 2018

The World Is Getting Better: Gregg Easterbrook

The facts are hard to deny. We live longer, infant mortality continues to fall, we are richer, less subject to violence-- and despite uneven progress, the world is more democratic than it was 50 years ago.


And yet so many people are gripped by pessimism and fear.


Donald Trump was elected President after repeatedly claiming "our country is going to hell." A recent poll found that just three-in-ten Americans think the country is headed in the right direction. The number of Americans who think the country has a strong national character declined sharply in the last two decades.


Our guest, journalist Gregg Easterbrook is author of the new book, "It's Better Than It Looks: Reasons for Optimism in an Age of Fear."


"If you're an optimist you think that problems can be fixed," says Gregg. "If you're a pessimist, you think the world is going to hell and there is nothing I can do about it."


We look at why our pessimistic outlook has been blurred by the rise of social media, and is getting in the way of urgently needed reforms, from reducing climate change to fixing the national debt.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tämä jakso on lisätty Podme-palveluun avoimen RSS-syötteen kautta eikä se ole Podmen omaa tuotantoa. Siksi jakso saattaa sisältää mainontaa.

Jaksot(453)

Braver Angels 2026 Convention Report and Reactions From Delegates

Braver Angels 2026 Convention Report and Reactions From Delegates

Something remarkable happened in Philadelphia, days before America celebrated its 250th birthday and streets away from where the Declaration of Independence was signed. Nearly 900 Braver Angels delega...

1 Heinä 25min

A Conversation About Differences: Sue Lani Madsen

A Conversation About Differences: Sue Lani Madsen

It's very easy to be outraged or depressed about American politics today, and much more challenging and interesting to consider how things might be better. Instead of dismissing our political opponent...

6 Kesä 41min

Braver Angels Convention: A Pledge Renewed. Mark Metzger

Braver Angels Convention: A Pledge Renewed. Mark Metzger

One week before America celebrates its 250th birthday, Braver Angels will hold its annual convention in Philadelphia, the city where the Declaration of Independence was signed in 1776.More than one th...

22 Touko 19min

Building Bridges, Crossing Divides in Utah. Jorgensen and Bernards

Building Bridges, Crossing Divides in Utah. Jorgensen and Bernards

The nation has been shaken by violence yet again. The assassination attempt at the White House Correspondents Dinner was another jarring tear in the fabric of our public life. Every day Americans also...

1 Touko 25min

Why Braver Angels Workshops Bring Surprise and Hope. Maryanne Colter

Why Braver Angels Workshops Bring Surprise and Hope. Maryanne Colter

Right now is a really difficult time to convince Americans to come together and listen to the other side. How can we be hopeful at a time of so much anger, division, violence and despair when our poli...

10 Huhti 28min

Braver Angels Ambassadors. Barbara Hancin and Ron McFarland

Braver Angels Ambassadors. Barbara Hancin and Ron McFarland

Braver Angels Ambassadors are among the most courageous of courageous citizens.Not only do they bridge the partisan divide, these volunteers meet people where they are. At meetings and events across t...

27 Maalis 26min

Braver Angels Citizens Commission on Immigration. David Lapp

Braver Angels Citizens Commission on Immigration. David Lapp

Is it possible to find points of agreement on some of the most heated and divisive issues in American politics? Can people who profoundly disagree sit down and learn from each other? The answers to bo...

13 Maalis 28min

Braver Angels Courageous Citizens. Wilk Wilkinson and Maury Giles

Braver Angels Courageous Citizens. Wilk Wilkinson and Maury Giles

Conflict entrepreneurs get money, influence and power by sparking anger and outrage. The Braver Angels call for courageous citizenship does precisely the opposite. In this podcast we hear the case for...

27 Helmi 30min

Suosittua kategoriassa Politiikka ja uutiset

uutiscast
aikalisa
ootsa-kuullut-tasta-2
rss-ootsa-kuullut-tasta
rss-podme-livebox
rss-vaalirankkurit-podcast
tervo-halme
otetaan-yhdet
politiikan-puskaradio
rss-asiastudio
aihe
the-ulkopolitist
rss-kaikki-uusiksi
rss-raha-talous-ja-politiikka
rss-girls-finish-f1rst
rikosmyytit
rss-360-podi
rss-fingo-podcast
rss-kuka-mina-olen
rss-ulkopoditiikkaa