To answer question #1 from “Part 1”, I’m ranking the categories identified. Here’s my initial attempt.
- Equal access to good air, water, food, shelter, healthcare, and education
- Increased life expectancy
- Reduced conflict (including wars, murders, etc.)
- More opportunities for humans to do meaningful work
- Sustainable growth
- More diversity
- More exploration
Okay, It’s time to do some research!
Regarding equal access, we have some good data. Because it’s nuanced, I’m providing links with further details.
Poverty is a good proxy for measuring access to good air, water, food, and shelter. The share of the population living in extreme poverty has decreased significantly since 1970.
The World Health Organization and World Bank Group have been tracking universal health coverage. While we’re not on target to meet this goal by 2030, much progress has been made since 2000.
Literacy rates have improved dramatically since 1970, as indicated in The Global Rise of Education.
Our World in Data provides excellent interactive maps on these topics.
The data indicates that for equal access, humanity is doing BETTER now than when I was a kid.
Since 1970, life expectancy has increased significantly across the world. So again, humanity is doing BETTER now than when I was a kid.
What about reduced conflict? The situation is complex. The conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza remind us that as humans, we can’t seem to keep ourselves from fighting. Still, on average, fewer people are dying in conflicts now.
Less than one percent of global deaths are caused by homicides. The number of homicides has increased in some countries and decreased in others. On average, the number of homicides has decreased in recent decades, if only slightly.
For reduced conflict, humanity is doing slightly BETTER now than when I was a kid.
This discussion continues in “Part 3”.
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