https://www.shortform.com/summary/factfulness-summary-hans-…

This section delves into the ten "dramatic instincts" identified by Hans Rosling that often lead us to perceive the world inaccurately. Our mental faculties evolved to prioritize swift decision-making and to focus on immediate threats. In our multifaceted and interlinked modern environment, our perception of worldwide trends and issues can become distorted because of these instincts.
Rosling underscores our tendency to pay greater attention to negative events rather than positive ones, a tendency he refers to as the "negativity instinct." Our brains have been shaped by our evolutionary history to emphasize information regarding potential threats, as such attentiveness was vital for the survival of our forebears. However, this instinct can lead to a skewed perception of the world, making us believe that everything is getting worse even when data demonstrates progress. Several factors contribute to this skewed perception:
The inclination of media organizations to concentrate on dramatic events frequently leads to an exaggerated focus on negative incidents. Gradual improvements frequently go unrecognized or are not given the acknowledgment they merit. Our understanding frequently overestimates the prevalence of emergencies and catastrophes, leading us to believe they occur more frequently than they actually do.
Misremembering historical events: Memories of historical events are frequently colored by nostalgia, which can veil the more difficult realities of the past. Our tendency to look back on the past with affection distorts our view of the present, making it seem more problematic in relation to an often glorified history. For most of our history, life was significantly harder, filled with more violence, and riddled with uncertainty.
Rosling argues that to counter the negativity instinct, we must actively seek out information about positive developments and remind ourselves of past progress. This method does not ignore real problems; instead, it fosters a viewpoint …