A THREAD on key ideas from the book "Factfulness: Ten Reasons We're Wrong About The World - And Why Things Are Better Than You Think" by Hans Rosling:
1/
The overdramatic worldview in people’s heads creates a constant sense of crisis and stress.
1/
The overdramatic worldview in people’s heads creates a constant sense of crisis and stress.
2/
There’s no room for facts when our minds are occupied by fear.
There’s no room for facts when our minds are occupied by fear.
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Here’s the paradox: the image of a dangerous world has never been broadcast more effectively than it is now, while the world has never been less violent and more safe.
Here’s the paradox: the image of a dangerous world has never been broadcast more effectively than it is now, while the world has never been less violent and more safe.
4/
You should not expect the media to provide you with a fact-based worldview any more than you would think it reasonable to use a set of holiday snaps of Berlin as your GPS system to help you navigate around the city.
You should not expect the media to provide you with a fact-based worldview any more than you would think it reasonable to use a set of holiday snaps of Berlin as your GPS system to help you navigate around the city.
5/
People often call me an optimist, because I show them the enormous progress they didn't know about.
This is not optimistic.
It is having a clear and reasonable idea about how things are.
It is having a worldview that is constructive and useful.
People often call me an optimist, because I show them the enormous progress they didn't know about.
This is not optimistic.
It is having a clear and reasonable idea about how things are.
It is having a worldview that is constructive and useful.
6/
The world cannot be understood without numbers.
But the world cannot be understood with numbers alone.
Love numbers for what they tell you about real lives.
The world cannot be understood without numbers.
But the world cannot be understood with numbers alone.
Love numbers for what they tell you about real lives.
7/
We love to dichotomize.
Good versus bad.
Heroes versus villains.
My country versus the rest.
Dividing the world into two distinct sides is simple and intuitive, and also dramatic because it implies conflict, and we do it without thinking, all the time.
We love to dichotomize.
Good versus bad.
Heroes versus villains.
My country versus the rest.
Dividing the world into two distinct sides is simple and intuitive, and also dramatic because it implies conflict, and we do it without thinking, all the time.
8/
Beware of exceptional examples used to make a point about a whole group.
Beware of exceptional examples used to make a point about a whole group.
9/
Factfulness, like a healthy diet and regular exercise, can and should become part of your daily life.
Start to practice it, and you will be able to replace your overdramatic worldview with a worldview based on facts...
Factfulness, like a healthy diet and regular exercise, can and should become part of your daily life.
Start to practice it, and you will be able to replace your overdramatic worldview with a worldview based on facts...
...
You will be able to get the world right without learning it by heart.
You will make better decisions, stay alert to real dangers and possibilities, and avoid being constantly stressed about the wrong things.
You will be able to get the world right without learning it by heart.
You will make better decisions, stay alert to real dangers and possibilities, and avoid being constantly stressed about the wrong things.
10/
I want people, when they realize they have been wrong about the world, to feel not embarrassment, but that childlike sense of wonder, inspiration, & curiosity that I remember from the circus: “Wow, how is that even possible?”
I want people, when they realize they have been wrong about the world, to feel not embarrassment, but that childlike sense of wonder, inspiration, & curiosity that I remember from the circus: “Wow, how is that even possible?”
11/
Stay open to new data and be prepared to keep freshening up your knowledge.
Stay open to new data and be prepared to keep freshening up your knowledge.
12/
In order for this planet to have financial stability, peace, and protected natural resources, there’s one thing we can’t do without, and that’s international collaboration, based on a shared and fact-based understanding of the world.
In order for this planet to have financial stability, peace, and protected natural resources, there’s one thing we can’t do without, and that’s international collaboration, based on a shared and fact-based understanding of the world.
13/
Cultures, nations, religions, and people are not rocks.
They are in constant transformation.
Cultures, nations, religions, and people are not rocks.
They are in constant transformation.
14/
The goal of higher income is not just bigger piles of money.
The goal of longer lives is not just extra time.
The ultimate goal is to have the freedom to do what we want.
The goal of higher income is not just bigger piles of money.
The goal of longer lives is not just extra time.
The ultimate goal is to have the freedom to do what we want.
15/
The only proven method for curbing population growth is to eradicate extreme poverty.
The only proven method for curbing population growth is to eradicate extreme poverty.
16/
When abortion is made illegal it doesn't stop abortions from happening, but it does make abortions more dangerous and increase the risk of women dying as a result.
When abortion is made illegal it doesn't stop abortions from happening, but it does make abortions more dangerous and increase the risk of women dying as a result.
17/
This book is my very last battle in my lifelong mission to fight devastating global ignorance.
It is my last attempt to make an impact on the world: to change people’s ways of thinking, calm their irrational fears, and redirect their energies into constructive activities.
This book is my very last battle in my lifelong mission to fight devastating global ignorance.
It is my last attempt to make an impact on the world: to change people’s ways of thinking, calm their irrational fears, and redirect their energies into constructive activities.
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