In the era of the 24/7 news cycle, if it bleeds it leads. CNN may as well stand for Constant Negative News.  In this article, Steven Pinker reminds us that by any objective measure we live in a much safer world than has heretofore ever existed. Pinker’s article reminded me of the excellent Greg Easterbrook book The Progress Paradox. If you’ve even yearned for “the good old days,” then you are likely deluding yourself and should read Easterbrook’s book for an affirming and constructive perspective on human progress. For another take on this, read Neil Strauss’ article in Rolling Stone. Neil takes a shot at explaining why, at the safest time in human history, we are all so afraid.