[toor2]

What about the rise of global mass surveillance, climate change and income inequality?

Poverty, hunger and crime levels aren't the only metrics that gauge 'world goodness'. This article screams "Don't complain, your problems don't matter, the world is better than it ever was!"

[Tempest1981]

The paragraph near the end addresses this, somewhat (to keep us from feeling too good):

"The fact that things have in fact been getting better – overwhelmingly so – does not guarantee progress in the future. After years of easy money and debt financing of companies and governments, a large-scale financial crisis is possible, when all the bills come due. Global warming may threaten ecosystems and affect the lives of millions. Large-scale war between major powers is possible. Terrorists could wreak havoc on a massive scale ..."