One of my favorite articles is The world is awful. The world is much better. The world can be much better. In just a few minutes, the persuasive case is made that all three of these statements are true at the same time. But, I’ve noticed that in our world, the first and third statements get the bulk of attention; the second is left hanging. And yet it’s the second, as incontrovertible as the others, that is the glue, the linchpin. It’s the reason for hope, the proof that the world can continue to get better, because it has gotten better.

The Age of Optimism is a small attempt to give voice to the second statement, to highlight evidence of progress and inspire hope in future gains. It won’t shy away from the challenges and problems in our world, but it will also illustrate that with resources, innovation, and will, we have made today better than yesterday, and can make tomorrow better still.

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