Think back to the year 1999. Do you recall how well we were doing? The internet was booming. Google and Amazon were taking off. Unemployment was at a thirty year low. America was at the peak of its power and the world was at peace.
Is this the world you remember?
Let me tell you a different, yet equally true, story.
In 1999, we faced a false technological panic in the “Y2K” computer glitch. The sitting President was impeached for improper sexual conduct with an intern. He seemed to serially harass women throughout his career. NATO attacked Serbia due to an ongoing authoritarian genocide. A little known group called Al Qaeda bombed US Embassies in Kenya and Tanzania a year prior and were plotting the 9/11 attacks. Half of Africa’s population lived in abject poverty. The US stock market was in a bubble that it would not fully recover from for another twelve years.
Do you remember this as well?
If you are like most people, you likely think of the first description when you recall the 1990’s, but you also remember the events from the second description when they are pointed out. We have a pervasive nostalgia bias that puts rose colored glasses on the past, and paints our current situation worse than it truly is.
As the quarter-century mark draws near, I find it necessary pause and reflect on the progress we’ve made over the last twenty five years. Global discourse skews toward negativity for the purpose of grabbing your attention, with narratives of decline dominating headlines and social media.
Yet, when we look beyond the noise, the data and lived experiences tell a different story: one of remarkable advancements in healthcare, technology, economics, and equality. These achievements paint a hopeful picture of a world that, despite its challenges, continues to move forward.
Let’s take a look at where we have made significant advancement.
Healthcare: Saving Lives at Unprecedented Rates
Since the year 2000, healthcare has witnessed extraordinary breakthroughs. Global life expectancy has risen by over six years, thanks in large part to innovations in medicine, expanded access to care, and public health initiatives. Diseases like malaria, tuberculosis, and HIV/AIDS, once major killers, are increasingly under control due to effective treatments and global cooperation.
For instance, the global death rate from malaria has been cut nearly in half since 2000, while mother and child mortality rates have plummeted due to improved healthcare access in developing nations. The rapid development and distribution of COVID-19 vaccines exemplify how far we’ve come in leveraging science and technology to address health crises at scale.
Yet, many lament that healthcare systems are overwhelmed or unequal. While these concerns are valid, they should not overshadow the undeniable progress we’ve made in saving lives and improving quality of life.
Technology: Empowering Billions
In the year 2000, the internet was a luxury for the few, and smartphones were yet to revolutionize our lives. Fast forward to today: over 5 billion people are connected online, with access to information, education, and opportunities that were once unimaginable. Artificial intelligence, renewable energy technologies, and advancements in space exploration are not just buzzwords—they’re shaping a better future for humanity.
Technology has democratized access to tools that once belonged to the elite. From farmers using AI-driven apps to predict crop yields to students in remote areas attending virtual classes, the reach of innovation is profound. Critics often point to the downsides of technology—addiction, misinformation, privacy concerns and the looming uncertainties of AI. While these are challenges that need addressed, they should not obscure the transformative potential and positive impact technology has had on billions of people across the globe.
Standard of Living: A Quiet Revolution
The world has made significant strides in reducing extreme poverty. According to the World Bank, the global extreme poverty rate fell from 36% in 1990 to about 9% in 2021—a staggering achievement. Electricity, clean water, and sanitation are now accessible to millions more people, significantly improving their quality of life.
While the gap between rich and poor remains a pressing issue, the overall trend is one of continuous upward progress. Even in developing nations, more people have access to better housing, education, and health services than ever before. This quiet revolution in standard of living often goes unnoticed amidst the noise of pessimism.
Economics: Resilience and Growth
Global economic growth has lifted billions out of poverty and into the middle class. Emerging markets like China, India, and parts of Africa have transformed the global economic landscape. Trade, innovation, and technology have fueled productivity, creating wealth on an unprecedented scale.
Critics may point to economic crises, inequality, or inflation as signs of a failing system. However, these are not new phenomena—they are challenges that have been managed repeatedly throughout history. The resilience of economies in rebounding from global shocks, including the 2008 financial crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic, showcases humanity’s ability to adapt and thrive. While changes are needed to address inequalities, we do not need to throw out the entire system to accomplish the progress we seek.
Equality: The Long Journey Forward
While slower and more uneven than we would like, progress in equality is undeniable. Since 2000, gender parity in education has improved, with more girls attending school globally than ever before. Legal protections for LGBTQ+ individuals have expanded, and movements advocating for racial and social justice have gained momentum.
Of course, much work remains. Systemic inequalities still exist, and cultural resistance can slow change. But progress is not linear—it’s a gradual, often contested journey. The growing global awareness and activism around equality signal that the arc of history continues to bend toward justice.
Dispelling the Perception of Decline
Why, then, do so many feel as though the world is getting worse? The answer lies in human psychology and the nature of information consumption. Negative news captures our attention more than positive stories—a phenomenon known as “negativity bias.” Social media amplifies this effect, creating echo chambers that distort reality.
When viewed through the lens of data and historical context, the evidence is clear: we are healthier, wealthier, and more connected than at any other time in human history. While it’s essential to acknowledge and address the challenges we face, focusing solely on them risks overlooking the immense progress humanity has made.
A Call to Optimism
The world has come a long way since 2000. Despite what you hear on the news, from our politicians, or your favorite influencer, we are better off today than we were twenty-five years ago. Recognizing this progress doesn’t mean ignoring the problems that remain—it means drawing hope and inspiration from our achievements as we tackle future challenges.
Progress is not inevitable. The developments that have been made are due to the hard work and determination of people who worked together to create a better life for themselves, their communities, their countries and the world as a whole. We are ultimately a social species. Our prosperity is created through communication, collaboration, listening and understanding.
Our perception today creates the reality of tomorrow. If we believe in a world that continues to make progress, that is the world we will create. We must seek out ways we have overcome obstacles in the past and build upon those methods to create a brighter tomorrow. The progress we have made was not mandated from political leaders. It was the collective result of billions of people doing the right thing on a daily basis.
My challenge to you is to actively foster a mindset of informed optimism that cultivates your actions into the life you want to lead. That is what will make 2050 an even better year than 2025.
I look forward to our continued collective progress.
Travis Buell 