Charles Kenny

Overview

Getting Better by Charles Kenny is a captivating book that delves into the remarkable progress humanity has made in improving living standards around the world. The author, a senior fellow at the Center for Global Development, explores the various factors that have contributed to this ongoing global development and challenges negative narratives that overshadow the tremendous gains achieved in recent decades. Kenny brings together a wealth of data, research, and compelling anecdotes to paint a positive picture of human progress and highlights the potential for even greater advancements in the future.

Key Points / Ideas

1. Human progress is often overlooked or underappreciated: Kenny argues that the media and public discourse tend to focus on negative events and challenges, ignoring the substantial progress that has been made worldwide. He emphasizes the importance of acknowledging and celebrating these achievements.

2. Global poverty and inequality have significantly decreased: The author presents compelling data to showcase the decline in poverty rates and the narrowing of global income inequality. He attributes this progress to factors such as improved healthcare, education, technological advancements, and economic growth.

3. Health and well-being have improved dramatically: Kenny highlights the tremendous strides made in the field of healthcare. He discusses the declining mortality rates, increased life expectancy, and reduced prevalence of major diseases. The author attributes these improvements to advancements in medical technology, increased access to healthcare, and better public health initiatives.

4. Education and knowledge are key drivers of progress: Kenny emphasizes the crucial role of education in improving living standards. He discusses the increasing global literacy rates, the expansion of educational opportunities, and the positive impact of education on poverty reduction and economic growth.

5. Technological advancements have accelerated progress: The author highlights the significant role played by innovation and technological progress in driving human development. He explores various examples, such as the impact of mobile phones in increasing access to information and financial services in developing countries.

6. The potential for further progress: Kenny argues that despite the remarkable advancements made, there is still immense untapped potential for further progress. He discusses areas such as renewable energy, gender equality, and tackling global challenges like climate change, which present opportunities for future improvements.

Conclusion

In Getting Better, Charles Kenny provides a refreshing and evidence-based perspective on human progress that challenges prevailing narratives of pessimism and despair. His book is a compelling reminder of the tremendous achievements made in improving global living standards, emphasizing the importance of acknowledging and celebrating these accomplishments. Kenny's use of data, research, and compelling anecdotes reinforces his arguments and leaves readers feeling optimistic about the future.

To gain a deeper understanding of the progress humanity has made and the potential for even greater advancements, reading Getting Better is highly recommended. It serves as an enlightening counterpoint to the prevailing narrative of doom and gloom and encourages readers to explore more books and research on this topic. Comparable books include Hans Rosling's "Factfulness" and Steven Pinker's "Enlightenment Now."