We Need Hope

Hope is in short supply these days, while despair and hate are enjoying an enormous surplus.
To give an example, there are currently two types of stories that fill my news feed. The first are about politics and the perpetual horrors it unleashes on the world: there’s a new scandal every day, and war, protectionism, and nationalism are on the rise, with staggering human costs to pay as a result. Now, in a way, it makes sense that these stories dominate most people’s attention, as they represent widespread problems that deeply influence our lives. However, this attention has brought with it a kind of despair. Many people are falling silent or are ending long-time friendships simply because they want to avoid the onslaught of bad news – along with vicious fighting and personal conflict – that appears day after day.
But there’s a second kind of story I’ve seen lately: stories about amazing new technologies and enterprises that are, or soon will be, available to the public. Social media is full of stories that show how apps and drones and 3D printed devices can save our lives, or reinvent them, or simply make them a bit more convenient. These wonders are designed by young people: DIY geniuses, tech visionaries, social entrepreneurs, and many others with a passion for creating value for others.

This post was published at Ludwig von Mises Institute on February 22, 2017.