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Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
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Factfulness summary
Hans Rosling
Ola Rosling
Anna Rosling Rönnlund
Ten Reasons We’re Wrong About the World – and Why Things Are Better Than You Think
18 mins
Brief summary
Factfulness by Hans Rosling, Anna Rosling Rönnlund & Ola Rosling is an eye-opening read that challenges common misconceptions and provides a more accurate, fact-based understanding of the world. It's a must-read for anyone seeking to better understand global issues.
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Factfulness
Summary of 6 key ideas
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Key idea 1 of 6
“Megamisconceptions,” like the East-vs-West divide, prevent us from seeing the world accurately.
Here’s a question for you: Over the past 20 years, what has happened to the level of extreme poverty in the world? Has it nearly doubled? Stayed the same? Or been nearly cut in half? If you guessed that it has been nearly halved, you’re one of the few people to answer the question correctly.
In the United States, only five percent of people got it right; in the United Kingdom, only nine percent picked the right answer – and those who got it wrong include some of the brightest experts working today. The reason why so few people have an accurate understanding of the world is due in large part to our natural instincts and what the author calls megamisconceptions.
Some misconceptions are mega because of how deeply they mess up our understanding of the world. One of the big ones is Westerners’ “us-versus-them” mentality – that is, the idea that West and the East are fundamentally different and somehow at odds with each other. This is also referred to as the outdated concept of the “developed world” versus the “developing world.”
When the author gave lectures, he noticed that many students still thought that the East was filled with countries where birth rates are out of control and where religion and culture prevent the creation of a modern or “Western” society. As one of Rosling’s students put it, “They can never live like us.”
But who exactly is “they,” or the “East,” or the “developing world” – is both Japan and Mexico City still part of the East? Are China and India still considered incapable of being home to modern cities?
Back in 1965, if we just looked at the child mortality rate around the world, which is a great test of a nation’s overall health, education and economic systems, 125 countries would fall into the “developing” category of having over five percent of their children die before their fifth birthday. Today, that category only contains 13 countries.
In other words, there is no “West and the rest” anymore.
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What is Factfulness about?
Factfulness (2018) offers readers a wealth of statistics and cold, hard facts that reveal the world to be a far better place than it was just a couple generations ago. But, more than that, author Hans Rosling also offers readers a way to revise their thinking and fight against our instinct to focus on the bad and lose sight of the good.
Factfulness Review
Factfulness (2018) is a thought-provoking book that challenges our preconceived notions of the world. Here's why this book is worth reading:
- Based on data and research, it reveals that the world is not as negative as we tend to believe, offering a refreshing perspective on global trends and progress.
- With its simple yet powerful framework for understanding the world, it equips readers with the tools to think critically and make more informed decisions.
- The book incorporates personal stories and anecdotes that help us connect on an emotional level, ensuring that the exploration of facts is far from boring.
Who should read Factfulness?
- Readers concerned about the planet
- Activists and environmentalists
- People involved in public health
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Factfulness FAQs
What is the main message of Factfulness?
The main message of Factfulness is that the world is better than we think, and we need a fact-based worldview.
How long does it take to read Factfulness?
The reading time for Factfulness varies, but it typically takes several hours. The Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.
Is Factfulness a good book? Is it worth reading?
Factfulness is worth reading for its eye-opening perspective on the world and the importance of having accurate information. A must-read for critical thinkers.
Who is the author of Factfulness?
The authors of Factfulness are Hans Rosling, Ola Rosling, and Anna Rosling Rönnlund.
What to read after Factfulness?
If you're wondering what to read next after Factfulness, here are some recommendations we suggest:
- Enlightenment Now by Steven Pinker
- The Interpretation of Dreams by Sigmund Freud
- Beyond the Pleasure Principle by Sigmund Freud
- Man and His Symbols by Carl Jung
- The Geek Way by Andrew McAfee
- Talent by Tyler Cowen & Daniel Gross
- Range by David Epstein
- The Hero with a Thousand Faces by Joseph Campbell
- Die with Zero by Bill Perkins
- Outlive by Peter Attia