In "Factfulness," Hans Rosling challenges our perceptions of the world by revealing startling truths backed by data. He argues that despite overwhelming negativity in the news, global progress has been remarkable and often overlooked. Using captivating stories and visuals, Rosling illustrates how our biases distort our understanding of reality. He promotes a mindset shift towards fact-based thinking, empowering readers to face the world with optimism and clarity. Discover how a few simple principles can transform your view of humanity’s progress—and why that’s crucial for our future.
By Hans Rosling, Anna Rosling Rönnlund, Ola Rosling
Published: 2018
"Most people are both unaware of and uninterested in the background knowledge that could help them understand the world."
INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER “One of the most important books I’ve ever read—an indispensable guide to thinking clearly about the world.” – Bill Gates “Hans Rosling tells the story of ‘the secret silent miracle of human progress’ as only he can. But Factfulness does much more than that. It also explains why progress is so often secret and silent and teaches readers how to see it clearly.” —Melinda Gates "Factfulness by Hans Rosling, an outstanding international public health expert, is a hopeful book about the potential for human progress when we work off facts rather than our inherent biases." - Former U.S. President Barack Obama Factfulness: The stress-reducing habit of only carrying opinions for which you have strong supporting facts. When asked simple questions about global trends—what percentage of the world’s population live in poverty; why the world’s population is increasing; how many girls finish school—we systematically get the answers wrong. So wrong that a chimpanzee choosing answers at random will consistently outguess teachers, journalists, Nobel laureates, and investment bankers. In Factfulness, Professor of International Health and global TED phenomenon Hans Rosling, together with his two long-time collaborators, Anna and Ola, offers a radical new explanation of why this happens. They reveal the ten instincts that distort our perspective—from our tendency to divide the world into two camps (usually some version of us and them) to the way we consume media (where fear rules) to how we perceive progress (believing that most things are getting worse). Our problem is that we don’t know what we don’t know, and even our guesses are informed by unconscious and predictable biases. It turns out that the world, for all its imperfections, is in a much better state than we might think. That doesn’t mean there aren’t real concerns. But when we worry about everything all the time instead of embracing a worldview based on facts, we can lose our ability to focus on the things that threaten us most. Inspiring and revelatory, filled with lively anecdotes and moving stories, Factfulness is an urgent and essential book that will change the way you see the world and empower you to respond to the crises and opportunities of the future. --- “This book is my last battle in my life-long mission to fight devastating ignorance...Previously I armed myself with huge data sets, eye-opening software, an energetic learning style and a Swedish bayonet for sword-swallowing. It wasn’t enough. But I hope this book will be.” Hans Rosling, February 2017.
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“Most people are both unaware of and uninterested in the background knowledge that could help them understand the world.”
Factfulness
By Hans Rosling, Anna Rosling Rönnlund, Ola Rosling
Discover a world of knowledge through our extensive collection of book summaries.
Hans Rosling was a renowned Swedish physician, academic, and public speaker, celebrated for his engaging and informative approach to global health and development issues. Born on July 27, 1948, Rosling was a professor of International Health at Karolinska Institutet and co-founder of the Gapminder Foundation, which aims to promote a fact-based worldview by providing accessible data and visualizations.
Rosling gained widespread recognition for his TED Talks, which showcased his ability to simplify complex data through innovative visual storytelling. His notable works include "Factfulness: Ten Reasons We're Wrong About the World—and Why Things Are Better Than You Think," co-authored with Anna Rosling Rönnlund and Ola Rosling. This best-selling book encourages readers to adopt a fact-based perspective on global trends, contrasting misconceptions about the world with statistical evidence.
Rosling’s writing style is characterized by clarity, wit, and a commitment to evidence-based analysis, making him a compelling advocate for reasoned discourse around statistics and global challenges. His legacy continues to influence how data is communicated to the public, underscoring the importance of understanding the world accurately and positively. Hans Rosling passed away on February 7, 2017, but his insights remain impactful in discussions on international development and public health.
Anna Rosling Rönnlund is a Swedish author and data visualisation expert, renowned for her ability to convey complex information through compelling narratives and engaging visuals. She gained widespread recognition as the co-author of the critically acclaimed book "Factfulness: Ten Reasons We’re Wrong About the World—and Why Things Are Better Than You Think," which she co-wrote with her husband, Hans Rosling, and their daughter, Ola Rosling. Published in 2018, the book combines data-driven insights with a thoughtful examination of global development, promoting critical thinking about statistics and facts.
Rönnlund's writing style is characterized by clarity, accessibility, and a strong emphasis on evidence-based discussions. She often integrates visual elements to enhance understanding, reflecting her background in data visualization. Her contributions to the field of education and global health have made a significant impact, empowering readers to engage with complex issues positively and thoughtfully. In addition to her work with "Factfulness," Rönnlund has been involved in various initiatives aimed at promoting global awareness and sustainable development.
Ola Rosling is a renowned Swedish author and co-founder of the Gapminder Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting a fact-based worldview through data analysis and visualizations. Rosling gained international recognition for his collaborative work with Hans Rosling and Anna Rosling Rönnlund in the bestselling book “Factfulness: Ten Reasons We’re Wrong About the World—and Why Things Are Better Than You Think” (2018). The book combines storytelling with rigorous data analysis, offering insightful perspectives on global development, poverty, and progress.
Rosling's writing style is characterized by clarity, accessibility, and an engaging narrative that challenges common misconceptions about the world. He utilizes a mix of statistics and anecdotes to educate readers, making complex issues understandable. His works emphasize the importance of critical thinking and evidence-based reasoning, empowering audiences to navigate the complexities of contemporary global challenges. Through his contributions, Ola Rosling continues to inspire a more informed and rational discourse on societal progress and human development.
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