Obama: "The World is Less Violent Than It Has Ever Been"

Obama's overall point is valid, i.e. that the world today isn't as bad as people make it out to be. People think it's worse than it is.

But the same can be said about the past as well. Past centuries had their problems sure, but they weren't as bad as many people make it sound.

One example is that many people today still believe negative myths about the Middle Ages that originated during the so called Enlightenment and fit in with their own anti-Medieval biases. Medieval people did not think the Earth was flat. And there were many smart and highly educated people back then, and great works of art and architecture.

Except US schools

It is true, but the benefits haven't been equally distributed. The US and Europe may be less violent than ever, but that doesn't help the Middle East or Africa when they see a resurgence of violence.

And 'better than we were before' should not be the standard we seek. The total elimination of violence should be the standard, even if it is unobtainable. Obama's argument would mean the NRA was right all along and there is no need for greater gun control because we don't have a wild west anymore.

Don't be an idiot.

I try, but its hard sometimes :(

I don't know about the Young people he's referring to, but I'm not cynical because of the issues he mentions, I'm cynical because of the constant stream of bullshit i am fed by politicians, the banking cartel having carte blanché over my life, and because democracy feels like a system of two wolves and a sheep voting on what to have for dinner. I don't need Health issues or apparent violence in order to feel wronged, I simply need to be wronged, simple as that