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Tired Of Bad News? Here Are 42 Bits Of Good News That Deserve The Spotlight
The world isn’t all doom and gloom… even if it sometimes (read: often!) feels like it. No, your brain is simply hard-wired to pay more attention to all the negative things that happen around you. But if you take a moment to slow down and shift your perspective, you’ll start to notice all the wonderful things that are happening in parallel, too.
In an optimism-infused thread on AskReddit, u/cthulhus_spawn invited everyone to share all the good things that are happening in the world right now that some of you might not be aware of. Scroll down to check out the most positive recent news, scientific breakthroughs, and even people’s personal achievements. Faith in humanity restored? We certainly hope so.
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
There's a Japanese dude who's about to start testing a vaccine that could prevent kidney disease in cats and help them reach 30 years old much more often than they do now. Projected release 2027.
Chewie Baron 3 months ago
I hope this man succeeds and always has the cold side of the pillow.
Nils Skirnir 3 months ago
Now do it for people. One of the proposed causes of cancers in humans is the deterioration of of kidneys with age. I.e. the filtration system doesn’t do as good a job of removing defective cells as it did in youth.
Evolbeky 3 months ago
Theoretically if it works in cats they may move on to human studies later. I think part of the problem with kidney disease in cats though is the obligate carnivore thing where anything but meat messes up their kidneys, and so much pet food is c**p. So it may just be related to that. Interesting though, and good luck to the "Japanese dude"
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RELATED:
#2
I'm sober for 3 months today.
April Pickett 3 months ago (edited)
You are a strong person, with goals set by you for you. Enjoy your freedom from alchohol every bit as much as I do. It's amazing what being sober can do for you, just amazing.
John morrison 3 months ago
Good for you, my friend! It’s been a few years for me, and I can honestly say it gets better all the time! Remember not to sweat the small stuff, and also remember that it’s all small stuff! Love and peace!
Carey Jacksonn 3 months ago
GOOD FOR YOU!!!!!! I AM SO PROUD OF ALL SOBER PEOPLE!!!! It is hard but you got this!!
Maxwell Church 3 months ago
Keep up the good work, to you and anyone else who needs the encouragement
#3
Solar and wind power are now cheaper than coal in many countries. Clean energy is actually winning on economics, not just ethics.
Khavrinen 3 months ago
Doesn't matter, they won't hear you over the sound of the fossil-fuel companies' lobbyists.
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Jan Rosier 3 months ago
taco disagrees... "you cannot store that energy anyway" - as he stated in Schotland recently
K Barnes 3 months ago
Where I live our super far right government has put regulations and restrictions in place to block some new wind farms because it "wrecks the view" and that's too much detriment to make the energy worthwhile. Meanwhile, we have the oil sands making the formerly beautiful area look like a dead landscape from apocalyptic sci fi and they're trying to approve mining for coal by doing open strip and pit mining of the Rocky Mountains... because those things have no impact on the view, of course. The hypocrisy is stunning.
Nova Rook 3 months ago
"Britain gets 30 percent of its electricity from wind and another 5 percent from solar; Denmark gets 70 percent from renewables, mostly wind. Here in America, Iowa gets 65 percent of its electricity from renewables, mostly wind; California, whose economy is larger than that of most countries, gets 38 percent, mainly from solar." - Krugman
Geoffrey Scott 3 months ago
Here in Michigan we have wind farms not far away, which I wholeheartedly support. Solar here makes no sense to me though. Lake Michigan causes more cloudy days than sun in the fall, spring and especially winter. Not sure if it is feasible if we don't see the sun for weeks at a time?
Otto Katz 3 months ago
We have solar panels, they still generate electricity on cloudy days. It's still light out when it's cloudy, it's not dark out.
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Huddo's sister 3 months ago
I'm so glad that Labor won the recent Australian election. The Liberals wanted to scrap all renewable energy projects. My state has most of these, and the Liberals proposed building a nuclear reactor in an old coal plant in my town (though that was mostly a delay tactic, to keep coal power for longer).
Rebecca McManus 3 months ago
I have solar panels, I'm in a tiny little Victorian cottage, nothing special, didn't have to spend a lot, but my annual electricity bill is £400, and that is with having the air source heat pump 24x7 through winter. Best money I have ever spent.
It’s not that the world is more negative than positive, it’s that news about the former gets far more attention. Furthermore, people tend to see negative news as more ‘truthful’ than positive stories, even if they aren’t.
Evolution is the culprit behind human beings’ tendency to pay way more attention to negative things rather than positive ones.
This is known as negativity bias or positive-negative asymmetry.
Verywell Mind explains that, generally, people tend to:
- Remember traumatic experiences more than positive ones
- React more strongly to negative stimuli
- Remember insults or criticism better than praise or compliments
- Respond more strongly to negative events
- Think about negative things more frequently.
#4
In Ethiopia they managed to plant more than 350 million trees in a single day as part of a massive project against climate change. They broke a world record and are literally transforming the country's landscape.
MiguelAngeloac:
Burkina Faso saved a huge amount of its country by planting trees in areas where the land was drying out, saving a lot of people from hunger and misery. They still have a bad time, but less so.
It is a very interesting country, I had to organize a team between several sister airlines to send equipment for those trees, set up a logistics network that reached Ouagadougou... I feel proud to be the leader of that team
#5
Indian Tribes all across the United States are building capacity, governing themselves, and regaining bit by bit what they lost (land, language, culture, and more). There are still problems, but there's also hope.
JayWantsACat 3 months ago
"82 'stunning' acres of Bay Area coastline to become public park. Point Molate is located on Ohlone land with sacred Native American sites that still stand there, including shellmounds and ancient middens dating back to 2,000 B.C. In the mid-1800s, a Chinese fishing village operated where Beach Park is now, transporting shrimp all the way from San Francisco to China. The district purchased the Point San Pablo peninsula land for $40 million from the Guidiville Rancheria of California, a federally recognized Native American tribe based in Ukiah. In a news release, park officials said the purchase ensures the property at Point Molate will be “permanently preserved,” as they plan to establish a public park at the site with a 2.5-mile trail linking it to the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge." Can't wait to visit!
Sailing Leprechaun 3 months ago
Several tribes (the one I'm most familiar with being the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians) prefer to use the title "Indian".
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Costa Rica is running almost entirely on renewable energy most of the year!
Upskilltc23:
Scotland generated over 100% of its electricity demand from wind on some days last year. Literally more wind than they could use.
SirWriteALot 3 months ago
The province of Quebec is running 99,9 % renewable all the time. (The 0,1 % or something is due to a tiny island that's reliant on gas for its inhabitants)
BeesEelsAndPups 3 months ago
Bhutan and Panama are both carbon negative countries. There are a few others too I think
Skywitness 3 months ago
Scotland will now have an epidemic of windmill cancer. Thus spake the "dear leader".
Slap Shot 3 months ago
No, that will just happen here in the US. Idiots run this country.
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Miss Ann Thrope 3 months ago
In California, it's 67% and increasing rapidly. This in a highly populated state with high demand.
MsAnnThrope 3 months ago
And how did they store it? Oh that's right, they can't store it beyond 6 hours max. What a bloody waste!
The explanation for negativity bias is that throughout human history, paying attention to threats has been central to survival. Folks who were more attuned to danger in their environment were more likely to survive, reproduce, and, thus, pass on their genes to future generations. Being in the know about potential risks is how your brain and psychology try to protect you.
Somewhat ironically, that ‘protection’ isn’t always good for you. Negativity bias can wreck your mental health if left unchecked. For example, it might cause you to dwell on dark thoughts, sap your optimism, and even hurt your relationships with the people you love.
Here’s what you can do to push back:
- Be more self-aware and pay more attention to your thoughts, stopping negative thinking when it begins
- Reframe your experiences, current situations, and how you talk about yourself in a more positive light, so that you don’t ignore good events
- Establish new patterns of behavior when you find yourself ruminating on negative events and outcomes
- Savor and focus on the good moments in your life more so it sticks in your mind
#7
Tow truck drivers following ICE vehicles and then towing them when they park illegally.
General Anaesthesia 3 months ago
Nope, not true. https://www.newsweek.com/fact-check-are-california-tow-trucks-targeting-ice-vehicles-2099366
Miss Ann Thrope 3 months ago
I'm picturing a squad of ICE goons coming out of a Home Depot and looking around trying to find their van.
#8
Mexico has lifted 13.4 million people out of poverty since 2018.
Multa Nocte 3 months ago
It's been at least a week since I've said this, but fuck you, Manny.
BeesEelsAndPups 3 months ago
To Manny, there actually isn't a lot of immigration from Mexico right now. Most of the immigrants coming to the US are from El Salvador, Honduras, and Guatemala.
Load More Replies... Geoffrey Scott 3 months ago
Amazing what a government that does not impoverish its citizens can accomplish. While NAFTA was a wrenching change to the US manufacturing economy, it appears the goal of Mexico growing itself is FINALLY being realized?
#9
I saved 2 people from drowning on a busy beach in the UK whilst walking past working. 1 child couldn't swim and got swept out. 1 local man went in to save him and got into difficulty. I took off my work gear and managed to save the both.
I was top story on BBC News for a day. Thats my claim to fame.
When you find yourself stuck in a negative thought loop, distract yourself by doing something pleasant. You could go for a walk, put on some good music, open a quality book, meet your loved ones, etc.
Meanwhile, Healthline suggests focusing on gratitude and being more mindful of what is important in your life, and what isn’t.
The point isn’t to ignore the realities of the world (including things that are unpleasant to see or hear), but to develop a more nuanced perspective of the world.
#10
My dog is gonna be able to walk and be independent again thanks to surgical developments!
#11
Though smaller on the scale of things already said here…
I have had serious depression for the past two decades. For the first time in my life over the past couple years, I’ve been doing better. Finally found the right meds, got an incredible raise at my job, and my mom is healthy. Things have improved in many aspects. I danced in the kitchen for the first time ever. It was strange but exhilarating.
Gingersnap In Iowa 3 months ago
I'm still trying to find the right combination of meds but I'm still trying!
Novlette Williams 3 months ago
This is not smaller on the scale. This Is The Scale. So happy for you.
K Barnes 3 months ago
For the first time since the pandemic I'm currently lowering, not increasing, my anti-depressant dose. I feel so grateful to be able to do so. So nice to read that others are finding the right fit of d***s, too. It's so hard to weed through all the side-effects but worth it when you finally succeed in finding one(s) that work(s).
#12
The River Thames is no longer the cesspool that it once was. It is healing.
Now you can see seals, river porpoises, swans, herons, otters, and other animals swimming there. Yay UK!
Smeghead Tribble Down Under 3 months ago
Otters? That's great! They're a sentinel species. If otters are in the water, then the water's clean.
April Pickett 3 months ago
Did you know that the Queen (King now) owns every single wild swan in England?
Fat Harry (Oi / You) 3 months ago
Sorry, but this is not true. They only own the unmarked *mute* swans in open water.
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JayWantsACat 3 months ago
I remember a video (maybe by Tom Scott) where they use clams or mussels in a device or building, not wild, to monitor the water quality of the Thames.
Which of these bits of positive news made your day, dear Pandas? What are some other recent good events and breakthroughs that you think everyone should know about?
What’s something thoroughly uplifting, hopeful, and optimistic that’s been happening in your personal life? If you feel like restoring other readers’ faith in humanity, share what you know in the comments at the bottom of this post!
#13
Nepal doubled its wild tiger population in just over a decade — something most people thought was impossible.
Neb 3 months ago
OK, I know it is good news and I shouldn't laugh, but my first thought was "From 1 to 2?"
The Majestic Opossum 3 months ago
A little bit more than that, but sadly still a pretty low number given how incredibly endangered they are - 121 in 2010 to 355 in 2022.
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Scientists at Oxford University have created “bee food” which means the bees get all the nutrients they need, leading to 40% more larvae reaching adulthood.
Should help make it easier for our precious bees!
Tim Gearing 3 months ago (edited)
Talking about bees… a new solar-thermal controlled bee hive from the Czech Republic is having a positive effect of the destruction of the Varroa mite. It raises the temperature of the hive by a few degrees which kills the mites but doesn’t harm the bees. The apiarist controls the temperature by opening a screen allowing sunlight through a perspex panel. A thermometer keeps the apiarist aware of the conditions in the hive. The dead mites fall to the bottom and are removed.
#15
The Great Ocean Cleanup is doing amazing work on researching and removing plastic from our oceans and waterways, including intercepting plastics in rivers before it makes its way to oceans. We might yet see the great pacific garbage patch cleaned up in our lifetimes, along with other floating islands of plastic!
Uilamin:
There is another thing happening with plastics that is arguably both good and bad. Plastic eating fungi and bacteria. The good is that all that plastic waste may become decomposable and end up having a minor long-term issue on the environment, the bad is that plastics will become decomposable and lose one its key properties for why it is so valuable.
Jihana 3 months ago
I don't think that there will be a downside to plastic becoming decomposable. Bacteria and fungi need certain living conditions, like moisture and a cetrain temperature. Your TV won't fall apart only because there are bacteria that could theoretically digest it. Wood is decomposable, and yet there are wooden buildings that are hundreds of years old.
JayWantsACat 3 months ago
Yeah, I was going to make a similar comment. We have all sorts of things that are decomposable that still last centuries. The difference with plastic is that we would treat it with expectations more like those items rather then how we currently treat plastics. Plus, we they wear down or break we obviously replace them but we now have a solution for the obsolete plastic.
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Paulina 3 months ago (edited)
I feel like dropping a bucket of cold water on the news,but those are only so great, because they're presented without context... The Pacific Garbage Patch isn't actually a problem - we could travel to it and fish out the trash even now. The problem is the fact that plastic's dispersed all over the oceans and with the rate that more of it is dropped into the water, we'll never be able to catch up to it with a cleanup. And what's more important: we still have no way of safely disposing of plastic. So even if we managed to get it out of the waters, there's nothing else to do with it. About the bacteria: This one is a bit more hopeful, as there are actual discoveries and studies done,that have shown some types of microbes feeding of of some types of plastics. It takes them a lot of time,they produce a lot of CO² while at it,but there's some hope. It's still nowhere near being a valid,effective way of disposing of plastic. We need to curb the production/use of plastic - it's the only way.
Anonymouse 3 months ago
I am reminded about ICE9, from Kurt Vonnegut... Our world relies on plastics would be a tremendous issue if all of a sudden plastics started decomposing...
Plentyofoomph 3 months ago
I disagree that it's a bad thing. Wood is decomposable and it's an incredibly valuable and versatile material.
Nicole Weymann 3 months ago
Risking a whoosh: plastic is more durable than metals (rust, verdigris), wood (bacteria, fungi), or concrete/stone (affected by acid rain and air pollutants). It IS, however, susceptible to UV damage (gets brittle), and many, MANY plastic items will break and become unusable way before it disintegrates.In contrast metals or glass can be recycled almost indefinitely, while natural materials like wood, straw, or wool will make great compost.
Load More Replies... #16
Over 86% of the world’s population can now read and write—an all-time record.
Seabreeze 3 months ago
Certainly not going to get better with the orange cheeseball cutting education funds.
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#17
The Japanese are currently conducting a clinical trial for a medicine for tooth regrowth.
Listennevertalk:
Hockey players everywhere rejoice!
April Pickett 3 months ago
Please make it so that everyone, including hockey players, can afford it.
Smeghead Tribble Down Under 3 months ago
*Pokes my tongue around mouth where 13 teeth were removed at once* (Including four wisdom teeth) Hmm...
Nova Rook 3 months ago (edited)
Missing about 1/5 of one of my front tooth - from a cross-check to the face while I was wearing a half visor. Dropped the gloves and got in two good shots before I played defense and just clutched him up (he had about 3 inches and maybe 50 pounds on me so I was happy to get my shots and then tie him up). The wife was watching and she was furious that I was cross checked in the face. I've declined fixing it because it kind of looks cool.
#18
Whales are slowly returning to parts of the ocean they hadn’t been seen in for decades. Nature heals when we give it the chance.
Natural_Forever_8044:
Ozone layer is actually healing faster than expected. Scientists think it could be fully restored in our lifetime.
Adelynn2654:
A record number of migrating humpback whales have been spotted off the coast of Australia! In San Francisco, new technologies are being used to prevent them from getting tangled in fishing nets. And in Hawaii, the number of whales has almost reached pre-whaling levels. It's really inspiring: it means that if we want to, we can really protect nature and restore its strength.
Paulina 3 months ago
Remember how in the 90's we were bombarded by the news stories about the ozone layer disaster? You haven't heard about it in quite a while, right? Yeah, all it took was some global leaders to agree on BANNING freon, that was used in nearly all sprays (cosmetic companies protested) and in the fridges (appliance producers protested). We ignored the CORPORATE moguls whining about the costs and went with the ban, that ultimately SAVED the world from ozone related disaster. How come we can't get to the same agreement with coal and gas?!
#19
Cancer deaths have dropped by over 25% in the US since 1991, with breast cancer deaths decreasing by 39%.
books-and-baking-:
Cervical cancer deaths have markedly dropped as well since the introduction of the HPV vaccine.
Lost Panda 3 months ago
I'm glad to hear it. It came a little too late for my 31yo cousin who passed Monday, but I'm sure she would still have loved the news.
#20
The Brazilian Senate is about to pass a law imposing severe penalties for crimes related to the online exposure or adultization of children.
Antonio Pinocchio 3 months ago (edited)
strange that most first world countries haven't already succeeded in this. and people like the roblox CEO's are shielding p e D 0's and people with similar mindsets. oh and what ever happened to the Epstein list?
#21
I suppose this kind of counts, but my local zoo (Brookfield Zoo in Brookfield, IL), recently had 2 Amur leopard cubs born! Amur leopards are considered critically endangered, the world's rarest big cat as there are less than 100 left in the wild. Births that are NOT the result of inbreeding are rare.
Spencers slave no more 3 months ago
Every single live birth of endangered animals in breeding programs should be celebrated as a win!
The Majestic Opossum 3 months ago
Oh I heard about this! They were just born in July. I want to go see them soon 😍
#22
We're starting to get a cure for HIV.
anon:
I worked in the HIV field for many years and due to it being a mutating virus we never thought we'd see a cure on the horizon. It's huge news for the world.
The Majestic Opossum 3 months ago
This one is huge. To think that what was once a death sentence for millions of people, and sent a wave of terror merely 3 decades ago is a mostly manageable disease now is absolutely amazing. The power of a science.
#23
The ozone layer is healing. The giant hole we created in the atmosphere is slowly closing because we actually fixed our behavior for once.
Tim Gearing 3 months ago
This is what can happen when nations collectively take action. Now we need the same collective action against rising CO2 levels.
Smeghead Tribble Down Under 3 months ago
All those ''Ban CFCs!'' posters we made in primary school finally paying off.
#24
Guinea worm disease is down to 15 human cases worldwide for 2024—true endgame territory.
#25
More people than ever are questioning the harmful patterns embedded in them through their past experiences (especially childhood) then trying to and successfully breaking the toxic cycles that they have propagated or endured from their past. This is HUGE. This is going to have a massive flourishing of love and authenticity on this earth that we have never seen before, especially on the incoming generations.
If you have been working on yourself you are a part of this cascade and thank-you for your contribution to building a loving future.
The Majestic Opossum 3 months ago
I'm always so proud when I can model positive behaviors for my kids that were not modeled for me. My kids are also being taught more about empathy and emotional intelligence in school, and that is awesome.
#26
Shriners Hospitals still help sick kids free of charge!
Onan Hag All 3 months ago
All hospitals in civilised countries, not just "Shriner"* ones help sick kids free of charge FFS. *Whatever the holy American shite stain they may be
#27
European bison numbers continue to increase and they are returning to more of their former range.
#28
Lyme disease vaccine is close to finishing 3rd stage clinical trials.
incontentia:
This is great news, I got Lyme 15 years ago and I’ve had chronic joint pain & headaches ever since. I’m not even 30 yet!
Zaach 3 months ago
The magic word is 'vaccine' - will they allow it; they are considering banning/stopping all vaccine use in America (if you do not know who 'they' are, god help you)
Tamra 3 months ago
Not true. I'll preface my comment by saying I LOATHE Trump and his merry band of village idiots, but in NO way are all vaccines going to be banned. That's ludicrous. Covid vaccine? Yes, that's currently under fire by brain worm boy. I'm all for calling out the immense amount of idiocy of this presidency, but spreading bull$hit isn't helpful.
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The Majestic Opossum 3 months ago (edited)
That I think is the biggest concern for a lot of medical research right now. They won't ban them, but they'll effectively make them DOA by cutting all funding to them. F*cking monsters.
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Child mortality has dropped by more than half worldwide in the last 30 years …millions more kids are growing up healthy today than ever before.
thedarkking2020:
Yay for vaccines and improved sanitation.
Nils Skirnir 3 months ago
In the US many advances in medicine and child care have been threatened and removed by the Trump admin and RFK Jr
Cee Cee 3 months ago
But not for many living in conflict zones. Gaza, Yemen, Sudan, Ukraine. Yes vaccines and sanitation are important but millions do not have access and others have infrastructure that has been destroyed.
Huddo's sister 3 months ago
There has been no change in child mortality rate for Aboriginal Australians, however they are vastly worse than those of the rest of the Australian population. This is despite the Closing the Gap rulings made years ago. Almost none of the recommendations have been put in place.
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#31
A lot of people are in great need of hearing this. We are fighting back. We are fixing what is wrong. One item at a time. Texas Democrats are forming coalition’s and working together. Out of 60 counties without Democratic Chairs we now have 46. Of those 46 they all now have FB groups sending the election information about date, time, and place. Who is on their ballot. More media platforms to come shortly. Got the County Admin to include election information on their County Websites with all the required by law information. My nonprofit provides all 254 counties what Dems are on their ballots each election. Bio, weblinks, videos. Organizing to the block. And now have a chapter starting in Missouri. We are the Calvary. We have to fix this bottom to top. Long to do list. And applaud the judges who are righting the wrongs. No one can be complacent. We are active and engaged. Footnote: I’m trying to find a comprehensive list of all Abbott and Perry’s appointments that were supposed to be voted in.
Nova Rook 3 months ago
They don't have our backs - they stabbed us in the back. No Americans marched in the streets when Trump was suggesting he would threaten our sovereignty or breaking treaties to launch economic war on Canada. No group of US veterans stood up and spoke about how Canadians died in Afghanistan helping America. Canada now lives next to a North American Russia and we need to act accordingly. The first Canadian politician to say we need nuclear weapons will get my vote.
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KatWitch57 3 months ago
If you want change, now is the time to prepare for the next round of elections: Make sure people understand the real options,, not the stated ones. Make sure voters can get to polling stations safely and in a timely manner. If you possibly can volunteer for your party. Nothing will change unless you take action before it's too late.
Marsha Brown 3 months ago
Good for you and all your colleagues and supporters! In a democracy, the voters should choose their representatives, the representatives shouldn't choose the voters.
#32
Scientists have discovered a direct cause-and-effect link between faulty mitochondria and the memory loss seen in neurodegenerative diseases. By creating a novel tool to boost mitochondrial activity in mouse models, researchers restored memory performance, suggesting mitochondria could be a powerful new target for treatments. The findings not only shed light on the early drivers of brain cell degeneration but also open possibilities for slowing or even preventing diseases like Alzheimer’s. Source.
Anon:
The mitochondria is the powerhouse of the cell.
The Majestic Opossum 3 months ago
I don't understand your statement, seeing as we are made entirely of cells (about 35 Trillion).
Load More Replies... Huddo's sister 3 months ago
Recent studies have found that getting enough sleep can be a good way to prevent Alzheimer's, while we are waiting for this to be investigated more. (Easier said than done though)
The Majestic Opossum 3 months ago
If we can turn HIV from a death sentence to a manageable disease, I hope Alzheimer's is next.
#33
Frogs raised in captivity are crushing it in the wild!
drlari:
The Alala, or Hawaiian Crow, was re-introduced to the wild and they seem to be doing well! The species had been extinct in the wild since 2002.
#34
For the first time in a few years, I have a ton of butterflies and dragonflies flying around my house.
DaggerDee:
Apparently this year was a really good year for insects. I mentioned seeing so many butterfly’s to a bug person (I am very tired I forget who he volunteered for) and he said in general it’s been a really good year. Last year was a really bad year so it makes it’s even more noticeable.
Gingersnap In Iowa 3 months ago
I've seen lightning bugs this summer for the first time in a long time.
Papa 3 months ago
I started seeing them frequently in my area a few years ago, after decades of rarely seeing them. Hopefully my grandchildren will someday see them in the large numbers I saw when I was a child.
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MaryHadaLittleLamb 3 months ago
I've been seeing a lot of really big dragonflies this summer. They're so big that they look like birds at first glance! I love them, they're so prehistoric.
Laura Gillette 3 months ago
There were so many monarch caterpillars on my milkweed, they ate all the leaves, and I had to move them to my neighbor's milkweed so they wouldn't starve!
#35
I'm about to defend my phd thesis and I have a job lined up.
#36
With everyone talking about declining literacy rates, I managed to bump my class from last year up 25% from the year before in terms of proficiency on the ELA state test from the year before. The kids can read! They just have to want to.
#37
25 American universities have waived tuition costs for families making less than $250k a year.
#38
I’d really recommend the book Factfulness by Hans Rosling, I read it last month and it completely changed how I see the world and development. A few things that stuck with me:
* Around **90% of kids worldwide now get basic vaccinations**, which has saved hundreds of millions of lives.
* The percentage of people living in **extreme poverty dropped from ~50% in 1966 to under 10% today**.
* **Girls’ education rates have skyrocketed**, and in many countries more women than men are finishing secondary school.
It doesn’t mean the world’s perfect, but it really helped me realize how much quiet progress has been happening in the background. Definitely worth a read if you want some hope.
Nils Skirnir 3 months ago
It’s really sad that the US, once the leader in vaccination rates, has shown a decrease to around the world average. The rate is especially lower among the younger children due to the anti-vax movement and trad wife movement. I.e the vaccination rates are highest among the older children due to them reaching vaccination age before the morons took over
Bartlet for world domination 3 months ago (edited)
The US was never the leader, always ranked 7th at the highest after Portugal, Sweden, Finland, South Korea, Japan, and Cuba.
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Skywitness 3 months ago
It's good news from a global perspective. Meanwhile a brain worm is doing a Ratatouille thing with the US head of HHS and making infectious diseases great again.
#39
On Feb 14th this year I went to see my physician for what I wanted, a breathing treatment . She had different ideas, she called 911 to pick me up from her office. I was rushed to the Emergency room, in 20 minutes I was intubated, on a ventilator, unconscious for three days, diagnosed with meningitis, pneumonia (both lungs) Congestive heart failure, AFIB, Kidney failure and enlarged prostate.
14 days later I walked out on my own and now ( 5 months later) feel 95-98% recovered to where I was two years ago.
#40
Not exciting for anyone else, but I’m returning to school after working in an uninspiring career for 6 years.
#41
The little things- like people who still hold the door open for you, or someone patiently allowing you to pass in traffic, and other things like this. It shows me there's still hope in this crazy world.
Geoffrey Scott 3 months ago
Wife and I went on a rare outing to Bob Evans for dinner. My wife noticed an older couple, she(we later found out) with MS. He escorted her to the bathroom and waited, and waited, and waited. My wife asked if he would like her to check on his wife. "Yes". She helped her finish up and escorted her out. My wife, touched, suggested we get them a $25 gift card for the meal, which we did. Couple went to pay and the meal was comped(wasn't us). They were grateful and left. we finished up and went to pay, ours was comped too. Leaving, there was a couple in the parking lot and the woman in the R seat had a BIG smile, I mouthed 'thank you', she gave a thumbs up.
#42
Honestly, the fact that this question even exists and has thousands of engaged responses gives me hope. We're literally craving good news because we're so overwhelmed by the negative stuff.
A few incredible things that blew my mind when I discovered them:
* The ozone layer is healing 20 years ahead of schedule - we're on track for full recovery by 2066
* Global extreme poverty dropped from 36% in 1990 to under 10% today (that's over 1 billion people lifted up)
* Gene therapy just cured several "incurable" genetic diseases by literally editing DNA
* Renewable energy became cheaper than fossil fuels for the first time in human history
* Child mortality rates have been cut in half since 1990
The crazy part? I started noticing this pattern where amazing developments happen constantly, but they get like 1/100th the coverage of disasters. Studies show media focuses on negative stories at a 17:1 ratio.
I actually went down a rabbit hole documenting positive developments earlier this year because the constant doom-scrolling was affecting my mental health. Found way more incredible stuff happening than I expected.
Anyone else notice that sharing good news makes conversations so much better? People light up instead of getting that glazed "the world is ending" look.
Found way more incredible stuff happening than I expected. Actually put together a whole directory of 50 positive developments since people kept asking for specific examples.
Eastendbird 3 months ago
It's also because the "bad news" is the exception. No point in reporting "12 million people drove safely to work and nothing really happened". Instead you get "5 car pile-up on the motorway".
Linda Riebel 3 months ago
Check out the positive websites and newsletters! Good good good; Nice News, Good news network.
#43
The mayor of Baltimore is revolutionizing his city... big spends on new rec centers and after school programs have cut crime almost in half. Test scores are also on the rise, it looks like kids just needed somewhere safe to go and be kids.
The Majestic Opossum 3 months ago
Brandon Scott, the youngest Baltimore mayor in over a century, is a force to be reckoned with and an inspiration. He is what every politician should be.
#44
Bambam, emotional support dog of a blind man was stolen by some teenagers this summer. The man was walking a long distance calling the dogs name. Gladly, this week the dog and his owner were reunited.
The Majestic Opossum 3 months ago
2 adults dropped bambam off at a Chicago police station, but they are still working to identify them or the teens who took him.
Load More Replies... The Majestic Opossum 3 months ago
The community support for Mr. Santiago and BamBam was so tremendous. It's uplifting to know that even in one of the largest cities in the US, neighbors still look out for one another.
#45
I've been seeing and hearing lots of birds recently-even some rare ones. Good to know that there are still lots of them out there despite all the hazards they have to face in this day and age.
#46
When I talk about „a couple“ my kids always ask „what kind of - two men, two women or mixed“?
I told them that I had a crush on someone in „Breakfast Club“ and here the question was: A boy or a girl?
ExistentialSoup 3 months ago
Kids: what’s a lesbian? Me: a girl that loves only other girls. My 6-year-old: well I’m not a lesbian because I love daddy. Sure kid. :)
The Majestic Opossum 3 months ago
I love this. It seems my kids and their friends don't even get hung up on genders or labels when it comes to who they like or how people identify and it's just so cool and inspiring to see that level of acceptance become more the norm in only 1 generation below my own.
#47
A vaccine is in development which seems to have the ability to completely eradicate tumors.
#48
Wild salmon are coming back because salmon farms were kicked out of pnw waters.
#49
The Klamath River in California is flowing freely again since dams were removed, and the first people to kayak down the river, were a group of Native American young people. At first, it was thought it would take the salmon years to begin to traverse the river again to spawn, but they began to do it almost immediately.
The Majestic Opossum 3 months ago
This is wonderful. I only wish the idiots in a small town near me had chosen to do the same thing. But they'd rather pay $10 million+ dollars to keep their stagnant swamp of a lake 🙄
#50
Random acts of kindness by people you'll never meet. They're happening right now, all around us. There are still good people doing good things in this world.
#52
After a very rainy July, everything in Berlin is green and lush right now. Soil has survived a multiyear drought. Predictions for grape harvest in Germany are at exceptional +500% levels.
Lee Gilliland 3 months ago
My first thought as well. Love my Liebfraumilch.
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Bruce Mardle 3 months ago
Decades ago, I often drank German wine. These days I rarely drink wine but I went looking for German wine and it seemed rare (here in the UK). I was beginning to think most German wine-makers had stopped!
#53
A little personal good thing happening in my life…
After years of trying desperately to hold on to my rapidly receding hairline, I finally decided to go all out, and shave my head.
And you know what? Not only is it freeing, but I’ve actually gotten compliments on it.
The Majestic Opossum 3 months ago
Bald is beautiful! My husband did the same a few years back, and I think he's better looking now than he was in his 20s 😁
#55
* A significant positive trend is the marked decline in alcohol consumption among younger generations. Gen Z, in particular, drinks substantially less than Millennials and previous generations, largely driven by a greater focus on physical and mental health.
* The global smoking rate has been cut by more than a third in the last thirty years
* Solar and wind are now the cheapest sources of new electricity in history, and their global installation is expanding at a rate that far outpaces all other energy sources combined.
* I'm pretty happy with my new job.
Nils Skirnir 3 months ago
It’s great that Zeds aren’t drinking as much, but the claim that they’re more focused on health is belied by their high obesity rates and inactivity rates. Hopeful this will change
#56
My org received a surprise gift of $20k to help with the renovation of our community kitchen and food pantry.
#57
People are out there actively rescuing animals that have been abandoned and ab**ed.
Spencers slave no more 3 months ago (edited)
I've currently got 2 and a half indoors, the 2 are my rescues the half is a foster. I'm also feeding and sheltering 3 outdoors, the young female is pregnant and the old male is extremely unwell. I'm working on getting him into a humane trap so his suffering will end humanely at the vet. I live in the country and people dump cats and kittens they don't want anymore. I'll continue to help each and every one that appears on my deck, be it adoption, TNR or euthanasia when necessary. I wish people would desex their pets before they're old enough to breed.
CD King 3 months ago
In Baja California Sur, Mexico there is a massive push for spayed and neutered clinics working with the Mexican government and private clinics. In a tiny village called Heroica Mulege BCS they have sterilized over 250 animals in the last year. They are travelling to many other small and medium sized towns and are making a massive impact on, not only the number of unwanted animals, but the quality of life they have.
#58
China is working on what they call the three gorges dam in space, it a solar collection array in space where when fully functional may collect in one year the equivalent in energy of all the oil that could ever be extracted from earth. The energy is mind boggling.
Tim Douglass 3 months ago
Interesting. Back in the 70s my High School debate team argued for the US to develop a system of orbiting power satellites to collect solar power and beam it down to earth. Maybe we weren't so far off at that.
#59
If you're young right now, there's a decent (not high, but not low) chance that there might be a general cancer cure in our lifetime because of CRISPR technology and immunotherapy.
Early advances in CRISPR have been absolutely phenomenal; for instance, CRISPR Therapeutics has actually managed to cure Sickle Cell Disease in humans. The treatment is known as Casgevy. Downside: it costs something like 2 million dollars lol
I am also a physician in an area known for one of the top cancer hospitals in the country and immunotherapy is a revolution happening right now allowing physicians to give many patients with previously untreatable cancers a fighting chance. I'm seeing way more patients on it than ever and we are being given guidance on how to treat potential side effects. These treatments were only theoretical when I was starting medical school. Same for CRISPR, in fact it was only beginning to emerge in labs when I was getting my bachelor's and masters 10-ish years ago.
Both of these technologies can be engineered to be incredibly specific to the exact genetic sequences of disease. If, for instance, you could create a CRISPR treatment that turns off crucial cancer genes (p53, telomerase) in only your specific cancer cells, the cancer could be completely cured without affecting any other cell in your body.
This is still very, very far from reality. However, that's what we said about these technologies 10-20 years ago and they're already being used in humans to a very limited degree. I'm very, very excited to see where they will progress in the next 20-40 years.
Disclosure: I do own a small amount of CRISPR Therapeutics stock in my retirement portfolio.
April Pickett 3 months ago
You should probably buy more. The news is outstanding for all the research and results that have already been achieved. Every little while, I wish my Mom was still here to experience all the changes in our lives that are being made.
#60
I remember when I was a little kid in the western US, seeing a bird of prey like a hawk or falcon was a big point of excitement, nevermind seeing something like a bald eagle. They were so rare! The biggest reason for that was the use of DDT in insecticides, which caused significant eggshell thinning in many predatory bird species.
Thanks to the banning of DDT in US agriculture in 1972 (followed by a worldwide agricultural ban in 2004), we've seen a massive rebound of many of those species. Bald eagles, brown pelicans, peregrine falcons, ospreys... all those cool little guys we might take for granted nowadays. Now, I'm always seeing red-tailed hawks and pelicans and little falcons flying around — it's not even momentous!
What makes this comeback even more amazing is that I am only nineteen. How crazy must it be for *me* to have seen such drastic changes within my short lifetime??
General Anaesthesia 3 months ago
While the article implies that the US was first (... followed by...), Hungary banned DDT in 1968, Norway and Sweden in 1970.
Hugo 2 months ago
We spent 1955 in the Suez Canal Zone. Once a week a truck would drive through the streets of the garrison town, spraying a DDT mist. We children thought it was fun to go out and dance in the spray, and nobody told us not to. At least we didn't catch malaria or other mosquito-borne diseases -- and we're still alive!
The Majestic Opossum 3 months ago
Same! Although I'm a bit older, lol. But I remember as a kid we had to drive hours up north to even have a slim chance of seeing a bald eagle. Now I've seen several only 20 minutes west of our house! We have many red tailed hawks in our area too - they're brilliant creatures.
#61
There's lots of scholars out there translating old books into English for the first time.
As an example, scholars are currently almost finished translating the complete works of St. Augustine into English for the first time. It's taken 35 years so far and they've now published 45 of the 49 planned volumes:
The Works of Saint Augustine, A Translation for the 21st Century.
Rob D 3 months ago
For real. That filthy horseshít should be left unread.
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Mreoww 3 months ago
Mhm. My grandfather had a lot of copies of old Hindu texts and philosophical books and things like that translated from Sanskrit to English. And online, too, there are dozens and dozens of old Sanskrit texts translated into English for people to read. So much knowledge being preserved.
#63
Crime rates are dropping year after year in many countries.
Gunný Petersen 3 months ago
Of course he disagrees. He's still not in prison!
Load More Replies... #64
Malaria vaccines are reaching more kids, the ozone layer is healing, renewables keep breaking records, cancer treatments are getting better, new marine reserves are protecting oceans, and some wildlife (think humpbacks and bison) are bouncing back.
#65
I can't go into too many details, because NDAs, but the most recent generation of asthma therapies may make some of the truely nasty forms of asthma much more manageable.
The Majestic Opossum 3 months ago
This is amazing and should be higher. Asthma can be so debilitating and deadly for so many
#66
My grandfather decided to go against the wishes of his wife and not cut me out of his will. She had convinced him somehow to give everything to her son who lives in their basement and has never held a job and at 30 years old gets a monthly allowance that he spends immediately on anime and video games.
He still relies on his mom to do his laundry and make him sandwiches...
I see this as a win for humanity.
#67
Ocean and river clean up efforts are ongoing around here, in the coastal NE of the US. Migratory bird numbers are up and wild bird sanctuaries are thriving. Seals and sharks and whales, are being seen in greater numbers. Fewer people are smoking cigarettes or once started, sticking with it. Less cigarette butt and plastic cleanup, for that. Litter pickup on the streets in general here, lots of young people volunteering for that. High school and college grad rates are up here, plus infant and maternal mortality and violent crime numbers are dropping; life expectancy is up.
April Pickett 3 months ago
'Don't worry, be happy' Hah! Worry a lot, make it happen and then be happy.
#68
Two inspiring things happening now: Marie Daly, the first Black American woman biochemist, is finally getting recognition for her groundbreaking work on heart health. Also, in science, the James Webb Space Telescope is revealing unprecedented details about early galaxies, helping us understand the universe’s origins better than ever. Both show progress in representation and discovery.
#69
Next week is supposed to be significant cooler where I live, the days are getting shorter, fall is coming!
#70
I’ve lost 75 pounds in the last 10 months due to a GLP-1, but that’s not even the important part. My kidneys, which were at stage 3 kidney disease, are completely healthy again, my liver numbers are better, and I’ve been able to stop taking several medications. Every specialist I’ve spoken to says we have no idea yet how many ways GLP-1s can improve health outcomes, but it’s nothing short of a miracle for me and many others.
#71
Pretty much everyone who's on this thread is likely living better than royalty was 200 years ago.
Chocolate llama 3 months ago
well, not getting guillotined is already a big plus?
Load More Replies... #72
Someone on Reddit gave me and my son a free ticket to his first NFL game and we had a great time. I find people are pretty generous around here.
Edit: Oh yeah, it was a pay it forward thing, which I fully intend on doing. So, good things are happening on a random personal basis! Cheers!
#73
I got a new house, the type I never thought I’d ever be able to afford. Gonna be really good for my kids to grow up in.
#74
I taught my first class of the semester for a freshman seminar today and most of the students had a clear vision of what they would like to do with their life, and most of their visions involved helping people or the environment, or making art.
#75
In 1930 90% of the worlds population were living in abject poverty (less than $2 a day adjusted for inflation). Today only 10% of the worlds population live in abject poverty. The economic activity of the wealthy and middle class in developed nations are globally fixing the problem.
In 1950, the average life expectancy at birth was only 48.5 years. In 2019, it was 72.8 years. That’s an increase of 50 percent.
Out of every 1,000 live births in 1950, 20.6 children died before their fifth birthday. That number was only 2.7 in 2019. That’s a reduction of 87 percent.
Between 1950 and 2018, the average income per person rose from $3,296 to $15,138. That’s an inflation adjusted increase of 359 percent.
Between 1961 and 2013, the average food supply per person per day rose from 2,191 calorie to 2,885 calories. That’s an increase of 31.7 percent.
In 1950, the length of schooling that a person could typically expect to receive was 2.59 years. In 2017, it was 8 years. That’s a 209 percent increase.
The world’s democratic score rose from an average of 5.31 out of 10 in 1950 to an average of 7.21 out of 10 in 2017. That’s a 35.8 percent increase.
Uli van de Ver 3 months ago
„ Between 1961 and 2013, the average food supply per person per day rose from 2,191 calorie to 2,885 calories. That’s an increase of 31.7 percent.“ Not equally spread though, meaning: few people getting far more calories than needed meanwhile starvation persist. “Average” doesn’t say a thing in this case
#76
After 7 years of - trying and failing, 7 surgeries, 300+ injections, loan against our home, I’m getting ready to welcome my first baby via surrogacy!
April Pickett 3 months ago
Enjoy your child. Holding a baby is never a bad thing. You do have to put them down to change diapers, and other practical things (I don't know what they are). All the tears, crying, infected ears, snifs and mumbles should be treasured as much as all the good stuff. I hear you're hiring a professional photographer to live with you and take all of the pictures. I wish you the best of all the world.
#78
For the first time in three years, my state isn't in a major drought so all the plants are happy.
#79
It's August in Atlanta, and after a brutal July of heat and humidity in the 90's, next week it's going to be low 80's during the day and mid to low 60's at night. It's our first "false Fall".
#80
They discovered a new organelle in cells!
This panda says ur worth it 3 months ago
It has rlly long name lol but apparently it can help with Alzheimer’s and stuff!
Load More Replies... Mreoww 3 months ago
Here are a few more Reddit comments that provide more context. IMG_0250-6..._700-1.jpg 
#81
My first baby is due on September 29th after trying for 3 years!
We’re doing a surprise on gender too.
Explore more of these tags
What do you think ?
winterwidow87 3 months ago (edited)
Adding to the list of positivity: today in the hospital i work in, an 11 year old girl who got an heart transplant 30 days ago, finally got dismissed and went home after being hospitalized for 16 months waiting for her new heart. Her mum cried and hugged us all, and we cried with her. It was a very good day.
Lee Gilliland 3 months ago
When I went to college, I had to have my father's permission to go and also to have a bank account. My mom wasn't allowed to use a charge card unless she carried a permission slip from my dad. Women were allowed in the Military only in support areas and not many of those ( I was one of the first six women in my career field). Today, the military is half and half, and I can have complete financial independence. All in 50 years. Everyone take a bow, it took us together to do that.
Multa Nocte 3 months ago
So sad to see that many of the positive things that were on their way to happening, like vaccines for multiple illnesses and conditions, are being rolled back in the United States.
Smeghead Tribble Down Under 3 months ago
Do you mean the Canberra Raiders? *Looks at the Newcastle Knights dismal position on the ladder* Hope the Raiders go all the way this year, especially if they flog the repugnant Storm.
Load More Replies... winterwidow87 3 months ago (edited)
Adding to the list of positivity: today in the hospital i work in, an 11 year old girl who got an heart transplant 30 days ago, finally got dismissed and went home after being hospitalized for 16 months waiting for her new heart. Her mum cried and hugged us all, and we cried with her. It was a very good day.
Lee Gilliland 3 months ago
When I went to college, I had to have my father's permission to go and also to have a bank account. My mom wasn't allowed to use a charge card unless she carried a permission slip from my dad. Women were allowed in the Military only in support areas and not many of those ( I was one of the first six women in my career field). Today, the military is half and half, and I can have complete financial independence. All in 50 years. Everyone take a bow, it took us together to do that.
Multa Nocte 3 months ago
So sad to see that many of the positive things that were on their way to happening, like vaccines for multiple illnesses and conditions, are being rolled back in the United States.
Smeghead Tribble Down Under 3 months ago
Do you mean the Canberra Raiders? *Looks at the Newcastle Knights dismal position on the ladder* Hope the Raiders go all the way this year, especially if they flog the repugnant Storm.
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