The power snaps out. The city goes dark. But then the street lamps silently flicker back on. A back-up battery has sprung into action.

This could be the near future. Japanese firm PJP Eye has developed a backup battery that works when all else fails. It works by burning a small amount of waste cotton at high temperature.¹ 

The invention of a sustainable power source is one piece of good news among many. In the last few weeks, representatives from 27 countries have agreed to tackle the risk of AI, the European Union has voted to halve pesticideA substance used for destroying insects or other organisms. use and dengueA debilitating viral disease transmitted by mosquitoes. has been almost eradicated from ColombiaA country in South America with a population of just over 50 million. .²

But these stories are often buried deep in newspapers and on specialist news websites. Front pages and TV broadcast items often present a much bleaker view of things.

Bombing and hunger in GazaThe smaller of two Palestinian territories, home to two million people. It is located on the Mediterranean coast, bordered by Israel and Egypt. . Stalemate in Ukraine. Collapse in MyanmarThe largest country in mainland south-east Asia, formerly known as Burma. It is an ethnically diverse place, something that has often resulted in fierce conflict.. Trump polling high. Celebrity deaths. Global warming.

Some think this is a false reflection of the world. There are many reasons to be cheerful. Many trends suggest that we are getting better at solving problems and making the world a safer place.

The number of people living in extreme poverty has decreased.³. It took scientists decades to develop the flu vaccine.⁴ We created and distributed a working vaccine for Covid-19 in less than a year. 

The negative tone of the news might be down to business. One research project has found that each negative word in a headline increases clicks by 2%.⁵

But it is not just journalists seeking readers. We have evolved to avoid danger. So our minds naturally notice risks. As Neuroscientist Rick Hansen says: "The brain is like Velcro for negative experiences and TeflonIts scientific name is polytetrafluoroethylene. for positive ones." We simply find bad news more interesting than good news.

Yes: The world has got much better in the last hundred years. People are living longer lives. Technology has made work easier. Terrible things still happen, but the overall direction is positive.

No: Newspapers may focus on the bad too much. But with 32 ongoing conflicts happening right now, controversial politicians winning elections, and the world continuing to heat up, who can blame them?

Or... The world is more complex than good versus bad. And it is not easy to divide news into positive and negative. Our reaction to them depends on our point of view. One person's joy is another's misery.