Hans Rosling – medical doctor, statistician, TED Talk star – had a mission: to show us how distorted our view of the world really is. In Factfulness, he takes us on a fact-based journey through global misconceptions – with an impressive mix of expertise, humor, and optimism.
Rosling outlines ten “instincts” that explain how we systematically misjudge the state of the world. Whether it’s poverty, education, health, or population growth – in almost every area, we underestimate the positive developments.
Why is that so fascinating? Because our intuition often leads us astray. Rosling explains, for example, why the world can no longer be divided into “developed” and “developing” countries – and how this black-and-white thinking leads us to false conclusions.
When I first watched one of the author’s TED Talks, I was genuinely surprised by how much I had gotten wrong.
The book is written in a very accessible way – filled with smart facts, relaxed explanations, charming anecdotes, and lighthearted quiz questions.
A clear recommendation for anyone who wants to understand how the world really works – and why we can afford to be far more optimistic than we usually are. It’s a book that informs, surprises, and inspires.
If you think “things were better in the past,” this book will change your mind.
🎧 Suiteable as an audiobook? Absolutely! I listened to the English version, narrated by Rosling’s son and daughter-in-law.
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