The Perspective-Changing by Hans Rosling - Book Report/Review Example

Hans Rosling, Factfulness- Critical Review

The perspective-changing book by Hans Rosling encourages people to embrace opinions significantly constructed with supporting evidence. Although the idea appearing relaxed the outcome of the questionnaire-based study indicates that individuals possess disfigured world perspective irrespective of their education level. In most instances, they are never wrong; instead, they maintain that situation is lethal than reality. Han's book "Factfulness” provides ten instincts common to all people that are the course of the dramas witness in daily life. Also, solutions are offered to approach these instincts, given the gap instincts tend people to comprehend the information heard from media as the reflection of real-life experiences (Rosling, 2019). The existence of a significant number of people globally is in the centre. In a similar account, the middle level of information can be deceptive, considering the disparities in the data. The book provides a practical example of distinct using the developed and developing nations. Hans cites the substantial differences in terms of lifestyles concluding that the qualities identified between the two sides can be deceptive. The paper will be evaluating Han’s perspective to highlight the relevance of the book to changing society perspective.

The book plays a critical role in revealing the relation between media and life experiences, but unfortunately, it has applied over biased statistics. The sample statistics used to evaluate the negative global perspective fail to consider adverse trends in the global environment. Also, the book ignores difficult issues such as ecological repercussions of the contemporary form of development and perils that are related to continuous population increase. The text should have recognized the beneficial role of the media, such as a new approach to social issues such as poverty and well being. Han’s failure to apply fair statistics fails to address multiple and contradictory points in social development. The positive perspective aspect of the book is inconsequential by its omission on preconditions and ecological implications due to the developing techno-economic era. The consensus is that its consideration of the global population is faulty and impossible to influence as it holds critical political consequences.

The primary assumption made by the author to come with the argument is that the world is turning into a better place. Factfulness encourages people to become more sceptics, open-minded while less ignorant and cynical in regards to the present world issues. It is supporting fact for the existing global perspective to comprehend the benefits of problems evaluating from the individual level. The emphasis on the biased statistics concentrates much on boosting materially living standards for the people globally. It implies that the author had to assume that the world is becoming better to offer a new perspective on the existing challenges. The book opens doors for future research on the role of media in providing biased news as a way of changing the view on pertinent issues such as poverty. Based on the ideas offered by the author, it attracts debates from various society stakeholders such as politicians, law society and other opinion-makers. Whether the book uses biased statistics or not, it serves as the wakeup call for researchers to understand how media biasness can influence the global perspective of trends such as global poverty and individual welfare. Also, the book has been crucial in refuting the idea of the people that living conditions are not culturally influenced. If the author had the opposite assumption that is the world is getting worse every day, the argument would be the failure of the media to address issues with necessary vigour. The discussion would not be oriented in encouraging people to be opened minded but to turn their guns on the media that fails to raise the voice of the less privileged. It would base on people to turn more cynical and ignore the news in the media as it serves no society interests.

The author reflects on the current issue in the world that is coronavirus epidemic where the media is expected to offer live updates for the situation. The media appears to shape Covid-19 as too brutal to Homo sapiens that dispel fear among all the governments globally. Also, the media tends to focus on analysis that predicts the expected trends of the epidemic through greater emphasis on some areas. For instance, the media has offered more predictions on developing countries that claim the situation might turn worse in designated world regions. The media appears to create fear among the people by giving false facts about the disease. However, he tends to ignore preexisting conditions and technological advancement that are improving mitigation measures. Also, it ignores other epidemics that kill more people than Coronavirus disease by emphasizing on biased corona cases and casualties. It might appear nonsensical, but the media rallies the world against the epidemic by inspiring people to provide extra effort to address the situation. The world governments have put stringent and draconian measures as efforts to combat the spread of the deadly virus. However, Han’s arguments are still relevant today since they encourage people to be open-minded. Also, the predictions of the expected casualties in developing countries make Han' evidence suitable currently. For instance, despite the high ranked health systems of the developed nations, more injuries are still experienced compared to the developed world such as Africa. Despite the world growing at a high rate, past books will remain relevant since they are a reflection of the existing human conditions. The book offers the foundation to apply efforts in finding solutions to the current world issues.

For the policymakers in the United States such as President, cabinet, state agencies etc. the best recommendation is the need to improve peoples’ lives. The best for these policymakers is to consider the role of the media news in highlighting the issues affecting the society. The media might be biased towards the negative aspect, but then it is the only way to make the world a better place. Han’s shun. Eurocentric perspective emphasizing on the global and historical idea to provide insight on the current west way of operation might not be valid forever. The consensus by the author is that humanity is yet to address all its challenges; thus, no space to relax (Rosling, 2019). The best recommendation for the policymakers is to direct all their efforts in addressing the issues in the society with similar depth as represented by the media. Determination to close these gaps is the basis for ensuring the continuous improvement of people’s lives. Ignoring news highlighted in the media is a reflection of the laxity in the government in addressing the trends to improve peoples’ lives.

As a concerned citizen, I would cope with biased news by getting concerned about the necessary aspects, ignoring much noise and being watchful on the significant global risks. I will have to be more open-minded to identify the significant risks and the best way they are addressed. It is within my understanding the most significant problem of human species on the best way of utilizing time, expanding available resources and exploiting the opportunities. The factors above are crucial in focusing on the right things to avoid the influence of biased news from the media. It will give me an idea on how to address the issues by exploiting available resources, time and opportunities. The author has changed my perception that media only narrates what people what to hear; thus, our mindset can be held accountable. It is a matter of focusing on areas of interests and avoids disruption made through the noise as a way of ensuring society development.

Conclusion

The Han’s Rosling book “factfulness” argues that media news are biased to influence how individuals view their life experiences. The author tends to provide highly biased figures while avoiding other factors such as risks in the fast-changing life. The primary assumption by the author is that the world is turning to a better place. The media provides false news that depicts the issue as more severe than reality. The best for the policymakers in the United States is to use media news to gauge efforts towards improving the living standards of the people. As a concerned citizen, the best way to address these concerns is focusing on the right issues with an open-minded approach to avoid disruptions that are caused by noise in the media fraternity.

Rosling, H. (2019). Factfulness. Flammarion.