Not sure what “pretty good” even means—there is always an implicit “compared to what” in there. It’s horrible compared to some imaginary worlds, and much less-horrible than some actual, historical worlds.
Well, maybe. It’s hard to compare multidimensional changes with different populations. There are more people living in misery than ever before. There are also more people living pretty well, very well, and incredibly well than ever before.
Additionally, the world is less horrible compare to some plausible counterfactual worlds. Trying to change the world to the better can end up like the plan to bring democracy to Iraq or Afghanistan (assuming that was the plan in these cases).
Not sure what “pretty good” even means—there is always an implicit “compared to what” in there. It’s horrible compared to some imaginary worlds, and much less-horrible than some actual, historical worlds.
Well, maybe. It’s hard to compare multidimensional changes with different populations. There are more people living in misery than ever before. There are also more people living pretty well, very well, and incredibly well than ever before.
Additionally, the world is less horrible compare to some plausible counterfactual worlds. Trying to change the world to the better can end up like the plan to bring democracy to Iraq or Afghanistan (assuming that was the plan in these cases).
On the current developments in China, also see
https://www.economist.com/china/2018/11/24/the-west-begins-to-stir-over-chinas-massive-abuse-of-muslims
(Though I think the comment on Guantánamo there is not convincing.)