Midweek open thread: The best of all possible worlds

While I don't have Professor Pangloss's psychopathically cheery disposition, neither do I think that the world is a vale of tears which must be suffered to attain a mansion in the afterlife. Our world is equal parts horrible and wonderful. Because human beings are equal parts horrible and wonderful. For every moment of despair we are presented with moments of pure joy. The trick is to slough off the former and hold onto the latter.

I saw a question posed on Bluesky last week, so I take that as the matter for today's open thread. It's easy to list how the world has disappointed you. But what has gotten better since you've been alive? Because, contrary to what the doomsayers bray about, the world has gotten better since I was born in 1969. Not always in a straight, upward trajectory. But if you compare 2026 to 1969, we are wealthier, healthier, and have access to information that would have been the stuff of science fiction on that day in July when your humble bloglord came into this plane of existence.

So, I pose the question: What have you seen improved since you've been riding on this third rock from the sun? And yes, I want the congregation to focus on the positive. We have enough of doom, thank you very much. Consider this an opportunity to climb out of whatever hole you're in and notice the world's wonder and beauty.

And, some Vivaldi.