Reddit reviews The Progress Paradox: How Life Gets Better While People Feel Worse

Check out, "The Progress Paradox: How Life Gets Better While People Feel Worse" by Gregg Easterbrook

https://www.amazon.com/Progress-Paradox-Better-While-People/dp/0812973038

Lots of solid evidence that folks actually DID feel happier a generation or two ago, and yet just as much evidence that every measure of their material well being was better across the board.

I've been a fan of his since he wrote for ESPN.com the first time, along with Hunter S. Thompson.

His book (about life, not football) is excellent.

http://www.amazon.com/Progress-Paradox-Better-While-People/dp/0812973038/ref=ed_oe_p

No, it isn't, but like people throughout the ages, we like thinking it is.

>Violence is everywhere, I can't walk around at night comfortably without packing heat.

I'm just going to address this one because it is closest to my area of expertise.

Violence is most certainly not "everywhere." In terms of actual crime rates, you would bring your children into a nation currently enjoying some of the lowest rates of crime in recorded human history.

In terms of the international violence of war and terrorism, the world is currently more at peace than it ever has been. Today's children have a lower chance of being involved in an international conflict than ever before. The United States has, for 40 years, been able to meet all of its defensive capabilities (and considerable offensive capabilities), solely through the use of a volunteer armed forces. The chance that your children would be exposed to a war on the "home front" is essentially zero.

What do I think is going on here? I think you and your SO are spending far too much time and energy on negative things. This is ironically caused in large part by the fact that you're so lucky and comfortable.

To understand what is happening in your mind, I suggest reading The Progress Paradox, by Gregg Easterbrook.