Concept Creep - Or why we think the world is getting worse when it is getting better

http://science.sciencemag.org/content/360/6396/1465

Fascinating and quite believable.

Twitter Link

This belongs in the murderous cops thread :o

It does indeed address a good cause as to why bad cops perceive problems where non exist ... and why campaigners perceive good cops to be bad ones.

Of course in reality we can use objective metrics to have a more informed discussion rather than being entirely reliant on relative metrics. This study is interesting but not very surprising. However, in most endeavors where accurate and reliable identification and analysis of a problem is required, we can and usually do develop means of identification and analysis that reduces the impact of arbitrary and subjective judgement. We use measurements and standardized reviews and validated criteria for example. We have dialogue. The matter of "good cops" being perceived as "bad cops" has little to do with any of this. Rather, it has to do with notions about complicity and about shared culpability for participating in a system that causes unnecessary harm.

Basically does mean our media is ruining us by showing us too much information? Or that we're not prepared to deal with the wide array of concepts being put in front of us?

The whole thing can be summed up as: "Everything was better when I was younger!" which is pretty much a lament you could hear since language was invented.

I do think some of this 'concept creep' may be attributed to information overload. It would defy logic to underestimate the influence the internet and social media has had on our access to information. Coupled with the changing landscape of news and journalism, from the slow paper age to the instant TV and digital age, all those variables matter in how we process information.

Sometimes I get caught up in the news of the day, and don't necessarily put it into the full context of history. That's how our modern information age works -- it appeals to emotion -- just like any good PR campaign that convinces us to make hasty decisions (buy now or miss out).

As a general concept, the world is better than it was in the Dark Ages. In modern times, it's a relative concept, often compared to our parents' generation, and in economic terms. Most Americans have a cell phone, cable TV, microwave, heating and A/C, plus water taps and sanitary toilets: therefore, nobody should complain about poverty, right?

edit: In other words, life is all about expectations. And just because we've raised our standards doesn't change that basic fact. It might be called "concept creep" in academic circles, but it's probably a fundamental human trait.

Curious how people would consider the Thailand cave dilemma, where 12 kids and their coach have been trapped for over a week....with massive rescue efforts underway. Is this a better or worse scenario due to a type of concept creep? (Who would dare explore caves without the knowledge that rescue teams are available?)