The ‘Design Matters’ podcast with Stefan Sagmeister

‘And remember, we can talk about making a difference, we can make a difference, or we can do both.’

On January 15, 2024, the ‘Design Matters’ podcast, hosted by Debbie Millman, featured an insightful conversation with Stefan Sagmeister.

A significant portion of the discussion in this podcast centres on ‘Now is Better,’ Sagmeister’s newest book that transforms global data into abstract visualizations. In the current state of negativity our world is in, the book presents an optimistic perspective on world progress, highlighting improvements in areas like life expectancy and education. Sagmeister emphasizes the importance of long-term thinking and challenges the often-negative narratives prevalent in media.

In the talk, Stefan Sagmeister explores humanity’s deep-seated tendency to gravitate toward negative news, noting how our evolutionary wiring for survival makes us hyper-aware of potential threats. He critiques the media’s focus on sensational negativity, arguing that it skews our perception of reality. Sagmeister contrasts this with data-driven insights, which reveal substantial global progress over time. By highlighting improvements in areas like life expectancy, literacy, and health, he emphasizes the importance of long-term thinking and challenges the often-negative narratives prevalent in media, challenging listeners to adopt a more balanced, optimistic view of the world, one rooted in evidence rather than fear.

Stefan Sagmeister’s conversation serves as a powerful reminder that perspective shapes our experience of the world. While negativity often dominates the headlines, Sagmeister urges us to step back, reflect on the bigger picture, and appreciate the progress humanity has made. His work teaches us that optimism isn’t about ignoring challenges but about recognizing advancements and using them as a foundation to tackle what lies ahead. The life lesson is clear; by choosing to focus on what’s improving, we not only shift our mind-set but also create space for hope, innovation, and meaningful action.

Now is Better by Stefan Sagmeister is a recommended read for my ‘Design for Peace’ course.

The book’s optimistic yet grounded approach encourages readers to rethink their outlook on global progress and embrace a more balanced, evidence-based view of the world.

While Now is Better is a bold and refreshing counterpoint to the doom-and-gloom narratives that dominate media, one critique could be that the book’s optimism, while data-driven, might oversimplify the complexities of global issues. Progress in metrics like literacy or life expectancy doesn’t always reflect improvements in the quality of life for everyone, particularly in marginalized communities where systemic inequities persist.

Also, Sagmeister explores global peace by presenting data that demonstrates a significant decline in warfare over the centuries. He observes that for much of human history, peace was often perceived as a temporary pause between wars. However, in modern times, the notion of war as an inevitable aspect of life is increasingly being challenged, with a growing global consensus viewing war as an unacceptable anomaly rather than a norm. While he highlights global peace trends and references the widespread condemnation of Russia’s aggression in Ukraine as a case study of shifting attitudes toward conflict, the omission of other significant conflicts in our world today, raises questions about the scope and balance of his perspective.

That said, these critiques do not diminish the book’s value; rather, they highlight opportunities for deeper engagement with its themes, ensuring a more balanced conversation about progress and optimism.

Images of his data visualization artwork from his website: https://sagmeister.com/work/now-is-better/

Check it out the website for more on this book and the project.