Monsters or Miracles? Uncovering Hidden Progress with Angus Hervey | TED

While headlines scream of global collapse and chaos, remarkable stories of progress often go unnoticed. Angus Hervey’s talk uncovers how solutions emerge even as our world confronts deep challenges.

Headlines Warn of a World in Collapse

"The old world is dying, and the new world struggles to be born: now is the time of monsters." — Antonio Gramsci.

Every day our newsfeeds recall a narrative of breakdown. From wars in Ukraine to political upheavals, climate emergencies, and economic uncertainty, despair dominates the headlines. As journalist Angus Hervey reminds us, this theme of disintegration is nothing new. Across continents, we track the erosion of democratic principles, assaults on science, and intensifying social divides that seem to portend an impending collapse. Climate tipping points, digital misinformation and authoritarian backsliding feed a sense of relentless crisis. Yet this is only half the story—amidst these monsters lie hidden miracles of human ingenuity.

There Is Something Missing from This Story

In the rush to chronicle doom, we often overlook the individuals advancing change on the ground. Helen Oworo, a nurse in Kenya, celebrates the life-saving impact of a newly introduced malaria vaccine. She explains:

"The deaths we saw from severe malaria in children under five have dropped dramatically, and I believe this is thanks to the vaccine. Simply reducing these fatalities is transformative for our community."

Since its rollout just over a year ago, more than five million children across 17 African nations have been vaccinated against malaria. By the end of this decade, public health planners aim to protect up to 50 million young lives from a disease that once killed countless children. These figures represent some of the most inspiring victories in global health.

These Are All Victories from the Past 12 Months

Progress extends far beyond malaria vaccines. In the last year alone:

• Health Milestones: Eleven countries have eliminated a disease—Jordan became the first to eradicate leprosy.
• Child Protection: Eight nations, home to over 100 million children, banned corporal punishment in all settings.
• Gender and Rights: Zambia, Sierra Leone, and Colombia outlawed child marriage.
• Democratic Waves: In Syria, citizens welcomed the end of a 50-year authoritarian regime, opening new doors for civic participation.
• Environmental Wins: Amazon deforestation fell to its fourth-lowest rate on record, providing hope for the planet’s lungs.

These achievements remind us that even as some structures falter, other systems strengthen—ushering in real progress and offering practical solutions that enrich lives.

The Answer, of Course, Is Both

Hervey stresses that collapse and renewal are not mutually exclusive; they coexist in every era. For each setback, humanity sparks innovations that redefine possibility. The pandemic decimated communities but also accelerated scientific breakthroughs in mRNA vaccines and global cooperation. As greenhouse gases push our climate toward critical thresholds, renewable energy technologies are scaling fast to reshape our carbon footprint and steer us toward an equitable future. Recognizing this dual narrative of monsters and miracles allows us to maintain hope without ignoring urgent problems.

Charting a Path Toward the Future

Beyond the last twelve months, longer-term trends hint at deeper transformations. In 2024, fewer people died from natural disasters than in almost any other year on record. The United States saw its largest ever 12-month drop in homicide rates, surpassing the previous record in 2023. Last year alone we installed enough solar panels and wind turbines to replace roughly six percent of global fossil-fuel electricity production. Electric vehicles now reduce oil demand, and projections show wind, water, and solar power overtaking coal as the world’s primary energy source this year. Meanwhile, small research teams are mapping every molecule in living organisms, engineering novel enzymes, and conducting fusion experiments once thought impossible. These ongoing victories demonstrate that collective action and innovation remain our most potent solutions.

We All Have a Choice

When faced with the dual tracks of collapse and progress, each of us decides where to place our bets and our energy. As Angus Hervey challenges us, will we side with doom-laden prophets or those who dedicate themselves to real-world solutions? The next chapter in humanity’s story depends on our daily decisions—where to invest resources, how to contribute our talents, and which narratives we amplify.

• We can all be catalysts for change by actively participating in our communities and advocating for the causes we believe in.

In the struggle between the monsters we fear and the miracles we can manifest, the choice—and the work—are ours.