đ Global Life Expectancy Up at Every Age
Truth isnât always loud, but it matters more than ever. In this edition:
đ Global life expectancy is rising across every age group
đ« More U.S. couples choose dual incomes over kids
đ° News outlets vastly overplay homicides
đș Why younger generations just donât buy the news
đ Rethinking the word âmisinformationâ
Weâre Living LongerâAnd Itâs Not Just About Childhood Survival
Itâs no longer just about making it past childhood. New research from Our World in Data shows life expectancy has increased at every age level, not just for infants. A 65-year-old today, for example, is more likely to reach their late 80s than someone born two centuries ago, thanks to broad gains in adult health, medicine, and living conditions.
These improvements point to a deeper truth: long-term human progress often happens slowly, quietly, and across generations. From sanitation to vaccines to safer infrastructure, each layer adds to a longer, healthier life.
This steady rise in lifespan challenges gloomy headlines and reminds us that global progress is often more durableâand more invisibleâthan we think.
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What Dual-Income, No-Kids Households Tell Us About Changing Family Norms
The share of married U.S. couples in their 30s and 40s who are dual-income and child-freeâaka DINKsâhas grown from 8% in 2013 to 12% in 2023. These households tend to earn more, are more likely to be fully employed, and often have higher levels of education. But their wealth, often tied to homeownership, still trails behind couples with kids.
This trend reflects more than just economics, it speaks to shifting values. Many of these couples are making deliberate choices about how they spend their time, money, and energy, opting for flexibility over the traditional family structure.
As the definition of adulthood evolves, this data offers a window into how younger generations are reshaping priorities, often trading expectations for autonomy.
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US News Outlets Over-Report Homicides by 4,300%
A new media analysis finds that homicides are reported in the news at rates over 40 times higher than their actual share of U.S. deaths. Meanwhile, far more common causes like heart disease or diabetes are barely mentioned. The result? A public perception of danger that doesnât match reality.
This distortion isnât new, but it has consequences. When coverage fixates on the rare and sensational, it can skew how people think, vote, and behave. It also erodes trust in journalism, especially when headlines feel more alarming than informative.
This study reinforces a long-standing concern: news doesnât always reflect life. For readers, knowing the difference is essential to understanding risk and truth.
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Young People Donât Trust the News
American teens arenât just tuning outâtheyâre pushing back. A new study from the News Literacy Project shows that Gen Z and Gen Alphaâs distrust of the media isnât always about politics. Itâs often rooted in a mismatch between how they see the world and how the media frames it.
Sensational headlines and incomplete context fuel this distrust, as does a lack of transparency around how stories are selected and sourced. Many young people feel the news doesnât represent their communities or priorities, and that erodes engagement.
84% describe the news media with negative words like âFake,â âFalse,â or âLiesâ
60% think journalists often take photos and videos out of context
68% canât recall a single accurate or positive media portrayal in pop culture
These findings point to a deeper trust gapâone that wonât close without transparency, accountability, and a fresh approach to how journalism is taught, practiced, and shared.
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Not All Wrong Information Is âMisinformationâ
âMisinformationâ has become the go-to term for anything inaccurate, misleading, or untrue. But labeling something this way can backfire, especially in personal conversations. For many, the word sounds accusatory, sparking defensiveness instead of curiosity. And not all errors stem from bad intentions. Often, they arise from confusion, misrepresentation, or oversimplification.
Instead of jumping to labels, experts suggest reframing the conversation. That might mean asking how someone arrived at a belief instead of why, or exploring the emotions behind questionable beliefs rather than immediately fact-checking specific claims. The goal isnât to win an argumentâitâs to reach to mutual understanding.
Language shapes trust. If the tone feels like a shutdown, the truth wonât land.
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