If someone tries to tell you the world is getting more violent, show them this

This posting includes a graph outlaying the number of battle deaths in the last seven decades. Obviously WWII stands out. But so do the 2000s...even in relation to the 1990s. Some combination of improved political structures and diplomatic relations, information technology, and a growing ability to grapple with simple common sense seem to have shoved violence down dramatically on a per-capita basis.

This does not substitute for judgement approving or disapproving of actions in any particular conflict. Nor does it suggest that the only measure for quality of life on earth is the number of deaths from various types of war. But it has to be a somewhat important one. And any alarmist out there trying to argue that humanity is getting more violent will have a hard time refuting this data. We got 99 problems but a rising propensity for killing each other in massive numbers ain't one. Even if the news seems to tell us so.