Feeling discouraged about the state of society? You're not alone—but here's some wonderful news that might change your perspective: science shows humanity is doing far better than we think.

While it's easy to focus on negative headlines about declining civility, researchers have uncovered something truly heartwarming. When scientists examined the values of 32,000 people across 49 different cultural groups, they discovered that qualities like loyalty, honesty, and helpfulness consistently ranked at the top of what people cherish most. Meanwhile, power and wealth landed at the bottom of the list. Even more encouraging? This pattern has remained stable across over 30 European countries from 2002 to 2023.

This research challenges our gloomy assumptions about moral decay and reveals beautiful truths about human commonality. Studies spanning more than 60 countries show that people's core values are remarkably similar regardless of education level, religious background, or gender. Even in seemingly divided societies, the overlap is striking. American Democrats and Republicans, despite perceived polarization, share remarkably similar values. The same holds true for Brexit voters on opposite sides of that contentious referendum.

But do these self-reported values translate into real-world behavior? The evidence is wonderfully reassuring. When researchers analyzed actual conflicts captured on CCTV footage, they found that bystanders intervened to help in nine out of ten cases across the Netherlands, South Africa, and the UK. People regularly step in during knife attacks and terrorist incidents, even at personal risk, demonstrating extraordinary courage and compassion.

Everyday kindness shines through in smaller ways too. A fascinating 2019 study examined lost wallets in 40 countries and discovered something beautiful: people were more likely to return wallets containing cash than empty ones, and even more likely when wallets contained substantial amounts. Why? Because finders recognized the greater harm the loss would cause the owner.

In another heartening experiment, 200 people from seven countries received $10,000 with virtually no strings attached. Rather than keeping it all, participants spent over $4,700 helping others and donated $1,700 to charity—proof that generosity thrives when given the chance.

Researchers even found that Americans actually became slightly more cooperative with strangers between the 1950s and 2010s, contradicting narratives of increasing selfishness.

So why do we believe society is declining? Media outlets naturally focus on negative events because they grab attention and spread faster on social media. When disasters strike, news stations often report panic and cruelty, even though communities typically pull together and support one another. Additionally, people with extreme political views—along with automated bots—post more frequently online, creating a distorted picture of public sentiment.

Understanding this matters deeply. When we wrongly believe others are selfish and uncaring, we become less likely to volunteer or participate in civic life. Why invest in community when you think nobody would reciprocate? But when research reveals that most people share our compassionate values, it inspires hope and encourages positive action.

The science is clear: humanity's heart is in the right place. We value kindness, act generously, and help one another far more than we realize. That's genuinely worth celebrating.