The 2021 Common Book is Factfulness: Ten Reasons We’re Wrong about the World—and Why Things Are Better than You Think. Swedish physician and academic Hans Rosling collaborated with his son, Ola, and daughter-in-law, Anna, on the book, which was published after his death in 2017. In Factfulness, the Roslings argue against assumptions that we make based on preconceived “instincts,” and they outline the instincts that prevent us from recognizing facts. The authors conclude that our resulting negative view of the world — on topics like poverty, natural disaster, and the environment — can be corrected and made more positive if we recognize our biases and respond with logic. Anna Rosling Rönnlund discussed the book at the annual convocation on Oct. 26.
