I enjoyed your article. This is a sore point topic for me as well. The "things are better than ever" brigade make me crazy.

Here's one of my flashpoints with them. The claim that World Hunger has actually declined since 1850. They tell you that the percentage of people suffering chronic malnutrition is lower than ever.

Yet that number is probably over a billion people now. Larger than the entire global population in 1850. Technically they are right but I'm not seeing "the best of times".

They also never factor in externalities. Everything is about the increasing super abundance. No mention is ever given to the depletion of resources, poisoning of the water system, buildup of CO2 in the atmosphere, etc. Their focus is strictly on benefits, never costs.

Then, as you point out, they are surprised when the whole thing suddenly collapses.

These guys are promoters for unrestrained capitalism without oversight. I consider them propagandists.