Lead Ed: In the Midst of Chaos, Finding Good in the World is More Important than Ever

As many of you are aware, most news outlets have been reporting on very scary recent events happening across the globe. Everything seems to be crumbling around us, especially in the United States, with our current president. Wars around the world are still raging, and everything feels uncertain and uneasy. However, we on the editorial board have all found our own ways to cope with the seemingly never-ending stream of bad news. 

We wanted to write this article in order to show our readers that there is still good in the world, even when everything seems bleak and depressing. 

According to Psychology Today, “From a biological standpoint, we are hardwired to focus on the negative. The human brain has evolved to naturally pay more attention to negative events and experiences than positive ones; this is known in psychology as the negativity bias.”

This negativity bias can make finding happiness and meaning in everyday life and causes us to focus on the negative aspects of living. However, scientists note how purposefully focusing on different values can break through the negativity bias.

In an article published in Nature Human Behavior, the authors said, “Three types of values lay the groundwork for a meaningful existence. First, creative values help the individual do or create something of personal value, often in the service of others. Second, attitudinal values help the individual take a more positive stance towards a negative situation, helping them, for example, ‘find meaning in suffering’. Finally, experiential values allow one to detect and appreciate the beauty in life itself.”

We think that experiential values may be some of the most important, yet often ignored. It is impressive how noting the good parts of everyday life can change our entire mindsets and attitudes.

So despite the overwhelming sense of dread that comes from opening a news app or scrolling through social media, it is important to remember that moments of kindness, resilience and progress will continue to exist. 

Some of these sources of existential dread are primarily from the recent actions of the Trump administration. Since President Donald Trump started his term in January 2025, things have gone downhill in many aspects. One of the most upsetting things he has decided to do is aim to drill for more oil in the United States and even outside of the country. His administration has lifted several mining and drilling restrictions across many states in America, making it easy for gas, oil and other industries to take advantage of the Earth without any true consequence. 

There has also been a significant increase in global conflicts over the past few years. Whether it be conflicts over land or over hostages, it seems like there has been more and more fighting between countries, and in turn, people from many different nations. All of these conflicts, killing and displacing people, can make everything feel bleak and hopeless. 

Nonetheless, there is still some good in the world, and we wanted to share that goodness with you all so you don’t feel so overwhelmed with all the bad things happening.  

Not everything in this world is as terrible as it seems. There are still people out there who want to brighten up someone else’s day. Maybe it’s the stranger who held the door when your hands were full, or the professor who checked in when you looked tired. These acts, though small, are significant. 

And perhaps that’s just the key: taking note of the small things. Despite all of the negative circumstances currently permeating our lives, there’s something to be said about the little things that make our day just that much happier. Take the robins that are now beginning to populate our campus—it’s a sure sign that spring is on its way and sure to bring with it colorful blooms and temperate weather. It’s these observations that can aid in the amelioration of everything that’s bleak in our world.

On the editorial board, we find happiness and community when we get to see our pets. So, what better way to share some positivity than showing off some of the editors’ pets! 

The Lead Editorial is a reflection of the collective opinion of the editorial board.