For those who like to delve into data (but not collect it), “Cato’s new database Humanprogress.org is now live! Humanprogress.org is a comprehensive database that aims at spreading rational optimism to people around the world.”  Cato says they “cautiously collect data from many reliable sources, and show our findings in a new viewer-friendly webpage. Since it includes very comprehensive data on various research topics, it might be able to provide scholars with very useful and reliable evidence for their arguments.”  I played around with it a bit and do think it can be useful.

Those interested in these things probably already know about GapMinder, but if you don’t check that out as well.  For that matter, check out Hans Rosling’s Ted Talks, especially this.  Seriously, all of his talks are worth watching (and, no, he’s not a libertarian).