Overview
Many people say that 2020 was “the worst year ever.” But was it? Or is that simply hyperbole? In this video Johan Norberg and John Stossel discuss the impact of technology and innovation on our lives and on our responses to crises.

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Grade level and subjects
• Recommended for grades 6-12
• Subjects: Other
• Works in Classroom, Hybrid, and Homeschool settings

What students will learn
By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:
• identify facts and opinions;
• explain why people tend to focus on problems;
• discuss the reasons people tend to think life is getting worse;
• discuss ways in which life is getting better; and
• assess the proposition that life is getting better.

Key concepts and terms covered
Literacy, Nome, Andemic, and Iodiversity.

Sample discussion questions
• Why do you think so many people said 2020 was the worst year ever?
• Why does Johan Norberg think literacy might be the most important skill to acquire?
• The owner of Maryland Crab King redesigned his kitchen and said “My sales actually picked up, our system actually allowed us to be more efficient than we were before Covid?” Why his sales might had picked up? How could redesigning his kitchen affect sales?
• Have you been affected by the COVID pandemic? How?
• What are you grateful for?

What’s in the free teacher’s guide
This printable 7-page Teacher's Guide includes a lesson description, learning objectives, key vocabulary, a fill-in viewing guide with answer key, discussion and analysis questions, and classroom activities.

Standards alignment
Aligned to state standards — use the SITC Standards Tool to match this video to the standards in your state.