Embracing The 'Everyday Hero' In a World Full of Despair

Around the world, two-thirds of adults say they are disillusioned with civic and political leaders and instead are choosing to focus on 'everyday heroes.'

Around the world, two-thirds of adults say they are disillusioned with civic and political leaders and instead are choosing to focus on 'everyday heroes' who are making their communities better. Ford Motor's Futurist Sheryl Connelly said, 'when you consider the disillusionment and despair that's come about with economic uncertainty, throughout Europe, the Syrian refugee crisis, or even the escalation of violence and terrorist activity. Embracing heroes is the response to that.' The statistics on social media appear to reinforce the theory that people are looking for positive stories. Globally, nearly three-fourths of Facebook and Twitter users say they are more likely to share positive news stories than negative ones. 'We are looking at the 'everyday joe.' Our neighbors, our friends, our co-workers that aren't doing death-defying feats or acts of courage, they're just spreading kindness in their own way, said Connelly.