Have people gotten worse or better? Is the world as horrible as I believe?

I'd say the world is about the same as it always has been. As you point out, there were a lot of bad times in history. Human nature seems to have stayed pretty constant over the last few thousand years. People are just as ignorant, bloodthirsty, greedy, and crazed as they've always been. (Just watch some popular movies if you don't believe me) On the other hand, there have always been good people in every time too. Each time has its sinners and its saints. For every corrupt feudal nobleman, there is a humble loving peasant to balance things out. I think each and every person is capable of both good and evil. We just have to make wise choices and teach our children to do the same if we hope to make the world a better place.