I don't know if The World, as in the whole world, is a dark place. MY World is, or at least can be, a dark place but was also one that used to be filled with opportunities.
The Earth is a place of what you make it. I find it a very pleasent place, and am happy to be here. Crime is down, war is not global (as in the 1940's) there are issues, but throughout history, there always has been.