Reasonable, (which you are obviously) cynicism is useful. It motivates you to present the counterpoints that your observations reveal.
You make a good argument about the barriers we have to advancement as a species and that's a pivotal point for us, though time seems to also be running out and the perfect storms are gathering to and fro.
Yes, competition has been a major force in selection by evolutionary standards. I would point out that there has been a popular misinterpretation of Darwin's conjectures about the process though. We often hear the phrase, "survival of the fittest" which then lends itself to a rather brutal and base interpretation that is referred to as social Darwinism. However, I think the more correct and precise meaning of his work was survival of the most adaptable and that, therefore, the flexibility of a species in relation to its given environment is the most prominent factor for contextual survival and continuity. In that case, cooperation can be seen to yield valid, evolutionary results in contrast to competition and it is possible that reason, logic and knowledge can help us to shift the imbalance of the two and even transform the nature of competition itself, rather than deprecating it or eliminating it.
I know that is far too optimist and idealistic than necessary here, but there are some indicators that contradict the "if it bleeds it leads" perspective that we derive from mass media, movies, etc., which both reflect and effect each other in a circular fashion. I would cite, as some evidence of a more positive view of our recent phases in the evolution of our behavior, a rather detailed and well-referenced book entitled, The Better Angels of Our Nature, which makes the case as to just how much improvement we have realized in regards to your concerns. In other words, we are, generally and by comparison, more peaceful, kind, generous, cooperative, etc., etc. than we realize when we are seeing through the a cursory lens of popular information and views. Read it or peruse it if you get a chance. It is an eyeopener and it will certainly provide a challenge to conventional thought about our progress, (which may be the actual barrier to our progress in itself). A lot pivots on PERCEPTIONS with humans.
The negative sells. It is compelling. It can be exaggerated and drawn out. The sensational and frightening bypasses the rational, logical thinking and stimulates the limbic brain, (the lizard) into reactions rather than responses and that all, to me, plays into the problem of capitalism and consumerism rather than representing an accurate and honest view of where we are in the evolutionary sense as a species. I would not trust sources with a vested interest in distraction, titillation, reactions and manipulation for the sake of profit. They are bound to have a negative bias.
Woah. That's Excessive Writing Syndrome, I guess 
I like this one: The pessimist complains about the wind. The optimist waits for it to change. The realist adjusts the sails.
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