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If America's so rich, how'd it get so sad?

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Re: If America's so rich, how'd it get so sad?

#11

Post by david927 »

some_random wrote: post #5
functionmouse wrote: post #2

because America's not rich; like 100 people here just have more money than most countries

That's just objectively untrue. https://worldpopulationreview.com/country-rankings/median-in...

- Around 76% of Americans are living paycheck to paycheck.

- 71% of adults say that their monthly debt payments prevent them from saving.

When we say America, we can't just mean the 20% who are ok. It has to mean the 70% who aren't. America is not rich. It used to be. It is not now.

Re: If America's so rich, how'd it get so sad?

#12

Post by mathgradthrow »

david927 wrote: post #11
some_random wrote: post #5

Earlier quoted context omitted.

That's just objectively untrue. https://worldpopulationreview.com/country-rankings/median-in...

- Around 76% of Americans are living paycheck to paycheck. - 71% of adults say that their monthly debt payments prevent them from saving. When we say America, we can't just mean the 20% who are ok. It has to mean the 70% who aren't. America is not rich. It used to be. It is not now.

You are responding to data about the median American.

Re: If America's so rich, how'd it get so sad?

#13

Post by pkilgore »

It's getting to the point where I search "K-shaped" and "Cohort" in these kinds of articles before I even read them. I'm not even saying these are why, exactly, but failure to wrestle with the intellectual effort of rejecting that as a hypothesis is a frustrating omission.

Re: If America's so rich, how'd it get so sad?

#15

Post by detourdog »

The wealth of America may not be the money held by the average population but the buying power and choices available to the average population. I just spent 5 months in the richest country in the Caribbean and the purchasing choices are limited in all but the largest cities. The largest cities still don't have selection of consumer products available in most of the USA. I understand that this doesn't buy happiness but it is eye opening. I never really understood this measure of consumerism before but it is clear to me now.

Re: If America's so rich, how'd it get so sad?

#16

Post by hiAndrewQuinn »

I like how the graphs suggest that prior to 2020 a certain "holy trinity" for happiness existed of being married, graduating college, and voting Republican. This passes the sniff test even though I am only 2 for 3, I was not having a great time at 1 and was downright glum at 0.

Re: If America's so rich, how'd it get so sad?

#17

Post by jandrewrogers »

functionmouse wrote: post #2

because America's not rich; like 100 people here just have more money than most countries

That isn't a coherent argument; the latter does not support the former. The median American has a lot of money and disposable income compared to almost any other country.
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