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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?

#31

Post by ljf »

jandrewrogers wrote: post #17
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.

Look at the US median and consider again how many times that figure your own salary is.

And then ask your if that person on the median salary has a lot of disposable income?

They might be richer than someone in a poorer country, but the median in the USA, is not rich _in_ the USA.

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

#32

Post by justonceokay »

Induane wrote: post #4

Relentless striving without any kind of real meaning isn't healthy. Even people who aren't deeply Christian in the religious sense are still inherited of much of the values. I.E. people must prove their value via an extraordinary work ethic.

I would argue that individualism is the root, more than the work ethic. I’m someone with a 50th percentile work ethic but a 99th percentile focus on community. I only have so much energy, but I make sure I reserve a good portion of it (say, at least 30%) on acts that have no “direct” benefit to me at all. Hosting a party and not worrying if the invitee’s contributions are equitable. Paying a nephews rent for a month so he can travel. Mowing the yard for a neighbor in need. Buying presents for people I see 2x a year. Calling up a distant friend just to remind them how much I like them.

Friendship and community are harder work than your job, because no one makes you do it. It pays off in peculiar ways many years later, if ever at all. It’s senseless effort, but only figuratively. The returns I get are incalculable, but only literally.

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

#33

Post by dv_dt »

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...

While it's a key indicator, even PPP adjusted income metrics are insufficient to compare happiness. e.g even if PPP may adjust for some aspects of outsized US health care costs, the risk and unreliability of access and affordability of US healthcare is not reflected in median income values.

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

#34

Post by tyleo »

I listened to a podcast recently which mentioned a rich person living in Florida for tax reasons but really wanting to live in New York. They had an app that counted down how long they needed to be in Florida day-by-day. They hated Florida.

I like to think being rich is FU money to do what you want, “fuck being taxed, I have enough wealth to live in NY anyways.” I feel that the culture pressuring you to hoard wealth even at loss of happiness obviously makes for unhappy people.

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

#35

Post by david927 »

mathgradthrow wrote: post #12
david927 wrote: post #11

Earlier quoted context omitted.

- 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.

No I'm not. I'm responding to data about median income adjusted for PPP, and not adjusted for social services such as healthcare. Big difference.

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

#36

Post by drcongo »

strulovich wrote: post #18
lbrito wrote: post #7

Good article with a weird title. Why assume wealth and happiness are correlated?

Because research on this topic supports it. Happiness and wealth are correlated.

Really? Last I read the correlation breaks above a certain threshold, roughly that of "I don't need to worry about food or bills".

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

#38

Post by conductr »

comrade1234 wrote: post #6

I feel like wealthy americans live like poor Europeans - they live far outside the city in crowded suburbs, no amenities walking distance so they have to drive everywhere, having to commute an hour to their job, eating bad manufactured food... I'm American but moved to Europe years ago. It may be even better being poor here because at least you might live in a village and you'll have healthcare and your government wo…

As an American, I don’t think of the suburbs when I think of rich people. I think of what’s left of our middle class just trying to do their best. Many of them probably have negative net worth when debt is considered. But they need public schools, they need big (relatively) affordable housing, they need strip centers with the same 5 restaurants every exit of the highway. When I think of wealth, I think of mostly inner city old money areas or neighborhoods that have had gentrification (not underway). They live near their work/business, near poverty even, but they don’t commute far because they value their time and they will pay for private schools and create their own sports leagues and stuff for their kids and private security to keep out the riff raff. These areas were probably a far out suburb 50-100 years ago but a city grew around them but their wealth was enough to isolate themselves. That’s where the wealthy people live.

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

#39

Post by bluedino »

comrade1234 wrote: post #6

I feel like wealthy americans live like poor Europeans - they live far outside the city in crowded suburbs, no amenities walking distance so they have to drive everywhere, having to commute an hour to their job, eating bad manufactured food... I'm American but moved to Europe years ago. It may be even better being poor here because at least you might live in a village and you'll have healthcare and your government wo…

Plenty of wealthy Americans live in big cities
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