Live data from Hacker News

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

derekthompson.org

1–10 of 1001 posts

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

#3
When I see a sudden drop in 2020, my first reaction is "COVID." For a lot of people that was a pivotal moment with persistent consequences.

My second guess would be politics. I have met few people in the last few years that do not seem unhappy as a direct result of our political battles. Families actually breaking up over it, etc.

Now I will go read the article ;-)

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

#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 won't be trying to kill you with polluted air and dangerous food standards.

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

#9
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 think that’s only one aspect, the other is the economics make it so you have to be extraordinary to live ordinary.

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

#10
Social media destroyed people's happiness. It not only created echo chambers for people to reaffirm their mental illnesses (instead of getting real help for it), but also a real loneliness epidemic.

I'm probably the happiest now than I've been in my entire life. It's all about perspective.

Post reply on HN