10 ms·

Millennial here, thanks for the daily reminder of the future I have to deal with. Failing government systems, check. Unaffordable educational system, check. Li

Millennial here, thanks for the daily reminder of the future I have to deal with. Failing government systems, check. Unaffordable educational system, check. Limited housing and land, check. Degrading climate, check. Some days I believe I just may find a way out of it. But, for every day I participate in the rat race is just another lost when I should be working on building a better future for my family.

aidenn0 9y ago
There's still a chance for you if you can get adopted by someone rich!
- adreamingsoul 9y ago
  But that's the last thing I want. I want to work hard and I'm willing to make sacrifices to reach my goals.
45h34jh53k4j 9y ago
dont worry. put your funds into 'good money' like sensible cryptocurrencies and watch your savings multiply. that is how we will fight the crooked boomer system.
- the_gastropod 9y ago
  This is really dangerous advice, especially for the poor. Crypto "investments" only multiply by convincing the next person down the line to buy your <coin of choice> at a higher price than you did. Add to this that there are no consumer protections around it, and it's an absolute honeypot for scammers. 99% of the key to wealth is to live beneath your means. It's unglamorous advice, but it's absolutely effective.
  - icedchai 9y ago
    I'm pretty sure the parent was being sarcastic. "The Millionaire Next Door" should be required reading in high school. It has all you need to know about living below your means, building wealth slowly and consistently.
    - the_gastropod 9y ago
      Ahh! I've been Poe's Law'd I guess!
  - godelski 9y ago
    I may be wrong, but I read their advice as sarcasm.
- InitialLastName 9y ago
  "sensible cryptocurrencies" is the oxymoron for this generation
aantix 9y ago
"limited housing and land"? I don't agree. The Midwest is very affordable. Plenty of land. Remote work is a definite possibility.
- j45 9y ago
  Earning arbitrage through working remotely is something many folks have done for the last 15-20 years. It provide a healthy ability to save and access lasting economic mobility if that's the goal. At the end of the day what you make doesn't matter, it's what you're able to keep and move forward (or stabilize with).
- noobermin 9y ago
  Convince the capitalist/managerial class this is a good idea. The other option is to replace them.
- adreamingsoul 9y ago
  You don't have to agree, but that fact is still true. I also have hesitations with buying land in the Midwest, mostly due to climate change factors.
  - prepend 9y ago
    That’s an interesting perspective. What climate change factors worry you? The Midwest is one of the few regions in the US that stand to benefit from climate change. Easy/West will be worst hit.
    - meritt 9y ago
      If you think the midwest is safe, I think you should spend a bit of time reading about the Ogalla aquifer.
      - dreamcompiler 9y ago
        Water is going to be the most immediate problem facing most Americans in the 21st century. For too long we've assumed fresh water would be infinitely available by simply drilling a hole in the ground. We now know that's not true. We're going to have to get very serious about rainwater harvesting, cross-country water pipelines from desalination plants on the coasts, sewage recycling, and humidity harvesting.
noobermin 9y ago
If you want to be serious about saving our future, you need to stop standing on the sidelines and echoing the defeatist attitude that the situation we're in cannot be fixed. We need to stop worrying about offending a minority of people who have power and focus on ending their political power, because a lot of the fixes will be political and must be. EDIT: being a little presumptive here, see below.
- adreamingsoul 9y ago
  Currently, I serve on two committees with my local City government. I work-trade with local farmers and volunteer with numerous non-profit organizations. I've converted my backyard into an urban farm and have started a composting program with my neighbors. I regularly meet with the Mayor to discuss ideas that could benefit the local community. All of this is in addition to my 9-5. What else should I be doing? Also, I don't appreciate your presumption that I have a "defeatist" attitude just because I shared some of my honest thoughts. Next time ask.
  - noobermin 9y ago
    You're definitely doing a lot more than a lot of people are doing. I read your last line as defeatist, and probably misjudged you. I will say however that a lot of the issues you talk about are systemic and larger than what can be affected by local politics. Compositing programs won't address there are still large corporate farms out there that contribute the most to climate change. The same is true of recycling, being vegan or eating local, etc. A lot of change that needs to occur involves regulating large corporations. It sounds like you're aware of this, but that's how you address the future. I think you agree. EDIT: leaving my presumptive comment above unchanged so people reading won't be confused.
    - adreamingsoul 9y ago
      Thanks. I agree with you about the fact that what I'm doing isn't a direct influence on the bigger issues. However, consumers play a major role in these larger issues. For example, If we as a society would stop buying cheap food, it would force the hand of these industrial operations to change their behavior. So I'm taking the time I have now to learn and improve my mentoring and educational skills when working with the local community. In addition to regulation, I also think it's critical that sustainable change occurs from our within society.
vminkov 9y ago
Come to Eastern Europe, your student loan money is enough for a whole new life here. P.s. honestly, I don't understand how ppl who are so hoplessly indebted are not migrating here. Bulgaria offers very cheap life with the opportunity of doing business with the EU and the US. Why work 24/7 when you can enjoy a good life in a place where the local people and economy need a foreigner to lead them in the business and globalizing world?
- rhcom2 9y ago
  Everyone I know and care about is here. That isn't inconsequential.
  - Dangissuchacunt 9y ago
    Those people are probably cunts. Find new people.
- fineng123 9y ago
  Because they don't understand. A common refrain about the story in the U.S. of LaVar Ball, the impetuously famous basketball dad, is that it was a huge mistake to send his kids to play in Lithuania. It's a classic example of "worldly" Americans going to the Louvre and being "cultured" but not having the depth of understanding that Eastern Europe is a wonderful, beautiful place. It's just not as well-kept and poorer so they turn up their nose.
  - lozaning 9y ago
    I think there's plenty of room to critique LaVars choices while staying purely within the confines of basketball. The difference between skill level, exposure, and compensation is quite stark between the US and anywhere else. He could send his kids to go live at the Louvre and it's still be a dumb basketball move.
    - fineng123 9y ago
      You could definitely say they can learn more in the States as the quality of basketball is higher, but they won't be paid until they're in the league.
dorchadas 9y ago
And that's _exactly_ why I will likely never have kids. I'm a millennial myself, caught up in all that (doubly so, if they remove the student loan forgiveness for public workers), and I don't want to make any child of mine grow up in the world it seems we're heading to (especially degrading climate).
- marcelluspye 9y ago
  I have a similar position on child creation, but I've decided that if I do want kids (don't at the moment, but seems likely) and can afford to, that I'll look strongly into adoption. Seems like a pretty good solution all-around to me.
- judah 9y ago
  > "I don't want to make any child of mine grow up in the world it seems we're heading to" This is utterly short-sighted thinking. We in Western nations are utterly privileged and blessed to live in today's world. Abundance of clothing! Abundance of food! Free and accessible plumbing! Clean drinking water! Travel anywhere you like for relatively cheap! You probably own a large climate-controlled contraption that can transport you long distances in a short amount of time! No epidemic diseases/plagues of yesteryear! No famines! The average lifespan is already 80+ years old and that number continues to increase. The world we are heading to will likely continue to see advances in technology and medicine, leading to less suffering and healthier, longer lifespans. More resources too - there are fewer destitute poor today than at any other time in history. Warren Buffet said that the moment one was born in the United States or another Western country, that person has essentially won a lottery. Puzhong Yao, a Chinese immigrant to the US put[0] it this way: "If someone is born a U.S. citizen, he or she enjoys a huge advantage in almost every aspect of life, including expected wealth, education, health care, environment, safety, etc., when compared to someone born in developing countries. For someone foreign to “purchase” these privileges, the price tag at the moment is $1 million dollars (the rough value of the EB-5 investment visa). Even at this price level, the demand from certain countries routinely exceeds the annual allocated quota, resulting in long waiting times. In that sense, American citizens were born millionaires!" Jeff Atwood of Coding Horror blog expounded further[1]: "Being born today, rather than 50, 100, 200, 500 years ago is also effectively winning a lottery." If you don't wish to have children for some reason, fine. But don't give us the foolish nonsense about refusing to bring up children in a terrible world. The world is the best it has ever been -- technologically, socially, medically, and probably morally -- and that trend is pointing in the right direction. [0]: https://americanaffairsjournal.org/2017/11/western-elite-chinese-perspective/ https://americanaffairsjournal.org/2017/11/western-elite-chi... [1]: https://twitter.com/codinghorror/status/951212445426622464 https://twitter.com/codinghorror/status/951212445426622464
deleted 9y ago
[deleted]
throwaway30yo 9y ago
Millenial here. I think things are better then you think. Failing government systems? Have always existed. Unaffordable education? Never went, no idea. Online education still free. Limited Housing and Land? Flyover country, tons of cheap housing and land. Degrading Climate? Yes. But even the most pessimistic projections are unlikely to effect my life. Its a great time to be alive. Country not at war, unemployment is low, stock market doing amazing, crime is low, tons of new fields are emerging, sex is significantly easier to find then past generations, and the internet is still pretty great.
- nikkwong 9y ago
  Kind of a red herring IMO. Anecdotes only get you so far—when we look at the vast majority of millenials, most of their prospects are not so great. And this is especially true in comparison to the prospects of earlier generations.
- pdelbarba 9y ago
  Come to Colorado. Formerly the apex of flyover real estate. Now the location of million dollar 2000sqft houses. I see maps from as late as a decade ago with nothing on them where whole cities now exist.
  - deleted 9y ago
    [deleted]
- adreamingsoul 9y ago
  Thanks for the encouragement. I'm probably just being extra hard on myself today.
  - JBlue42 9y ago
    Take the weekend off from the news, or longer. Find a good, non-political book and dive in. I've found it pretty easy to get into a negative spiral when reading about all the shit going on. Our awareness of the myriad problems and the seeming political and cultural insurmountability of them don't do our minds any favors.
mangix 9y ago
leave the US

aidenn0 9y ago

There's still a chance for you if you can get adopted by someone rich!

adreamingsoul 9y ago
But that's the last thing I want. I want to work hard and I'm willing to make sacrifices to reach my goals.

45h34jh53k4j 9y ago

dont worry. put your funds into 'good money' like sensible cryptocurrencies and watch your savings multiply. that is how we will fight the crooked boomer system.

the_gastropod 9y ago
This is really dangerous advice, especially for the poor. Crypto "investments" only multiply by convincing the next person down the line to buy your <coin of choice> at a higher price than you did. Add to this that there are no consumer protections around it, and it's an absolute honeypot for scammers. 99% of the key to wealth is to live beneath your means. It's unglamorous advice, but it's absolutely effective.
- icedchai 9y ago
  I'm pretty sure the parent was being sarcastic. "The Millionaire Next Door" should be required reading in high school. It has all you need to know about living below your means, building wealth slowly and consistently.
  - the_gastropod 9y ago
    Ahh! I've been Poe's Law'd I guess!
- godelski 9y ago
  I may be wrong, but I read their advice as sarcasm.
InitialLastName 9y ago
"sensible cryptocurrencies" is the oxymoron for this generation

aantix 9y ago

"limited housing and land"? I don't agree. The Midwest is very affordable. Plenty of land. Remote work is a definite possibility.

j45 9y ago
Earning arbitrage through working remotely is something many folks have done for the last 15-20 years. It provide a healthy ability to save and access lasting economic mobility if that's the goal. At the end of the day what you make doesn't matter, it's what you're able to keep and move forward (or stabilize with).
noobermin 9y ago
Convince the capitalist/managerial class this is a good idea. The other option is to replace them.
adreamingsoul 9y ago
You don't have to agree, but that fact is still true. I also have hesitations with buying land in the Midwest, mostly due to climate change factors.
- prepend 9y ago
  That’s an interesting perspective. What climate change factors worry you? The Midwest is one of the few regions in the US that stand to benefit from climate change. Easy/West will be worst hit.
  - meritt 9y ago
    If you think the midwest is safe, I think you should spend a bit of time reading about the Ogalla aquifer.
    - dreamcompiler 9y ago
      Water is going to be the most immediate problem facing most Americans in the 21st century. For too long we've assumed fresh water would be infinitely available by simply drilling a hole in the ground. We now know that's not true. We're going to have to get very serious about rainwater harvesting, cross-country water pipelines from desalination plants on the coasts, sewage recycling, and humidity harvesting.

noobermin 9y ago

If you want to be serious about saving our future, you need to stop standing on the sidelines and echoing the defeatist attitude that the situation we're in cannot be fixed. We need to stop worrying about offending a minority of people who have power and focus on ending their political power, because a lot of the fixes will be political and must be. EDIT: being a little presumptive here, see below.

adreamingsoul 9y ago
Currently, I serve on two committees with my local City government. I work-trade with local farmers and volunteer with numerous non-profit organizations. I've converted my backyard into an urban farm and have started a composting program with my neighbors. I regularly meet with the Mayor to discuss ideas that could benefit the local community. All of this is in addition to my 9-5. What else should I be doing? Also, I don't appreciate your presumption that I have a "defeatist" attitude just because I shared some of my honest thoughts. Next time ask.
- noobermin 9y ago
  You're definitely doing a lot more than a lot of people are doing. I read your last line as defeatist, and probably misjudged you. I will say however that a lot of the issues you talk about are systemic and larger than what can be affected by local politics. Compositing programs won't address there are still large corporate farms out there that contribute the most to climate change. The same is true of recycling, being vegan or eating local, etc. A lot of change that needs to occur involves regulating large corporations. It sounds like you're aware of this, but that's how you address the future. I think you agree. EDIT: leaving my presumptive comment above unchanged so people reading won't be confused.
  - adreamingsoul 9y ago
    Thanks. I agree with you about the fact that what I'm doing isn't a direct influence on the bigger issues. However, consumers play a major role in these larger issues. For example, If we as a society would stop buying cheap food, it would force the hand of these industrial operations to change their behavior. So I'm taking the time I have now to learn and improve my mentoring and educational skills when working with the local community. In addition to regulation, I also think it's critical that sustainable change occurs from our within society.

vminkov 9y ago

Come to Eastern Europe, your student loan money is enough for a whole new life here. P.s. honestly, I don't understand how ppl who are so hoplessly indebted are not migrating here. Bulgaria offers very cheap life with the opportunity of doing business with the EU and the US. Why work 24/7 when you can enjoy a good life in a place where the local people and economy need a foreigner to lead them in the business and globalizing world?

rhcom2 9y ago
Everyone I know and care about is here. That isn't inconsequential.
- Dangissuchacunt 9y ago
  Those people are probably cunts. Find new people.
fineng123 9y ago
Because they don't understand. A common refrain about the story in the U.S. of LaVar Ball, the impetuously famous basketball dad, is that it was a huge mistake to send his kids to play in Lithuania. It's a classic example of "worldly" Americans going to the Louvre and being "cultured" but not having the depth of understanding that Eastern Europe is a wonderful, beautiful place. It's just not as well-kept and poorer so they turn up their nose.
- lozaning 9y ago
  I think there's plenty of room to critique LaVars choices while staying purely within the confines of basketball. The difference between skill level, exposure, and compensation is quite stark between the US and anywhere else. He could send his kids to go live at the Louvre and it's still be a dumb basketball move.
  - fineng123 9y ago
    You could definitely say they can learn more in the States as the quality of basketball is higher, but they won't be paid until they're in the league.

dorchadas 9y ago

And that's _exactly_ why I will likely never have kids. I'm a millennial myself, caught up in all that (doubly so, if they remove the student loan forgiveness for public workers), and I don't want to make any child of mine grow up in the world it seems we're heading to (especially degrading climate).

marcelluspye 9y ago
I have a similar position on child creation, but I've decided that if I do want kids (don't at the moment, but seems likely) and can afford to, that I'll look strongly into adoption. Seems like a pretty good solution all-around to me.
judah 9y ago
> "I don't want to make any child of mine grow up in the world it seems we're heading to" This is utterly short-sighted thinking. We in Western nations are utterly privileged and blessed to live in today's world. Abundance of clothing! Abundance of food! Free and accessible plumbing! Clean drinking water! Travel anywhere you like for relatively cheap! You probably own a large climate-controlled contraption that can transport you long distances in a short amount of time! No epidemic diseases/plagues of yesteryear! No famines! The average lifespan is already 80+ years old and that number continues to increase. The world we are heading to will likely continue to see advances in technology and medicine, leading to less suffering and healthier, longer lifespans. More resources too - there are fewer destitute poor today than at any other time in history. Warren Buffet said that the moment one was born in the United States or another Western country, that person has essentially won a lottery. Puzhong Yao, a Chinese immigrant to the US put[0] it this way: "If someone is born a U.S. citizen, he or she enjoys a huge advantage in almost every aspect of life, including expected wealth, education, health care, environment, safety, etc., when compared to someone born in developing countries. For someone foreign to “purchase” these privileges, the price tag at the moment is $1 million dollars (the rough value of the EB-5 investment visa). Even at this price level, the demand from certain countries routinely exceeds the annual allocated quota, resulting in long waiting times. In that sense, American citizens were born millionaires!" Jeff Atwood of Coding Horror blog expounded further[1]: "Being born today, rather than 50, 100, 200, 500 years ago is also effectively winning a lottery." If you don't wish to have children for some reason, fine. But don't give us the foolish nonsense about refusing to bring up children in a terrible world. The world is the best it has ever been -- technologically, socially, medically, and probably morally -- and that trend is pointing in the right direction. [0]: https://americanaffairsjournal.org/2017/11/western-elite-chinese-perspective/ https://americanaffairsjournal.org/2017/11/western-elite-chi... [1]: https://twitter.com/codinghorror/status/951212445426622464 https://twitter.com/codinghorror/status/951212445426622464

deleted 9y ago

[deleted]

throwaway30yo 9y ago

Millenial here. I think things are better then you think. Failing government systems? Have always existed. Unaffordable education? Never went, no idea. Online education still free. Limited Housing and Land? Flyover country, tons of cheap housing and land. Degrading Climate? Yes. But even the most pessimistic projections are unlikely to effect my life. Its a great time to be alive. Country not at war, unemployment is low, stock market doing amazing, crime is low, tons of new fields are emerging, sex is significantly easier to find then past generations, and the internet is still pretty great.

nikkwong 9y ago
Kind of a red herring IMO. Anecdotes only get you so far—when we look at the vast majority of millenials, most of their prospects are not so great. And this is especially true in comparison to the prospects of earlier generations.
pdelbarba 9y ago
Come to Colorado. Formerly the apex of flyover real estate. Now the location of million dollar 2000sqft houses. I see maps from as late as a decade ago with nothing on them where whole cities now exist.
- deleted 9y ago
  [deleted]
adreamingsoul 9y ago
Thanks for the encouragement. I'm probably just being extra hard on myself today.
- JBlue42 9y ago
  Take the weekend off from the news, or longer. Find a good, non-political book and dive in. I've found it pretty easy to get into a negative spiral when reading about all the shit going on. Our awareness of the myriad problems and the seeming political and cultural insurmountability of them don't do our minds any favors.

mangix 9y ago

leave the US