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I'm don't think most of these conversations are really about material comfort, it's a proxy. I believe most of this deep well of negativity is a reaction to th

I'm don't think most of these conversations are really about material comfort, it's a proxy. I believe most of this deep well of negativity is a reaction to the limited choices individuals perceive themselves to have due to market forces. When wages were a little higher, jobs were easier to find, and housing costs were far lower, people could choose their work, leave jobs, take pay-cuts, and reorient their lives in a more flexible manner. People are upset now because they're on a treadmill that they can't really imagine ever being able to get off, even if they never want to, which is a gloomy thing indeed. And it's not like skipping on A/C or avocado toasts will ever give people enough money to escape that.

pedro_hab 9y ago
Yeah, but this kinda proves the point, these luxuries are not luxuries anymore, they became standard. The way the world is portrait by many would make me think the rich are keeping the AC for themselves, and actually they only keep cutting edge technologies, which will be in mass market if proven necessary, as cellphones. Can you believe a "poor" person can have the same cellphone as Bill Gates, there isn't a ultra expensive phone that only they can afford, this is huge. Now isn't what you pointed out more of a human psychological issue than a economic one?
- lazerpants 9y ago
  I think many poorer Americans would gladly trade some of those luxuries for freedoms. The market has made some luxury a commodity (which is good) but it has regressed in terms of security and individual freedom of employment (at least for the poor), making free time and choice of lifestyle a luxury. As a hyperbolic example to prove the point, would you rather work 40 hours a week at a job you hate, and have a cell phone, or work 20 hours a week at a job you like, and not have one? Neither answer is wrong and some people would choose each, but I think current employment conditions largely cater to the former.
  - pedro_hab 9y ago
    Yes, I agree, I was blown away on how much Americans work, it makes me think is this a reason why this place is so great. It seems to be in the culture, which is better than a being lazy IMO. But also raises the question: Are americans happy with it? A lot of countries have protections for the employees, in Brazil you can't work too many extra hours, even if you want to. I know people that work 60-80hrs a week in the US, and they want to.

pedro_hab 9y ago

Yeah, but this kinda proves the point, these luxuries are not luxuries anymore, they became standard. The way the world is portrait by many would make me think the rich are keeping the AC for themselves, and actually they only keep cutting edge technologies, which will be in mass market if proven necessary, as cellphones. Can you believe a "poor" person can have the same cellphone as Bill Gates, there isn't a ultra expensive phone that only they can afford, this is huge. Now isn't what you pointed out more of a human psychological issue than a economic one?

lazerpants 9y ago
I think many poorer Americans would gladly trade some of those luxuries for freedoms. The market has made some luxury a commodity (which is good) but it has regressed in terms of security and individual freedom of employment (at least for the poor), making free time and choice of lifestyle a luxury. As a hyperbolic example to prove the point, would you rather work 40 hours a week at a job you hate, and have a cell phone, or work 20 hours a week at a job you like, and not have one? Neither answer is wrong and some people would choose each, but I think current employment conditions largely cater to the former.
- pedro_hab 9y ago
  Yes, I agree, I was blown away on how much Americans work, it makes me think is this a reason why this place is so great. It seems to be in the culture, which is better than a being lazy IMO. But also raises the question: Are americans happy with it? A lot of countries have protections for the employees, in Brazil you can't work too many extra hours, even if you want to. I know people that work 60-80hrs a week in the US, and they want to.