I agree this is a common archetype these days but it's still not a large part of the population - probably less than 20%, maybe less than 10%. Most people don't

I agree this is a common archetype these days but it's still not a large part of the population - probably less than 20%, maybe less than 10%. Most people don't have six figures of college debt nor do they make enough money / have the kind of job that demands more more more in exchange for making you rich in your 40s+. Also this type of person has existed for a century at least, basically since the economy corporatized and white collar career oriented jobs became common I think another issue is that those without career oriented / rich lifestyles live in a society that is not designed for them. Almost all land in areas where people live is privatized, so the area they can realistically use for social activities is limited to mostly parks, and in the US getting most places quickly requires some form of private transport. Digital media gives the most entertainment/$ so a lot of poorer people actually spend more time in front of screens than rich people, moreso for children. And much of that time is spent on social media which makes many people feel insecure or inferior. Further, most people don't have any sense of progress or improvement or even purpose in their lives - which can be a foreign feeling to those of us who are better off. Religion used to be a cornerstone of people's lives, and is quickly losing popularity. Social mobility in the US is very low, and most people don't have any meaningful sense of "career progression".