4 ms·
> On every measurable metric, there has literally never been a better time to be alive and living in America. I love how the common HN statement of, "if there
by ianleeclark 7y ago
> On every measurable metric, there has literally never been a better time to be alive and living in America.
I love how the common HN statement of, "if there's a metric, it will be gamed," never makes it's way into concerns of societies ills. The United States is an incredibly lonely and alienated place and, while GDP may be going up or whatever gamey mechanism you want to measure does the "right " thing, it does nothing to affect the very real material concerns of the average person: the ever-increasing precarious nature of work, healthcare concerns, student loan debt, increasing rent, and it just gets worse every time you wake up.
- davinic 7y agoI think this is a result of looking at the mean vs. the median. While the average GDP continues to rise, the median remains stagnant -- only up 2.8% since 1999[0]! The saying "never cross a river that is 4 feet deep on average" is applicable -- the skewness is a critical factor. [0]: https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/MEHOINUSA672N https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/MEHOINUSA672N
- TurkishPoptart 7y agoGDP has little to no indication as to whether people have a life worth living.
- FussyZeus 7y agoThe fact that it's mentioned at all in a discussion like this is a testament to how effective corporate media has been in convincing people to pursue economic growth at the cost of everything else. Who cares if the planets burning and suicides are up!? Don't worry about financial security and medical expenses! The NASDAQ thing went up! That's all that matters afterall, as long as the made up fuckin numbers are nice and big, have a party!