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>That's an interesting take. I get where you're coming from, but I think the fact that this take is at all interested says more about our culture than anything

>That's an interesting take. I get where you're coming from, but I think the fact that this take is at all interested says more about our culture than anything else. I'm not an anthropologist, but I'd be very surprised if there were many cultures that told their kids to do more than "get married, have kids, spend your time doing something of value to your tribe/village/country".

wolverine876 4y ago
> I'd be very surprised if there were many cultures that told their kids to do more than "get married, have kids, spend your time doing something of value to your tribe/village/country". Most free, advanced countries say more. A common theory is that it's a matter of safety - look up Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs. Much of the world for most of history felt very insecure, with food and survival at risk, and couldn't fulfill their 'higher' needs. And that might explain why, in these insecure times, we see (IME) many preaching the more basic needs and against the higher ones.
- burntoutfire 4y ago
  > Most free, advanced countries say more. I'm not so sure. Europe is pretty conservative, and people tend to play it safe. Japan is obviously even more so. US is probably unique in its pushing the young to follow their dreams. This probably comes from its singular history - not so long ago, millions of regular American were starting successful ventures from scratch - whether it were farms in the wilderness of the West, or small businesses in towns. That was quite unique time and place in world's history, when the common man had actualy some agency and could conceivably start something from scratch with a good change of success. Meanwhile, Europe and the rest of the world was already mature, overcrowded and calcified, with little room for organic growth. Now, in XXI century, America in terms of opportunities is becoming more similar to rest of the world than to XIX century's past self - but the values and attitudes have not caught up to that yet.

wolverine876 4y ago

> I'd be very surprised if there were many cultures that told their kids to do more than "get married, have kids, spend your time doing something of value to your tribe/village/country". Most free, advanced countries say more. A common theory is that it's a matter of safety - look up Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs. Much of the world for most of history felt very insecure, with food and survival at risk, and couldn't fulfill their 'higher' needs. And that might explain why, in these insecure times, we see (IME) many preaching the more basic needs and against the higher ones.

burntoutfire 4y ago
> Most free, advanced countries say more. I'm not so sure. Europe is pretty conservative, and people tend to play it safe. Japan is obviously even more so. US is probably unique in its pushing the young to follow their dreams. This probably comes from its singular history - not so long ago, millions of regular American were starting successful ventures from scratch - whether it were farms in the wilderness of the West, or small businesses in towns. That was quite unique time and place in world's history, when the common man had actualy some agency and could conceivably start something from scratch with a good change of success. Meanwhile, Europe and the rest of the world was already mature, overcrowded and calcified, with little room for organic growth. Now, in XXI century, America in terms of opportunities is becoming more similar to rest of the world than to XIX century's past self - but the values and attitudes have not caught up to that yet.