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I think it’s deeply cultural. I’m from the USA but live on the other side of the planet. Nobody here is like this, they aren’t angry or bitter, they are general

by alxmng 4y ago

I think it’s deeply cultural. I’m from the USA but live on the other side of the planet. Nobody here is like this, they aren’t angry or bitter, they are generally happy and polite, yet they are on TikTok and Facebook and the same Internet as everyone else.

ericmcer 4y ago
I agree, I think in the US we are blaming social media, Covid, global warming, etc. but what is really bugging me is what lies under all those things, a general feeling that just working hard and being a good person will no longer guarantee me stability and safety. Since forever that has been the contract between the US govt and its citizens. Do good work and you will be safe and free, but it feels shaky now and it makes me feel adrift and listless.
- vinyl7 4y ago
  It's because in the US, you have to run in order to stay in the same place. There is no more stability. Swim fast or get eaten by the sharks.
- alxmng 4y ago
  I agree it’s gotten harder to get by, and that influences cultural malaise and anxiety. I’d like to add that where I am people experience far more political and economic adversity than the USA, yet this doesn’t make them outwardly bitter, cynical, angry, impolite, etc. Anecdotally people are much happier, while being in a worse material situation.
  - theonething 4y ago
    Okay, my curiosity is piqued. If you're willing to share, which country are you in? If not, totally understandable.
    - alxmng 4y ago
      Myanmar (Burma)
      - theonething 4y ago
        My wife spent a few years there and also speaks highly of the people. They seem to be a people and culture that are able react to the hardships of life with grace and patience not seen here in the US. I also wonder why that is. They definitely don't have the sense of entitlement so prevalent here.
- smaudet 4y ago
  I should add I don't use social media, unless email or this forum count, and I'm pretty bitter. It's not the social media platforms, it's the Dickz in power.

by alxmng 4y ago

ericmcer 4y ago

I agree, I think in the US we are blaming social media, Covid, global warming, etc. but what is really bugging me is what lies under all those things, a general feeling that just working hard and being a good person will no longer guarantee me stability and safety. Since forever that has been the contract between the US govt and its citizens. Do good work and you will be safe and free, but it feels shaky now and it makes me feel adrift and listless.

vinyl7 4y ago
It's because in the US, you have to run in order to stay in the same place. There is no more stability. Swim fast or get eaten by the sharks.
alxmng 4y ago
I agree it’s gotten harder to get by, and that influences cultural malaise and anxiety. I’d like to add that where I am people experience far more political and economic adversity than the USA, yet this doesn’t make them outwardly bitter, cynical, angry, impolite, etc. Anecdotally people are much happier, while being in a worse material situation.
- theonething 4y ago
  Okay, my curiosity is piqued. If you're willing to share, which country are you in? If not, totally understandable.
  - alxmng 4y ago
    Myanmar (Burma)
    - theonething 4y ago
      My wife spent a few years there and also speaks highly of the people. They seem to be a people and culture that are able react to the hardships of life with grace and patience not seen here in the US. I also wonder why that is. They definitely don't have the sense of entitlement so prevalent here.
smaudet 4y ago
I should add I don't use social media, unless email or this forum count, and I'm pretty bitter. It's not the social media platforms, it's the Dickz in power.