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> I had to choose a country to get ahead in life with the most opportunities possible as an immigrant, US is still the country to be at. Yes, this is what the

> I had to choose a country to get ahead in life with the most opportunities possible as an immigrant, US is still the country to be at. Yes, this is what the US brand sells. And for you it worked. Your sample has a survivor bias so to speak. That aside, let's question the founding assumption: that the goal in life is to "get ahead". And that to "get ahead" the best way is to have the most opportunities. Perhaps this is why so many Americans (note: I was born, raised and live here) are unhappy, uncomfortable and unsatisfyied? That is, "getting ahead" isn't what it's cracked up to be? That after running on the rat wheel for so long and seeing so little in return, they're frustrated? My point is, the natural born experience is not the same as the immigrant experience. To be promised something and getting little is not the same as having little and then everything is a bonus. Yes you can get ahead here. Yes there is opportunity. The question is: how much joy and happiness will that bring? Will it last? Or is this a false construct that eventally reveals itself?

kevin42 3y ago
>Yes you can get ahead here. Yes there is opportunity. The question is: how much joy and happiness will that bring? Will it last? Or is this a false construct that eventally reveals itself? I think the answer to your question depends on the person and their personality. Many people get happiness and satisfaction from achievement, and the result of their work. For example, many people get happiness from achievements in sports, others in business. A few years ago, I was writing a lot of proposals for government work, and I was winning a lot of them, even when competing against large defense contractors. So much so that my company didn't need any more work. But I was enjoying the satisfaction of winning that I wanted to keep going. My friend (who was also partnered with me on those proposals) and I were reflecting on that, and we agreed that the validation that came with winning was what really was motivating us, more so than the money. Will it last? Again, I think it depends on the person. I think most high achievers get long term satisfaction from what they do. Not everyone, sure. But I don't think it's a false construct because some don't.
- chiefalchemist 3y ago
  Yes it can vary from person to person. Nonetheless, the USA consistently doesn't rate well when it comes to happiness. Why is that? A lack of achievement? If so, who's hoarding all the opportunity?
- mensetmanusman 3y ago
  It doesn’t last, one usually requires something deeper.

kevin42 3y ago

>Yes you can get ahead here. Yes there is opportunity. The question is: how much joy and happiness will that bring? Will it last? Or is this a false construct that eventally reveals itself? I think the answer to your question depends on the person and their personality. Many people get happiness and satisfaction from achievement, and the result of their work. For example, many people get happiness from achievements in sports, others in business. A few years ago, I was writing a lot of proposals for government work, and I was winning a lot of them, even when competing against large defense contractors. So much so that my company didn't need any more work. But I was enjoying the satisfaction of winning that I wanted to keep going. My friend (who was also partnered with me on those proposals) and I were reflecting on that, and we agreed that the validation that came with winning was what really was motivating us, more so than the money. Will it last? Again, I think it depends on the person. I think most high achievers get long term satisfaction from what they do. Not everyone, sure. But I don't think it's a false construct because some don't.

chiefalchemist 3y ago
Yes it can vary from person to person. Nonetheless, the USA consistently doesn't rate well when it comes to happiness. Why is that? A lack of achievement? If so, who's hoarding all the opportunity?
mensetmanusman 3y ago
It doesn’t last, one usually requires something deeper.