4 ms·

I think you're right. But society has been this way from way Before the mental illness epidemic. Evidence points to the fact that the structure of society is no

I think you're right. But society has been this way from way Before the mental illness epidemic. Evidence points to the fact that the structure of society is not causative of a new trend we are seeing. That being said I do think you're right. It's just that there's two underlying trends here of "mental illness". The one your addressing has been longer term and more pervasive while the recent trend is, as stated, a new trend and seemingly caused by social media.

sublinear 3y ago
> society has been this way from way Before the mental illness epidemic. Definitely agree. > Evidence points to the fact that the structure of society is not causative of a new trend we are seeing. Trends can't exist without metrics. What's recent are the observations of the behaviors and new politics and moved goalposts, not the behaviors themselves.
atoav 3y ago
As someone who has 4 cousins and one brother that just went throught their teenage years: Social media is definitely a factor. I was still in the generation where we had social media, but phones had no or very shitty cameras and mobile internet was too expensive for us teens. Some people didn't have phones, period. But those kids have a constant comparison to ideals, especially the girls, be it their peers or celebrities. And if there is mobbing it is way, way worse than in my generation, because it is easier to have a true all against you situation (with many passive bystanders) and because it doesn't end when you are at home.
djtango 3y ago
when do you have in mind? In recent modern history, we saw periods of high social mobility - competition works well in positive sum environments where the pie is getting bigger for everyone. Feels less good when the pie is getting smaller...
- corethree 3y ago
  We've seen this in America well before the advent of social media. Maybe you haven't seen life before the internet.

sublinear 3y ago

> society has been this way from way Before the mental illness epidemic. Definitely agree. > Evidence points to the fact that the structure of society is not causative of a new trend we are seeing. Trends can't exist without metrics. What's recent are the observations of the behaviors and new politics and moved goalposts, not the behaviors themselves.

atoav 3y ago

As someone who has 4 cousins and one brother that just went throught their teenage years: Social media is definitely a factor. I was still in the generation where we had social media, but phones had no or very shitty cameras and mobile internet was too expensive for us teens. Some people didn't have phones, period. But those kids have a constant comparison to ideals, especially the girls, be it their peers or celebrities. And if there is mobbing it is way, way worse than in my generation, because it is easier to have a true all against you situation (with many passive bystanders) and because it doesn't end when you are at home.

djtango 3y ago

when do you have in mind? In recent modern history, we saw periods of high social mobility - competition works well in positive sum environments where the pie is getting bigger for everyone. Feels less good when the pie is getting smaller...

corethree 3y ago
We've seen this in America well before the advent of social media. Maybe you haven't seen life before the internet.