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Americans are the most privileged people on earth. They have the highest pay, they have the highest ability to climb the social ladder, they never have to be a

Americans are the most privileged people on earth. They have the highest pay, they have the highest ability to climb the social ladder, they never have to be afraid to be conscripted and sent to war, they’ll never see a bomb go off on their home soil, they don’t have to fear Putin or China invading them. Are non-Americans supposed to feel bad for these privileged people?

spacecadet 3y ago
People die every day in America thanks to gun and "bomb" violence. Yes we are highly privileged people, but for most, its a hellscape.
BirAdam 3y ago
Uh… growing up in America isn’t all gravy. I grew up near a uranium enrichment facility and toxic waste dump and have lifelong health issues from that. I also have known an unusually high number of people who died way too early from very rare cancers as a result. I also watched the city I lived in set on fire with riots. Friends of mine have been murdered. My story isn’t unique, nor are the conditions. Having more money or more access to credit doesn’t magically make everything better, it can actually just hide some of the problems a bit better for a much longer period of time. Edit: removed an edit.
Der_Einzige 3y ago
Damn it feels good to be an American. If you’re a Buddhist, then you can interpret the privilege as a sign that most Americans were good people in their past lives too! They earned it! A nation of mostly good karma. Can you believe it? Really rustles the “I hate my country because we are colonizers” crowd like Howard Zinn - especially when you look to the religious beliefs of the people in those conquered countries (I.e Cambodia, Myanmar, Vietnam)
logicalfails 3y ago
In my very subjective opinion, we are reaching a question of what is the meaning of life when you essentially have most of what you need. Outside of religion, many people don't have a reason to live for, except pursuing even more wealth/goods/comfort. And if they don't believe that's possible for themselves, living in mediocrity becomes a depressing, routine grind for many.
dang 3y ago
Please don't take HN threads into nationalistic flamewar. Last thing we need here. https://news.ycombinator.com/newsguidelines.html https://news.ycombinator.com/newsguidelines.html

spacecadet 3y ago

People die every day in America thanks to gun and "bomb" violence. Yes we are highly privileged people, but for most, its a hellscape.

BirAdam 3y ago

Uh… growing up in America isn’t all gravy. I grew up near a uranium enrichment facility and toxic waste dump and have lifelong health issues from that. I also have known an unusually high number of people who died way too early from very rare cancers as a result. I also watched the city I lived in set on fire with riots. Friends of mine have been murdered. My story isn’t unique, nor are the conditions. Having more money or more access to credit doesn’t magically make everything better, it can actually just hide some of the problems a bit better for a much longer period of time. Edit: removed an edit.

Der_Einzige 3y ago

Damn it feels good to be an American. If you’re a Buddhist, then you can interpret the privilege as a sign that most Americans were good people in their past lives too! They earned it! A nation of mostly good karma. Can you believe it? Really rustles the “I hate my country because we are colonizers” crowd like Howard Zinn - especially when you look to the religious beliefs of the people in those conquered countries (I.e Cambodia, Myanmar, Vietnam)

logicalfails 3y ago

In my very subjective opinion, we are reaching a question of what is the meaning of life when you essentially have most of what you need. Outside of religion, many people don't have a reason to live for, except pursuing even more wealth/goods/comfort. And if they don't believe that's possible for themselves, living in mediocrity becomes a depressing, routine grind for many.

dang 3y ago

Please don't take HN threads into nationalistic flamewar. Last thing we need here. https://news.ycombinator.com/newsguidelines.html https://news.ycombinator.com/newsguidelines.html