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I think it's crucial to find out why this is happening. "Other than cell phones, I don’t have anything" is not good enough as a conclusion. It's the most obviou

by andix 2y ago

I think it's crucial to find out why this is happening. "Other than cell phones, I don’t have anything" is not good enough as a conclusion. It's the most obvious thing, but it could have numerous other reasons. It should be possible to extend this research with other factors. There must be a few participants that rarely use smartphones and the internet. Do they show the different results? If the source is the internet (social media, online videos, ...) we really need to learn more about this. What exactly makes it that harmful.

big-green-man 2y ago
In my mind, and this isn't science, just observation, the two main problems are loneliness and not being able to afford what was in decades past a "normal life." I think the internet and smartphone have a large role in the lonelinesses part. All in all, a teenager has this idea that when they're an adult they'll start living life, and then they get there and they can't start a family and have a home of their own because they can't meet people and afford to get going.
- andix 2y ago
  I don't think that poverty and money has such a big effect on happiness, as long as the basic needs are covered (food and a dry/clean bed to sleep). There was a lot of happiness in Eastern European countries during the communist time. They were lacking so many things and they saw many human rights violations, but it didn't break the majority of people. Many people still have a lot of good memories about that time, although the circumstances weren't easy at all.
  - quantified 2y ago
    It's all relative to expectations. Habits can make a big difference. Participatory culture (making music, church, extended family and friend group socializing) don't need to cost much money. Consumer culture (streaming, concerts) costs more, plus you are now expected to pay $$$ for communication technology. People can make other people happy without much money, that's my point.
silverquiet 2y ago
The loss of the future is hard to accept; I don’t think I ever really have. Every year is the hottest year of your life, or the coolest for the rest of your life; watching the destruction of the biosphere that is your home. Facing down decades of that is terrifying, and the young have more decades ahead of them than anyone.

by andix 2y ago

big-green-man 2y ago

In my mind, and this isn't science, just observation, the two main problems are loneliness and not being able to afford what was in decades past a "normal life." I think the internet and smartphone have a large role in the lonelinesses part. All in all, a teenager has this idea that when they're an adult they'll start living life, and then they get there and they can't start a family and have a home of their own because they can't meet people and afford to get going.

andix 2y ago
I don't think that poverty and money has such a big effect on happiness, as long as the basic needs are covered (food and a dry/clean bed to sleep). There was a lot of happiness in Eastern European countries during the communist time. They were lacking so many things and they saw many human rights violations, but it didn't break the majority of people. Many people still have a lot of good memories about that time, although the circumstances weren't easy at all.
- quantified 2y ago
  It's all relative to expectations. Habits can make a big difference. Participatory culture (making music, church, extended family and friend group socializing) don't need to cost much money. Consumer culture (streaming, concerts) costs more, plus you are now expected to pay $$$ for communication technology. People can make other people happy without much money, that's my point.

silverquiet 2y ago

The loss of the future is hard to accept; I don’t think I ever really have. Every year is the hottest year of your life, or the coolest for the rest of your life; watching the destruction of the biosphere that is your home. Facing down decades of that is terrifying, and the young have more decades ahead of them than anyone.