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0 pointss1artibartfast4y ago0 comments

There is the matter of proportionality. There are challenges and problems, some worse than prior generations and some better.

Putting the comparison aside. It is not healthy or helpful to teach children that they are doomed, the situation is hopeless, and their their future is destined to be miserable.

I wouldn't tell my child "your life will suck, and you would be better off dead" every morning when they wake up. Pessimists preach this, and children believe it.

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juve19964y ago

Children aren't being directly told these things.

They are seeing it every day on blast from every source of media. It's not just kids. Its young adults choosing not to get married or have kids. The reality is grim.

Progress is relative. Even if the young generation isn't that bad compared to the 1700s, it's bad compared to what it could directly be related to, which is the previous generation and the era of good and plenty and western hegemony.

s1artibartfastOP4y ago

I'm not claiming that people tell their children this verbatim. I agree that this is what they are effectively being blasted by from media sources and this is very detrimental.

I also think that the pessimism is vastly overstated. Constant comparison is a recipe for disappointment just as much as if you compared your life to a celebrity on social media. There are still vast sources for happiness and life satisfaction that are untappd

juve19964y ago

On an individual level, yes, I agree. But this is against human nature - which is to compare. It requires strong mindfulness to overcome and this is not available to the general population.

This isn't "they have a BMW and I have a Corolla." The basic things are further and further out of reach.

Again, if you say to someone "well at least you aren't a slave" they'll scoff at you. We've progressed to a certain point and are on the verge of regressing if we haven't already.

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juve19964y ago

Children aren't being directly told these things.

They are seeing it every day on blast from every source of media. It's not just kids. Its young adults choosing not to get married or have kids. The reality is grim.

s1artibartfastOP4y ago

I'm not claiming that people tell their children this verbatim. I agree that this is what they are effectively being blasted by from media sources and this is very detrimental.

juve19964y ago

On an individual level, yes, I agree. But this is against human nature - which is to compare. It requires strong mindfulness to overcome and this is not available to the general population.

This isn't "they have a BMW and I have a Corolla." The basic things are further and further out of reach.

Again, if you say to someone "well at least you aren't a slave" they'll scoff at you. We've progressed to a certain point and are on the verge of regressing if we haven't already.

1 more reply

j / k navigate · click thread line to collapse