Middle Class Life

[@thethegreenmachine]

Another thing that contributed to the good ol' times of our grandparents was the fact that our industries had very little global competition, Japan and Europe having just been pummelled in WW2. Oh, I just thought of another one: we had a lot of oil back then. We exported more than we imported.

[@KatesFree]

He's pretty insightful for any kind of dude. Welcome aboard.

[@ChipArgyle]

One thing not mentioned was that the previous generation doesn't understand how dire the situation has become for their adult children. They're quite resentful of their children who after soaking up a pile of cash to go to university can't find jobs or seem to keep them. That just adds to the problem. I've never been a fan of the concept of book burning, but I'd gladly toss anything written by Horatio Alger into the fireplace to keep me warm at night.

[@SpookyDivergent]

There are some fascinating experiments with urban farming going on in Detroit right now (abandoned buildings being converted into vertical farming space). Yes, we need to rethink and rebuild. This system has worked just fine for the people it is going to work for: those at the top of the wealth pyramid. Even they, though, are in a precarious position.

[@GashPlague]

You're pretty insightful for a shirtless dude. Liked and subbed. Keep it coming.

[@SpookyDivergent]

And when we calculate average EXEMPTING the top earning 0.5% of the population, the quality of life gap (between EU and US) is staggering.

[@Monolith1618]

I have one thing to add to your comment on the "good old days." Sure there was a time when you could have considered life to be a Rockwellian, American utopia. If you were a white, Christian, heterosexual member of a nuclear family. Unfortunately, that way of life is not sustainable for everyone. In the modern world, I'm just happy to have the ability to support myself.

[@Cyberspine]

It's superior than in some countries, but not by a long shot when compared to other rich first world countries. The twisted thing is that on average the Americans earn more than in Europe, but the standard of living isn't higher for the median American.

[@TheRainbowTribe]

You have to understand, it isn't always about the money. People not murdering each other as much isn't always based so much on specific individual income, but more on culture, yet it effects quality of life.

[@gailforce]

statement of the obvious = refreshing.

[@fede2]

the rags-to-riches fable is perpetuated by very marginal cases. capitalism cannot survive without a relatively stable class hierarchy, if the insistence is that capital must stay institutionally out of reach.