Fascinating piece, thank you. My one (mild) pushback is that 2008 never really ended: We're still dealing with the fallout. That said, I don't want to be too literal. I get that that's not really your point. On another note, I appreciate your look at the research on the effects of smart phones and social media. Am I correct that you attribute the general doom and gloom out there to technological more than economic changes?
yes that's right, the hyper-comparison of others (esp those miles away in far different markets than you) is a formula for unhappiness. But it's definitely not permanent. People will realize this is a silly way to live
None of my friends even check their phones when out in public anymore, I feel like we've turned a corner and people are realizing to compute at their desktop, then be together.
I constantly tell my 8th grade students (and increasingly, my colleagues) how lucky they are to live in the wealthiest time and place in human history. I am greeted with jaw-dropping disbelief and ridicule. It truly is a disease. I used to be a doomer. I know firsthand.
Best line:
"If people felt better when mortgages were at 18.6% and the unemployment rate was flirting with 15%, the obvious conclusion is that sentiment surveys are measuring something other than economic conditions."
It's the thrice-damned social media, people! You have the disease vector in your pocket and thank God, it comes with a delete button.
Fascinating piece, thank you. My one (mild) pushback is that 2008 never really ended: We're still dealing with the fallout. That said, I don't want to be too literal. I get that that's not really your point. On another note, I appreciate your look at the research on the effects of smart phones and social media. Am I correct that you attribute the general doom and gloom out there to technological more than economic changes?
yes that's right, the hyper-comparison of others (esp those miles away in far different markets than you) is a formula for unhappiness. But it's definitely not permanent. People will realize this is a silly way to live
Agreed, it's no way to live. Like you, I hope we wake up to this reality sooner rather than later.
None of my friends even check their phones when out in public anymore, I feel like we've turned a corner and people are realizing to compute at their desktop, then be together.
I constantly tell my 8th grade students (and increasingly, my colleagues) how lucky they are to live in the wealthiest time and place in human history. I am greeted with jaw-dropping disbelief and ridicule. It truly is a disease. I used to be a doomer. I know firsthand.
Best line:
"If people felt better when mortgages were at 18.6% and the unemployment rate was flirting with 15%, the obvious conclusion is that sentiment surveys are measuring something other than economic conditions."
It's the thrice-damned social media, people! You have the disease vector in your pocket and thank God, it comes with a delete button.
It's a voluntary prison you can walk away from at any point, easy peasy
I know you're right because I did it, and it's the best decision I ever made.
Thanks.