[tempxyz]

I used to feel suicidal in high school because I had shitty friends and my family was mostly disappointing. The minute I got an iPhone and went to college that feeling completely disappeared for about 10 years. I don't know what to tell you. Pretty sure my life is worse than yours right now. It's the best time to be alive in general. You can do anything. So go do it and be happy.

[weatherlite]

> It's the best time to be alive in general. You can do anything. So go do it and be happy.

Here's a couple of things that actually became harder/worse

1) Buying a house in a main city or even a house anywhere.

2) Pursuing a career without fear of ageism or being fired (people used to hold jobs for very lengthy periods, not anymore..and not always by choice).

3) Pursuing a career without fear of being automated or lose my job due to offshoring.

4) Costs of rearing children are higher.

5) Sticking together as a family is harder due to cultural changes.

6) Having a strong connection to the community where you live is harder now.

7) Sense of meaning in life is probably weaker - people are less religious and more lonely but consumerism and careerism don't seem like a very good substitute.

I'm not saying things used to be peachy 50 years ago, but it sounds like a reach to me to say things have never been better. In some ways they became better and in other ways they became worse. Overall I really doubt the average person is significantly happier now compared to 50 years ago.

I am talking about the rich world, mostly the West. It's probably better all around to be Indian or African now than 50 years ago.

[superchroma]

Comedian Nick Mullen has said the same, and he's had a life that's quite rough at times. It seems that being able to distract oneself from reality can be beneficial for a certain type of personality.