[lotsofpulp]

> Problem is, the world is an economic slugfest today unlike it was at least when I grew up

It only did not feel like a slugfest for a select few in developed countries like the US/Canada/UK/Aus and maybe some other European countries.

For the vast majority, hustling has always been a thing, including immigrating across oceans and leaving all of your friends and family behind.

It just so happens that people in the US who used to or whose parents used to have security of shelter/healthcare/food no longer have that security.