[silverquiet]

> We can't defend ourselves, our economies are de-industrializing, we have right and left radical taking over political spectrum all the while our pension and healthcare systems are moving ever closer to a breaking point.

Other than the defense part, the same could be said for the US.

[Workaccount2]

The US has very rosy economic future projections compared to Europe, and frankly the rest of the world. Don't be fooled by sensational headlines and chronically online college kids complaining.

[gota]

Rosy in comparison to the rest of the world - maybe

Rosy in comparison to 1976~2000 - no

I'm under the impression it's been (sort of) proven (but I have no source) that the major reason for 'college kids complaining' is precisely because of the perceived loss in quality of life, purchasing power and access to {healtchare, safety, community, third spaces} when compared to prior generations

[aesch]

I'm glad you mentioned 'perceived' loss in quality of life. I think that is what is being argued, does the perception meet the reality?

It could be that the major reason for 'college kids perception of loss in quality of life' is that the rise of ad-driven media, as opposed to the previous generation's subscription model, leads to more sensationalized news to drive clicks. Combine that with online forums (echo chambers) that make it easier to complain to a sympathetic audience. College kids are also more susceptible to recency bias, they didn't live through previous times of uncertainty and have no memories of cold wars or the turbulence that previous generations lived through.

[djhn]

To me it seems that even software engineers and bankers in US and UK, at least those who don’t have parental support, will struggle to ever attain the things that are achievable to moderately ambitious european kids from the lowest wealth and income deciles at 25-30 in a wide range of professions: 40 hour workweeks, comfortable middle class lifestyle, home ownership in appreciating, investment grade old real estate in historical city centres.

[silverquiet]

Do the future projections suggest that those gains will be shared equitably or lead to greater happiness and life outcomes for Americans?

[Workaccount2]

These are economic projections, not sociopolitical ones.

The harvest looks very likely to increase all else being equal. How it is distributed and how the farm is managed in the future is another matter.

[silverquiet]

Ah yes, if we all work hard, then the bosses can buy another Ferrari next year.

[RGamma]

The US as a statistic, perhaps. As a collection of people... not sure, they seem pretty angry already.

[archagon]

A MAGA victory, now or in the future, can burn it all to the ground. The political situation is incredibly volatile.