[throwaway48540]

Try to talk to people instead of relying on some abstract numbers.

"Yeah I'm so happy I have a job paying 500 USD per month, and I am so happy my 1.5-room flat rent is just 350" is a very common thing to hear where I live. The tax rate is 35% btw.

Also, try to find newer statistics at least. 2016 was around the local maxima, everything went to shit - very noticeably - during and after covid.

[surgical_fire]

I do. Most people I talk to are doing fine. Nothing close to what you described.

[moi2388]

In the Netherlands alone, a country with 18 million people, more than 1 million people need food stamps to survive.

I do not consider that “fine” at all.

[throwaway48540]

Define "doing fine", please. These people think they are doing fine. If you think this is not usual, why is 15% of my state population in irrecoverable debt?

[surgical_fire]

Doing fine as in they own the place they live in with their families in reasonable comfort and dignity?

If that is not fine, what is fine then?

[throwaway48540]

So 15% of population in irrecoverable debt is fine? I don't think so. Every place has rich people and they are fine wherever they are - not really interesting or surprising.

[7bit]

> Try to talk to people instead of relying on some abstract numbers.

Because anecdotal evidence is better than empirically researched data? LOL

[throwaway48540]

Empirically researched data would be better - if people went and read the study in detail and saw that the questions asked don't lead to the conclusion that they claim, such as this case. They read a headline or check a sheet of numbers and think they understand the world.

Since people are apparently unable to do that, talking to people is the next best thing.

[moi2388]

If people are unable to get the results from a study, but get confused by a headline, what makes you think they’ll be able to draw correct statistical conclusions from talking to a couple of people with inherent bias and small sample size?

[throwaway48540]

People are social creatures, and if they see first hand that the world doesn't match their expectations, it might get them to think about it in more detail.

[7bit]

Oh boi....