Ask HN: How Are Things in the US?
I don't live in the US, and I have no friends from there.
The media and politicians are not reliable indicators of how life truly is like for the average American.
I'd like to hear your opinion.
The media and politicians are not reliable indicators of how life truly is like for the average American.
I'd like to hear your opinion.
If you believe the internet and thus believe we're in Nazi Germany or the USSR, of course you're going to think it's bad and you'll say it's bad.
To your premise, basically your outlook and mental health are very much shaped by what media you consume and very little of it is healthy. I'd also add that social media, including hn, are also not super reliable indicators. The happiest, normal people probably don't spend a shit ton of time on social media talking about how their life is pretty good.
How's your country?
How's life in tobeornot's country?
If you're not MAGA, you're either a "movement conservative" that actually still believes in things like small limited government, free markets, personal responsibility, etc, or you're at least kind of liberal. In the case of the remnant-movement-conservatives, they've been shocked to learn that the national leadership didn't believe in those things at all. If you're at least kind of liberal, you're shocked because absolute morons are in charge, and they do everything exactly wrong, and they lie constantly.
For some reason, the MAGAs have been sullen and restrained since Trump won. I'm not sue what this is, dogs finally catching the car and not knowing what to do, or the realization that Trump isn't actually all that strong and smart. The famous "Second Amendment People" have been revealed as useless blowhards.
Prices are still high and going higher, and Trump's in a war of the category he promised to NOT get into.
The only thing holding the economy up is data center spending, and the "AI" folks seem dead set on putting everyone out of decent paying jobs with meaning, and into some new underclass, while anointing themselves as a literal new aristocracy with Trump as king.
Everyone is holding their breath.
Things in the US are more expensive, feel more uncertain, and seem less real. I’m depressed but not scared. I go to work, see my friends, drive around (closer distances). The quality of our food is getting worse. Outbreaks of food borne pathogens like cryptosporidium are relatively common. Small businesses are closing in my town and the only things that come back are restaurants. Every suburban town looks exactly the same as the last - same stores, same streets, same houses. Above a certain income level you are more insulated from the uncertainty, but it still exists. No one talks about AI - it’s not important for average ppl. They talk about entertainment, sports, their job, their kids. Schools are struggling in the aftermath of COVID. Most kids are still 2-3 years behind, and we still don’t know the full impact of COVID on younger kids. Scientific research is getting gutted unless it’s AI, quantum, or a grift.
ITS AMAZING HERE!!!
Art feels…stagnant. Lots of sequels & reworked old movies. Music is starting to all sound the same. Our overlords know what sells so they give us what we want and we don’t complain. Lots of choice but not a lot of info on how to make a decision that’s not like Dan Ariely or some talking head.
In general, I’m looking forward to a more well informed populace that can critically think. I’m looking forward to voting on measures to reduce monopolies & curtail big businesses. We all decided based on a show (the Apprentice) that business people know more about the government and operating it than we or any politician does. We think we’re stupid so we need a daddy or mommy to tell us what to do.
Americans are VERY VERY VERY easily propagandized bc of racism & capitalism. At times I hear opinions that are nonsensical and then I’m like OH you get all your info from TV news or like one publication.
America feels like one big grift right now. The disillusionment I feel is partly depression, partly anxiety, and partly hopelessness. For now the grifters won, but after a while people get tired of lies and liars. It will be fun to see what’s next. Interested to see what other folks have experienced.