As someone who is currently still in education for their degree looking at the current (and likely future) economic and societal outlook, it seems like employment in fields that cause/perpetuate negative issues in the world (Big Tech/Military-Industrial Complex, industries contributing to climate change, predatory sales/financial firms) continue to maintain strong employment availability and salaries as time goes on.
However, fields that have a neutral or beneficial impact on society and the world (Medical care, Food service, public infrastructure, humanitarian aid work, environmental research), either don’t have enough available positions that people are able to transition into, have worsening working conditions due to poor management or limited resources, or just don’t pay a living wage to most who work there.
I’ve read about the broken window fallacy, and I understand how focusing on personal gain without considering the impacts on the wider picture doesn’t make for a better world. But can someone feel justified contributing to the “broken windows” of the world knowing that they weren’t presented functional alternative pathways, and try to contribute towards the solution in other ways?
So many people seem to be okay with this, to me, absolutely miserable status quo. I am not okay with the trade-offs we have made for a lot of this technology but it seems most people just don’t really care at all about it or don’t even think about it. It’s funny you mentioned western obsession with individualism, I was thinking about the movie Easy Rider the other day when sitting outside relaxing to the noise of motorcycles passing by, Americans were sold this idea that these bikes were a ticket to freedom but they’re just fucking loud and obnoxious, most of the people who drive them are self-important assholes, just like every limp dick driving a big pickup truck seems like they have deputized themselves sheriff of any road they drive on. Anyways end rant. I just dunno what to do, moving is expensive and not an option, so I was thinking just volunteer and do something I guess.
they bond over the miserable status quo.
if you don’t like the miserable status quo, or not suffering from it, you are considered anti-social.
being social able and likable is about confirming people’s delusional beliefs about the world and themselves. they like you if you tell them that their overpriced Harley means they are a rebellious cool person, they don’t like you if you don’t agree with this delusion.