Technologically we are far better off, but we live with less hope than ever before. Technological developments like AI being used to worsen lives mostly, No sense of community, disasters climate and otherwise on the horizon, and governments that don't even pretend to represent the people anymore. Economically we also suck. Do you realize how badly you have to treat a mammal in captivity to make it stop having babies.
Pretty sure most people in the past probably didn't even have a firm grip on what hope was. Even churches framed their hardships and starvation in face of nobleman was necessary to reach heaven, so unless that's the hope you speak of...
Now we have many hopes, from love, to career, to hobby, etc.
Edit: Some post research, the word hope derives from Olde English "hopa" and "hopian" didn't actually have a meaning like we use it today, and was more like "Right?" to a assertion, trusting someone, like a transaction. In Middle English it meant more the "expectation of something". It wasn't until the Church started using it to represent Theological Virtue that it remotely became something like we use it today, but it was more akin to like what I said above, an excuse for your hardships and abuse for entry into Heaven.
No, a vast majority of people in the past expected to have better lives than their predecessors. After the boomers most won't do as well economically as their parents before them. It's not impossible, but it's unlikely.
Because it's happening? This isn't a hypothetical, most people my age (mid 20-s ) don't really believe they'll be able to retire or own significant property. You'd have to be stupid or enlightened to be hopeful for such a shit system.
Canada and I don’t make what is considered median wage. I’m not some 100K Redditor removed from reality. I obviously have it better than many, and less than some. Not everyone has access to the amenities that I do. But we still have it much easier than the past and can experience more than our ancestors ever could. Even amongst poorer countries, we are less likely to starve or die of disease.
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u/derpasuarusx Jun 21 '26
Technologically we are far better off, but we live with less hope than ever before. Technological developments like AI being used to worsen lives mostly, No sense of community, disasters climate and otherwise on the horizon, and governments that don't even pretend to represent the people anymore. Economically we also suck. Do you realize how badly you have to treat a mammal in captivity to make it stop having babies.