Americans are less happy.

[Woodznutz]

I've observed graduate students for decades. Since Covid there has been a change in them. There are less engaging, more solitary, and much less friendly. This article goes a long way explaining this recent phenomenon. Very interesting.

MSN

 

[1srelluc]

That's a lot of words to say that mostly people are weak and look for others to blame for their lot in life.

 

[Woodznutz]

That's a lot of words to say that mostly people are weak and look for others to blame for their lot in life.

I believe the rat in the woodpile was/is the student loan program. It led to the corruption and devaluation of the whole higher education system, among other things.

 

[citygator]

All politics aside, one of the clearest explanations is that Americans socialize far less than they used to, and that accelerated sharply after COVID.

The country adapted to convenience and isolation at the same time:

• Work from home replaced daily in-person interaction
• Delivery replaced casual errands and face-to-face contact
• Ordering on your phone replaced small social exchanges
• Streaming replaced theaters
• Remote everything replaced shared public spaces

A lot of that is more efficient.
It is also more isolating.

And that matters because happiness is strongly tied to social connection, routine interaction, and community.

People are not built to spend this much of life alone, even if it is more convenient.
You can make life easier, faster, and more efficient while also making it lonelier.

That is likely a big part of what the data is picking up in my opinion. Not just economic stress or politics, but a steady decline in everyday human interaction.

Less friction, less community.
More convenience, less connection.
And people are measurably less happy because of it.

 

[1srelluc]

All politics aside, one of the clearest explanations is that Americans socialize far less than they used to, and that accelerated sharply after COVID.

The country adapted to convenience and isolation at the same time:

• Work from home replaced daily in-person interaction
• Delivery replaced casual errands and face-to-face contact
• Ordering on your phone replaced small social exchanges
• Streaming replaced theaters
• Remote everything replaced shared public spaces

A lot of that is more efficient.
It is also more isolating.

And that matters because happiness is strongly tied to social connection, routine interaction, and community.

People are not built to spend this much of life alone, even if it is more convenient.
You can make life easier, faster, and more efficient while also making it lonelier.

That is likely a big part of what the data is picking up in my opinion. Not just economic stress or politics, but a steady decline in everyday human interaction.

Less friction, less community.
More convenience, less connection.
And people are measurably less happy because of it.

Ha!

You are the perfect example of someone who strives to blame everyday problems on others.

 

[citygator]

Ha!

You are the perfect example of someone who strives to blame everyday problems on others.

You have DDS. Democrat Derangement Syndrome. I didnt post anything political. The data shows people are less happy. There is a cause. Your sad ass self decided to just insult. Try finding a human friend.

 

[Votto]

I've observed graduate students for decades. Since Covid there has been a change in them. There are less engaging, more solitary, and much less friendly. This article goes a long way explaining this recent phenomenon. Very interesting.

MSN

I feel bad for children. They are now taught that they are either a victim or a victimizer, all based on the color of their skin

Then they are told that they have no future, thanks to global warming and the fascism of Trump whom we need to assassinate.

Then they can't decide if they are really a male or female or one of the 2,353 made up Left wing genders. In fact, they will be lucky to make it into adulthood with their genitals intact.

Their world is a much darker place than the world you grew up in.

 

[JohnDB]

 

[eagle1462010]

I feel bad for children. They are now taught that they are either a victim or a victimizer, all based on the color of their skin

Then they are told that they have no future, thanks to global warming and the fascism of Trump whom we need to assassinate.

Their world is a much darker place than the world you grew up in.

Leave it to beaver days are gone.

Good Times Create Weak Men

Weak Men Create Hard Times

We are there

 

[Woodznutz]

Ha!

You are the perfect example of someone who strives to blame everyday problems on others.

Almost all of my everyday problems are caused by others.

 

[citygator]

I feel bad for children. They are now taught that they are either a victim or a victimizer, all based on the color of their skin

Then they are told that they have no future, thanks to global warming and the fascism of Trump whom we need to assassinate.

Then they can't decide if they are really a male or female or one of the 2,353 made up Left wing genders. In fact, they will be lucky to make it into adulthood with their genitals intact.

Their world is a much darker place than the world you grew up in.

It's hard to discuss topics like this on the USMB because you guys are just so old. Old people have thought younger generations are terrible for a million years - probably the cavemen thought that about the youth who discovered fire. I for one refuse to age into the broken down cynics that you all have become.

Here is a stat for you: Crime and violent crime are HALF what they were in 90's and 25% lower than the 80s. We are safer than ever but you feel less safe... why? Its not the facts thats for sure.

 

[Woodznutz]

I feel bad for children. They are now taught that they are either a victim or a victimizer, all based on the color of their skin

Then they are told that they have no future, thanks to global warming and the fascism of Trump whom we need to assassinate.

Then they can't decide if they are really a male or female or one of the 2,353 made up Left wing genders. In fact, they will be lucky to make it into adulthood with their genitals intact.

Their world is a much darker place than the world you grew up in.

Yikes! That's pretty dark.

 

[citygator]

I believe the rat in the woodpile was/is the student loan program. It led to the corruption and devaluation of the whole higher education system, among other things.

Happiness has nothing to do with the student loan program. You are still better off financially with a college degree by far. Much lower unemployment and much higher wages.

Education should be free but we arent there. We have the educated wealthy paying for their kids to go to college, icing out the poor, and getting the good jobs. it works like a feudal system of lords ensuring that their kids are successful. Works for me as my kids got their educations paid by me as will their kids by them. All of us will be better off than the peasants.

 

[Woodznutz]

It's hard to discuss topics like this on the USMB because you guys are just so old. Old people have thought younger generations are terrible for a million years - probably the cavemen thought that about the youth who discovered fire. I for one refuse to age into the broken down cynics that you all have become.

Here is a stat for you: Crime and violent crime are HALF what they were in 90's and 25% lower than the 80s. We are safer than ever but you feel less safe... why? Its not the facts thats for sure.

I've never felt unsafe at any time in my life. Probably because I've never associated with dangerous people or places.

 

[Woodznutz]

Happiness has nothing to do with the student loan program. You are still better off financially with a college degree by far. Much lower unemployment and much higher wages.

Education should be free but we arent there. We have the educated wealthy paying for their kids to go to college, icing out the poor, and getting the good jobs. it works like a feudal system of lords ensuring that their kids are successful. Works for me as my kids got their educations paid by me as will their kids by them. All of us will be better off than the peasants.

So, the "good jobs" are only accessible if one has a college degree? How about the millions of grads who can't find those 'good jobs'.

College grad: "I have degree in architecture. Do you have a job for me?"
Hiring rep: "Sorry, but there aren't enough tradesmen to build what you might design."

 

[citygator]

I've never felt unsafe at any time in my life. Probably because I've never associated with dangerous people or places.

Clearly you never hiked Angel Falls in Zion. That scares everyone. But yea, crime is very low historically and it is very well reported now so its even lower than it reads.

 

[Hafar1014]

I've observed graduate students for decades. Since Covid there has been a change in them. There are less engaging, more solitary, and much less friendly. This article goes a long way explaining this recent phenomenon. Very interesting.

MSN

Thays because they are bombarded with negative information from the left. What you see is anxiety. Every little thing is crisis often made up. Real [problems are ignored or redefined. Left wing ideology is failing while they have to watch conservative policies work. Now they are shamed. Everything they have been taught is BS. So they become violent

 

[eagle1462010]

So, the "good jobs" are only accessible if one has a college degree? How about the millions of grads who can't find those 'good jobs'.

Theu should learn a Trade

Dirty work is CLEAN MONEY

 

[citygator]

So, the "good jobs" are only accessible if one has a college degree? How about the millions of grads who can't find those 'good jobs'.

Statistically they struggle and end up with zero wealth and work their whole lives. There are always outliers but the statistics are clear.

Only 4% of households with a four-year college degree are in the bottom 50% of wealth, meaning the vast majority of college graduates reside in the top half. Its that stark of a difference.

https://research.collegeboard.org/media/pdf/education-pays-2026-full-report.pdf

 

[Zincwarrior]

Leave it to beaver days are gone.

They never existed.