In the '90s there was a general sense that the world was getting freer and more democratic.
Since 9/11 everything has sucked ass.
Brad Reed
What was the best year to live in America, in your estimation? It's easy to find problems in any era. Which would you have preferred, specifically?
Will Stancil
I think life was better before the global pandemic and rising tide of global fascism
Bruno Dias
This really is the core split across so many debates right now: do you think life is broadly better in the 2020s, or in some previous decade?
The reason I know the former group is correct, and the latter is driven by reactionary nostalgia, is that none of the latter can decide on the Good Decade
Will Stancil
"work has gotten easier and lifestyles more comfortable"
Tell me you live in a bubble without telling me you live in a bubble.
Home ownership rates, labor force participation rates, healthcare costs, uninsured rates. If you just ignore everything that doesn't agree with your argument it's great!
caseman
I don’t think people are working 2.5 times harder than in 1980. Rising productivity is a function of technological advancement, which expresses itself in the heightened standard of living and increased consumption.
In general work has gotten easier and lifestyles more comfortable.
Will Stancil
What, no comment, Will? Thought you were a chart guy. Here, I'll put it this way instead:
If wages followed U.S. labor productivity since 1980, the median salary in the US—currently about $60,000— would be worth between $135,000 and $155,000 today. Where did the profits in that gap go?
