Does anyone truly think times are better now than 30 years ago? (US)
I really never have believed times improved, and i am almost positive things will only get worse.
30 years ago we had a future to look to, the unshittified internet, great music, affordable land/housing, affordable durable cars, people actually interacted in real life, no social media trash. Now, we have billionaires and LLMs. I don't see how anyone can possibly think times are better or going to improve.
Yes, everyone will say "civil rights improved" and yes thats maybe the only thing that has changed, however it's getting taken away every day again so I don't think you can even use that point anymore.
1995? For me, personally, I'd say some things are better, some are worse. I was struggling to get by on $8.60 an hour back then, couldn't live on my own so I had a room-mate. I was still a year away from the tech job that would crack open my real career and bring me where I am today.
1996 - first tech job, income doubled+ overnight. Got my own first place. Commuting between Portland and Chicago every 2 weeks for a year. Feels like that was when my life really started.
2025? Still working in tech, married 14 years, 6 figure salary, bought a house 4 years ago. OTOH - 2 heart attacks, congestive heart failure, cancer scare in the past 2 weeks. Looks like they got it all, but I need to back in 6 months for a re-check.