Signs of broken Britain

[Mich the Tester]

I caught a few minutes of some bishop or other on the TV over the festive period.

What he was saying was that more realism is needed - there seems to be an attitude that if you want something enough and work really hard you will get it.

The problem is this is simply not true - so a lot of people have false expectations

This in turn causes the depression and unhappiness of young adults - we all grow up wanting to be rich/famous/a great sportsmen/CEO of a topten blue chip company etc but when you hit early adult hood the realisation dawns that actually you will more than likely end up as Mr/Mrs average and your life will consist of the same monotonous grind which you have watched slowly kill your parents over the last 20 years.

Mind Numbing Spirit Crushing Gameshows anyone?

Choose life!

The bish has a point, and I think that one aspect is the ‘meritocratic society’. I’ll try to make my point semi-coherently. In the past people accepted that they were working class, middle class etc and that they were going to stay that way. These days, with free education, a less rigid class system and opportunities to travel and learn, people have come to believe that success is entirely their own achievement, and conversely that failure is entirely the fault of the ‘victim’. I’m not suggesting we should return to a peasants and aristocrats feudal society; I do quite nicely out of meritocracy too. I’m saying that people sometimes forget how much luck is involved in success or failure. Sure, you have to create the circumstances where good luck can come your way, but people need to remember that someone who’s bankrupt may have worked very hard to make a success of life. Someone who’s successful may have done that too, but had the right lucky breaks along the way.

This lack of appreciation for the role of luck can make successful people arrogant, make less successful people blame themselves and lead people to be less sympathetic to one another, thereby generally making people miserable.

[Bagpuss]

I seem to remember a report not that long ago about depression. A doctor was saying most causes of depression are not depression at all, merely sadness, for which blue pills were not appropriate. I suspect the authors of this latest report have a vested interest in receiving funding.

Not sure I understand that or why Viagra wouldn't help. But nice rant anyway

[Purple Dalek]

Sadness, yes. I see many young men walking about with hoodies and trousers half down, and I think they look incredibly sad. You smile to brighten their day and you get a "What you looking at?". To which I'm often stumped for an answer: what is it I'm looking at? An utter failure to choose their own character? A pathetic attempt to mimic someone they've seen on a music video? What is it, exactly?

[sasguru]

The bish has a point, and I think that one aspect is the ‘meritocratic society’. I’ll try to make my point semi-coherently. In the past people accepted that they were working class, middle class etc and that they were going to stay that way. These days, with free education, a less rigid class system and opportunities to travel and learn, people have come to believe that success is entirely their own achievement, and conversely that failure is entirely the fault of the ‘victim’. I’m not suggesting we should return to a peasants and aristocrats feudal society; I do quite nicely out of meritocracy too. I’m saying that people sometimes forget how much luck is involved in success or failure. Sure, you have to create the circumstances where good luck can come your way, but people need to remember that someone who’s bankrupt may have worked very hard to make a success of life. Someone who’s successful may have done that too, but had the right lucky breaks along the way.

This lack of appreciation for the role of luck can make successful people arrogant, make less successful people blame themselves and lead people to be less sympathetic to one another, thereby generally making people miserable.

Very good point and worthy of new thread which I will start.

[Bagpuss]

I’m saying that people sometimes forget how much luck is involved in success or failure. Sure, you have to create the circumstances where good luck can come your way, but people need to remember that someone who’s bankrupt may have worked very hard to make a success of life. Someone who’s successful may have done that too, but had the right lucky breaks along the way.

This lack of appreciation for the role of luck can make successful people arrogant, make less successful people blame themselves and lead people to be less sympathetic to one another, thereby generally making people miserable.

I agree 100% The inability to empathise with others is dragging society downward.

[Purple Dalek]

I agree 100% The inability to empathise with others is dragging society downward.

I call it "alzheimers lite". I do believe it is a developmental problem in a growing group of the youth. They seem to have a problem with socialisation and interpersonal development is lacking.

[ChimpMaster]

The problem is this - I've had my lunch but I'm still hungry.

Think about it.

[Doggy Styles]

The problem is this - I've had my lunch but I'm still hungry.

Think about it.

I off for my lunch soon. I'll think about it then.

[ratewhore]

Not sure I understand that or why Viagra wouldn't help. But nice rant anyway

Sadly, I thought when I typed it that someone would mention viagra.

Thank you for not letting me down...

[Bagpuss]

Sadly, I thought when I typed it that someone would mention viagra.

Thank you for not letting me down...

Don't be hard on me