Do you ever feel grateful to have been born, especially in this era?

[Tatooine_legend1]

I often do. I think about previous generations and how they haven't been able to have the opportunities we have today. Flights are cheap and we can travel across the world just by clicking a button, booking a flight and heading off. Not just travel, but also being able to experience different food in our supermarkets. The small things really. It might not seem much to us, but thinking about how far society has progressed, it's incredible.

I think back to my grandparents and great grandparents era and know they would never have been able to experience what I can and have done. In some ways I feel sad about that, because I am forever grateful for being born and being able to experience this life. This would never have been possible without my ancestors having met how and when they did, all the way up to my parents.

I just wanted to get a little deep and find out your thoughts on this. Sometimes I sit and think about this. I think about what my ancestors went through for me to be alive. I will be forever grateful. I've been on earth for 33 years, but every day I am thankful for. I know tomorrow is never promised, so to everyone here, just remember to be grateful for what you have, especially your health if you have all your faculties in tact, it's a precious thing. That's all

 

[dancingqueen5678]

I definitely do, especially with current technology. Being able to google maps a place and have directions is amazing. Being able to see live traffic is amazing. Being able to have an answer to a question in 5 seconds is amazing and as a uni student, I don't have to trawl through endless books to find a small relevant section.
I also love that we are more tolerant now, although it doesn't seem like it sometimes and we definitely have a long way to go, I love that there's kids watching 2 men dance on strictly and that be normal to them, I love that the reactions to LGBTQ+ people is now more accepting and just not seen as a big deal. I love that PoC have a voice they never had before. I love that women have more agency over themselves like voting, having bank accounts, owning houses. I like that people recognise mental health issues and that children are people with feelings.

Like I said, we have a long long long way to go but we're definitely in a better place than we've been.


ETA: if I think too much about why I'm alive at this moment it throws me into a existential crisis about insignificant we all are

 

[HoGi]

I am similar age to the OP.

I am definitely grateful. I think we have the best of both worlds with growing up with limited technology but with some technology so it is second nature. But we still enjoyed playing out etc.

 

[Oohthedrama]

Absolutely not

my grandparents had it hard, the married in ‘45 just after the war ended. Lived with parents until they bought houses for 900 hundred pounds (houses that would go for close to half a million now)
I loved hearing their stories, about rations, shortages, sharing potatoes with the neighbours as well as clothes and shoes

we’d never survive it, but things were so much better back then, people were better, when you had less you needed less and you were happy because you were happy not because you just preordered the iPhone 14 maxi plus deluxe,
Not because the border to the USA was open and you can go to Disney next month or the red list has been scrapped so you can go to Costa de Chav or whatever.

people entertained themselves, with sing songs and music, not PlayStations and animal crossing on the switch liter than light. They talked, and could rely on each other.

it just seemed more real. The less you have the more grateful you are.
We’re spoiled, and it’s ruined us.

 

[dancingqueen5678]

Absolutely not

my grandparents had it hard, the married in ‘45 just after the war ended. Lived with parents until they bought houses for 900 hundred pounds (houses that would go for close to half a million now)
I loved hearing their stories, about rations, shortages, sharing potatoes with the neighbours as well as clothes and shoes

we’d never survive it, but things were so much better back then, people were better, when you had less you needed less and you were happy because you were happy not because you just preordered the iPhone 14 maxi plus deluxe,
Not because the border to the USA was open and you can go to Disney next month or the red list has been scrapped so you can go to Costa de Chav or whatever.

people entertained themselves, with sing songs and music, not PlayStations and animal crossing on the switch liter than light. They talked, and could rely on each other.

it just seemed more real. The less you have the more grateful you are.
We’re spoiled, and it’s ruined us.

I agree but I don't.

I think there are people nowadays who are perfectly happy with their lot in life just like I'd imagine there were people during the war years who wished for more (especially women as the option was marriage and babies). The difference is, we now have far more access and ways to see what we don't have via social media etc. In those days they had the radio and books so they had very limited access to rich people. Now we can see how the rich live and people aspire to that now and as a result people on social media constantly trying to out do each other.

I do feel sad that there is no sense of community now but I think that depends where you go. When I lived on a council estate everyone was friendly, we'd all check on the old people make sure they were okay, the kids would all play together and we'd all swap clothes that had got to small etc. I now live in a private estate. I know the neighbours either side of me and that's it. I have some neighbours I've never even seen.

I do think we're spoiled but I don't necessarily think that's all bad either. I speak 8 languages, I'd never have been able to learn them like I did without the internet and the resources that are available, usually for free

Also women have a lot more rights now. So many women had to stay in abusive marriages cause there was no other option.

I'm not saying that we're a better society now cause I think we're a lot sadder and more anxious, but I do think there are aspects that are a lot better and you can still live a minimalist life in today's society. At the end of the day, life is what you make it

 

[Yel]

In the history of humanity I definitely feel very lucky to be born at a time where making it to your first birthday isn't rare. The advances in healthcare in the last 100 years are amazing.

But also I'm not a huge fan of where society is heading right now. So many gen-z'ers are living like they're in a developing country to save every penny and missing out on experiences in order to sign up for a lifetime of debt because you're a failure in society if you don't have a mortgage. Retirement is going back to being a dream and it's returning to the norm of working until you drop dead.

Consumerism is totally out of control, I remember when this song came out and Gucci t shirts were $50 and they're now at least around $500 and people are still desperate to get and flaunt them.

I hit the party and they stop in that motherfucker
They be like, Oh, that Gucci. That's hella tight
I'm like, Yo that's fifty dollars for a T-shirt
Limited edition, let's do some simple addition
Fifty dollars for a T-shirt, that's just some ignorant witch (tit)
I call that getting swindled and pimped (tit)
I call that getting tricked by a business
That shirt's hella dope
And having the same one as six other people in this club is a hella don't

I hate that work is often rebranded like a religion, no you can't just work to reach the top of the pyramid. It's about luck more than anything. It's like victim blaming; oh you don't have enough money and can't afford a house? You mustn't have worked hard enough! the rich get richer and the poor only have themselves to blame.

You want a hot body? You want a Bugatti?
You want a Maserati? You better work, witch
You want a Lamborghini? Sippin' martinis?
Look hot in a bikini? You better work, witch
You wanna live fancy? Live in a big mansion?
Party in France?
You better work, witch, you better work, witch
You better work, witch, you better work, witch
Now get to work, witch! (Ah-ah)
Now get to work, witch! (Ah-ah)


I could go on but I'll stop before I annoy everyone with pop lyrics

 

[Oohthedrama]

I agree but I don't.

I think there are people nowadays who are perfectly happy with their lot in life just like I'd imagine there were people during the war years who wished for more (especially women as the option was marriage and babies). The difference is, we now have far more access and ways to see what we don't have via social media etc. In those days they had the radio and books so they had very limited access to rich people. Now we can see how the rich live and people aspire to that now and as a result people on social media constantly trying to out do each other.

I do feel sad that there is no sense of community now but I think that depends where you go. When I lived on a council estate everyone was friendly, we'd all check on the old people make sure they were okay, the kids would all play together and we'd all swap clothes that had got to small etc. I now live in a private estate. I know the neighbours either side of me and that's it. I have some neighbours I've never even seen.

I do think we're spoiled but I don't necessarily think that's all bad either. I speak 8 languages, I'd never have been able to learn them like I did without the internet and the resources that are available, usually for free

Also women have a lot more rights now. So many women had to stay in abusive marriages cause there was no other option.

I'm not saying that we're a better society now cause I think we're a lot sadder and more anxious, but I do think there are aspects that are a lot better and you can still live a minimalist life in today's society. At the end of the day, life is what you make it

There are pros and cons for sure,
But we’ve turned into a society that gives zero shits about those around us, the poor and the planet, nothing matters but *me*
We travel because we can, it’s our right, screw knock on effects it’s my right to fly to 18 countries a year, we strip the world of natural resources because we can, it’s our right.
Our goals are very different now,
that new build starter home is a stop gap because our sights are on the next rung of the property ladder, the best car, the best holiday, the best investment option, the best holidays. We wrap ourselves in debt to pay for status symbols.
maybe I’m just jaded.
I grew up without mobile phones and easy access to the internet, that might have been the best of both worlds, at least until the recession hit. Pros and cons, but I’d like to experience simpler times.
Things seemed to matter more, people seemed to matter more.

 

[dancingqueen5678]

There are pros and cons for sure,
But we’ve turned into a society that gives zero shits about those around us, the poor and the planet, nothing matters but *me*
We travel because we can, it’s our right, screw knock on effects it’s my right to fly to 18 countries a year, we strip the world of natural resources because we can, it’s our right.
Our goals are very different now,
that new build starter home is a stop gap because our sights are on the next rung of the property ladder, the best car, the best holiday, the best investment option, the best holidays. We wrap ourselves in debt to pay for status symbols.
maybe I’m just jaded.
I grew up without mobile phones and easy access to the internet, that might have been the best of both worlds, at least until the recession hit. Pros and cons, but I’d like to experience simpler times.
Things seemed to matter more, people seemed to matter more.

I do agree and I had hoped that covid had made people see what was actually important but I think as things open up we’ve got amnesia

Also you’re so right about entitlement. Especially in the western world. The uk are the worst for holidays imo. Not having a holiday abroad is perfectly normal but it’s seen as a necessity now instead of a luxury. It is a luxury.
Even most Americans holiday in America. I know we’ve not got the best weather but we’ve got really beautiful beaches and mountains in the uk. It’s a shame we don’t utilise them. I guess it depends what a holiday is for you but to me holidays nowadays are about posting on social media and now actually having a holiday if that makes sense?


Basically I hate social media and I think it’s ruined our lives

 

[Booington]

Absolutely not

my grandparents had it hard, the married in ‘45 just after the war ended. Lived with parents until they bought houses for 900 hundred pounds (houses that would go for close to half a million now)
I loved hearing their stories, about rations, shortages, sharing potatoes with the neighbours as well as clothes and shoes

we’d never survive it, but things were so much better back then, people were better, when you had less you needed less and you were happy because you were happy not because you just preordered the iPhone 14 maxi plus deluxe,
Not because the border to the USA was open and you can go to Disney next month or the red list has been scrapped so you can go to Costa de Chav or whatever.

people entertained themselves, with sing songs and music, not PlayStations and animal crossing on the switch liter than light. They talked, and could rely on each other.

it just seemed more real. The less you have the more grateful you are.
We’re spoiled, and it’s ruined us.

i agree, I’m not saying I’m right but I do think for all the hardships and sometimes terrible happenings , I don’t feel grateful to be born when I was (69) , there’s more to life than being able to fly abroad on holiday or possessing labour saving devices etc, I do think we have lost so much like true life long friendships, doing things for the greater good, and being happy with our lives.

all I see now is person against person, it seems like no one really wants to do anything because it’s the right thing to do unless they get recognition for it. Friendships don’t last and for all our opportunities, we are still not on an equal footing with men.

just my musings and general feelings, not expecting to be agreed with but I read a lot of autobiographies from the 1930’s/40’s etc and maybe it’s rose tinted specs but people seemed to value friendship back then.

 

[Rockin' Robin]

I have very fond memories of my childhood in the 1970's. I used to stay with my Grandparents in the summer holidays. They lived in an unmodernised house, without hot water and an outside toilet. But I thought the world of my Grandmother, she was a fantastic role model. The most useful lesson she taught me was if you can't afford it, you can't have it.
Throughout my life, I have endeavoured to follow her example, I have no debts as a result of her wise words. I have tried to pursue a non materialistic lifestyle, but not always succeeding. I wish I could return to those simple times.

 

[katiesmith81]

Overwhelmingly (may criticise thing as they are now hugely) yes since well ever since certainly the 1970s the disease I was born with wouldn't have allowed for an Ileo Pouch operation for Familial Adenomatous Polyposis, wasn't until certainly after when was allowed and only fairly recently have good surgeons at doing the operation (is the next step down as such for complexity with digestive system surgery as whats commonly called a Whipple, typically the latter being for pancreatic cancer, if its discovered early enough, problem is it often doesnt have any symptoms or is even found when doing tests until its advanced stages. Latter being when there's nothing that can be done about it typically tumours block the gall bladder causing huge numbers of issues Chris Rea the professional slide guitarist musician is an example of someone who's survived a Whipple when there was about a 3 in 5 chance of dying from having one done.

Or even having any kind of surgery for what was discovered to be Familial Adenomatous Polyposis, inevitably leads to cancer in the large bowel, which will be inevitably again fatal. Just depends on the type of adenomas (the name given to tumours in the large bowel typically and sometimes other parts of the digestive tract) kind of as to when surgery is needed, been rather lucky as mines relatively slow developing but now have a J pouch (usually least the first type of Ileo Pouch I believe, there's others like the S and W and even a K pouch though thats an entirely different form of Ileo Pouch, is to essentially replace the rectum with the end of the small bowel and has a magnitude of the problems least sometimes lol

 

[SwimmingPigs]

Not really, I sometimes wish I was born 10-15 years earlier. I was born in 1994. For me, society has seemed to change and gone downhill since 2011. I have struggled to find my place in life. Not a lot of opportunities. I feel really old too.

 

[katiesmith81]

Well was born rather in the very early 80s but.... lol

 

[Eureka]

Very glad to live now as a woman with all the rights and protection we have under the law. I can work, have independence, I don’t have to have kids I don’t want, I can get out of a bad relationship…..why would you want to go back to a time when that wasn’t always an option?

 

[Rippedjeanmaybe]

I would have liked to have been born a little earlier. Early 80’a maybe

I was born in 1995 and the thing that worries me a lot is climate change and what the youth of the future are going to be like when I’m elderly.

There just isn’t a lot of respect anymore, all I see on the news is stories of young people committing anti social acts and other terrible behaviour. It terrifies me to think what life might be like when I’m old.

I like the freedoms I have. There’s more to life now that getting married and having babies and I don’t have to have a child if I don’t want one as I have a choice and that’s important. I wouldn’t want to live in a time when women had less rights and were expected to just look after the house and kids while the husband played away and drank in the pub all night.

I am simplistic though, I don’t have a big fancy house, car or phone. I could afford to have nicer stuff, but I don’t want it, I’m happy how I am. I do like my holidays, but I’m happy to go abroad or uk.

I think I’m conflicted

 

[GreenEyedStorm]

I was having this conversation with my friend the other day! I’m so glad I wasn’t born after the 2000…
They’ve missed out on so much!
playing out till the street lights come on
Going to the shop with a £1 and coming back with loads of stuff !
No mobiles just wired house phones!

 

[monga]

I'd have loved to have lived during the war .l loved listening to older family members talk about how it was when they were growing up and how simple and carefree live was back then ,it was hard work but there wasn't the pressures that exist now people appreciated things more and neighbours were neighbourly there wasn't the dreaded SM giving people endless hang ups of how they should look /feel ,people were a lot happier with the little things .

 

[Guitarwarrior]

I’m not sure really…

I was born in 1990 so I had some benefits of an analogue childhood (grew up in a small semi rural seaside town) so we were always behind on tech etc (still are tbh only just got deliveroo about six months ago. Not that there’s anything worth it on there just a couple of convenience stores and Maccies) but I also lived most of my secondary school years without Internet or a computer at home. If I needed one for school work I had to use the facilities at my local library. I only a mobile phone as I did a lot of extra curricular stuff like dance and music. If I hadn’t have done those things I doubt I would’ve had one before I was sixteen (I never actually asked for one. I was surprised one Xmas with one) a lot of my friends didn’t get them till year 10(so 04-05) friends had free calls in the evening so that’s how we’d chat. I’d like to think I had a okayish upbringing.

I do often wonder if I would’ve faired better in life if I was born 10/15 years earlier. I probably wouldn’t have gone to uni in those days and I think it was uni that ruined my life tbh.

I do think we’re a selfish society and I think we’re far more selfish now than we were pre pandemic. But I think selfish people would be selfish whatever generation they’re born in .

 

[Tatooine_legend1]

Saw this photo on twitter and thought it was quite funny:

 

[IMissDi]

This is a very interesting thread. I was born in 2000 and people call me a Generation zee person. I really do not understand why generations have been labelled in such a way. But I read on social media how the millennial and zee generations are also labelled as snowflakes and entitled and ungrateful.

My parents were very good to me. But were also strict at times. They showed me photos and movies of when they were young and talked about times before the internet, cell phones, tablets and computers. And how if you wanted to know something you had to go to the library or walk to a telephone box to call someone or write letters on paper and post them at the post box.

My mother and my grandparents often said to me "You have it so easy now," But what am I supposed to do about that? Should I get rid of my devices and go back to the times of my parents and grand parents?

I am very greatful to be born in a western country (France) and to be educated in another modern western country (England). Both places have there problems of course. But compared to other countries in the world I consider myself very lucky.