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For a long time I've felt that stress I've felt occasionally (relating to life, my job, etc) was completely and utterly unwarranted. Children in these backwards Islamic countries will be born into war, live in war and probably die in a war-related incident. They'll never know what it means to be at peace. Meanwhile I feel like a bitch whenever I think that my life is hard; Viewed from a first-world perspective it can be, but in the global scheme of things Americans have it wonderful. Regardless of race. At the same time, it annoys me when people really want to vent to me about their problems. At times they're on the verge of tears (because their boss yelled at them) like they have no fuarrrking perspective in their entitled life and while they're talking to me it takes every ounce of willpower in me not to punch them until they understand. We have good lives. We have great lives. Part of me feels like I shouldn't ever take it for granted in my life and another part of me wants to ease up and be a little ignorant so I can revel in entitledness that my generation is known for. In my parents' home country, their families don't have running water. I take twenty minute showers. What I'm asking is if I'm justified in my hatred of people around me. Of course that's not the only reason but it's one of the overarching ones. I know I'm a mopey cunt for having this in the back of my mind but I see it as an injustice not to.

life is hard for you in a completely different way. The alienation and ennui you feel is probably not present in the life of a child born in war. We have lives of material comfort, but no mental well-being or sense of belonging. It's not worse by a long shot, but it's also not that much better.

The argument that other people have it worse someplace else is often used as an excuse by people too lazy or scared to do any work to improve the world immediately around them.

>>11191 That doesn't even make sense to my initial point but I'll bite. To what does the world owe me? I contribute to society the way my workplace tells me to (albeit stacking shelves at the moment) but I improve myself for the sake of myself with fitness and art.

>>11185 Anon, I see where you're coming from but you shouldn't forget that you aren't responsible for the whole of humanity and thus shouldn't feel guilty for having stress and problems. There is always someone out there who has it worse but that doesn't mean you should disregard your problems. Nor does it mean that you aren't allowed to strive for a better life. And sometimes people like to vent about problems that don't really matter, sometimes venting alone relieves some stress.

>>11185 I agree with your point, but I think it's nuanced. You're correct about our fortune to live in the first world and take 20 minute showers. But I think there is also validity to the alienation people feel in a modern society.

I got a chance to do service in another country, and while it was still nice, titwas definitely poorer. When I got home, I was happy that I got to take a hot shower. Maybe it’s sinply a perspective thing; looking back, I’m incredibly glad that I couldn’t get a good shower.

>>11185 suffering is a very subjective thing, those children born into war i'd argue have certain understandings we do not. They inherently value life, it's at risk everyday, there is no time to think about "do I even want to be alive". On the other hand their suffering is entirely out of their control. It's not like in the first world where we suffer the most often at the hands of ourselves. There is balance always I think. Its so horrific because when someone who grows up like that joins one of these first world societies they are so screwed up later in life. However what we call screwed up would be ideal if they still lived in war. So I don't really think you are justified. I think it's fair to have some perspective, just because I personally believe we for the most part suffer the same, does not mean we all get to process it healthily. Consider one of those kids as an adult, do you think they would hate people around them? Do you think they would be angry when people presented seemingly petty problems? My experience with people with intensely rough lives is they either totally hate everyone or at least are scared of them, or they manage it and the petty problems are almost a welcome distraction for them. Its important to bear witness to the worst the world can offer, but I wouldn't equate it to disdain for those who suffer less. They can't help it if they cry or feel soykafty, you can call them weak or whatever, but many weak people have done great things for the world. I think when it's appropriate you can mention it, sometimes people create problems just to kill time.