Are people born in late 20th century in "Western" countries the luckiest generation ever?

Answer 1

At this period in time in Western society we have the longest life expectancy ever recorded. Our progress in the scientific and technological world have been phenomenal. In that respect, yes, we are an extremely fortunate generation. However, with our increased wealth and technological capabilities have come problems. We are constantly inventing new ways of killing our fellow human beings - and I believe that the wealth our civilisation has built up has brought on the onset of decadence. I firmly believe that we are watching the decline of the Western Civilisation. Like the ancient Romans, vast wealth is weighing us down and leading to decadence, which in turn gives rise to such diverse problems as obesity, increased alcoholism, the breakdown of the family unit, loss of any kind of moral standards, the squandering of Earth's resources, the pollution of our environment and many other problems. These factors combined have the potential to bring down a society. Just look at the state of our schools, health service and police force - in fact of the entire state! Corruption is rife within our government.

So, overall I'd say that we have privileges the like of which have never been seen before. However, I think we need to be careful in the way in which we use our resources, and be careful that we are not choked by the weight of our advantages.

Answer 2

Well no because of higher cost of living. But yes because so much has been invented which makes our lives easier. Don't know what I'd do without a computer, washing machine, dishwasher, lawnmower, decent transport, hoover etc etc. However, the world is getting more polluted, car exhaust fumes giving people asthma, is an example of a downside of this, and there are so many people, you can't get much privacy compared to the early 20th century I suppose...It really depends on how much money you have. I don't think life has changed much for the upper class, they're still fairly lucky having what they want. Others however, have to struggle getting a job in a competitive world, we're often not so lucky. Those are my thoughts at 2 in the morning anyway.

Answer 3

Nope, although we are right up there. In my opinion the luckiest generation were the baby boomers in the middle of the century. They have got rich through the post-war boom, went through the free love of the sixties without consequences and experienced total cultural and economic dominance by the West and especially USA.

Although the generation that followed it (including me!) is well off by historical standards, the corporations built up by the BBs are increasingly squeezing living standards (no waycould Wal-Mart and MacDonalds have gotten away with the things they do today 30 years ago), we have to live with HIV, global warming, job instability and an increasing threat from the East and radicalized Islam.

So yes, we are lucky. But the luckiest ever, I don't think so.

Answer 4

I've got to disagree with everyone else. I think by far this is the greatest living conditions anybody in history has ever experienced. It may be going quickly, but people born in post-war United States, Canada, Japan and Capitalistic Europe have enjoyed standards of living unprecedented in the history of the majorities of population. Our cost of living might be going up, but there are billions of people around the world living at or below subsistence levels, a condition which the majority of people in even those "Western" nations were enslaved in since basically the fall of Rome, and before that there were actual slaves who had their own problems to deal with and were the majority in a large number of areas. Compared to any other time period or any other place in the world, in sheer economic terms of disposable wealth, nothing like "Western" society has ever existed, and likely never will again. We should all consider ourselves lucky if we live in such a time period.

Answer 5

Interesting question posed - i'd imagine that's an individual thing dependent on circumstances, opportunites available and so forth. I mean you could pose that question to anyone in any time period in any century and they'd have different answers :) Also just wondered why only Western countries - you don't reckon people in the non-western countries in the late 20th century would have an answer for you :))).

Answer 6

Oh my gosh, certain!! I choose I were born in the previous due 40s/early 50s so i'd were a smooth man or woman in the 60s (or perhaps 70s). I actual LOVE each and each of the mod/skinhead style/outfits, it replaced into so sensible and so a lot more desirable suitable than each and each of the skimpy outfits those days. also the music had a lot attempt and time or perhaps interest placed into it compared to music at present like domicile, dubstep, catch etc etc. i'm 13 yet i experience as if this era's outfits, music, television, video clips are all so poor. exceptionally the music.

Answer 7

Compared to the way the rest of the world lives and works i would say yes.Take zimbabwe for instance,life expectancy is 36 years,ans thats similar for the whole subsaharan region.Former soviet block countries are terrible in many respects,social inequality in india and brazil etc.
I think the luckiest to be are the chinese cause looks like its the next empire economically and militarily.

Answer 8

I think you would have to be pretty spoilt if a modern westrner considered themselves unlucky.
We have a very high standard of living, health care, education, warmth, a vast supply of food and water, luxuries such as T.V and the internet, we have the ability to express our human rights openly and without fear.
compare this to the third world countries who have little food, water, medication...
Of course we are the luckiest generation, it's just the we are so used to feeling sorry for ourselves and complaining about everything that we don't realise it

Answer 9

Only time will tell and that is where we are at the beginning of the 21"st century. We are unwittingly a collective that believes first in luck. Horatio Hornblower comes to mind. The universe is simply too indifferent..sorry, had a "university" flashback.I enjoy your questions, too.

Answer 10

Depends on what you mean by 'lucky'. Generally people are healthier, wealthier and can pretty much do or say what they want in life, so in that sense we are all very lucky compared to past generations. However, apparently now we're all depressed - comes of living in a throwaway society!