When will things go back to being not shit?

[Intheclub]

In 2019, everything seemed happier. We were prosperous (on the whole and certainly more than compared to now) and because of that the economy grew. Putting the heating on when it was cold or going out for a meal once in a while was something that was totally normal for the majority. Of course, that isn’t to say there was no poverty and everything was perfect in 2019 - far from it- but it was significantly better than what we have now. There seemed to be far more joy in life, people seemed happier and less worried.

There has since then been two very traumatic crisis - the pandemic and the cost of living. I honestly dread to think the effect this will have on “Gen Z” teens as well as young kids with a worldwide disease meaning they can’t have natural childhood experiences and then (for many) their family struggling to afford even basic essentials.

I don’t know if this is everyone’s experience but I can certainly say that within my own group of friends it’s so depressing. Half of them never want to do anything, usually because of money or after covid they just can’t be bothered. Many of my friends are also struggling with their mental health.

It honestly feels like 2019 was the end of some kind of “golden age” and I honestly don’t see a way of getting back there any time soon. I suspect it will take another generation to come through before the impacts of this all stop having such a strain on the world.

Aibu to ask when, if ever, things will stop being so crap?

He lost his decades old safe Labour seat - a recount was more than reasonable.

But as I my post stated, it was an inkling of the shitness starting way earlier than 2019 NOT a criticism of Ed Balls 🫤

Your memory is short OP. Everything has been on the slide since the summer of 2016! A sliding pound, a general election or two, terrorist attacks. Any of this ring a bell. The pandemic and war has just taken it to another level

This 100% this 👆🏻

Same here

Seriously.

This Pollyanna nonsense makes me sick. I bet they wouldn't be saying that if they were using a food bank and waiting weeks for their UC to kick inm

Yeah it’s shite.

Not being freezing yesterday and today has been uplifting though.

Well it’s been going downhill from 2010, it’s just that people noticed at different points, or it hit different people’s lives at different points.

Oh I see, thanks.

It's been getting shitter since about 1996, I think that was the last year that was clearly an improvement on the previous one. People think that 2019 or 2016 were better because they were better than now - but it's been a continued decline for over 25 years.

It will continue to get worse, that's beyond doubt. In years to come people will look back at 2022 and be amazed how easy life was then, how unemployment was relatively low and how the state looked after the poorest.

In fact I lived in the seat and thankfully no longer do. It was certainly indicative of the shit to come that people ever thought Andrea Jenkyns fit to serve as an MP.

I don't see it that way.

Covid was horrific. Play parks shut, not being able to do anything or see anyone or go anywhere. Not able to go swimming, or leave your council area, of visit friends in their houses.

At some points I thought the world as we knew it was gone.

Things are hard now - Brexit, the war on Ukraine, the cost of living crisis. But I just don't see it as being as disastrous as it was. And there's a way out; it's just money and things will get better. Unlike the apocalyptic feel of lockdown.

(And I don't mean that to be flippant, saying "only money". I know some people are massively struggling and I really feel for them. I am feeling the pinch but I can still afford food and (some!) heat. For those that can't, I realise things are awful. But things have always been that way for some people. Again, not being flippant about that, just stating that that was life for some people prior to 2019 as well.

I think western civilisation and prosperity has peaked on lots of levels. Deep down/subconsciously, I think people know it.

There is lots of there about the money and economy side of things, but also consider this -

• We've written all the songs - many modern ones sound like they have, or could have been, written by a simple piece of software
• All films are reboots. There are no new ideas

People used to be excited for the better tomorrow that was coming or the next film or song. Anyone feel like that?

Agreed, it is shit. I work for the NHS and everything is dire. Utterly dire with no more new solutions to improve anything.

I agree with you OP. As for "When will things go back to being not shit?" I'd say:

Brexit - we are stuffed in the short term (maybe 20 years) longer term we shall see

Covid - we're getting past the actual Covid, but in terms of people who have lost their livelihoods, have long-term covid, have lost family members, had schooling interrupted, I suppose the answer will vary wildly. Personally I'm sad that DD is working from home full-time rather than enjoying life amongst other people in a working environment. This may never go back to normal.

War in Ukraine - 2 years? There is always a war somewhere though, devastating people's lifes. This one has just affected us in the UK more than most other recent wars.

Cost of living - tied up with above. Maybe 10 years for the country to become more prosperous again? Like covid though, there is a massive difference in people's individual circumstances here.

NHS - it's on its knees, and that's terrifying. Anyone read this new story recently? Just one of many. I don't really understand why it's gone downhill so fast. Yes, it's underfunded, but over the last few years the change is stark.

Gender Self-ID (I'm in Scotland, so I'm particularly worried about this). Women are being thrown under a bus to appease a vocal minority, and if you stand up for women you're apparently a transphobe, a bigot, right-wing, hateful... I'm left-wing and now have no party I can vote for.

Climate - this is the big one. I've gone from anxiety and lack of sleep to "climate doom". Basically, I don't think we're getting out of this, and all the other considerations will become trivial.

Better not mention resource depletion and climate change. Might not go down so well.

I felt things took a turn for the worse 2008 - with banking crisis and then with coalition government and austerity.

Our personal circumstances have improved since then but the general feel just been down hill and then further downhill - yes Brexit being another low point- with yes another downturn being the pandemic, then the cost of living crisis.

I've been watching quite a bit on demographics - and I do wonder how much is demographics -our aging population- is hitting western economies and societies. The media isn't helping though it's gone super negative.

Exactly

I don't recall 2019 being that great. I remember buying my flat in London and everyone telling me it was going to go down by 20% within months.... this was while the UK was negotiating the Brexit deal.

All films are reboots. There are no new ideas

I think there are new ideas they just don't get made as it's considered too much of a risk these days - they like a built in audience like from a game/book/franchise or re-boot. Plus a lot of the "talent" is now there due to nepotism - which mean talent outside of that small pool is missed. Plus writer's have increasingly opted for TV or books.

I saw a music industry documentary and many big names could pin point when that became about money and not the music.

I do think there's a lack of talent with politicians not just in UK - but not sure if that media related or what.

Politicians don't want to talk about it anymore, and lots of non-politicians don't want to talk about it anymore either, but Brexit is the massive fucking elephant in the room causing things to be so very shit. And it will continue to be this way until some grown ups try and address the situation beyond 'the EU is mean and crap. Nerr'. Joining the Single Market might be a start.

I love how the date for things getting shit keeps getting earlier and earlier, let's just say the beginning of the industrial revolution shall we?

Its because being a politician is something rich people do when they can't get a job in the private sector or run out of ideas for the next career step (so get into politics as there would be a cushy private sector job at the end of it a la Sajid Javid). There are exceptions but in the UK, thats the description that fits most politicians. Thats why we get Sajid Javid, Liz Truss and Boris.

I don’t think so. We’ve just shifted for films onto steamed series and imo the quality of some is excellent

Music, I hear loads of new stuff via R6. I’d be really annoyed / sad if that went though. It’s a great route for musicians

Mid 90s felt quite an optimistic time and 2000s wasn't too bad.

Its because being a politician is something rich people do when they can't get a job in the private sector or run out of ideas for the next career step

Sounds sadly about right.

www.parliament.uk/business/publications/research/olympic-britain/parliament-and-elections/representatives-of-society/

This read as more ethically diverse and more women but less economically and educationally diverse.