I think it's a good thing that the topic gets some attention. Being a NEET (Not in Education, Employment or Training) wrecks with peoples mental health, but especially with young mens. An ex-Boyfriend of mine was somewhat active in an online community that explicitly caters to NEETs, and their lack of self-esteem and coping skills is just frightening. They seemed to believe that there was something inherently wrong with them, that they were part of a globally oppressed geek race that "normies" just don't get, and that getting a girlfriend is the ultimate achievement that absolves you from your personal shortcomings. I think the whole issue is as much about mental health as it is about the economy. Video games can have strong (both positive and negative!) effects on players mental health, so this is a thing worth looking into.And Reason, of all the places, writes an article on it.
You've got to be fucking pulling my leg with this shit. Male twenty something unemployed gamers as an oppressed class? They have the privilege to sit around just playing games in a world where idleness so often equals starvation and death. Anyone one of them could get up off the couch and get a real life (as in out of game RL, not at all in denigration) if they so chose. They have instead chosen to play games because that is an option open to them which they have decided gives them the most satisfaction. The fact that they bemoan a life without sweet lovin could be laid at the feet of our educational system, opportunity cost is a good thing to know about, but it certainly isn't an unchangeable fact of life imposed by our economic system. It's more the consequences of taking the path of least resistance during an unexamined life.
I was listening to Maron interview Bruce Springsteen last night, and a semi related topic was a major point of discussion. They spent a lot of time talking about two types of people: 1. Those who are hard on themselves. 2. Those who beat the shit out of themselves. I think that a lot of what kleinbl00 brought up are societal conditions pushing people towards (2), where the kind of communities you bring up are people reinforcing their belief that they fall into (2). There is an inherent belief, I think, that things will not get better, that you will not be better, and that you do not deserve to improve when you fall into (2). The other side is people who become too consumed by improvement and grind themselves into a nib, also category (2).
This really resonates with me. I am definitely a (2) in that scenario. Crippling depression and anxiety to boot. Definitely want to make positive changes in my life, however I will admit that in my current state of well-being, apathy is not only easier but the default mode of living. This is my first comment here on hubski, and I joined just to respond to your reply, but I am greatly looking forward to being a part of the community.
Hey dust_of_nations! Hope you're still around. Maybe that comment is a catalyst for changing the default mode of living. Overcoming the inertia of a current lifestyle is the hardest part, if you want to talk about this kind of stuff some more feel free to reply, no worries if not!
Isn't r/incels worse or are these two just about the same? I keep hearing incels is an awful place.