Have a small amount of Perspective

[kiteman9]

Maybe we don't have it that bad? It’s a mess out there now. Hard to discern between what’s a real threat and what is just simple panic and hysteria. For a small amount of perspective at this moment, imagine you were born in 1900.

 

On your 14th birthday, World War I starts, and ends on your 18th birthday. 22 million people perish in that war. Later in the year, a Spanish Flu epidemic hits the planet and runs until your 20th birthday. 50 million people die from it in those two years. Yes, 50 million.

 

On your 29th birthday, the Great Depression begins. Unemployment hits 25%, the World GDP drops 27%. That runs until you are 33. The country nearly collapses along with the world economy.

 

When you turn 39, World War II starts. You aren’t even over the hill yet. And don’t try to catch your breath. On your 41st birthday, the United States is fully pulled into WWII. Between your 39th and 45th birthday, 75 million people perish in the war. Smallpox was epidemic until you were in your 40’s, as it killed 300 million people during your lifetime.

 

At 50, the Korean War starts. 5 million perish. From your birth, until you are 55 you dealt with the fear of Polio epidemics each summer. You experience friends and family contracting polio and being paralyzed and/or die.

 

At 55 the Vietnam War begins and doesn’t end for 20 years. 4 million people perish in that conflict. During the Cold War, you lived each day with the fear of nuclear annihilation. On your 62nd birthday you have the Cuban Missile Crisis, a tipping point in the Cold War. Life on our planet, as we know it, almost ended.

 

When you turn 75, the Vietnam War finally ends.

 

Think of everyone on the planet born in 1900. How did they endure all of that? When you were a kid in 1985 and didn’t think your 85-year-old grandparent understood how hard school was. And how mean that kid in your class was. Yet they survived through everything listed above. Perspective is an amazing art. Refined and enlightening as time goes on.

 

Let’s try and keep things in perspective. Your parents and/or grandparents were called to endure all of the above – you are called to stay home, and sit on your couch.

 

 

 

 

[johnray]

But war is not bad for people who enjoy killing.  They would be bored sitting on the couch and pick up a gun.  I don't believe those people suffered because they admitted on mass that they enjoy war.

[Kwasaki]

Yeah like my Dad use to say born in 1908 life can be a bitch.

[nightbird]

You shouldn't hope for much perspective on forums like this. In fact, it's better to ignore them and find something else to spend your time doing.

[cardinalblue]

Real men add 40lbs and play golf...

[Brunolem]

20 hours ago, kiteman9 said:

Yet they survived through everything listed above.

Actually many didn't survive, hence the massive numbers of deaths you quote...

[Kalasin Jo]

Quite so. Really, my generation ( Talkin ' bout ) has mostly  had it  good. I'm 68 now. Looks like that run has come to an end.

[daveAustin]

This thing is doing the rounds. At the end of the day, aside from china flu, believe the world is in a worse state now than at any time in modern history. Post-2000s a joke really.

[Leaver]

For those that have lived through a global depression, and note I said depression, not recession, economically, those people would say Covid-19 is a walk in the park.