u/AmazingNugga

This is probably weird but I’ve caught myself doing it a lot.

I’ll put people in small situations where they can either be considerate or selfish, honest or shady, and just see what they do. Nothing extreme, just little things.

The thing is, they never realize it’s happening. But I definitely change how I see them based on it.

Some people surprise me in a good way, but a lot don’t.

I’ve never told anyone I do this because it sounds kind of messed up when I say it out loud. But at the same time it’s hard not to notice patterns once you start looking for them.

Not sure if this is normal or if I’m overthinking people.

Lately I’ve been thinking that timing and positioning matter way more than people like to admit.

You can grind like crazy, do everything “right,” and still get nowhere if you’re just off on timing or in the wrong space. Meanwhile someone else can put in half the effort but hit the right moment and blow past you.

I get why people emphasize hard work because it’s something you can control, but it feels like it gets way too much credit compared to everything else.

Open to being wrong on this. Curious what people think.

Not the generic “it depends.” What was the actual thing that made it possible?

Not looking for the “follow your passion” speech. Just real talk. Did the money matter more than you thought once it was gone? Or did you find out the lifestyle was the real trap?

Could be technology, work culture, surveillance, social media, dating, economics, education, or something else entirely. Curious what trends people think future generations may judge very harshly.

CMV: Smartphones and constant connectivity have caused more societal harm than benefit overall.

While smartphones obviously improved convenience, communication, and access to information, they also seem tied to worsening attention spans, reduced privacy, social media addiction, shorter patience, and constant distraction.

It feels like people are mentally “always on” now and struggle to disconnect even for short periods. I’m interested in hearing strong arguments for why the long-term societal effects may still be net positive.

Does anyone else feel like modern work culture leaves people permanently exhausted even outside work hours?

Housing, groceries, insurance, rent, and healthcare all exploded in price. Is the middle class actually shrinking or does it just feel that way?

ELI5: How do casinos make so much money if people win jackpots all the time?

Why does it feel like almost everyone is mentally exhausted compared to 10 or 20 years ago?

Smartphones and constant internet access made a lot of people less interesting, less independent, and worse at socializing. Now its like everyone has a hive mind and stopped having original thought.

America’s school system feels broken from both directions.

Kids struggling academically get pushed through grades without mastering basics, while gifted students sit bored because schools prioritize standardized pacing over challenging advanced students.

Meanwhile reading scores are collapsing:

- 40% of US 4th graders are now below basic reading level

- 8th grade reading scores are the lowest ever recorded on NAEP testing

Feels like “no child left behind” slowly turned into “nobody moves ahead.”

At what point do people admit the system is failing both struggling students AND gifted ones?

Sources:

NAEP / Nation’s Report Card

https://www.nagb.gov/news-and-events/news-releases/2025/nations-report-card-decline-in-reading-progress-in-math.html