Marian, this is remarkably close to the question that led me to start Exploring Prosperity. I've argued that setbacks are events, while progress is a process. The former commands our attention; the latter accumulates quietly, often escaping notice.
I wonder whether rising expectations are also part of the explanation. As prosperity improves, our definition of what constitutes an unacceptable problem keeps expanding. Could our pessimism be, in part, a consequence of our success?
Marian, this is remarkably close to the question that led me to start Exploring Prosperity. I've argued that setbacks are events, while progress is a process. The former commands our attention; the latter accumulates quietly, often escaping notice.
I wonder whether rising expectations are also part of the explanation. As prosperity improves, our definition of what constitutes an unacceptable problem keeps expanding. Could our pessimism be, in part, a consequence of our success?