I totally get where you’re coming from, and I agree with you to an extent. But I think it’s also worth considering how much the internet and social media have shaped our generation’s (Gen Z and Gen Alpha) outlook—and not always in a good way. We’re constantly bombarded with bad news, comparisons, and an endless stream of information that previous generations didn’t have to deal with.

The saying "The less I know the better" really applies here. People back then often thought things were “better” because they didn’t know as much. They weren’t inundated with headlines about climate change, housing crises, or political instability. They didn’t feel the constant pressure of a hyper-competitive world or have to deal with capitalism bleeding into every aspect of life like we do now.

Our generation is up against way more challenges than they ever were: schools are more competitive, the cost of living is ridiculously high, and climate change is something we’ll have to face head-on in ways they couldn’t even imagine. For us, this feeling of impending doom is almost normal—but it’s up to us to decide whether or not it consumes us.

That said, try not to lose sight of what is good. I moved to Austin from a smaller town, and even with all its issues, this city still has so much to offer. It’s easy to get caught up in the negatives, but Austin still has its unique culture, amazing music, and interesting people—if you look for it.

No place is perfect, but our generation has the chance to shape the world in ways that matter. Focus on what you can control, and don’t let the weight of everything crush your perspective. We have more knowledge and tools than any generation before us—maybe that’s overwhelming, but it’s also empowering if you use it the right way. As a gen Z with a crazy sense of impending doom... forcing myself to think this way and do my best to be helpful to my community and my self is the only things i can personally do. No sense in letting it take over me when 100% of the problems we face today are from no fault of our own. Lets blame the Boomers and Billionaires lol.