From an outsider’s perspective, Japanese culture seems to foster a mutual respect for one another as well as for one’s community and environment.

On the contrary, America seems to idealize treating people with contempt unless there’s something you would want from them. Our society is very transactional and if you have nothing of interest to show for yourself then you have no worth to anybody and deserve no respect.

I know this is all a big generalization of two societies consisting of millions of people and this isn’t to say that everybody behaves the same way across both societies. But when you have a general behavior across a society then it’s no surprise that a significant portion of that society will adapt that behavior.

Same here! Though I took a 6-month break in between quitting Reddit and joining Lemmy. I remember hoping it would amount to a feeling of liberation but in reality I just felt out of touch with world events and started scrolling through my Google feed instead, which sucked…

Stressed. It feels like the world is falling apart around me. It’s like we’re speed running our own destruction. I’m ready for some peace.