I dunno, he's not really wrong. Like sure me want treats or whatever, but that doesn't seem to be what he's communicating.
We expect something "big" to happen when we transition from one era to another, but that's not how it really is. Stuffs gradual until it isnt. Society collapses when the bonds that tie us together disintegrate and one of those bonds is reliable and good employment. When you can't get that or expect that from a job, then you don't apply. The reason you don't expect those things is because shit is fucked. Where I live the "help wanted" signs are never taken down due to high turnover. It didn't use to be that way. Shits fucked and it's not sustainable
One thing that really got me thinking differently about all this is how Patrick Wyman would talk about the “collapse” of the Western Roman Empire. Especially how it was very “uneven”. Some regions (like Britain) experienced swift, severe decline. It was slower for others. And some regions even fared better when the central authority lost power over them (North Africa).
Through that lens, lots of parts of America are already in collapse. Certainly a lot of inner core parts of cities, and rural towns for sure.
Yeah exactly, that's what I mean and I think it's what the dairy Queen dude means as well. He's not saying "me want treats" he's being funny about something stable disappearing.
Patrick Wyman is great, and that whole series is fantastic. He also talks about this gradual change - people travelling less, less food getting exported, less Military security. you rely more on the local mercenaries, after some time. They settle in. Your dad remembers his trip to Napoli still and your grandma was actually Spanish but met your granddad while he was stationed in Iberia, while you've never left your province
I don't know if he means well, but whether he is accidentally correct by whining about treats or he is giving a relatable example, he is right on the money.
Rather amusingly, treats are pivotal to both the economy and the culture of America. A Wendy's closing in America could actually be a sign of decline.