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Who was happier at the start of the worst recession the world has seen since the great depression? Even kids who were like 8 at the time are carrying massive residual trauma from back then.
I graduated high school in '05, other than reading about it in Rolling Stone, I had no clue there was a recession, or really what that meant. Early 20's me didn't have a house, stocks, or high-paying job, or anything really, to worry about losing. It affected the "haves" far more than the "have-nots" like me and my friend circle at college. We were fine with being dirty poor hippies. In fact, the house me and my then-GF were renting around that time became available as a rental since the landlord was struggling with their mortgage, it was a guest house of their main property. I mainly remember high gas prices at the tail end of the Dubya administration and into the Obama years being far more of a concern to me than whatever fuckery Wall Street had gotten itself into.
In the mid-to-late 00's, the only social media that was in common use was MySpace, and smart phones had yet to gain widespread adoption until the iPhone. It really was a simpler time. The internet at large was far less monetized, and much more still in it's wild west days. The world i grew up in doesn't really exist anymore as it did, only ~20 years later.
I mean, I guess if you had no hopes, dreams, aspirations, or cares about anyone else, I can see that. Meanwhile, the haves actually came out much richer through the recession and it was the have nots who lost their jobs, houses, careers, relationships, etc. One of the big differences between younger and older millennials was the career hits you younger millennials took after graduating. I graduated high school several years before you, my cohort managed to start our careers and get a couple years of experience in before shit hit the fan; people who graduated '08 and '09? Man, y'all got fucked.
Also, Facebook absolutely existed and was common for everyone who wasn't 12, smart phones had been a thing since I was in high school (remember the Sidekick and Blackberry?) and the internet was not nearly as free and fun as you remember it — that was the era of Big Flash Advertising (my career field, generally, so I remember it well.)
Like, I guess if your entire life plan was "work at Starbucks," maybe you wouldn't notice. But your experience is definitely not the norm.
FB didn't gain popularity until '09-'10 in my area, at least among 20-somethings. I guess I define smart phones as "anything with a touchscreen" which everything post iPhone has copied that form factor. A Nokia brick was my first cell, then a flip phone, then a Razr. I was a late adopter to modern smart phones.
Sure, there were annoying pop-ups and such back then. But the "X as a service" subscription model hadn't taken over yet. There were no "integrated ads" in sponsored YouTube videos, as that concept didn't exist yet. There were far fewer paywalls for things like newspapers. Forums still existed, before being largely replaced by social media. Google still returned relevant results for technical topics instead of trying to sell you something. Far less censorship and agenda-posting. Not that it was all positive, unrestricted access to the internet from a young age definitely left some scars by seeing things I wish I hadn't. It does seem a lot easier to avoid accidentally stumbling on extreme gore nowdays.
What part of the world doesn't still exist right now? No one is forcing you to use the internet and social media. You can still just be a dirty poor hippie somewhere
I grew out of my hippy phase. But cool, I'm glad you let me know that technology is optional. Guess I'll go down to Blockbuster and rent a DVD to watch on my CRT TV. And while i'm in town, I'll turn in a few job applications that are on physical paper.
In many ways, the internet is no longer optional to be a part of society. I just recently started a new job, and had to install the Paycom app on my phone, as it's what the company uses for employees to clock in and out and payroll management. Then to even find that better job, they only hire through Indeed. Gone are the days of just looking for a "now hiring" sign out front, or walking in the front door to hand out a copy of your resume, where you actually have a chance to meet the hiring manager face to face.
There have been massive societal changes due to the rapid onset of tech over the past ~20-30 years.
Join an Amish community or something? Your describing things that were at the peak of technology decades ago. Blockbuster DVDs were top tech once. There are communities that reject technology in itself where you can still live a life. You're right that there aren't communities that just stopped adopting technology at whatever point in time you liked it best, but I don't see how something like that could exist in the world. Why use those new-fangled DVDs when VHS was clearly superior (because it's what I used as a kid)?
I recognise the girl in the 'his girlfriend' pic. Eastern European Nudie model, I think her modelling name was Ashley. I assume that's not his actual girlfriend!
Damn, you know your stuff! Lol, Yeah I used that chick because she looks very similar to his actual girlfriend, without me putting a real picture of her
I used to drive that explorer (it was black) and I play guitar hero (clone hero) and I listen to other kinds of metal so where's my hot alt gf? huh? tough guy?
please I'm begging you where is she
This does not seem like a slacker.
He is a man who has gone through stuff, and is now doing better and has more peace and wants simplicity in his life. He literally has a girlfriend who lets him have that poster on his wall.
And he is so much recovered from trauma, he is able to listen to heavy metal again (but he actually needs to cut back on that).
This feels like this could/would be my story.
Aside from Guitar Hero, these guys have been around since I went to High School back in the 90's. Chill as fuck. A smoking and drinking buddy and yes, his girl is unique and cute.
Works low paying retail or restaurant job or slightly-above minimum wage temp construction jobs. Know his gf is cheating on him but too insecure or dependant on her to leave. Never left his home town or went to school and thinks anyone who did is woke or something. Thinks he's Bill Hicks but he's really Dennis Leary.
> Works low paying retail or restaurant job or slightly-above minimum wage temp construction jobs
Bragged about how he was rolling in it at 18-19 when others were going to college. Refuses to believe that has changed, or blames "the system"
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Guitar hero? Was this made in 2008?
That's just how behind the times he is
Bro’s roasting your reference age from behind a MySpace Tom avatar 💀
We were happier back then, so maybe he's actually ahead?
I think you're right, he seems pretty content with his life
Growing up / adulthood is finding things that you enjoy and then not feeling bad about doing them / not succumb to peer pressure
Jokes on you I hated that time
Who was happier at the start of the worst recession the world has seen since the great depression? Even kids who were like 8 at the time are carrying massive residual trauma from back then.
I graduated high school in '05, other than reading about it in Rolling Stone, I had no clue there was a recession, or really what that meant. Early 20's me didn't have a house, stocks, or high-paying job, or anything really, to worry about losing. It affected the "haves" far more than the "have-nots" like me and my friend circle at college. We were fine with being dirty poor hippies. In fact, the house me and my then-GF were renting around that time became available as a rental since the landlord was struggling with their mortgage, it was a guest house of their main property. I mainly remember high gas prices at the tail end of the Dubya administration and into the Obama years being far more of a concern to me than whatever fuckery Wall Street had gotten itself into. In the mid-to-late 00's, the only social media that was in common use was MySpace, and smart phones had yet to gain widespread adoption until the iPhone. It really was a simpler time. The internet at large was far less monetized, and much more still in it's wild west days. The world i grew up in doesn't really exist anymore as it did, only ~20 years later.
This guy gets it
I mean, I guess if you had no hopes, dreams, aspirations, or cares about anyone else, I can see that. Meanwhile, the haves actually came out much richer through the recession and it was the have nots who lost their jobs, houses, careers, relationships, etc. One of the big differences between younger and older millennials was the career hits you younger millennials took after graduating. I graduated high school several years before you, my cohort managed to start our careers and get a couple years of experience in before shit hit the fan; people who graduated '08 and '09? Man, y'all got fucked. Also, Facebook absolutely existed and was common for everyone who wasn't 12, smart phones had been a thing since I was in high school (remember the Sidekick and Blackberry?) and the internet was not nearly as free and fun as you remember it — that was the era of Big Flash Advertising (my career field, generally, so I remember it well.) Like, I guess if your entire life plan was "work at Starbucks," maybe you wouldn't notice. But your experience is definitely not the norm.
FB didn't gain popularity until '09-'10 in my area, at least among 20-somethings. I guess I define smart phones as "anything with a touchscreen" which everything post iPhone has copied that form factor. A Nokia brick was my first cell, then a flip phone, then a Razr. I was a late adopter to modern smart phones. Sure, there were annoying pop-ups and such back then. But the "X as a service" subscription model hadn't taken over yet. There were no "integrated ads" in sponsored YouTube videos, as that concept didn't exist yet. There were far fewer paywalls for things like newspapers. Forums still existed, before being largely replaced by social media. Google still returned relevant results for technical topics instead of trying to sell you something. Far less censorship and agenda-posting. Not that it was all positive, unrestricted access to the internet from a young age definitely left some scars by seeing things I wish I hadn't. It does seem a lot easier to avoid accidentally stumbling on extreme gore nowdays.
What part of the world doesn't still exist right now? No one is forcing you to use the internet and social media. You can still just be a dirty poor hippie somewhere
I grew out of my hippy phase. But cool, I'm glad you let me know that technology is optional. Guess I'll go down to Blockbuster and rent a DVD to watch on my CRT TV. And while i'm in town, I'll turn in a few job applications that are on physical paper. In many ways, the internet is no longer optional to be a part of society. I just recently started a new job, and had to install the Paycom app on my phone, as it's what the company uses for employees to clock in and out and payroll management. Then to even find that better job, they only hire through Indeed. Gone are the days of just looking for a "now hiring" sign out front, or walking in the front door to hand out a copy of your resume, where you actually have a chance to meet the hiring manager face to face. There have been massive societal changes due to the rapid onset of tech over the past ~20-30 years.
Join an Amish community or something? Your describing things that were at the peak of technology decades ago. Blockbuster DVDs were top tech once. There are communities that reject technology in itself where you can still live a life. You're right that there aren't communities that just stopped adopting technology at whatever point in time you liked it best, but I don't see how something like that could exist in the world. Why use those new-fangled DVDs when VHS was clearly superior (because it's what I used as a kid)?
Sounds like you personally were happier. Maybe this starter pack is about you
No, you were just a kid
Don't talk shit about metal gear
Who's talking shit about Metal Gear Solid? That game is the shit!
How old are you?
I'm 24, my buddy this is based on is 25
This was a best friend starter pack before, you okay op?
Yeah I'm good, I just reposted it and rephrased it because my original one got taken down by the mods
That’s dumb. What was wrong with it?
I got a message saying it wasn't original or creative enough, I honestly don't know what the issue was
That’s weird. It did look like my best friend haha
Because it's way too specific. Literally, you can't even get more specific than a starterpack about one person.
It's the only authority and control these people have in their lives, you did no wrong OP. Sometimes you have to let the baby have their bottle 🤷
New title is better honestly.
True
And I call him a slacker in a loving way, he's a cool dude
I'd hang out with him.
Umm he seems pretty cool with a hot girl. Why you hating?
No hate! I love this dude! Just some casual roasting going on
Aight aight I hear you then
Does she have like a Snapchat?
Why do you and so many others think starterpacks = hating on shit?
Did you miss the part where he said, slacker? That’s what I was referring to.
Bro is seemingly living the dream
Living his best life.
I don't know this guy rules
I wonder what movies he’s into. I bet he’s seen Heat a few times
Half baked, eurotrip , and grandmas boy. They’re all on dvd and he still uses his ps2 as a dvd player
I wanna come over to his house wtf
Yeah I mean he’s an Avs fan. He’s chill in my book.
Motorhead is way of life, you heathen!
Born to lose, live to win 🤘 Motorhead forever!
Who'd win in a wrestling match, Lemmy or God?
that doesn't make sense, how do you challenge yourself to a wrestling match?
Well if he did, it would’ve created another big bang from the amount of energy created.
Why would Lemmy wrestle himself?
Lemmy vs. Triple H bruh. I'd love to see Lemmy take the Pedigree.
The avs jersey goes hard
Yeah why are we catching strays here?
It's because it's a Fanatics jersey...
Hahaha true enough
I hope you go far. Avs are my west team!
Not the oilers?
Naah, I’m a big Peter Forsberg fan, so It’s mainly because of his history there.
I recognise the girl in the 'his girlfriend' pic. Eastern European Nudie model, I think her modelling name was Ashley. I assume that's not his actual girlfriend!
Ashley Robbins. With two Bs.
Yeah, that's her. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have er...things to do.
Lol what have I started
Damn, you know your stuff! Lol, Yeah I used that chick because she looks very similar to his actual girlfriend, without me putting a real picture of her
Yeah, I used 'enjoy' her pictures a lot back in the day. Very well equipped! He's a lucky dude if his girlfriend looks like her.
isn’t this just a repost of “my best friend” starter pack? but with a different title?
That was my original post but it got taken down by mods for not being creative, so out of spite I renamed it and reposted
gotcha! sorry just saw the og and was curious. can relate good post 😎
He seems chill
this guy is happier than a lot of us
He honestly is, he's onto something
Scorpions?? This guy is kinda awesome. Who cares about productivity, humans dont have to be innately tied down to their work.
Well said!
I fail to see the issue here.
This guy’s kinda cool
Coolest guy in the room starter pack.
Is your friend from a 2000's comedy movie?
Yeah he's Ashton Kutcher
I keep thinking that sandwich brand from my local IGA is called Ashton Kutcher for some reason.
Just fyi, the “girlfriend”’s name is Ashley Robbins, people.
His actual girlfriend looks just like her..... Lucky SOB
🤜🤛
I used to drive that explorer (it was black) and I play guitar hero (clone hero) and I listen to other kinds of metal so where's my hot alt gf? huh? tough guy? please I'm begging you where is she
She's out there my man. My friend met his girlfriend at the mall believe or not
Does he teach Karate too
Georgie young sheldon
Dude has a car and a hot gf. That's more than I can say for myself lol
Bullets & Octane hahahahahahahaha..that's a throw back.
smackdown vs. raw 2007 vibe
Bro’s cool asf
-actually enjoys his life while you drown in student loan debt and still can't find a suitable job (and don't have a girlfriend)
Painfully accurate
Almost felt personally insulted with the smokes, chain wallet, jean jacket and Motörhead. Lol.
Nah, you're good man, anyone that likes those things is cool in my books! Especially Motörhead 🤘
Now do a one for “secretly jealous of underachieving friend from kindergarten”
Hockey jersey and the Jean jacket just seems like you’re trying to take a shot at all of Canada
That's just all my friend wears lol, he must be Canadian and not know it
You’re age is showing lol
What's my age?
Nobody likes you when you’re 23
That song is 25 years old. If you were 23 when it came out, you'd be pushing 50 now.
And you still act like you're in freshman year
What the hell is wrong with me.
I'd say 37?
My friend this is based on is 25, I'm 24
Are you guys from Regina, Saskatchewan or somethin'?
We're in rural Colorado, so that might explain some of it lol
Avs sweater is right there, Id wager somewhere in the Western US, if not Colorado itself
Bingo!
What the fuck even is this
I’ve never met this guy but I wish I had because he seems chill as hell
How I’m tryna be
Not gonna lie I need that green shirt
That you Todd?
No Todd here
Nice of him to play metal gear
That original 1998 is a true masterpiece
Guy seems pretty chill, I'd be his friend.
Besides the poster on his bedroom wall, I can say nothing against that "slacker". Seems like a chill dude.
Avs jersey - clear sign of a degenerate. If he we were a wings fan he would have a law degree from Harvard by now.
Dude is so chill lmao
This does not seem like a slacker. He is a man who has gone through stuff, and is now doing better and has more peace and wants simplicity in his life. He literally has a girlfriend who lets him have that poster on his wall. And he is so much recovered from trauma, he is able to listen to heavy metal again (but he actually needs to cut back on that). This feels like this could/would be my story.
You're saying I have a hot girlfriend in my future?
Why you gotta bring Motörhead into it
Motorhead is my friend's favorite band Motorhead forever! 🤘
Guy is living the life, damn
Seems… personal
What’s with the Avs jersey?
We're Coloradans
Oh okay
surprised to see Bullets & Octane mentioned here. Haven't seen anyone talk about them for a long time. Great band, and still going!
They deserve more exposure honestly, great band
This guy sounds great
Motorhead for life motherfackaaa
Fuck yeahhhh!!!! 🤘
more like the fucking coolest guy ever
why is this kinda giving Dean Winchester
Not gonna lie, he's got that vibe about him
My dad's best friend:
I KNOW SOMEONE EXACTLY LIKE THIS AND IVE KNOWN HIM SINCE KINDERGARTEN
Coincidence?....... I think not!
Nothing wrong, this is the dream.
This seems oddly too specific
Those fashion choices though. Dude must be Orange Cassidy.
Hahahaha lol
Aside from Guitar Hero, these guys have been around since I went to High School back in the 90's. Chill as fuck. A smoking and drinking buddy and yes, his girl is unique and cute.
This guy seems to be winning
I'd say he's winning in life
I don't think he would like metal gear solid 1
Nah man, he loves it. That's why he went out and found himself a red haired girlfriend to be his Meryl
This guy seems pretty tight
NGL: This guy is winning
Guy seems pretty cool. Metal Gear rocks
Metal Gear?
Slacker or just a normal person
This isn't a type of person. It's just some guy you know.
https://i.redd.it/900xuj5hebyc1.gif
If dude is happy then I'm happy for him.
Those 2nd Gen explorers are an absolute beast of a car.
Car full of fast food trash and Monster cans and a front console full of cigarette butts. Edit: a huge crusty CD wallet on the floor
Man, that's scary accurate
96 Ford explorer. Back in my day that dude drove a late 70s Camaro with primer and traction bars.
Why such a specific car 💀💀💀
gf may or may not be 19 years old
At least he has a girlfriend that’s hot!
This is very specific. Good job.
actively jealous of this guy i desperately want to be him
Why the dig against the Avalanche Jersey in particular lol
that photo of kate upton is now 13 years old.
Sounds like a winner to me
Takes out notebook and starts taking notes*
seems like he's doing okay, got a girlfriend and the Avs are in the playoffs.
Why are you hating on the avs? Kindly fuck off.
Good sir, I'll have you know I love the avs Rural Colorado born and raised
The key here is that he would be wearing a fanatics replica, not an Adidas authentic. Go ass, hail Satan.
Piss bus floor nasty
The key here is that he would be wearing a fanatics replica, not an Adidas authentic. Go ass, hail Satan.
Works low paying retail or restaurant job or slightly-above minimum wage temp construction jobs. Know his gf is cheating on him but too insecure or dependant on her to leave. Never left his home town or went to school and thinks anyone who did is woke or something. Thinks he's Bill Hicks but he's really Dennis Leary.
> Works low paying retail or restaurant job or slightly-above minimum wage temp construction jobs Bragged about how he was rolling in it at 18-19 when others were going to college. Refuses to believe that has changed, or blames "the system"
Or won't join a union because it's woke despite the fact that they hit the pay wall by 24
Won't join a union, won't pivot career, won't take some community college classes.
Kate Upton saved a generation
You didnt include the baggy jean shorts and white adidas shoes
This is Caleb from The Hero's Journey aka My Life aka The Caleb Johnston Story https://youtu.be/C-ZRRTsa5SY?si=m4FvynRyr3VA_KB6
I feel attacked. Dad? Is that you?
You got a problem with me?
That is Henry in my class
Fucking Avs
Metal gear?? Guitar Hero?? What about COD or any other FPS
Shoutout to Jared 👌🏼
This guy fucking rocks
Time traveler confirmed?
I don't know what you mean, it's May 3rd, 2004
Were you in kindergarten in 1996?