A 100-year-old federal report describes 1926 America — and the thread argues over whether we're better off or just louder about it (derekthompson.org)
Derek Thompson's dive into the 1926/1933 'Recent Social Trends' report argues America's present unease over technology, work, family and values rhymes with a century ago, when the car, radio and rural-to-urban flight destabilized the old order. Life is materially far better now, he insists, yet the emotional echoes are real.
The thread turns it into a referendum on progress. One reader notes wealth was more concentrated in the 1920s; a Xoogler argues the poorest American today outlives Rockefeller.
Sign in to save