"First world problems"

[Ando85]

I notice whenever anyone complains about something they might be reminded how truly good they have it.

"I hate my job" - At least you have a job and aren't homeless and starving in the streets.
"My sandwich was not supposed to have mayo" - At least you have a sandwich.

Do you think this actually works? Do you feel better about something when you think about all the people who have it worse off or does it make you actually feel worse?

 

[Ljs1121]

I think that if something inconveniences somebody, they have a right to complain about it.

 

[DoPo]

"I hate my job" - At least you have a job and aren't homeless and starving in the streets.
"My sandwich was not supposed to have mayo" - At least you have a sandwich.

The proper retort is "Aren't you supposed to be helping out starving African children? Why do you deal with me?"

But there are also the people who actually go "My sandwich was not supposed to have mayo, so my day is ruined now!" which really does deserve a slap in the face.

 

[Rawne1980]

First world problems....

I hate that phrase with a burning passion. The people that use it are also very high on my "well aren't you a dick" list.

Yes, yes indeed some people have a hard life.

As it happens, i'm not living in a third world country and as such that twat that keeps parking in my space outside my house DOES annoy me.

Fortunately, no one I know is stupid enough to point out that my annoyance is negated by having a house and car while others suffer. If I did know somebody that numb they would soon have a first world broken nose for free from my first world right hook and then they can first world fuck right off.

 

[BloatedGuppy]

Everyone complains according to relative deprivation. No matter how good you have it, you'll compare yourself to someone who has it slightly better and bemoan your fate. This is true on down the scale. Human beings (and other animals) are biologically hard wired to strive. We're never really "happy with what we have". Comes from a time when we needed to constantly be on the lookout for the next meal. A comfortable human would be a lax human would be a dead human. This doesn't necessarily translate well to a world of modern convenience, which is why everyone is moaning about their cold lattes and the fact their favorite show was cancelled. Just remember the next time you're running someone down for this particular psychological quirk, you have it too.

 

[lacktheknack]

The reason behind "First World Problems" has been lost.

It's currently used as a "stop complaining about anything" comment. While it's important to keep perspective, I'm well within my rights to return a meal that wasn't what I ordered, or ask someone to stop hogging the bathroom.

The proper use of "First World Problems" is where the complaint really is tiny ("Why doesn't the smiley button on my phone type faster?!"), or if it's a small one that ruins your whole day ("My day was going so well, BUT IT'S WRECKED NOW THAT THEY USED REGULAR MUSTARD RATHER THAN DIJON IN MY SOUP." <-- an actual statement I've heard).

 

[mechashiva77]

Well, you should realize how good your life is compared to others. But yeah I agree, the whole "first-world problem shaming" is uncalled for. You make someone feel guilty for what, like five seconds? And I bet you that they'll complain about their "first-world problem" the moment their back is turned. However, I find the meme funny, as in "Ha ha, I can relate" kind of way.

 

[Lionsfan]

These are the original 1st World Problems:

Perfectly valid to make fun of, because the problems they have are really really really petty. But now whenever somebody complains, there's always that one guy who has to pipe up....

 

[Ryotknife]

"I hate my job" - At least you have a job and aren't homeless and starving in the streets.
"My sandwich was not supposed to have mayo" - At least you have a sandwich.

The proper retort is "Aren't you supposed to be helping out starving African children? Why do you deal with me?"

But there are also the people who actually go "My sandwich was not supposed to have mayo, so my day is ruined now!" which really does deserve a slap in the face.

Hey, some of us really hate Mayo. Like if a 100$ bill was covered in Mayo, I wouldnt touch it. If I had a time machine, I would go back and assassinate the person who invented Mayo, then go back a few minutes before and do it all over again forever (although now that I think about it...that might create an infinite number of me's....hmmm sounds like a plan to take over the world).

The mere smell of Mayo can make me vomit horribly.

 

[Yopaz]

Well if you order something and don't get what you ordered you have a right to complain.
If you whine about how those petty things didn't live up to standard then you're actually quite annoying.

Now hating your job on the other hand is a different matter. A lot of us have difficulties getting a job and I know if I had been able to get one I would probably keep working even if I hated it. The problem is that a job takes up a large part of your job and if a large part of your life is unpleasing then that's actually a problem.

Then there's the first world problems of not having the newest iPhone, a flat screen TV, the newest game console or spending time without a stable internet connection. These complaints will just seem petty.

 

[Blood Brain Barrier]

Well there's the fact male sperm count decreased by 32% in France over the last two decades

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-20593467

Yeah, the research was in France but I don't see any reason to think the same we wouldn't get the same result in any other 1st world country.

Of course, the researchers and medical professionals will see this as a 'health problem' but I see it as a blessing. We're overpopulated. As much as economists, governments and corporations like to think, infinite growth is not possible, at least without destroying ourselves in the process or compromising our life to the point it's not worth living.

Unfortunately this won't affect population levels due to artificial insemination unless fertility gets REALLY low. But I personally wouldn't want an adopted child especially if that kid was from the 1% of males in my country that could have kids. If that happens genetics will become hugely important - when half the people in your city will be from your own family tree that cuts down your choice of reproductive mate quite a bit.

I could even picture the emergence of the occupation of sperm donor as a well-paid full-time job and a new class of superstars alongside today's sportspersons and CEOs.

 

[Olas]

I think a distinction needs to be made between "first world" and "minor". There's no reason a uniquely first world problem can't be serious. Losing thousands in the stock market is a big deal, having a computer virus ruin your laptop is a big deal. Those are problems only people in the first world have to worry about.

However, your pen running out of ink, or the battery in your TV remote dying are minor annoyances that no reasonably adjusted person, first or third world, should make a fuss about. Shit happens. Life isn't always going to be absolutely perfect for you no matter how rich you are, get used to it and stop whining like a ***** because most people in the first world have problems bigger than yours.

 

[Kopikatsu]

Well there's the fact male sperm count decreased by 32% in France over the last two decades

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-20593467

Yeah, the research was in France but I don't see any reason to think the same we wouldn't get the same result in any other 1st world country.

Of course, the researchers and medical professionals will see this as a 'health problem' but I see it as a blessing. We're overpopulated. As much as economists, governments and corporations like to think, infinite growth is not possible, at least without destroying ourselves in the process or compromising our life to the point it's not worth living.

Unfortunately this won't affect population levels due to artificial insemination unless fertility gets REALLY low. But I personally wouldn't want an adopted child especially if that kid was from the 1% of males in my country that could have kids. If that happens genetics will become hugely important - when half the people in your city will be from your own family tree that cuts down your choice of reproductive mate quite a bit.

I could even picture the emergence of the occupation of sperm donor as a well-paid full-time job and a new class of superstars alongside today's sportspersons and CEOs.

Most developed nations are either at or just barely above the replenishment rate (I don't remember what the 'official' name for that is, so whatever).

The overpopulation thing stems from places like Africa and Indonesia where there are people having 8-12 kids each. Third world countries have really high birth rates by default, basically. So the fact that people in France might be having less kids will have a very negligible effect on overpopulation as a whole.

 

[Hoplon]

I think that if something inconveniences somebody, they have a right to complain about it.

What they don't have is the right to be an aggressive arsehole about it. Yes it's a shame you can't get wifi in here, no it not personally threatening to you in any way shape or from so calm the fuck down.

It's is, like any other meme, getting well over used.

 

[Strazdas]

Said it before, gonna say it again. "First word problems" is a completely vapid, inane, meaningless statement. Problems don't stop being problems because someone somewhere else in the world is having a harder time.

this. however i should point out that "first world problems" usually is a term meant to refer to problems that arent actually problems, but people thing they are because they are lazy and self-centered.
Sometimes its really legit statement, but thats rare.

 

[Blood Brain Barrier]

Well there's the fact male sperm count decreased by 32% in France over the last two decades

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-20593467

Yeah, the research was in France but I don't see any reason to think the same we wouldn't get the same result in any other 1st world country.

Of course, the researchers and medical professionals will see this as a 'health problem' but I see it as a blessing. We're overpopulated. As much as economists, governments and corporations like to think, infinite growth is not possible, at least without destroying ourselves in the process or compromising our life to the point it's not worth living.

Unfortunately this won't affect population levels due to artificial insemination unless fertility gets REALLY low. But I personally wouldn't want an adopted child especially if that kid was from the 1% of males in my country that could have kids. If that happens genetics will become hugely important - when half the people in your city will be from your own family tree that cuts down your choice of reproductive mate quite a bit.

I could even picture the emergence of the occupation of sperm donor as a well-paid full-time job and a new class of superstars alongside today's sportspersons and CEOs.

Most developed nations are either at or just barely above the replenishment rate (I don't remember what the 'official' name for that is, so whatever).

The overpopulation thing stems from places like Africa and Indonesia where there are people having 8-12 kids each. Third world countries have really high birth rates by default, basically. So the fact that people in France might be having less kids will have a very negligible effect on overpopulation as a whole.

True, unless it's modern living and modern commodities causing it. No reason to suspect Africa might not be affected. Let's hope so anyway.