Hacker News new | past | comments | ask | show | jobs | submit login

We're talking about someone's use of the words "failed state" because that's how they feel about the US and it definitely fits the definition based on the position some people are in.

People also argued in January 2020 that it would be ridiculous to worry about this coronavirus it's just as deadly as the flu. Literally told to me by a democratic doctor that works at an extremely prestigious medical institution. (Different take now).

I'm not saying the US is on the precipice of failure in 1 year and 7 months, but people don't realize the stilts things are on sometimes.




I know what we're talking about and I will say (again) that using the words "failed state" for USA is objectively a bad, ignorant take based on numerous nationwide metrics and the standard of living of the rest of the world. How said person feels and their personal situation doesn't really change that. You can find people in every single nation who strongly believe their nation failed them. And even when that's true, that doesn't make a nation overall a "failed state".

Again, do words even have meaning anymore? Just because someone feels like America is a "failed state" doesn't make it so.

And finally, "failed state" is using the past tense. I can acknowledge that something is on stilts without claiming that it already fell down.




Guidelines | FAQ | Lists | API | Security | Legal | Apply to YC | Contact

Search: