If America's so rich, how'd it get so sad?
derekthompson.org
April 23, 2026
16 min read
68/100
Summary
The University of Chicago economist Sam Peltzman reported a significant decline in self-reported happiness among the US population following COVID-19, with this trend persisting through 2024. Data from the General Social Survey indicates that the drop in happiness is both sudden and historically unprecedented.
Key Takeaways
- The United States has experienced a historically unprecedented decline in self-reported happiness since 2020, with levels remaining low through 2024.
- The Federal Reserve's measure of US worker satisfaction has reached its lowest level since 2014, and consumer sentiment hit an all-time low in the 70-year history of the University of Michigan economic survey.
- The decline in happiness is widespread across demographics, with a 10- to 15-point drop in well-being affecting nearly all groups, rather than being concentrated in traditionally vulnerable populations.
- The U.S. has fallen to its lowest ranking ever in the World Happiness Report, primarily due to a rapid decline in well-being among young people.
Coverage & discussions
Hacker News · derekthompson.org
Community discussions
Historical count: 5 · 5 saved in sample · Historical sample
Analysis ready
Community Sentiment
Positives
- The article highlights the importance of social relationships in driving happiness, suggesting that the decline in social interactions due to COVID has had significant negative effects.
- Many commenters recognize the complexity of societal issues, indicating a thoughtful engagement with the topic rather than simplistic explanations.
Concerns
- There is a pervasive sense of hopelessness regarding the impact of AI on careers, with many feeling demotivated by the technology's potential to disrupt job markets.
- The discussion reveals a spiritual crisis and a lack of meaningful connections, which many believe contribute to the overall sadness in society.
Related Articles
We are entering a period of overlapping crises
Oct 15, 2026
AI psychosis is the new leadership blind spot
Aug 7, 2026
AI Job Grief: The Unnamed Psychological Crisis Hitting Tech Workers
May 30, 2026
We accepted surveillance as default
Apr 20, 2026
Father claims Google's AI product fuelled son's delusional spiral
Mar 4, 2026