[LJ Idol] First World Problems

[mephron]

This was inspired by skylanth and commentary by takhys, so all honor to those worthies.

What makes a problem a 'first world problem'? I submit, as takhys put it in Skylanth's repost, that at the core, a problem is a problem, no matter where it happens. Using that term 'first world' just sets up these mental/conceptual barriers between us. My last LJ Idol post -

Comments

[ravenshrinkery]

I think part of the reason for the distinction is that what we call FWP's have what we also call First World Solutions. For instance, it's perfectly acceptable to suggest to someone that they solve their problems with resources that generally only exist in affluent cultures. For instance, if someone is broke and having trouble with putting food on the table someone might suggest they get busy in the kitchen, buy food in bulk on sale, and stuff like that. Of course, this presumes the person has adequate transportation (that takes money), storage space, time on their hands to cook in large quantities, freezer space to store it all, and the skill to do it in the first place.

The problem is very different when the issues involve inadequate food supply, for instance. Part of what makes FWP's so frustrating is that people think there's these simple, neat, and wrong ways of correcting them that involve no nuances or accommodations for specific circumstances. Hence why I think the distinction is important.

[awriterswindow]

This.

[paradisacorbasi]

I always thought first world problems was a way of keeping things in perspective -- because people in other places (the third world, natch) -- don't have these kinds of problems because they don't have the sort of resources and affluence we have (comparatively speaking).

For example: In the first world, I complain about my DVR not recording something.

In the third world, they do not even know what a DVR is, and probably don't even have a TV.

And I should remember that before kvetching about something so trivial. (I do, sometimes, but not always)

[cmdr_zoom]

This. Another way of saying it might be "problems rich people have", because while we aren't rich by our society's present standard, compared to historically or half the world today? Yeah, we are.

[cheshire23]

The problem with this "perspective" is that it becomes a great way to emotionally abuse people. Because, you know, there is always someone who is, at least materially speaking, worse off than you, and therefore no problem you have (not even the most incapacitating physical or mental pain) can possibly be REAL.

[paradisacorbasi]

See, I'm not one who goes that route. And I don't sit still for others being abusive to others. I speak up, and I encourage others to speak up.

Just because somebody has it worse than I do doesn't automatically mean my problem isn't real. It just means that I should conserve my distress for the more severe ones. My DVR didn't record, ok, it's a minor thing. But having an asthma attack because I don't have a car and the mile walk to the bus stop nailed me? Not so minor, and I called a friend to take me to the hospital.

(Then again, I also suffer from clinical depression and am used to people treating it as not real, so my cope methods are in place for that if the internet buttheads decide to try it).

[walkertxkitty]

I took a similar tack with my own writing, but went in a different direction. My biggest problem with the designation is that it has absolutely nothing to do with economics and a lot more to do with political alliances. That's where the term comes from. It was, at one point, used to differentiate the Eastern bloc and Western bloc countries and those who were neutral.

Problems are problems and when you come right down to it, we all have the same ones: putting food on the table, taking care of family, and putting a roof over our heads. Anything else is secondary.

[basric]

True every word. Nicely written.

[mephron]

Thank you.

[dawnstar4idol]

I kind of want to be able to vote for this one twice. :) Or find the "Like" or "Agree" or "Yes! THIS!" button.

[mephron]

Thank you.