Well put Katie. The self centric focus of many people with little concern for their fellow human beings is troubling. Your POV drew me to your podcasts several years ago. This is a fine example of it. Keep it coming.
I have subscribed to the WSJ for maybe 30 years. I meet almost perfectly the WSJ demographic, (just older). I have never commented on an article. Full stop. This is my second comment to one of your editorials. Semi-stop. It is my fervent hope that the demographic of the commenters are: 1) retired with way too much time on their hands; 2) bots. As to my further thoughts, I refer to my previously submitted comment. I continue to enjoy watching your thoughts on money ever mature and propagate.
i think you're right that there's a strong chance they're bots. for some reason i find the idea of them being retired people with too much time on their hands even sadder??
Thank you for doing this work—for going into places I don’t always have the capacity to go myself, and for doing it with such care and dedication. I really appreciate it. 🫶
At the risk of being flamed, I have to make the observation that this descent into a cesspool of grievance began when Murdoch bought it. I subscribed for many years previously and it took a turn for the worse. It’s for Fox News-ers with high incomes and degrees. Before I get the hate, know that I’m politically independent and a former 42-year Conservative Republican and military vet. I don’t recognize my country anymore. The change in WSJ was just the leading edge.
I'm a retired veteran myself, but never subscribed to the WSJ. I truly think the country is moving in the right direction because I saw it falter, first handedly, during the Biden years. After having lived through that travesty I'm glad the country is moving forward.
As an affluent and privileged white male with the recent propensity to be cranky about a lot of things, this was another indicator of how much work I have to do. I had assumed my chronic dissatisfaction was all linked to the current hateful, corrupt and immoral administration, but perhaps I have to work more to find the bright side. Nice article.
hey to be honest with you, i think there are plenty of reasons to be extremely pissed off about the state of the world rn — you're clearly directing it at the right place (the corrupt and immoral admin) vs. the wrong ones (millennials with spotify subscriptions and lunch meat)
I think you must have amnesia because I feel you've lost your memory of the prior administrations failures, which there are many. I on the other hand believe, strongly, that this administration has been very successful, and those on the left are obviously too blind to see them.
Here are ten notable actions and policy achievements from President Trump’s second term so far (2025–2026).
Immigration and border
Deployed the U.S. military to “seal” much of the southern border by granting the Department of Defense jurisdiction over large areas of federal land for border security operations.
Expanded use of duties and import restrictions aimed at combating cross‑border drug flows, including tariffs on certain products tied to illicit drug trafficking across the northern border.
Restructuring the federal government
Issued an order requiring traditionally independent regulatory agencies (such as the SEC, FTC, FCC, and FEC) to submit major regulations to the White House Office of Management and Budget and to coordinate legal positions with the president or attorney general, thereby tightening White House control over these bodies.
Implemented key elements of the “Project 2025” agenda, including moves to dismantle or sharply curtail parts of the Department of Education and centralize more power in the executive branch.
Energy and climate policy
Directed Treasury to terminate major clean‑energy tax credits for wind and solar (Sections 45Y and 48E) under what is described as the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” significantly shifting federal incentives away from renewable power.
Ordered federal agencies to accelerate permitting for traditional energy and critical mineral projects onshore and offshore, including streamlining seabed mining and other critical minerals development.
Technology, AI, and space
Launched the “Genesis Mission,” a national initiative to use artificial intelligence to accelerate scientific and industrial innovation, including building an integrated federal AI platform and identifying priority technology challenges in areas like semiconductors, nuclear, and biotech.
Issued orders to promote a unified national AI policy, preempting certain state AI regulations deemed to impede innovation and directing agencies such as the FCC and FTC to act against conflicting state mandates.
Trade and foreign policy
Expanded the use of reciprocal tariffs and special duties, including imposing additional tariffs on imports linked to Russian oil and on selected Canadian products and energy, as part of a broader “America First” trade and economic pressure strategy.
Ordered major military operations abroad, including expanded counterterrorism strikes in Iraq, Nigeria, and Somalia, direct attacks on Iran’s nuclear facilities, action against Houthi militants in Yemen, and a campaign in Venezuela that culminated in the capture of Nicolás Maduro
Thank you for writing this. I’ve been agonizing over this question for 10 years now. Why are my friends that are the most successful also the most angry? Why are they conspiracy theorists?
How have our values diverged over the past decade? They would say that the left brought pitchforks for them and censored them and were practicing “reverse racism.” I can only think of the quote: “To the privileged, equality feels like oppression.” And then, oddly, I feel emboldened. We must be making headway and this is the push back. Maybe we’re getting close. They’re afraid.
I sometimes read the comments and after a while I start to equate these comments to the same fertilizer I find on X or FB or Instagram. It’s one things to readily disperse your thoughts behind the veil of the internet but I wonder if these same remarks and vitriol would be shared if it were in front of of the person they’re pontificating towards.
I loved this article last year and thoroughly enjoyed it the second time around. Your hilarity makes this gal who dreads looking at her finances (because I spend all of my money on animals so literally have a burn rate of like 2000%) actually enjoy at least READING about money-related content. AND your content is what I share when I want to make an intellectual financial argument about our macroeconomic systems to any of my WSJ-demographic-guy-friends 🙃 #feelspecial
This seems to be a gross generalization about ‘the most affluent’. The WSJ has 4.2 Million digital subscribers and to get a statistically valid result you’d need a population of 2,600-10,000 unique comments.
That the job market sucks, young people can’t afford housing, financial systems are rigged against them, and people feel isolated and alone can coexist with Mr Period.Full Stop who deep down may understand that $1,300 phones are a product of our modern economic system.
Wow loved this essay. Male grievance when looked at from drone eye view is predictable considering they feel they’ve lost ground to (pick your group) aren’t respected/centered anymore etc. cry me a river jerks.
Affluent, white, male grievance is the downfall of civilization. We see this play out daily. Sad.
Facebook for rich people who think Facebook is for the poors
LOL
Well put Katie. The self centric focus of many people with little concern for their fellow human beings is troubling. Your POV drew me to your podcasts several years ago. This is a fine example of it. Keep it coming.
I have subscribed to the WSJ for maybe 30 years. I meet almost perfectly the WSJ demographic, (just older). I have never commented on an article. Full stop. This is my second comment to one of your editorials. Semi-stop. It is my fervent hope that the demographic of the commenters are: 1) retired with way too much time on their hands; 2) bots. As to my further thoughts, I refer to my previously submitted comment. I continue to enjoy watching your thoughts on money ever mature and propagate.
i think you're right that there's a strong chance they're bots. for some reason i find the idea of them being retired people with too much time on their hands even sadder??
Thank you for doing this work—for going into places I don’t always have the capacity to go myself, and for doing it with such care and dedication. I really appreciate it. 🫶
You are untamed. Lol. Keep it up.
(Not) Tom (the Christmas Commentator)
At the risk of being flamed, I have to make the observation that this descent into a cesspool of grievance began when Murdoch bought it. I subscribed for many years previously and it took a turn for the worse. It’s for Fox News-ers with high incomes and degrees. Before I get the hate, know that I’m politically independent and a former 42-year Conservative Republican and military vet. I don’t recognize my country anymore. The change in WSJ was just the leading edge.
I'm a retired veteran myself, but never subscribed to the WSJ. I truly think the country is moving in the right direction because I saw it falter, first handedly, during the Biden years. After having lived through that travesty I'm glad the country is moving forward.
As an affluent and privileged white male with the recent propensity to be cranky about a lot of things, this was another indicator of how much work I have to do. I had assumed my chronic dissatisfaction was all linked to the current hateful, corrupt and immoral administration, but perhaps I have to work more to find the bright side. Nice article.
hey to be honest with you, i think there are plenty of reasons to be extremely pissed off about the state of the world rn — you're clearly directing it at the right place (the corrupt and immoral admin) vs. the wrong ones (millennials with spotify subscriptions and lunch meat)
I think you must have amnesia because I feel you've lost your memory of the prior administrations failures, which there are many. I on the other hand believe, strongly, that this administration has been very successful, and those on the left are obviously too blind to see them.
Where Joe? Please name a success of this administration.
Here are ten notable actions and policy achievements from President Trump’s second term so far (2025–2026).
Immigration and border
Deployed the U.S. military to “seal” much of the southern border by granting the Department of Defense jurisdiction over large areas of federal land for border security operations.
Expanded use of duties and import restrictions aimed at combating cross‑border drug flows, including tariffs on certain products tied to illicit drug trafficking across the northern border.
Restructuring the federal government
Issued an order requiring traditionally independent regulatory agencies (such as the SEC, FTC, FCC, and FEC) to submit major regulations to the White House Office of Management and Budget and to coordinate legal positions with the president or attorney general, thereby tightening White House control over these bodies.
Implemented key elements of the “Project 2025” agenda, including moves to dismantle or sharply curtail parts of the Department of Education and centralize more power in the executive branch.
Energy and climate policy
Directed Treasury to terminate major clean‑energy tax credits for wind and solar (Sections 45Y and 48E) under what is described as the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” significantly shifting federal incentives away from renewable power.
Ordered federal agencies to accelerate permitting for traditional energy and critical mineral projects onshore and offshore, including streamlining seabed mining and other critical minerals development.
Technology, AI, and space
Launched the “Genesis Mission,” a national initiative to use artificial intelligence to accelerate scientific and industrial innovation, including building an integrated federal AI platform and identifying priority technology challenges in areas like semiconductors, nuclear, and biotech.
Issued orders to promote a unified national AI policy, preempting certain state AI regulations deemed to impede innovation and directing agencies such as the FCC and FTC to act against conflicting state mandates.
Trade and foreign policy
Expanded the use of reciprocal tariffs and special duties, including imposing additional tariffs on imports linked to Russian oil and on selected Canadian products and energy, as part of a broader “America First” trade and economic pressure strategy.
Ordered major military operations abroad, including expanded counterterrorism strikes in Iraq, Nigeria, and Somalia, direct attacks on Iran’s nuclear facilities, action against Houthi militants in Yemen, and a campaign in Venezuela that culminated in the capture of Nicolás Maduro
I love how you see this as good news. Tells me all I need to know - good day sir.
Have a wonderful blessed day yourself!
I am glad you went down to he rabbit hole and then wrote about it so clearly.
Thank you for writing this. I’ve been agonizing over this question for 10 years now. Why are my friends that are the most successful also the most angry? Why are they conspiracy theorists?
How have our values diverged over the past decade? They would say that the left brought pitchforks for them and censored them and were practicing “reverse racism.” I can only think of the quote: “To the privileged, equality feels like oppression.” And then, oddly, I feel emboldened. We must be making headway and this is the push back. Maybe we’re getting close. They’re afraid.
I sometimes read the comments and after a while I start to equate these comments to the same fertilizer I find on X or FB or Instagram. It’s one things to readily disperse your thoughts behind the veil of the internet but I wonder if these same remarks and vitriol would be shared if it were in front of of the person they’re pontificating towards.
But these guys actually have their real names (for the most part) attached to their whiny comments on the WSJ
almost certainly not — i've never interacted with people in real life who behave that way
I loved this article last year and thoroughly enjoyed it the second time around. Your hilarity makes this gal who dreads looking at her finances (because I spend all of my money on animals so literally have a burn rate of like 2000%) actually enjoy at least READING about money-related content. AND your content is what I share when I want to make an intellectual financial argument about our macroeconomic systems to any of my WSJ-demographic-guy-friends 🙃 #feelspecial
Boring article about boring comments sections
and yet here you are
He's here like me to see who is your fan base and just what they have to say. Maybe to see who gives you kudos vs. those that clap back.
Gezuntheit
This seems to be a gross generalization about ‘the most affluent’. The WSJ has 4.2 Million digital subscribers and to get a statistically valid result you’d need a population of 2,600-10,000 unique comments.
That the job market sucks, young people can’t afford housing, financial systems are rigged against them, and people feel isolated and alone can coexist with Mr Period.Full Stop who deep down may understand that $1,300 phones are a product of our modern economic system.
Wow loved this essay. Male grievance when looked at from drone eye view is predictable considering they feel they’ve lost ground to (pick your group) aren’t respected/centered anymore etc. cry me a river jerks.
so fucking good