Hot take: I don’t “get” Spirited Away. Like I appreciate the art and animation, but the story and characters are a confusing mess to me. I’ve heard the explanation of “it’s a critique of Japanese society”, and looking back on it I can see the symbolism, but if you need additional context for the story to make sense, then I don’t think it’s a very good movie, at least I don’t think it deserves universal acclaim if it only makes sense to one specific culture.

Well, self awareness goes a long way, so you’re on the right path. Lots of people get crotchety and cynical by focusing too much on things that are outside their control. Focus more on areas of your life that you can influence, and learn to enjoy your life for what it is rather than what it could be.

Honestly, if you’re the type of person who’s prone to this, disengaging from hyper cynical social media platforms (yes, including Lemmy) is probably another good idea.

My dad used to be super into politics and consumed rage-bait news on TV and social media a lot, especially during the height of covid. Once he unplugged from all of that there was a noticeable shift in his demeanor and I would say that he’s significantly happier and more content now.

Downvotes are critical, in my opinion, especially for recommendation posts. It’s a good way to combat astroturfing and let genuine discussion rise to the top.

Wtf, I thought this was a critically-acclaimed movie.

Idk where I originally heard it, but “learned helplessness” is definitely an epidemic among the average population. With how easy it is to just look stuff up these days, you have to be actively going out of your way to avoid picking up basic skills like these.