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The Myth of Progress and Disappointment
The primary American emotion is disappointment, stemming from the myth of progress, where people expect life to always improve. This belief in upward mobility leads to a hidden trauma in American society when faced with challenges like the pandemic or unemployment. In the secular view, suffering is devoid of meaning or purpose, causing a disconnect when life's difficulties arise. Sociologists propose that happiness is determined by reality minus expectations, emphasizing the impact of unmet expectations on overall well-being.