Under systemic stress every relationship gets downgraded a notch. Family to friends, friends to acquaintances, acquaintances to strangers, strangers to potential hostiles, potential hostiles to actual hostiles, actual hostiles to existential threats.
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Isn’t it often the opposite? Solidarity from systemic stress upgrades relationships? E.g. London during the Blitz
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The distinction might be “direct threat” (like London during the Blitz) versus “systemic stress” (like the par 3-12 years). It’s like the difference between an active infection and chronic inflammation.
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Generally, yes, but have you experienced the occasional upgrade? Stress is an adhesive, too.
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Worse when the stress acquires some kind of pseudo permanence as is in third world countries. Imagine the chain of debauchery.
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In the relationships you describe here... people may be able to afford some mental slack if the stress is occasional.






