Does the argument of "at least you're not in _____" have any merit?

[Thiletonomics]

One thing I was thinking about is how some people try to use countries that are actually horrible places to live in, i.e. certain African countries, North Korea, or Venezuela, as an argument in discussions. And by that, I mean, say you come home after a rough day at work, and you mention that in a discussion with your family. Then, one of the other family members says "you should be grateful that you have a job and food, unlike those poor people in Venezuela that can only hope to get at least one meal a day".

Does this type of argument have any merit at all?

 

[Joey Caruso]

Saying that you've got it good just because some other folks have it worse is like saying you've got it bad just because some billionaire somewhere is doing better than you. They're both fallacious arguments.

 

[Clop]

None. People don't perceive problems and stress in their lives like you'd think. No one can be fully free of such things because we look for things to be worried and stressed over.

Sure you can relish the fact that you live somewhere with clean water and human rights, but even the most minor shit you have to deal with can still stress you out and no amount of positive thinking can erase it because you're hardwired to have fucking something to bitch about or you go insane. So fuck the family member telling you to be happy with what you've got, I hope they stab themselves in the eyes with their fork. God that fucker makes me so goddamned mad.

 

[Edgeworth]

Most of the time, no. The only instances I can think of is when the opposing party is being hyperbolic about how terrible their lives are a la "omg men who look at women are LITERALLY RAPING THEM" or something equally stupid in which case the "well at least you don't live in ____" would hold water if whoever you're arguing with can think critically and not like a low-functioning toy parrot that repeats whatever it hears. I get that people have to complain, but complain about something that's actually true maybe.

In venting situations, that argument is stupid; people should be allowed to vent and just think their lives are shitty and stressful and that in their perception at the time, they can't imagine a worse life. Some people are smart enough though to realise that no, they don't have it that bad in the grand scheme but that's for them to think about, not to be told about when they're hoping/expecting for a sympathetic ear.

 

[Kulee Baba]

Only in the event you're depressed about something utterly trivial aka Autistic. When I was a wee lad I was actually depressed that Futurama was cancelled by Fox. I laugh now because I got the monkey paw of it coming back as a far shittier relaunch and that I really was sad that a show had ended earlier than I anticipated.

 

[IV 445]

Suffering is relative.

 

[Some JERK]

By that logic only people who are actively on fire have the right to complain. Everyone else must maintain a forced positive attitude at all times. What could possibly go wrong?

 

[Red Hood]

It's a nonsensical argument. But by the same token I'm really glad I was born in the US and not some place they don't speak English.

 

[Cool kitties club]

Unless someone is taking away attention from a bigger issue then it's dumb

 

[Lemmingwise]

It's not really an argument, it's keeping things in perspective. It can be useful. It can be a callous way to try and silence concerns. It depends on the context.

It helps to remember that you don't really know what you've got till it's gone and being grateful for what you don't know that you have, is one of the principle things you can do to be more happy/content.

 

[Mysterious Capitalist]

While it's not an argument that you should use to win discussions, it is a thing you should consider to yourself when you had a relatively shitty day.

We should always be grateful for the fact that we're not born as starving African children or as mentally impaired individuals; that we're probably in a rich Country with free education, cheap food, clean water and other first world amenities.

We are living in the most prosperous period of Human history to date, regardless of what poser nihilists say about it; always remember that and let it humble you.

 

[Slap47]

One thing I was thinking about is how some people try to use countries that are actually horrible places to live in, i.e. certain African countries, North Korea, or Venezuela, as an argument in discussions. And by that, I mean, say you come home after a rough day at work, and you mention that in a discussion with your family. Then, one of the other family members says "you should be grateful that you have a job and food, unlike those poor people in Venezuela that can only hope to get at least one meal a day".

Does this type of argument have any merit at all?

Its bad logic, we should always aspire to be better instead of being content with not being Saharans who rape people to cure their aids.

 

[NOT Sword Fighter Super]

A common tactic used by parents to shame their children into eating all their food at dinner is to say “there are starving children in China”.

I always took it to mean “so stick it to them by eating more food”.

Even as a kid I found that to be a retarded argument.

 

[Midlife Sperglord]

I know SJWs in my family who absolutely love to tell me that my life would automatically be a million times worse if I were black. Arguments such as that are intended to be dismissive by default.

 

[Themartyr]

an opinion isn't an argument