Good post as always.
My main impetus in starting the thread in the first place, other than it's a serious subject and we had mentioned coming back to it after the election, is that I completely admit to being out of touch on most of this stuff, and with a son who is growing up, pretty concerned. I have felt alienated from mainstream America for quite some time, but with this subject it's not really alienation as just some for of bafflement as I feel like I really don't get the motivations of a lot of these kids. It's just completely foreign to me and my experiences. I guess one other thing is the younger guys I do know are not necessarily like this, the have good jobs, starting families etc..., so probably some self selecting deal going on with who I'm around. The one exception is my old neighbor's kid, who is probably 22 or so now, lives at home, not really any plans. But frankly the kid is an idiot so I don't use him as a data point on someone left behind.
The internet thing is real for sure. I am astounded at some of the stories here. My son is very much monitored on the internet, and will be till he is grown. Giving a child free reign on the interwebs is the most insane thing I've ever heard.