Looking back at my life, I'm astonished at how different and brainwashed I was back then versus now. I've read somewhere that people tend to become more conservative as they age. But it's the opposite with me. A couple of examples.
I remember distinctly, back in college, I had a work-study job that paid minimum wage. I worked with 1 other coworker and my boss. I thought I was good friends with my coworker, and had worked well with her. One day, there was some cleaning that my boss wanted me to finish that morning, but I forgot about it. It wasn't urgent or critical, just something on a to-do list. Then, during an afternoon meeting with my boss and coworker, my boss asked me if I was finished with the cleaning. I fibbed and said yes, while planning to get it done as soon as the meeting was over. No harm, no foul, right? Wrong. My “friendly” coworker immediately told my boss that she checked and saw that it wasn't done. My task didn't interfere with her work, which was doing paperwork. My boss then scolded me and told me he was going to write me up. I felt terrible and was very hard on myself. I don't know why, but I felt mildly traumatized by it, because I've never been “written up” before. Can't believe I still remember it so clearly. Now that I look back on it, all I can think about is “who the f- cares”. F- my coworker. F- my boss. And f- that job. Minimum wage = minimum effort. Why the hell do I still even care about this stupid episode.
I also remember how I've changed in recent years. Before, when I saw a homeless person sleeping on the street, I'd turn my nose up at them, and think that they're worthless, lazy, dirty losers who should get a job. Sorry, just being honest. But my perspective (especially after browsing this sub) has changed significantly. I guess I gained more empathy and knowledge, and lost the sense of arrogance and privilege. With life experience comes the realization that people might have issues out of their control that caused them to lose their homes. That society is not doing the right things to help them. That once you lose your home, your car, the ability to keep clean, etc., then life becomes a hell of a lot harder. That there is certainly personal responsibility involved (e.g. staying off drugs), but you also can't expect people to stop using drugs once they're addicted, if they don't have good social support and an environment that helps them quit.
Don't know where I'm really going with this, but just thinking that being self-aware, and opening one's eyes to seeing how the world really works is important. I swallowed wholesale the brainwashing that came with school (“You have to be a loyal, responsible worker bee”, “College will get you a good job”) and the media (“Police protect citizens”, “We live in a democracy”, “Politicians listen to the people”). No longer.