>My parents, like most boomers, had a much better standard of living when they were my age.
that is BS. 198x and even 199x were much worse economically than today. Your parents grinded through it to give what you have, in particular education. Of course, because it was given to you and you didn't have to work for it really, you don't value it. There have been no better time in human history than what is in store today for a person with a high CS degree. And your experience just confirms it. Great job by all the standards and 10x house with a very low mortgage rates in the world top real estate destination and total affordability with just a bit of very convenient commute.
Are you seriously implying OP earned a PhD in ML/CS without working for it and that it was "given" to them? There is no way in hell OP was "given" a PhD in CS -- it takes hard graft, tenacity and rigour to get a PhD in any field.
that is BS. 198x and even 199x were much worse economically than today. Your parents grinded through it to give what you have, in particular education. Of course, because it was given to you and you didn't have to work for it really, you don't value it. There have been no better time in human history than what is in store today for a person with a high CS degree. And your experience just confirms it. Great job by all the standards and 10x house with a very low mortgage rates in the world top real estate destination and total affordability with just a bit of very convenient commute.