I entirely agree and empathise with your experience. Makes me feel I am not going off the rails myself. I encounter very similar zombie type careless disheartening things in public. It's one reason I don't go out as often as I used to. I prefer the peaceful serenity of my home. I think it's everywhere, not just America. Just back from a stroll around my local town centre which used to be pleasant, now its not and is more an ordeal than pleasure. If roads and pavements aren't being dug up making places ugly, there is litter everywhere. Zombie like people out of their heads on Saturday night just don't get it. They are too oblivious to see the terrible reality. Sometimes feel it would he good to use VR (virtual reality) to escape from some depressing places. Thing is people often thing places are beautiful and lovely but don't see the ugly sides. Great writing by the way. Enjoyed reading.