Reply #122: No. it is NOT generally true that 'what doesn't kill us makes us stronger'

[LeftishBrit]

There are plenty of people who were not exactly killed by the deprivation and suffering that they experienced, but were so damaged that they are permanently sick or disabled; living in cardboard boxes on the streets; in and out of prison; or, if comparatively lucky, receiving intensive therapy for PTSD and similar conditions, or always on some medication to combat health problems brought on by e.g. poor early nutrition.

And in developing countries (and a serious depression would make all countries more like developing countries), there are many, many more people who lead miserable lives with permanently poor health, little hope, accepting all sorts of suffering and exploitation because it's the only way to survive.

The idea that 'what doesn't kill us makes us stronger' may work for young, tough, healthy people without responsibilities for young children or elderly relatives. And even then, only temporarily. To apply it to people in general is pretty much in the category of 'let them eat cake!'