An economist is walking down the street and sees a $20 bill. He doesn't pick it up because, if it was a really $20 bill, someone would've picked it up already.
Source: a doctor with a flashlight and a rubber glove.
I think you're underestimating the amount of real pain that is caused by the current iteration of society. People aren't supposed to function in a world like this. It's broken and they're suffering. It's great if some small fraction of people can tough it out. Good for them. They're the aberration.
An economist is walking down the street and sees a $20 bill. He doesn't pick it up because, if it was a really $20 bill, someone would've picked it up already.