Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the "rosy retrospection" phenomenon, where individuals tend to remember the past more positively than it actually was, especially when dissatisfied with their current lives. This leads to a romanticized view of past opportunities and a misunderstanding of the challenges faced by previous generations [1][2]. Group 1: Perception of Past Opportunities - The "rosy retrospection" effect is particularly pronounced when individuals face pressures in their current lives, leading them to idealize their childhood and the perceived opportunities of past decades [2]. - There is a narrative among older generations that suggests younger people are not working hard enough, while simultaneously, some individuals adopt a more favorable stance towards the younger generation, arguing that past successes were due to easier circumstances [2][3]. Group 2: Survivor Bias and Historical Context - The article highlights that true opportunities in any era are not evenly distributed, and the so-called "era dividends" are often a product of survivor bias, where only the successful stories are told [5]. - Historical examples, such as the entrepreneurial successes of the 1980s and 1990s, are contrasted with the reality that many individuals faced significant hardships and low survival rates in their ventures during those times [5][7]. Group 3: Individual Efforts vs. Era Influence - While acknowledging the impact of the era on personal development, the article emphasizes that the majority of individuals do not benefit from the same opportunities, with a significant percentage of contemporaries experiencing failure [10]. - The narrative that success is solely due to favorable times overlooks the personal efforts and sacrifices made by individuals, which are crucial for achieving success [14]. Group 4: Current Opportunities and Future Outlook - The article notes that despite challenges in the current job market, there are still significant opportunities, particularly in emerging sectors like AI and renewable energy, where younger individuals are actively participating [11]. - It encourages a mindset shift from viewing the past as a golden age to recognizing that every era has its unique challenges and opportunities, and that success requires adaptation and innovation [12][15].

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses historical investment patterns in the Chinese stock market, highlighting how certain stocks, despite strong initial performance and logical reasoning, often fail to sustain their growth in the long term, leading to significant declines during market downturns [4][6][10]. Group 1: Historical Examples - The case of Sichuan Changhong in the 1990s illustrates how a stock can be perceived as a blue-chip due to the rising demand for televisions, yet it ultimately underperformed during subsequent market downturns [3][4]. - In 2007, the belief in China's infrastructure growth led to optimism for stocks like Baosteel and Jidong Cement, but these stocks also failed to maintain their highs in the long run [5][6]. Group 2: Market Behavior Patterns - The article outlines a cyclical pattern where an industry experiences a boom, followed by a significant downturn, leading to prolonged periods of low performance for stocks within that sector [10][12]. - Stocks that do not adapt to new market conditions or fail to capitalize on emerging trends often remain in a state of wide fluctuations without reaching new highs [13][14]. Group 3: Sector Analysis - The rise and fall of stocks like China CRRC and Longi Green Energy exemplify how initial strong performance can lead to severe declines when market conditions change, such as overcapacity in the industry [8][9]. - The healthcare sector, despite being viewed as a growth area due to aging demographics, has also seen stocks underperform, indicating that not all perceived growth sectors guarantee long-term success [11]. Group 4: Investment Strategy - The article suggests that rather than focusing on historically burdened indices, investors may find better opportunities in emerging sectors like the Sci-Tech Innovation Board, which may offer more potential for growth [15].