Toxic Midwesterninity

The general aversion of many people from the Midwestern US towards spending time, effort, and especially money on things which could materially improve one's life, which often causes folks to just accept a clearly sub-optimal situation as "fine".

Mr. C, your 60 year old wooden step ladder is way too old, rickety and wobbly to be trusted at this point, especially as you're getting on in years. Perhaps the purchase of a new step ladder is obviously warranted, but Toxic Midwesterninity is keeping you from buying a new one because you already have a "perfectly good" step ladder but really it's clearly dangerous at this point.

toxic midwesterninity

The general aversion towards time, effort and especially money on things which could materially improve your life. It often causes people to just accept a clearly sub-optimal situation as "fine".

A term originally coined by Technology Connections.

Mr C.: "Wow this 60 year old wooden step ladder is perfectly fine. No need to upgrade anytime soon no sir, this thing will even outlive my grandchildren!"
Me: "Nah man, that thing is way too old, rickety and wobbly to be trusted at this point. You're suffering from toxic midwesterninity"
Mr C.: *Proceeds to mount the ladder, it breaks and he dies*