Where do you see yourself on this cycle?

It feels like we're near the end of bad times - materialized in coupling and family formation being low. I get the sense from most people that they feel like their head is barely above water, but what the water is and where it came from I don't know.

Is there an analogue in modern culture to the suitors feasting on Odysseus' wealth?

I first think of taxes/government/inflation. It's basically this but formalized into a system, but without requiring our absence - only the absence of recourse.

I haven't read The Odyssey so I appreciate the notes/summary.