STUDY: World gets happier

STUDY: World gets happier

news.yahoo.com

Despite the anxieties of these times, happiness has been on the rise around the world in recent years, a new survey finds.



The upbeat outlook is attributed to economic growth in previously poor countries, democratization of others, and rising social tolerance for women and minority groups.


"It's a surprising finding," said University of Michigan political scientist Ronald Inglehart, who headed up the survey. "It's widely believed that it's almost impossible to raise an entire country's happiness level."


Denmark is the happiest nation and Zimbabwe the the most glum, he found. (Zimbabwe's longtime ruler Robert Mugabe was sworn in as president for a sixth term Sunday after a widely discredited runoff in which he was the only candidate. Observers said the runoff was marred by violence and intimidation.)


The United States ranks 16th.

(visit the link for the full news article)



[edit on 7/1/08 by BlackOps719]

Well I would be lying if I said that I honestly believe this study, but according to their findings research indicates that people world wide are happier than ever.

Noticibly the US ranks 16 among countries listed, and the story is citing miserable baby boomers as the reason we are not topping out higher on the list.

Now I can see the reasoning to a degree, being that many war torn or impoverished nations of old are now starting to make their climb into a first world setting.

But with war and threats of war everywhere, and world wide food shortages looming as well as impending economic uncertainty, I have a hard time believing that the world is such a shiny happy place these days.

Yes I am pessemistic by nature, but from what I have seen and the people that I come into contact with here in the states, there are many words that can be used to describe their frame of mind and personal outlook, but HAPPY isn't really one of them.

Is this just an attempt at propaganda, an attempty to lull people into a false sense of security? When war, famine, disease and economic decline are the stories of the day, how can this even be close to being true?

How about you, ATS? Are you "HAPPY" ?

news.yahoo.com
(visit the link for the full news article)

[edit on 7/1/08 by BlackOps719]

Well I guess it is settled then!!!! No takers????????


Should I just assume that members of ATS are the happiest bunch of A-holes walking this jolly smiley happy cheer filled planet???





I call shenanigans!!



P.S. - I have only known one person here on ATS who shot rays of sunshine from her derriere....and she was banned shortly thereafter


Comments?

Man, I got two beautiful, healthy children, a beautiful, loving wife, and a job I look forward to every day. I couldn't be happier. I understand why some people may be unhappy, but even on my worst day I can find something to thank God and be joyous over. If that ever ceases to be the case, I might as well put a gun to my head and end it because life ain't worth a damn if you can't take some pleasure from every day.

reply to post by burdman30ott6





That's awesome brother....Im happy to hear that.


Life sure is a hell of a lot easier when you have something that makes it all worthwhile. A reason, a purpose etc.

Glad to see that not everyone is a cynic like me.

Wohooo we win again xD

Honestly it doesn't surprise me. I read at one point that us Danes are good at expecting the worst, only to end getting more than we hope for hehe
So I guess that could account for some of the happiness.

Though I must admit, having read a whole lot here, I do believe that our social system reigns up there in the top. Of course our small size has a lot to do with that. It's obviously easier to maintain a smaller community with just 5 million people than a 300 mill. strong country like the states.

So who cares about 48% tax, #ty weather and a soccer team that sucks... we're happy! Weeeee

I'm happy because there is no violence or high risk of terror of any kind around my area, so yea im pretty F$%^@!* glad.

reply to post by adkchamp


Sorry for offtopic and short post, but ADK... you have to stop post new threads stay 1337....

Sorry the ol geek in me came out, hehe.

reply to post by flice





Leave it to the Danes to gloat!!!!!


Who do you guys think you are anyways....with your fancy free health care and functional, caring government leaders...and your open society and your beautiful women and your lax drug policies and your breath taking landscapes and town centers........damn you Danish!!!

At least we have ....ummm...NFL football. Take that!!

Ahh the good old . "we polled 2000 people in comas and this is what they said"
Study.

"Excuse me sir. Are you happy you didnt die yet?" "Why yes sir i am"

Well there you have it everyone is happy . Go home be happy . And remember . 9 out of 10 people love a circus.

reply to post by d11_m_na_c05




Yes indeed, the world is so happy that it is on the verge of destroying itself. If things get any happier I don't see how we will make it out alive.

9 out of 10 people love a circus.

I know I do!!

this is the 3rd STUDY that has been posted here since yesterday..
one it telling us that our children are depressing us.
one says that having a conspiracy theory is a sign of MENTAL ILLNESS
and now this one telling us we are ALL HAPPY?

THE propaganda GAME is really something ... isn`t it