Happiness index

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Palimino

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The latest measure of a countries success is a ‘Happiness Index” and no, I am not under some baleful hypnotic influence from Zana even if it does sound a bit ‘love & huggles’ <gag>.

The index apparently measures the happiness of the countries poor and extrapolates from that, the success of the country. It is plausible, as the entire reason for competing ideologies is (ostensibly) the contentment of its citizens. Scandinavian countries rate top. Europe agrees that the most miserable nation in Europe are the French (can’t argue there).

What will really burn America’s ass is that Costa Rica’s poor are happier than America’s poor (ouch!).

Hahahahahaha <snurfle> hahahahahaha! <sob>

South Africa must come last on that list. Note the bitterness and envy in the laughter.
 
Happy Planet Index?

In 2006 ZA was 156th of 178 countries. USA was 150th, UK 108th, China 31st and Japan 95th.
In 2009 ZA was 118th of 143 countries. USA was 114th, UK 74th, China 20th and Japan 75th.

Zimbabe was last in both :)

I'm not sure quite how seriously I'd take it... Especially since countries like Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Jamaica and the like are near the top. Although, my knowledge of those countries is very limited. I always assumed they were very poor countries?
 
I think they are very poor....but also remember....money does not buy happiness. My mother always tells me that while she and my dad were still students...they already had to kids to support...my sister and me (still a baby) they were dirt poor...and yet those were the happiest time of their married life. When my dad qualified and the money started coming in...things kinda went downhill.

Also, is it not true that Scandinavia has the highest suicide rate in the world? I think I read that somewhere.
 
'ello, ocleroux :)

Well, I suppose if you're all poor, you're at least in it together... *shrug* Worst thing is the Americans are only marginally happier than us, but have a way better telecommunications infrastructure than we do :(
 
Just shows...even though you have super dooper fast broadband but your nation is obese does not give you a happy nation hehehehe.

I think you might be right. In those country almost all is in the same boat...the one guy is as poor as the next....so no comeptition to be better than the next...less stress, less worries perhaps makes for a better state of mind? :-)
 
ocleroux said:
Just shows...even though you have super dooper fast broadband but your nation is obese does not give you a happy nation hehehehe.

I think you might be right. In those country almost all is in the same boat...the one guy is as poor as the next....so no comeptition to be better than the next...less stress, less worries perhaps makes for a better state of mind? :-)
Click to expand...

I'll has my reasonably priced uncapped fibre nao, thanks :D
 
I think poor people are often much happier than rich people.
 
Lycanthrope said:
I'm not sure quite how seriously I'd take it... Especially since countries like Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Jamaica and the like are near the top. Although, my knowledge of those countries is very limited. I always assumed they were very poor countries?
Click to expand...

Speculation:
The countries you mention are pretty socialist. I would imagine that if the burden of health care and education are carried by the state that would raise the happiness quotient of citizens by an order of magnitude. The wealth (or otherwise) of countries is an American thing, where the volume is really cranked up and chasing the buck is of all-consuming importance.

The French are regarded as slabs of misery because:

#1 They are inherently moaners.

They are strongly nationalistic and the rest of the world doesn’t accord them the respect they think they deserve.

#2 French is not the international language of choice = moan.
#3 French goods are not in universal demand = moan
#4 French policies are not universally adopted = moan.
#5 Everyone has not adopted a perpetual French moaning stance = moan.
 
What does the index say about Vietnam?

EDIT:
Found it - nr5!
Pretty impressive actually!
 
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