Why Are People Happy?
(Grrrr123 photo.)
Live Science reports that scientists have found a correlation that helps explain why some states are happier than others:
"U.S. states with wealthier, better educated and more tolerant residents are also happier on average."
There's just one problem: all of the three happiest states are exceptions to the rule. Neither Utah, Hawaii, or Wyoming rank among the wealthiest, nor among the best educated. And for tolerance, one wouldn't expect Utah at the head of the class (though in fact it's more tolerant than recent political news would suggest).
So what makes people happy? We still don't know.
I read about a study recently that points to expectations as an indicator. Americans are less happy than other countries because we expect too much from life. I'll see if I can find it.
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Here it is:
http://www.commondreams.org/further/2009/05/11-4
I've also heard that having too many choices/options makes people less content. It's an interesting topic.
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"Freedom of choice
is what you've got
Freedom from choice
is what you want..." --Devo
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Hawaii is not "tolerant." Family-oriented, though. I would expect "social connection" to play a strong role in happiness.
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