World's Happiest Places

[All_In 0]

'Socialist' countries pretty much dominate the listhttp://www.forbes.com/2008/04/23/happiness..._0423happy.htmlhttp://www.forbes.com/opinions/2008/04/23/...boxes=lastslideBut Americans are very optimistic about the future, even though they work longer hours and commute more than '...virtually any other people in the world'.. Guess your media and gov knows exactly how to play you guys.This may sound like a troll post, but seriously, can anyone explain why Americans are worked to death, yet feel like their future is bright, even with so many other countries doing far better?

[SuitedAces21 2,722]

if you dont understand why we americans are so optimistic then you dont understand freedom.you dont understand liberty.i have two words for you, buddy.mount. rushmore.

[All_In 0]

if you dont understand why we americans are so optimistic then you dont understand freedom.you dont understand liberty.i have two words for you, buddy.mount. rushmore.

"Finland is the freest nation in the world..."Straight from the links provided.Also, in case you didn't know, we have freedom and liberty in Canada, that has nothing to do with it.Or would you care to explain?

[SuitedAces21 2,722]

we have freedom and liberty in Canada

you're welcome.

[chrozzo 19]

ill jsut go to my pub...then im happy

[All_In 0]

ill jsut go to my pub...then im happy

that pornstar thread is keeping me pretty happy.

[hank213 1,823]

'Socialist' countries pretty much dominate the listhttp://www.forbes.com/2008/04/23/happiness..._0423happy.htmlhttp://www.forbes.com/opinions/2008/04/23/...boxes=lastslideBut Americans are very optimistic about the future, even though they work longer hours and commute more than '...virtually any other people in the world'.. Guess your media and gov knows exactly how to play you guys.This may sound like a troll post, but seriously, can anyone explain why Americans are worked to death, yet feel like their future is bright, even with so many other countries doing far better?

The answer can be found in the American work ethic and early years of our country. From "The American Work Ethic and the Changing Work Force: An Historical Perspective" by Herbert Applebaum:"While pure Puritan theology did not survive theeighteenth century, its work ethic legacy did. Work was the closest thing to auniversal religion in colonial New England. Puritans had no tolerance for thosewho would not work or persons without some visible means of support. Colonialtowns and cities had neither the funds nor the patience to support people on thedole."

[Suited_Up 2]

Thread is a jopke.

[vonteego3 0]

I'll bite.Worked to death? Really? One day, when you advance beyond 3rd shift bagger, you'll understand that work isn't always a punishment. I have a 2nd job that's entirely a volunteer thing, because I ENJOY it. My regular job isn't so bad either. There's a handful of people (clearly concentrated heavily in the US) that actually enjoy what they do.What does commute distance have to do with ANYTHING? Commuting is a luxury... people choose to commute so they can live in a quieter area. Nobody lives in a shitty area and then commutes 45 minutes to work in a nice suburban neighborhood.Although, I'll give you credit... you nailed the media thing. We do what they tell us to, because the media has a tremendous influence on all of our lives.

[bobbywithani 0]

What does commute distance have to do with ANYTHING? Commuting is a luxury... people choose to commute so they can live in a quieter area. Nobody lives in a shitty area and then commutes 45 minutes to work in a nice suburban neighborhood.

Really? You don't understand how long commutes can add to your misery? Being stuck in a car for an hour and a half every day would eat my soul. "Quieter area" is just basically a richer area. People need to live outside the city so they don't have to deal with those common negros that are always trying to steal their stereos. The very fact that people feel the need to move out to the far out suburbs so that they can be content with their safer neigborhood and then realize that they have sacrificed any sorts of arts, culture, comunity, and uniqueness to achieve their goal of a safe and comfortable life. Comfort does not equal hapiness.

[brvheart 1,752]

This is a troll post

agreed.

we have freedom and liberty in Canada

you're welcome.

I laughed... pretty hard... for awhile. Thanks nine-fingered Shia!

[chrozzo 19]

women...come oto my placeyou'l be happymmaky

[AmScray 355]

This may sound like a troll post, but seriously, can anyone explain why Americans are worked to death, yet feel like their future is bright, even with so many other countries doing far better?

A capitalist society is always going to have a lot of losers (which I would wager my net worth that you are, by any reasonable measure). Losers are generally unhappy, but they're VERY unhappy in a society that doesn't provide for them.Anyway, as far as other countries doing "far better", I don't know if you mean "far better" on Veenhovens Magical Happiness Scale, or "far better" in other ways. One thing I'm positive about- you're certainlly too stupid to view something like this with a critical eye, since the "results" fit into your generally deluded outlook on life. Had we used the Amscray Magical Happiness Scale that found America to be #1, I'm sure you would be questioning the validity of it all.

[Actuary 3]

you're welcome.

I got hard.***************someone seems really envious.

[navybuttons 15]

doesn't it kill you that our version of history is going to prove us right (seriously)?

[El Guapo 8]

Not this shit again.

[Royal_Tour 0]

doesn't it kill you that our version of history is going to prove us right (seriously)?

LOL hilarious. finally, took like 15 posts/end thread

[All_In 0]

The answer can be found in the American work ethic and early years of our country. From "The American Work Ethic and the Changing Work Force: An Historical Perspective" by Herbert Applebaum:"While pure Puritan theology did not survive theeighteenth century, its work ethic legacy did. Work was the closest thing to auniversal religion in colonial New England. Puritans had no tolerance for thosewho would not work or persons without some visible means of support. Colonialtowns and cities had neither the funds nor the patience to support people on thedole."

An interesting theory. Do you agree with it, in terms of 'work' being a goal itself? Should there be meaning attached to 'work'? What about quality of life?

[BigDMcGee 3,352]

The answer can be found in the American work ethic and early years of our country. From "The American Work Ethic and the Changing Work Force: An Historical Perspective" by Herbert Applebaum:"While pure Puritan theology did not survive theeighteenth century, its work ethic legacy did. Work was the closest thing to auniversal religion in colonial New England. Puritans had no tolerance for thosewho would not work or persons without some visible means of support. Colonialtowns and cities had neither the funds nor the patience to support people on thedole."

Of course that's your contention. You're a first year grad student. You just finished some Marxian historian, Pete Garrison prob'ly, and so naturally that's what you believe until next month when you get to James Lemon and get convinced that Virginia and Pennsylvania were strongly entrepreneurial and capitalist back in 1740. That'll last until sometime in your second year, then you'll be in here regurgitating Gordon Wood about the Pre-revolutionary utopia and the capital-forming effects of military mobilization.

[Sal Paradise 57]

HOW D'YA LIKE THEM APPLES

[All_In 0]

I'll bite.Worked to death? Really? One day, when you advance beyond 3rd shift bagger, you'll understand that work isn't always a punishment. I have a 2nd job that's entirely a volunteer thing, because I ENJOY it. My regular job isn't so bad either. There's a handful of people (clearly concentrated heavily in the US) that actually enjoy what they do.What does commute distance have to do with ANYTHING? Commuting is a luxury... people choose to commute so they can live in a quieter area. Nobody lives in a shitty area and then commutes 45 minutes to work in a nice suburban neighborhood.Although, I'll give you credit... you nailed the media thing. We do what they tell us to, because the media has a tremendous influence on all of our lives.

most people work because they have to, not because they enjoy it (although some, like yourself, do). i would think this was common knowledge.As far as your view that commuting is a luxury, i totally disagree. Commuting is time taken away from you and your family. If you took a survey, I'm sure most would prefer less commuting time, in order to enjoy more time with their families, doing personal activities, basically living and enjoying life. This equates to a better quality of life. Is it not a detriment to live in a country where you have to commute long distances because where you work is a 'shitty area'? Would not a country be better if you could live close to where you work? Would that not be preferable?I'm glad we can at least agree on the media thing. Most do not realize that it is basically a form of mind control; it forms and shapes public opinion.

[mtdesmoines 3]

Thread title: "World's Happiest Places"+

'Socialist' countries pretty much dominate the list

=unread thread

[Jadaki 0]

Of course that's your contention. You're a first year grad student. You just finished some Marxian historian, Pete Garrison prob'ly, and so naturally that's what you believe until next month when you get to James Lemon and get convinced that Virginia and Pennsylvania were strongly entrepreneurial and capitalist back in 1740. That'll last until sometime in your second year, then you'll be in here regurgitating Gordon Wood about the Pre-revolutionary utopia and the capital-forming effects of military mobilization.

Nice.

[Jeepster80125 0]

Really? You don't understand how long commutes can add to your misery? Being stuck in a car for an hour and a half every day would eat my soul. "Quieter area" is just basically a richer area. People need to live outside the city so they don't have to deal with those common negros that are always trying to steal their stereos. The very fact that people feel the need to move out to the far out suburbs so that they can be content with their safer neigborhood and then realize that they have sacrificed any sorts of arts, culture, comunity, and uniqueness to achieve their goal of a safe and comfortable life. Comfort does not equal hapiness.

Don't worry about all of this, the OP is a troll, and might be functionally retarded.

[vbnautilus 48]

Most research on happiness shows that people feel best when they are involved in productive, goal-oriented, attainable tasks. Idleness generally leads to unhappiness. There is no conflict between working a lot and happiness.