Happiness?

[Dave2002]

Happiness is watching the robot lawn mower cutting the grass - and the various birds coming down to pick stuff - don't know what - off the lawn.

[richardfinegold]

Scandinavian countries have historically high suicide rates. I don’t think that I will be looking to them for happiness primers

[LMcD]

Scandinavian countries have historically high suicide rates. I don’t think that I will be looking to them for happiness primers

It's true - they do have very high suicide and divorce rates - and yet they regularly do very well in 'World's Happiest Country' polls. I believe Finland (not strictly a Scandinavian country, which is why I prefer to use the term 'Nordic' in these cases) came top in the most recent such survey.

[vinteuil]

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... yes, I don't see why a high suicide rate should necessarily be in conflict with a high happiness rate. I can imagine a society where people live well, and then when life gets too much for them, either physically or psychologically, they opt to end it. Sounds good to me.


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[LMcD]

Slightly off-topic, but I'm intrigued to learn that Sandi Toksvig's partner Debbie measures 4'12" (sic).

[Dave2002]

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... yes, I don't see why a high suicide rate should necessarily be in conflict with a high happiness rate. I can imagine a society where people live well, and then when life gets too much for them, either physically or psychologically, they opt to end it. Sounds good to me.


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Some countries also have high rates of alcoholism - and drug use.
A doctor friend once suggested that cirrhosis of the liver was not such a terrible way to go - though that might not be the only outcome from sustained alcohol abuse.

Hence "it was good while it lasted!"

I'm not recommending this approach however.

[Serial_Apologist]

Happiness and contentment are probably synonymous for me, having reached a stage where I would not prefer to live anywhere else. I have experienced and done everything I would want out of life, and have all the possessions I ever want to have. That is all subject to future uncertainties, such as things wearing out and not being replaceable, and losing friends one way or another. I can get depressed: not so for myself - I am incredibly lucky in many ways to have landed on my feet, and especially to have lived through the 1960s and 1970s - but for changes I foresee in society already manifesting in people, and for the future of the planet, frankly.

[cloughie]

Slightly off-topic, but I'm intrigued to learn that Sandi Toksvig's partner Debbie measures 4'12" (sic).

I bet you thought you could swear she was 5’!

[LMcD]

Happiness and contentment are probably synonymous for me, having reached a stage where I would not prefer to live anywhere else. I have experienced and done everything I would want out of life, and have all the possessions I ever want to have. That is all subject to future uncertainties, such as things wearing out and not being replaceable, and losing friends one way or another. I can get depressed: not so for myself - I am incredibly lucky in many ways to have landed on my feet, and especially to have lived through the 1960s and 1970s - but for changes I foresee in society already manifesting in people, and for the future of the planet, frankly.

My sentiments exactly!

[ardcarp]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000vxy7

Some might think this short series on R4 is off topic. But I guess the first episode (today) was pondering on how 'sentient' an octopus is. Can other animals (e.g. baby seals playing) experience happiness?

[Bella Kemp]

My chihuahuas laugh