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Statistically, without knowing the standard deviation of the data, it's impossible to tell if the difference between WV and Utah (or WV and the national average) is statistically significant or not. I "followed the links" to the report, and didn't find SD there, either. I hate it when statistics are quoted and the report leaves out critical information.
More importantly, how is "happiness" defined? (If such a question can ever be answered objectively.) The mental definition that a WVian has may have a different standard than someone from Utah or Hawaii.
Unfortunately, it's the conclusion that gets remembered, and only serves to perpetuate the ignorant, uneducated, unemployed hillbilly stereotype.
More importantly, how is "happiness" defined? (If such a question can ever be answered objectively.) The mental definition that a WVian has may have a different standard than someone from Utah or Hawaii.
I wondered about this too. What makes people happy? Employment? Family nearby? Great hobbies? Pets? Who knows?
Quote:
Originally Posted by snorpus
Unfortunately, it's the conclusion that gets remembered, and only serves to perpetuate the ignorant, uneducated, unemployed hillbilly stereotype.
Yes, I find this stereotype annoying. Everything I mention WV people make snarky remarks about "them parts" and how backward and underdeveloped it is. And some of this comes from people I grew up with from South Jersey (where we have our own breed of hillybilly!!!)
You got it right, Goldie. The smile you give to someone will come back to you someday. I'm a big believer in the snowball effect of goodness. One little kindness could change the world.
I've heard that in asylums almost every patient is smiling, the smallest things like a finger in front of ones nose may trigger a fit of happy laughter. Utah dwellers do appear little bit happier than average, no bull, it must have something to do with LDS church, not because it figured things out, but simply because it preserves sense of community somewhat better than a generic baptist etc. gossip Temple.
Yup, WV unhappiness and poverty are visible. It's not because people are poorer (little bit) than the rest, it's because they have little else than material race to live for, the race they know they've lost. Drug abuse was unheard of among the first settlers who lived much more wretched life than an average WV trailer dweller. Yet, much more opulent modern poors use the drugs and fatty foods to escape their world. Why? Rat race doesn't inspire them, and there is little else to live for if you are a poor.
I've heard that in asylums almost every patient is smiling, the smallest things like a finger in front of ones nose may trigger a fit of happy laughter. Utah dwellers do appear little bit happier than average, no bull, it must have something to do with LDS church, not because it figured things out, but simply because it preserves sense of community somewhat better than a generic baptist etc. gossip Temple.
Yup, WV unhappiness and poverty are visible. It's not because people are poorer (little bit) than the rest, it's because they have little else than material race to live for, the race they know they've lost. Drug abuse was unheard of among the first settlers who lived much more wretched life than an average WV trailer dweller. Yet, much more opulent modern poors use the drugs and fatty foods to escape their world. Why? Rat race doesn't inspire them, and there is little else to live for if you are a poor.
what a good post! Sad but true withone exception, you can get out of poverty. I know personally one person who was dirt poor living in a rust belt with nothing, and is now very well off from hard work, education and good morals. My DAD!!!
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me too
