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I saw this 2 weeks ago or so. One interesting thing is how Bulgaria/Congo are about as poor as Colombia (on average at least) yet they're on the sides of the spectrum: happiest and saddest? Probably it's because Colombia is mostly Christian...or because they're using too much cocaine 0_o(kiddin', sorry Colombia).
Actually, looking again at the happiest countries:
- 5 of them are from South America(Spanish/Latino-sphere). Probably good climate and music, religion makes them happier.
- Saudi Arabia,Vietnam,China: dictatorships. They're "happy" because if they say they're "sad" the authorities will knock on the door -.
- Fiji: OK, strong economy, good climate.
- Iceland: Probably because they're a country of just 300,000 people which gives them some sort of "village happiness".
Even though you put it in light grey I'll restate it anyway: yes, that list is kind of crazy.
Actually I like such "controversial" lists. You'd get the idea they're closer to reality as they shift further away from stereotypes. I mean, months ago someone posted a map of atheism by country. It looked like that: Czech Republic, Bulgaria, Sweden = most atheists, England, Germany, Italy = very religious.
If the study was to confirm stereotypes you'd expect more like: Eastern Europe = traditional and religious, West: atheists and progressive. Except it wasn't.
I thought the survey was about how optimistic about the future the people are, not how happy they might be with their current situation.
In any case, good for the top 10. Hope it will come into fruitition. Though, looking at the top 10 countries and their history, they are surely up for a disappointment.
I saw this 2 weeks ago or so. One interesting thing is how Bulgaria/Congo are about as poor as Colombia (on average at least) yet they're on the sides of the spectrum: happiest and saddest? Probably it's because Colombia is mostly Christian...or because they're using too much cocaine 0_o(kiddin', sorry Colombia).
Actually, looking again at the happiest countries:
- 5 of them are from South America(Spanish/Latino-sphere). Probably good climate and music, religion makes them happier.
- Saudi Arabia,Vietnam,China: dictatorships. They're "happy" because if they say they're "sad" the authorities will knock on the door -.
- Fiji: OK, strong economy, good climate.
- Iceland: Probably because they're a country of just 300,000 people which gives them some sort of "village happiness".
I like your analysis
I wonder what % of those who criticize this kind of researches without any reason, have written an academic paper. The methodology have problems? Or the analysis? Or what?
Actually, looking again at the happiest countries:
- 5 of them are from South America(Spanish/Latino-sphere). Probably good climate and music, religion makes them happier.
- Saudi Arabia,Vietnam,China: dictatorships. They're "happy" because if they say they're "sad" the authorities will knock on the door -.
- Fiji: OK, strong economy, good climate.
- Iceland: Probably because they're a country of just 300,000 people which gives them some sort of "village happiness".
Except that you contradict your own theories.
Iceland has a poor economy and a poor climate. So has many Latin American countries. Iceland is irreligious, Saudi Arabia a theocracy.
And Fiji has a hellish climate, anything but good imo. 30C every day of the year, never cooling down even during the night, extremely oppressive humidity and 5 times the rainfall Sofia gets.
Same can be said about places like Saudi Arabia and for the tropical climates of South America.
You cannot quantify 'happiness' in surveys with reasonable accuracy. Before you interject, think about it this: try to define the word 'happiness' for everyone.
Everyone will interpret the question completely differently. If I were surveyed, I'd probably just say yes, since I can appreciate my own living conditions overall even though I seldom feel remarkable positive emotions. Someone else who has exactly the same situation as me might say they are unhappy because they, also like me, don't feel any superlative feelings.
You cannot quantify 'happiness' in surveys with reasonable accuracy. Before you interject, think about it this: try to define the word 'happiness' for everyone.
Everyone will interpret the question completely differently. If I were surveyed, I'd probably just say yes, since I can appreciate my own living conditions overall even though I seldom feel remarkable positive emotions. Someone else who has exactly the same situation as me might say they are unhappy because they, also like me, don't feel any superlative feelings.
Exactly. A Frenchman can say he is unhappy because he hates Hollande, OL won't win the championship this year either, and the new series of GoT isn't on yet.
A Colombian can say he is happy because he has access to fresh clean water and FARC didn't kill him yesterday.
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