Happy or clever

"If you're so clever, why aren't you happy?" a friend's mother would say to him.

I'd turn that around. I think that for some, being unhappy is what stimulates the mind. That doesn't mean that I believe it's a good thing; it's just that your brain accelerates, looking for a way to survive. Having taught Looked After Children for a couple of years, I'd say that typically, although they were academic under-achievers, they were unusually sharp for their age in other ways. Maybe that's also why girls from broken homes become sexualised earlier.

But the one thing that all this cleverness doesn't address is the root of the cleverness itself. It may seem an impertinence to judge people one hasn't met - though that is the bread and butter of the modern media - but would you regard, say, Stephen Fry or Dawn French as happy, well-balanced people?

A clever person is more likely to out-argue you than to put right anything about themselves. I've read that psychoanalysts find highly intelligent patients the hardest to cure; and that successful entertainers avoid seeking a solution for their neuroses, because it might turn off the tap of their talent.

I hope for a world that is fit, not for heroes nor for geniuses, but for the dully contented.

A great mood-lifter

Do you want to be happier?

A British professor is urging us to join in his experiment to see how we can make ourselves more happy.

Why do I feel oddly reluctant? Do you feel the same?

An answer to that, might go a long way to explaining why we aren't as happy as we think we ought to be.

I think it's something to do with identity, and the personal past. We cling on, afraid that we'll fall endlessly if we let go; but maybe we're gripping an anchor on the sea floor, and will float towards life when we open our hands.

What the blackbird said

Every morning, a blackbird in our neighbourhood starts to sing. It begins with two distinctive melodies, and then (like Eric Clapton in his Cream days) improvises beautiful, complex variations on these themes.

We do the same. We complain of encroachments on our liberty, the debauching of our currency and national wealth, the weakening of the bonds that tie society together, and so on. And we do it many times, passing judgment with our "wise saws and modern instances", like Shakespeare's magistrate.

We're not alone. In a well-worth-reading article today, former Tory minister Neil Hamilton tells it like it is now with our rulers: democracy is dead (not that it was ever much alive). It's especially disturbing that senior politicians will say this now, not just the cranks among the public.

But why are we singing? Simone de Beauvoir said, "Every good book is a cry for help"; who do we hope will make speed to save us? And why does he have a sword and sceptre in his hands? Because to ask for help is to surrender power.

So let us combine against the oppressor. But who will lead us? And how will they mutate as they convert our assent into fresh authority? Is a libertarian party ultimately doomed by its oxymoronic essence?

George Orwell said, 'All historical changes finally boil down to the replacement of one ruling class by another. All talk about democracy, liberty, equality, fraternity, all revolutionary movements, all visions of Utopia, or "the classless society", or "the Kingdom of Heaven on earth", are humbug (not necessarily conscious humbug) covering the ambitions of some new class which is elbowing its way to power ...'

Like charity, liberty, wealth and happiness begin at home. Let us waste no more of our dreaming time on the puppets that wish to master us; in a Berkleian way, they are created and maintained only by our perception. Neither vote nor revolt; ignore. Trying to change society is like sending flowers to a soap opera wedding.

The revolution is personal. How much of your time and money could you save, reorganise, invest to make you and yours happier? "Il faut cultiver notre jardin."

And in our garden, the birds will sing.

A lighter moment

I wish I could embed this one, but please click on the link to see an outstanding and very funny example of hysterical greed:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=70wuAWxOEZA

Life goes on!

Yesterday was a fine day. My wife meets our neighbour's mother, wheeling her 15-month-old granddaughter in the pushchair. The child is holding a measuring jug with an animal fridge magnet in it. "What's with the jug?" asks my wife. "That's mine," says grannie, "we've had to take the pussycat for a walk."

Jealousy

The WSJ has published a list of the 200 best jobs (htp: Paddington). This should stimulate about 5 of the Seven Deadly Sins. Some surprises - e.g. a teaching assistant is 21 places above a teacher - though I do know a teacher who gave up to become an assistant. Find where you are in the pecking order - happy seething!

01. Mathematician
02. Actuary
03. Statistician
04. Biologist
05. Software Engineer
06. Computer Systems Analyst
07. Historian
08. Sociologist
09. Industrial Designer
10. Accountant
11. Economist
12. Philosopher
13. Physicist
14. Parole Officer
15. Meteorologist
16. Medical Laboratory Technician
17. Paralegal Assistant
18. Computer Programmer
19. Motion Picture Editor
20. Astronomer
21. Petroleum Engineer
22. Insurance Underwriter
23. Web Developer
24. Physiologist
25. Bank Officer
26. Architectural Drafter
27. Broadcast Technician
28. Stenographer/Court Reporter
29. Medical Secretary
30. Geologist
31. Publication Editor
32. Vocational Counselor
33. Aerospace Engineer
34. Jeweler
35. Dental Laboratory Technician
36. Electrical Technician
37. Musical Instrument Repairer
38. Audiologist
39. Bookkeeper
40. Anthropologist
41. Nuclear Engineer
42. Medical Records Technician
43. Librarian
44. Market Research Analyst
45. Dental Hygienist
46. Purchasing Agent
47. Set Designer
48. School Principal
49. Industrial Engineer
50. Medical Technologist
51. Archeologist
52. Tax Examiner/Collector
53. Dietitian
54. Typist/Word Processor
55. Chiropractor
56. Hotel Manager
57. Chemist
58. Personnel Recruiter
59. Psychologist
60. Technical Writer
61. Occupational Therapist
62. Electrical Engineer
63. Optometrist
64. Speech Pathologist
65. Financial Planner
66. Museum Curator
67. Zoologist
68. Pharmacist
69. Judge (Federal)
70. Clergy
71. Civil Engineer
72. Office Machine Repairer
73. Social Worker
74. Mechanical Engineer
75. Newscaster
76. Piano Tuner
77. Industrial Machine Repairer
78. Flight Attendant
79. Advertising Account Executive
80. Artist (Fine Art)
81. Telephone Installer/Repairer
82. Attorney
83. Bookbinder
84. Stockbroker
85. Communications Equipment Mechanic
86. Appliance Repairer
87. Fashion Designer
88. Corporate Executive (Senior)
89. Occupational Safety/Health Inspector
90. Photographic Process Worker
91. Podiatrist
92. Optician
93. Author
94. Cosmetologist
95. Computer Service Technician
96. Insurance Agent
97. Compositor/Typesetter
98. Engineering Technician
99. Architect
100. Psychiatrist
101. Dentist
102. Agricultural Scientist
103. Orthodontist
104. Automobile Assembler
105. Barber
106. Teacher's Aide
107. Bank Teller
108. Disc Jockey
109. Construction Foreman
110. Cashier
111. Physical Therapist
112. Public Relations Executive
113. Precision Assembler
114. Receptionist
115. Telephone Operator
116. Airplane Pilot
117. Conservationist
118. Sewage Plant Operator
119. Railroad Conductor
120. Sales Representative (Wholesale)
121. Real Estate Agent
122. Shoe Maker/Repairer
123. Veterinarian
124. Forklift Operator
125. Photographer
126. Vending Machine Repairer
127. Teacher
128. Buyer
129. Electrical Equipment Repairer
130. Shipping/Receiving Clerk
131. Recreation Worker
132. Furniture Upholsterer
133. Advertising Salesperson
134. Construction Machinery Operator
135. Respiratory Therapist
136. Farmer
137. Surveyor
138. Heating/Refrigeration Mechanic
139. Tool-And-Die Maker
140. Reporter (Newspaper)
141. Janitor
142. Physician (General Practice)
143. Nurse (Registered)
144. Plumber
145. Carpet/Tile Installer
146. Physician Assistant
147. Electrician
148. Dressmaker
149. Guard
150. Highway Patrol Officer
151. Drill-Press Operator
152. Travel Agent
153. Automobile Body Repairer
154. Waiter/Waitress
155. Machine Tool Operator
156. Surgeon
157. Aircraft Mechanic
158. Truck Driver
159. Salesperson (Retail)
160. Glazier
161. Choreographer
162. Chauffeur
163. Bartender
164. Undertaker
165. Machinist
166. Bus Driver
167. Photojournalist
168. Correction Officer
169. Maid
170. Actor
171. Drywall Applicator/Finisher
172. Plasterer
173. Nurse's Aide
174. Police Officer
175. Stevedore
176. Carpenter
177. Stationary Engineer
178. Dishwasher
179. Meter Reader
180. Bricklayer
181. Firefighter
182. Child Care Worker
183. Painter
184. Nurse (Licensed Practical)
185. Nuclear Decontamination Technician
186. Butcher
187. Automobile Mechanic
188. Sheet Metal Worker
189. Mail Carrier
190. Construction Worker (Laborer)
191. Ironworker
192. Roustabout
193. Welder
194. Garbage Collector
195. Roofer
196. Emergency Medical Technician
197. Seaman
198. Taxi Driver
199. Dairy Farmer
200. Lumberjack

Happiness: a different doctor writes

I'm coming to the end of Phil Hammond's funny, outrageous, informative and wise book "Medicine Balls". Here's a bit (from p. 248) I'd like to throw into our communal soup:

There's no doubt that we're richer and living longer than we were in 1948, and the NHS can take some credit for that. But we don't seem to be any happier. Indeed, Labour has somehow contrived a health service where we have the best-paid doctors in the world and among the least satisfied. The research on happiness is pretty clear. Humans are social animals and are most content in communities where people unite around, and conform to, a shared ideal. We like to trust each other, we don't like change - particularly if it's constant and we don't understand it - but we're very resilient and adaptable if needs be. We're happier being involved and figuring out what to do ourselves rather than being dumped on from on high. More money, above a comfortable level, doesn't make us happier and neither does the aggressive, competitive attitude needed to earn it. Compassionate, positive people tend to be happiest of all, and also healthiest. If you can sort your brain out, your body tends to follow.

Better to be rich and mis?

Elmer, a Filipino living in Hong Kong, comments on insurance group AXA's "Life Outlook Index". He wonders whether being happy and optimistic holds back economic progress in the Philippines. For, of eight Asian countries surveyed, the Singaporeans had most insurance and were the most miserable.

So I'd ask whether economic progress is more important than being happy and optimistic. Read "Insurance - The White Man's Burden" and decide.

UPDATE

...and a nice little thread in Market Ticker's forums section, on rat-race dropouts who've taken to the beaches in Hawaii

A question

Do people actually want to be happy?

Money vs The People

(Picture source)

Money can improve happiness, below a certain income level; but above that point, the relationship is not so clear. And maybe there are distinctions between money, investments and wealth...

In Financial Sense yesterday, Robert McHugh comments:

When the Master Planners devalued the dollar over the past five years, they raised the cost of living for everyone. The Middle Class is getting annihilated from this silent event. Incomes are not keeping up. This was done because this administration “equates stock market success with economic success and has directed their efforts to drive up equities at literally any cost,” to quote one of our subscribers.

...but Tony Allison looks forward to a more energy-efficient future:

Change is seldom welcomed by most humans, but it can often bring about positive results. It is impossible to know what year the effects of peak oil production will barge into our living rooms, but change is on the way. The adjustment period to a permanent supply crunch will likely be very difficult, but some effects may be beneficial. For example, we could see a re-birth in local farming and manufacturing, as food and industrial products become exceedingly expensive to transport. We would see more public transit, more freight train transportation, more bicycles, more energy efficiencies of all kinds working their way into society.

The (scientific) pursuit of happiness

Cast Iron Gilt Buddha's hand, in the Jnana Mudra, gesture of teaching.

It seems that happiness, like health, is not what you have, but something you do.

In November 2005 I watched a BBC2 TV series by the psychologist Dr Richard Stevens, called "Making Slough Happy". He showed that you can increase your happiness in practical ways, and he demonstrated them on volunteers in Slough. It worked, even for the grumpies.

For more background, please click on the title below - but you may prefer to start the program straight away.

Happiness tools

1. Take half an hour of exercise three times a week

2. Count your blessings. At the end of each day, reflect on at least five things you are grateful for

3. Have an hour-long, uninterrupted, conversation with your partner or closest friends each week

4. Plant something: even if it’s in a window box or pot. Keep it alive!

5. Cut your TV viewing by half

6. Smile at and say hello to a stranger at least once a day

7. Make contact with at least one friend or relation you have not been in contact with for a while and arrange to meet

8. Have a good laugh at least once a day

9. Give yourself a treat every day. Take time to really enjoy this

10. Do an extra good turn for someone each day