[Tyler_JC]

In the Americas discussion we are having a little debate. Do most people consider themselves happy most of the time?

I believe that most people, and certainly most Americans, consider themselves very content with their lives. If you disagree, feel free to say so in this thread.

With the exception of the last option, this question was asked to 1000 Americans with the following results.

All of the time 17%
Most of the time 61%
Just some of the time 16%
Not very often 5%

I wonder what the Peak Oil Community thinks about themselves...

[eastbay]

This poll makes me quite happy.

[Liamj]

Oops, i voted before read, so you've got an aussie in there, voting mostly happy. I'd like to thank my daughter, my frisbee, and Australia's strong tradition of black humour.

[0mar]

If you're happy all the time, you are on some great meds.

[The_Toecutter]

This is a question I've never thought about until I saw this topic, or even cared about for that matter. You should add an 'unsure' option.

[Tyler_JC]

As predicted.

62% of Peakoilers are happy most of the time

61% of Americans in general say the same.

It's fine if people from other countries feel like adding to this poll, whatever makes you happy. Sorry, I couldn't resist.

And for the person who claims to be unhappy all of the time...I hope you find solace in the fact that you are not alone. 30 million people take anti-depressants. It might not hurt to join them.

So anyone else think that the super-pessimistic people post far more than they statistically should?

[Tyler_JC]

Against the wishes of the rest of the moderation staff, I will selfishly bump my thead.

Why?

Because I can.

If no one comments anything within the next couple of days I'll just delete it.

[MicroHydro]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Tyler_JC', 'S')o anyone else think that the super-pessimistic people post far more than they statistically should?

[Keith_McClary]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Tyler_JC', 'I')n the Americas discussion we are having a little debate. Do most people consider themselves happy most of the time?
I

[SinisterBlueCat]

can someone really be "happy" all of the time, or even most of the time?

The definition of happiness is one of the greatest philosophical quandaries... I mean what does it really mean to be happy? Can you really be happy while taking out the garbage or while paying the bills? How about at work...can you really be happy all or most of the time at work, especially considering the fact that millions of americans hate their jobs...

If we are such a nation of happy people, why do so many of us need Antidepressants and suffer from ailments such as anorexia? Maybe because so many people think others are so "happy" and that makes them feel worse? I know that at christmas time, all of the merriment and hohohoing causes lots of people to become depressed, because they feel they are missing something.

I also think that the reason we see so much credit card debt in america is because people are not happy with wht they have and who they are, so they are willing to go into debt to try to buy happiness.

Personally, I am content, and for the most part satisfied and pleased with my life. But I would say in all honesty I am "happy" about 15% of the time...and I think that is pretty good.

[oilfreeandhappy]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Liamj', 'O')ops, i voted before read, so you've got an aussie in there, voting mostly happy. I'd like to thank my daughter, my frisbee, and Australia's strong tradition of black humour.

[dinopello]

It's curious that this poll hasn't received more participation. I just voted 'most of the time' which I see is the majority. I think I'm happiest on days when there are the biggest challenges, but generally just happy to be in the mix.

[PenultimateManStanding]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('SinisterBlueCat', 'w')hat does it really mean to be happy?

[Narz]

I voted "Just some of the time" because it seems the most honest answer for me.

I've still got a lot of issues. Under the circumstances though I'd say I'm doing pretty well.

[PenultimateManStanding]

I shouldn't have been so cryptic, SBC. You spoke of the philosophical debate about happiness. I was reading about it and it was brought up that one of the ancients said that if you don't have any pain, then you are happy. If you think about it, it makes a lot of sense. Nature seems to work that way.

[dinopello]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('PenultimateManStanding', 'I') shouldn't have been so cryptic, SBC. You spoke of the philosophical debate about happiness. I was reading about it and it was brought up that one of the ancients said that if you don't have any pain, then you are happy. If you think about it, it makes a lot of sense. Nature seems to work that way.

[PenultimateManStanding]

you are a masochistic devil, dino. I hope that makes you happy!

[dinopello]

Well, it is a fine line between pleasure and pain sometimes.

[PenultimateManStanding]

No fine line at all, dino. Just imagine that yellow jacket sting not going away, getting worse until you scream "let it go away!" but it won't. You just hurt more and more until you are in Hell. Then you compare that in your agony to the bliss you once knew. Maybe you get the drift.

(btw, I'm thinking we might want to all cultivate some poppies)

[dinopello]

PMS, you must be a lot of fun at parties. You are right, chronic pain sucks.

Is there a poppy thread in the Planning forum ? Not a bad idea. Oh, except maybe that's illegal. Never mind.