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JCC World Happiness Report - Norway first, U.S.

Discussion in 'Community' started by Rylo Ken, Mar 20, 2017.

  1. Rylo Ken

    Rylo Ken Force Ghost star 7

    Registered:
    Dec 19, 2015
    14th!

    [​IMG]

    Norwegians are the most happiestest of all. Netherlands sixth, U.S. 14th.

    I was in Norway just a few days after one of the unhappiest events in Norwegian history since WW2, but I was still struck by how happy they were. If there's one sense I get whenever I meet a Norwegian, it's "I'm glad I'm a Norwegian."

    Canadians, New Zealanders and Australians are the happiest peoples of the Anglocentric world. Least happy among the English-speaking world: The English.

    In dead last:

    153. Tanzania (3.349)
    154. Burundi (2.905)
    155. Central African Republic (2.693)

    Despite all the talk, Americans aren't the unhappiest people of the developed world. We're about on par with the Germans. But it's clear our poor health delivery system, income inequality, flagging social support, etc. are taking a toll on our ranking.

    Libertarian tendencies make people unhappy, not as unhappy as poverty, but it isn't helping.

    https://s3.amazonaws.com/sdsn-whr2017/HR17_3-20-17.pdf
     
  2. DANNASUK

    DANNASUK Force Ghost star 7

    Registered:
    Nov 1, 2012
    Scandinavia and the Nordic countries tend to have the best social support and among the highest life expectancy in the world. Home to some of the nicest people in the world, too.
     
  3. SergeyX2017

    SergeyX2017 Jedi Knight star 3

    Registered:
    Jan 14, 2017
    Canada 7th, not too shabby :)
     
  4. Rylo Ken

    Rylo Ken Force Ghost star 7

    Registered:
    Dec 19, 2015
    It strikes me that the big difference between the U.S. and Canada is the higher perception in Canada of "freedom to make life choices, generosity." The Canadians are a freer, more generous people than Americans.

    the report has dedicated an entire chapter to the decline in happiness in the U.S.

    One thing to note: Obamacare had a measurable impact on the health of our nation and hence was a factor increasing happiness.

    The policy platforms of the Trump administration and Republican Congress seem, on their face, perfectly engineered to increase American unhappiness.
     
    appleseed and Darth Nerdling like this.
  5. tom

    tom Chosen One star 8

    Registered:
    Mar 14, 2004
    that reminds me, i am supposed to move to norway!
     
  6. Rylo Ken

    Rylo Ken Force Ghost star 7

    Registered:
    Dec 19, 2015
    seems like you'd get the best return on investment from moving to Canada. Costs of moving are low. You already speak at least one of its languages. But also a big jump in happiness.
     
  7. Darth Guy

    Darth Guy Chosen One star 10

    Registered:
    Aug 16, 2002
    What if we tell the Norwegians and Canadians that a huge chunk of their wealth comes from planet-destroying fossil fuels? Could we make them miserable then?
     
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  8. tom

    tom Chosen One star 8

    Registered:
    Mar 14, 2004
    ah, but i already have a place to live and awesome roommate in norway. i don't need to bring much stuff.
     
  9. Rylo Ken

    Rylo Ken Force Ghost star 7

    Registered:
    Dec 19, 2015

    They already know that. Canadians in particular know that the environmental disaster in Alberta due to oil sands production is unprecedented in their history.



    that's different. What are you waiting for?
     
  10. Violent Violet Menace

    Violent Violet Menace Manager Emeritus star 5 VIP - Former Mod/RSA

    Registered:
    Aug 11, 2004
    Norway was also ranked a month ago as the world's strongest democracy by the World Economic Forum. There's a video at the bottom of the linked page that summarises the report.

    Darth Guy, not only do we know it. The sitting Government is prospecting 100 new sites in the Barents Sea for potential deep sea drilling, made possible by the receding ice caps caused by global warming. We have no shame. :p The Barents Sea, for reference, is the waters just south of the Arctic Ocean, between Russia and the north pole, as shown here.

    In short, my parents chose a nice country to flee to indeed!

    [​IMG]


    Between this, and the fact that today is Persian New Year, I'm in a jolly cheerful mood. :)
     
  11. DANNASUK

    DANNASUK Force Ghost star 7

    Registered:
    Nov 1, 2012

    Norway has promised to become carbon neutral by 2030 and the Canadian government is working with provinces to reduce carbon and pollution, including switching to alternative sources.

    Your point?

    RE: Norway

    I believe, for the last decade, Norway routinely tops the democracy index and is considered the most free country in the world.
     
  12. Lord Vivec

    Lord Vivec Chosen One star 9

    Registered:
    Apr 17, 2006
    When it's liberals doing something conservative you're supposed to ignore it or explain it away under "pragmatism."
     
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  13. Darth Guy

    Darth Guy Chosen One star 10

    Registered:
    Aug 16, 2002
    DanielUK Er, they export. It doesn't particularly matter who burns the oil and natural gas.
     
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  14. DANNASUK

    DANNASUK Force Ghost star 7

    Registered:
    Nov 1, 2012
    And? Again, your point?

    I don't recall the United States doing anything remotely significant to tackle climate change.

    Didn't exporting of liquid gas, via fracking, start under the Obama administration?
     
  15. SergeyX2017

    SergeyX2017 Jedi Knight star 3

    Registered:
    Jan 14, 2017
  16. Darth Guy

    Darth Guy Chosen One star 10

    Registered:
    Aug 16, 2002
    I think you're mistakening me for someone else.
     
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  17. SergeyX2017

    SergeyX2017 Jedi Knight star 3

    Registered:
    Jan 14, 2017
    At least we aren't ruled by Trump :D
     
  18. Rylo Ken

    Rylo Ken Force Ghost star 7

    Registered:
    Dec 19, 2015
    It's interesting to see which countries have done the most to invest their wealth toward improved happiness. By per capita GDP (PPP), Norway is top 10, but definitely not number 1. They've invested their income in happiness infrastructure. Qatar, on the other hand, spends extremely inefficiently on happiness. The U.S. neither does particularly poorly nor "gets a great deal' on its PPP wealth to generate happiness.

    Australia does really well in happiness infrastructure investment relative to its per capita wealth.
     
  19. DANNASUK

    DANNASUK Force Ghost star 7

    Registered:
    Nov 1, 2012
    Australians are among the most happiest and polite people I have ever met. Cricket season is fantastic in the UK, with vast numbers of Aussies and Kiwi's coming over. There is nothing better than getting drunk with a group of Australians.
     
  20. Violent Violet Menace

    Violent Violet Menace Manager Emeritus star 5 VIP - Former Mod/RSA

    Registered:
    Aug 11, 2004
    It isn't just about wealth, though. I'm sure Japan has a better welfare system than Russia, but is still below them.

    I'm reminded of something I once read about Armenians. Supposedly, in Armenia, if someone asks "how are you", it's rude to not complain about at least one thing.
     
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  21. SergeyX2017

    SergeyX2017 Jedi Knight star 3

    Registered:
    Jan 14, 2017
    If people are happier in Uzbekistan than in Russia, why do millions of Uzbeks and others from ex-Soviet Central Asia go to Russia every year, to do construction and renovation work and such?
    [​IMG]

    I recall couple years ago, I was back in Moscow, visiting my aunt, we went to her dacha, which she and uncle had decided to enlarge, to build a new addition, a sauna, and swimming pool, among other things. There were a bunch of guys from Uzbekistan and Tajikistan working there, on contract. I talked to a few of them. They all said same thing: back home, there ain't no jobs, no money, without the remittances theu send back from Russia, folks back there, their families, would ****ing starve!

    They take on the worst jobs that Russians don't want to do, like cleaning the streets
    [​IMG]

    Even some group recruited Central Asian migrants with military combat experience to fight against Ukraine in Donbass.

    Here, a DNR rebel war correspondent, left, interviews an Uzbek fighter of the Battalion "Khan" in 2015
    [​IMG]
    Unit is made up of Muslim mercenaries from Central Asia, who fight for money and, reportedly a chance at Russian citizenship. Since the time of that photo above, it has grown from a battalion to an entire brigade.

    You get me, these guys are willing to even sign up to fight for Russian interests in a bloody war, for a chance to legally stay there and bring their family! And UN says Uzbekistan is happier than Russia? lol
     
  22. SergeyX2017

    SergeyX2017 Jedi Knight star 3

    Registered:
    Jan 14, 2017
    That's true lol I dated an Armenian girl at school in Moscow, as a kid, had to deal with her parents, so I know it for myself :D
     
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  23. Ender Sai

    Ender Sai Chosen One star 10

    Registered:
    Feb 18, 2001
    I'm surprised Russia made it that high. I though misery was a national virtue.

    In any event, Norway is funding a series of sustainability programmes so whilst I understand the need for slacktivists to bitch and moan about everything, as less useful versions of Marvin the Paranoid Android, I think it's worth celebrating that they're using fossil fuels to fund research and innovation.

    Of course, when you're only in a position to highlight negativity around sips of socialist-brand champagne, sure, grumble blargle glarg!
     
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  24. Ghost

    Ghost Chosen One star 8

    Registered:
    Oct 13, 2003
    I'm surprised America is that high, to be honest. A lot higher than I expected, to be in the 20's or 30's. Didn't think we'd be above Germany or the UK.

    Scandinavians, some other Anglosphere countries, and Costa Rica continue to show they have their act together.
    The Dutch, Swiss, Austrians, and Israelis being above us aren't that surprising either.

    [​IMG]
     
  25. Ender Sai

    Ender Sai Chosen One star 10

    Registered:
    Feb 18, 2001
    Ghost am I missing something or did you just post the exact same image as Best Jabba?

    And instead of asking why Germany, Ireland, Belgium (fake country, makes sense) and the UK are less happy, reiterate what everyone else has already said about the countries who unsurprisingly beat you?

    I mean, don't get me wrong, it's correct it's just... it's been done. You could have hit the nail on the head and said "we Muricans have a right to the pursuit of happiness. Happiness' synonym is bliss. Ignorance is bliss. Therefore we have a right to the pursuit of ignorance, as harmless as clouds."

    I don't understand.
     
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