WHERE ON A SCALE OF HAPPINESS IS YOUR LIFE?

As the recurring question goes, can money really by happiness? That question has been the center of debate for years on end with different theories appearing left and right from economists and philosophers. It seems however that happiness cannot be cracked down into a tangible good but simply an emotion. Emotions and economics however seem to work in tandem when looking at the happiness of people around the world, especially in the United States. People are always looking at the economy and praying that it grows for an economic growth usually brings profitable quarters which in turn makes consumers happy which in turn makes buyers happy because the economic growth allowed for new developments to be made. The idea that growth creates happiness seems fundamental and logical yet Bill McKibben, author of Deep Economy the Wealth of Communities and the Durable Future, states that this idea is no longer anything by a fallacy.

Despite growth in the 1970s, happiness levels remained nearly unaffected.

Deep Economy presents us with points of how growth is facing challenges derived from politics, supply, and how: “growth is no longer making us happy” (McKibben 11). Personally I have to agree with this notion for our country is en route to becoming overly materialistic and over-demanding. Living in a world where even development, a concept where back in the 18^th and 19^th century was all that was desired, can no longer make one happy will surely confirm the question of—can money buy happiness?  In his writing, McKibben offers a brief conversation within the text which truly reflects the thought process of many wealthier people today:

“I have a sailboat, a motor boat, an apartment, an SUV. What could I possibly need? After brief reflection, however, he continued: Maybe a little Porsche for Hampton’s house” (McKibben 13).

The point being made by the author, a point which I firmly agree with, is as simple as he states it; it will take more than a growing economy and prosperity to make people happy in today’s world. The development which occurred over the past half-century has turned out to be retroactive in the long run, clearly making people unhappy today where that same person ten years ago would have been ecstatic having their “sailboat, a motor boat, an apartment, (and) and SUV”. Our nation’s economy may soon affect the longevity of persons who no longer lead happy lives due to the misery being caused by growth.

Graph from: http://beyondgrowth.co.uk/problems/wellbeing/