In the book “Happiness: Lessons From a New Science”, Richard Layard exposes a paradox at the heart of our lives. Most of us want more income so we can consume more. Yet as societies become richer, they do not become happier. In fact, the First World has more depression, more alcoholism and more crime than fifty years ago. This paradox is true of Britain, the United States, continental Europe and Japan.

It is true, and I think once we get what we desire, we need ot have another thing and then another to top the previous. It is materialism that does not end. Nowonder there is stress, low esteem, etc, if we see ourselves as "lacking" something. It is a culture of always lacking.

Loss of esteem for oneself, not valuing oneself unconditionally, and seeking compensation through external material things represents the greatest loss of all. It was expressed less prosaically some 2,000 years ago.

and again, i remember that our current system is unsustainable. honestly, if what's good for the state is bad for its people, it might as well be any crappy system we over here (rightfully) deplor.

we need to grow up, start really looking at findings like this, and slowly start making the changes in our society that will make it liveable.

or we can just ignore it. it'll go away...