How happy is it where you live? How about your state?

1. 87

   tsmogposted 12 months ago

   From WalletHub's Article; 2023’s Happiest States in America (Sept 12, 2023) comes their recent ratings for that. Take a peek:
   
   https://wallethub.com/edu/happiest-states/6959
   
   They focused on three areas:
   
   ** Emotional & Physical Well-being
   ** Work Environment
   ** Community Environment
   
   They share the info in a table that columns are sortable too. Be sure to click on the more button to see other topics they rated like income growth, suicide rate, and much more.
   
   Were you surprised where in the ratings the state you live is rated?
   
   Would the table have value for relocating?
   
   As far as that goes is Happiness important?
   
   Should state leaders look hard at the table to guide the state?
   
   Thoughts?

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      Kathryn L Hillposted 12 months agoin reply to this

      I love California. I will never leave. I will fight until its right.
      Lol\

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         Kathryn L Hillposted 12 months agoin reply to this

         Were you surprised where in the ratings the state you live is rated?
         Yes.
         
         Would the table have value for relocating?
         No.
         
         Is Happiness important?
         Yes, of course.
         
         Should state leaders look hard at the table to guide the state?
         No.
         I think they need to look at what brings about prosperity.
         (Not high gas prices, and taxes.)
         
         
         Well, without giving it too much thought, I would say
         there is no way to determine what brings about individual "happiness."
         Happiness is mostly the result of inner reactions to where you live and who you live with; whatever within and without gives you happiness.
         
         Often, its not where you live, but who you have as neighbors and what your home town/city environment is.
         
         I would like to live in Hawaii, but only for a year. I think I would become uneasy living far from the rest of the earth, constantly surrounded by water. Also, I have heard that it is very expensive to live there.
         
         I stayed in West Virginia which was fun for about two weeks. I noticed a underlying rebellion and discontent within the youth/college students. It was something you could feel and almost scary. I lived in Medocino County, Oregon and Washington, but the weather was not solidly sunny as it is here. Also, I missed the cars and smog. (Also, the wonderful So. Cal beaches.)
         
         No, I love the consistently warm sunny weather here and it is where I grew up. People are most happy living where they grew up. It is familiar and comforting to be near your home town, parents and siblings.

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            tsmogposted 12 months agoin reply to this

            I can relate having lived in California my adult life except for a short one-year stay in Washington State. When I say my adult life I mean since the 9th grade of school or about 15 years of age. That is when my dad retired from the Marine Corps. Being a military brat I did live in California as a kid two different times before my dad retired.
            
            Interestingly, I lived in W.Va from 1966 - 1969 for part of the 6th grade through the beginning of my 9th grade, freshman in high school.
            
            Yup, gas prices jumped again!! $6.50 at the Chevron I use, today.

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            Venkatachari Mposted 12 months agoin reply to this

            Kathryn, your opinion on Happiness is a great one. I also perceive happiness in that manner. It depends on your inner self. What your soul and mind feels.

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   IslandBitesposted 12 months ago

   Well, we know that we belong to, but are not part of... so Im not suprise we're not there.
   
   I cant answer your questions.
   
   But PR has been at the top of a couple of happiest countries reports a few times.
   
   Although, the last few years have been tough, between multiple eartquakes, major hurricanes, covid, etc. I dont think we'll make the top now. Our collective mental health is not the same.
   
   We are still cheery people, though. We are already counting the days for the Holidays parties. LOL

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      tsmogposted 12 months agoin reply to this

      I thought of you when posing the OP.
      
      Thanks for sharing. Interestingly, as an aside, Happiness is an element of Classical Liberalism and we know it is in the Declaration of Independence:
      
      "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."
      
      Foundational, right?
      
      I have often wondered about the keyword, "Pursuit".
      
      "“It's not the destination, it's the journey” is a quote famously attributed to Ralph Waldo Emerson the American philosopher. Enjoying the journey, 'the getting there', is every bit as important to me as arriving at the destination."
      
      Yes, our recent history is affecting 'Happiness' isn't it? I have a mindset that happiness is a state of mind while happy is an emotional experience and is momentarily or can change.
      
      For those interested is the article from Emory University; What the Declaration of Independence really means by 'pursuit of happiness'
      
      https://news.emory.edu/stories/2014/06/ … ampus.html

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         IslandBitesposted 12 months agoin reply to this

         I'll check the link. Thanks!
         
         Btw, I agree (with your mindset). In Spanish we can use the word happy to express both ideas; You can "estar feliz", or "ser feliz".  But the word "felicidad" is more a concept of "being". It's not that common to say "tengo felicidad" but rather "tengo alegría".

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            tsmogposted 12 months agoin reply to this

            Cool!! Thanks! So, what does Feliz Navidad mean? Does it have a different meaning than what I think - merry? I took a year-long class in Spanish during the 11th grade and one semester in college. I live in San Diego County 40% Hispanic. Can I speak it? Not really. But, I should!!

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               IslandBitesposted 12 months agoin reply to this

               Yes. You can interpreted it as happy (merry) christmas;  wishing you're happy during the Holidays, or that the Holidays bring you happiness.
               
               As a side note, and this is kinda funny. In Puerto Rico, we call Navidad the 25th, Christmas Day, but the whole season we call Navidades. "Las Navidades are coming." "Cant wait for las Navidades". Why? I have no idea. LOL

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                  tsmogposted 12 months agoin reply to this

                  I can relate. The 20th of this month was my birthday, yet I decreed it was my birthday month!!!
                  
                  Seems today 'Las Navidades' has already started in my neck of the woods when walking through department stores.

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                     IslandBitesposted 12 months agoin reply to this

                     Ha! (belated) Happy birthday!
                     
                     And yes, here too. Never too early to take our money.

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                        tsmogposted 12 months agoin reply to this

                        Thanks, much appreciated!
                        
                        It has been an awesome month!!
                        
                        A most unexpected birthday gift came from Hooters. Have you heard of them? It could be said a sexist bar/restaurant. Alas, men are men, eh? And, capitalism is capitalism, eh?
                        
                        https://www.hooters.com/
                        
                        Anyway, I subscribed to their newsletter last year. They sent me birthday wishes and I get 10 Free chicken wings with a beverage purchase.
                        
                        I think I may take them up on it. It would be a fun experience and I love wings.
                        
                        The wings menu
                        https://www.hooters.com/menu/wings/

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                           IslandBitesposted 12 months agoin reply to this

                           Yeah, I know Hooters.
                           
                           That's a good surprise. Of course you should go eat your wings!
                           
                           Im glad you're having a great time during "your month". LOL
                           
                           
                           
                           Btw, in 2 days it is my 17th wedding anniversary, so yes, it is a good month.

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                              tsmogposted 12 months agoin reply to this

                              Happy Anniversary!! Congrats!! To all the future years to arrive as you two continue a magical journey through Life as one hand in hand!

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                                 IslandBitesposted 12 months agoin reply to this

                                 That's sweet. Thank you!

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                                    tsmogposted 12 months agoin reply to this

                                    

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   Kathryn L Hillposted 12 months ago

   The opportunity/ability to pursue happiness is a right given to us by God.
   The right to pursue happiness promotes a joyful state of mind.
   
   To take a way this right is to deny us the essence of our being:
   A naturally existing inner feeling of Joy.
   
   Can any person or government take away our joy?
   Yes.
   
   Joy comes with freedom.
   
   Joy comes with freedom within common sense boundaries which are established for the sake of maintaining that freedom.
    
   Take away freedom, take away Joy.
   Take away boundaries, take away Joy.
   
   Take away the freedom/right to pursue happiness, take away joy.

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      tsmogposted 12 months agoin reply to this

      Interesting! Good perspective as I see it.

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4. 84

   Venkatachari Mposted 12 months ago

   Dear Tim. Your post seems to be addressed to US citizens. Even though I live in India, I would like express my feelings also.
   
   As to your question, about whether happiness is important, I believe it is the most important thing in our life. Happiness does not refer to something like material possessions. It is rather the mental as well as the physical comfort that you feel within a comfortable environment. Being healthy up to some extent also adds to your happiness.

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      tsmogposted 12 months agoin reply to this

      Howdy, Venkatachari! Been a while since seeing you in my feed. Glad to see you.
      
      Yes, the article was centered on the U.S., however you may find interest with what the experts shared at each picture of them in the article as a link with their take on 'Happiness'. Take a peek when time is of avail.
      
      Just for info, India is rated 126 out of 137 with Afghanistan at the bottom. The rating comes from the World Happiness Report. At the link following is the list presented by World Population Review.
      
      Happiest Countries in the World 2023
      https://worldpopulationreview.com/count … -the-world
      
      For more on the World Happiness Report use the link following:
      https://worldhappiness.report/
      
      Maybe there is an article in there somewhere?
      
      I am in full agreement 'Happiness' is imperative to life fulfillment, though can become complex with each of our life journey. Elements come into play such as religion. I was once told, 'From complexity comes simplicity'.

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         Venkatachari Mposted 12 months agoin reply to this

         I have already viewed that Happiness report. But, I can't get why India is rated so low. It can depend upon which places or which people they interviewed. I hope it does not weigh the material happiness factors which I do not consider as providers of real happiness.
         
         By the way, religion and politics are only leading to chaos in society and there by causing a lot of insecurity and mental worries as well as physical troubles. You can see all those terrorist elements creating much trouble in our daily lives. It is the same with any corner of the world.

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            tsmogposted 12 months agoin reply to this

            I wouldn't know why India is rated where it is. Poking about on the web I see it is controversial. One article I read just now is:
            
            What Does The Happiness Index Ranking Mean For India?
            https://feminisminindia.com/2023/03/31/ … for-india/
            
            It is from a website: Feminism in India. A note is India improved nine positions over the 2022 ranking. So, seems progress is occurring.
            
            There seems to be support for your position by The Times of India with their article;
            
            World Happiness Index flawed, India's rank should have been 48 not 126: SBI Ecowrap
            
            The link is next:
            https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/ind … s?from=mdr
            
            Take a peek and let me know what you think?
            
            Edit: Here is the FAQ for the World Happiness Report. Worth a skim for answers.
            https://worldhappiness.report/faq/

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               Venkatachari Mposted 12 months agoin reply to this

               Thanks, Tim, for providing those links. I will go through them and come back later.

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   Venkatachari Mposted 12 months ago

   I have read those two articles. The "SBI Ecowrap" study provides some great points that were overlooked by Happiness Report compilers. I think they are correct to a considerable extent. If incidents like gun violence and race abuse, terrorist attacks, etc. are to be considered as guidances then how can those so-called happy countries/ states be treated as the happiest top rankers in that scale?

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      tsmogposted 12 months agoin reply to this

      Good question! All I can say is go with the one you prefer.
      
      Curious I found the link to the actual World Happiness Report. It is 163 pages. Within they explain their concepts, methodology, and use previous years' reports for compare/contrast.
      
      The link is:
      https://happiness-report.s3.amazonaws.c … WHR+23.pdf
      
      When I sought the SBI ECO report I did not find anything on the web using that name for the search other than articles about banking. So, I am left with only what was provided by The Times of India article.

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         Venkatachari Mposted 12 months agoin reply to this

         Yes, the SBI report is the same that you provided the link for. They also pointed out about the non-consideration of the points mentioned by me while computing the Happiness Report.
         
         I can say that India should be placed somewhere at the middle point of that report and not that much low. I accept that there is communal violence and political in-battle in our society. But, India is developing in all respects during these recent 10 years or so and has provided much to their citizens through medical facilities, pensions etc.

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            tsmogposted 12 months agoin reply to this

            Thanks! When I read the The Times of India article I was caught with the example they made with Ukraine at 92. Huh? Doesn't make sense does it? That alone gives pause to where India is rated, doesn't it?
            
            I am not in a position to criticize the World Happiness Report at this time, though I understand your position. I have put the actual report that I shared the link with you in a folder on my PC to read at a later time.
            
            As The Times of India shared happiness is subjective while also objective too. I sought FAQ for answers. Next is what they said with their sample sets:
            
            What is your sample size for Figure 2.1?
            
            "The typical annual sample for each country is 1,000 people. If a typical country had surveys each year, the sample size would be 3,000. We use responses from the three most recent years to provide an up-to-date and robust estimate of life evaluations. In this year’s report, we combine data from 2020-2022 to make the sample size large enough to reduce the random sampling errors. Tables 1-5 of the online Statistical Appendix 1 show the sample size for each country."
            
            Focusing on the underlined sentence regarding Ukraine the war started 24 February 2022. So, that means The World Happiness Report also used data for the previous two years before the war. Taking that into consideration I would surmise those two previous years impacted the overall score. 
            
            Remember the score is a composite of several factors. The survey sample sets are only one element of that composite score. I will learn more once I discover time to read the report.

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               Venkatachari Mposted 12 months agoin reply to this

               But I wonder how do they decide as to the participants for the sampling. That is the main problem.
               
               I took a quick view of the that 163-page pdf but it couldn't provide a better clue. Or maybe I was unable to grasp it.

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                  tsmogposted 12 months agoin reply to this

                  The World Happiness Report uses survey information from the Gallup World Poll. How that is done is at the following link;
                  
                  How Does the Gallup World Poll Work? (Methodology)
                  https://www.gallup.com/178667/gallup-wo … -work.aspx
                  
                  From that article comes;
                  
                  "Gallup uses telephone surveys in countries where telephone coverage represents at least 80% of the population or is the customary survey methodology. In countries where telephone interviewing is employed, Gallup uses a random-digit-dial (RDD) method or a nationally representative list of phone numbers. Telephone methodology is typical in the U.S., Canada, Western Europe, Japan, Australia, etc. Gallup purchases telephone samples from various sample providers located in each region, including Sample Answers and Sample Solutions."
                  
                  The bottom line it is random selection.

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                     Venkatachari Mposted 12 months agoin reply to this

                     I went through the article. Random selection is a good thing. But at times it can deceive if all selections accidentally get targeted to a singular region or part of the entire country. It was that mistake which made them fail in their prediction of the US president election in 2012.

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                        tsmogposted 12 months agoin reply to this

                        With jest, random is random. The only element I would criticize is, in my view, the sample size of 1,000. However, that sample size is common with polls, surveys, and studies from what I observe. Curious, I read the article, link, next. They state:
                        
                        "The size of the sample is very important for getting accurate, statistically significant results and running your study successfully.
                        
                        ** If your sample is too small, you may include a disproportionate number of individuals which are outliers and anomalies. These skew the results and you don’t get a fair picture of the whole population.
                        
                        ** If the sample is too big, the whole study becomes complex, expensive and time-consuming to run, and although the results are more accurate, the benefits don’t outweigh the costs."
                        
                        The article is: How to determine the correct sample size
                        https://www.qualtrics.com/experience-ma … mple-size/

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