IOP Thoughts (4)

The New York Times says, recently, "Levels of social trust vary enormously, but countries with high social trust have happier people, better health, more efficient government, more economic growth and less fear of crime (regardless of whether actual crime rates are increasing or decreasing)." [30 March 2010/David Brooks]

Derek Bok, former president of Harvard, writes a new book: The Politics of Happiness. Happiness is on everyone's mind

Two things happened to Sandra Bullock this month. First she won an Academy Award for best actress. Then came the news reports claiming that her husband is an adulterous jerk. So the philosophic question of the day is: Would you take that as a deal? Would you exchange a tremendous professional triumph for a severe personal blow? . . . if you had to take more than three seconds to think about this question, you are absolutely crazy. Marital happiness is far more important . . . . [ ibid 30 March 2010]

The Stranger as a search for happiness. Can I actually prove this, even slightly? It's a journal, not a pronouncement. I still believe I'm right.