Most Miserable Cities in the US

Mr. Charlie · 11-30-2013, 12:10 PM

I wouldn't pay these kinda lists any mind. Happiness comes from within and cannot be gauged by external factors. The only way to know if people are happy is to ask them. The kinda data these lists use to reach their conclusions make life easier, not necessarily happier.

I've travelled a fair bit in my time and the happiest people I ever met were not in America or the UK or France or Germany or Israel or any other wealthy nation. The happiest people I ever met were poverty stricken individuals in Nigeria and in India and they had nothing, they lived in dead end s**thole villages with no healthcare, one of them had half a leg and was selling bananas at the sidde of the road, and yet there was more happiness in their eyes than I've seen in anyone.

Unknown Soldier · 11-30-2013, 01:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr. Charlie

The happiest people I ever met were poverty stricken individuals in Nigeria and in India and they had nothing, they lived in dead end s**thole villages with no healthcare, one of them had half a leg and was selling bananas at the sidde of the road, and yet there was more happiness in their eyes than I've seen in anyone.

I think you're confusing their innocence of first world issues as a reason for them being happy and to be fair measuring happiness is not an easy thing to do.

The nearest I've seen concerning this and the one I'd most agree with, would be the reports over the years that say the happiest nations are normally the Scandinavian countries and the common factors here are a high standard of living, good disposable income, good working environment, excellent social security system, a clean environment, low crime and a liberal setting. In fact the only really negative factor that comes out of that area tends to revolve around the climate.

Mr. Charlie · 11-30-2013, 01:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Unknown Soldier

I think you're confusing their innocence of first world issues as a reason for them being happy and to be fair measuring happiness is not an easy thing to do.

The nearest I've seen concerning this and the one I'd most agree with, would be the reports over the years that say the happiest nations are normally the Scandinavian countries and the common factors here are a high standard of living, good disposable income, good working environment, excellent social security system, a clean environment, low crime and a liberal setting. In fact the only really negative factor that comes out of that area tends to revolve around the climate.

I'm not saying income, security, healthcare etc. don't improve life, nor am I saying poverty is a prime requisite for happiness, only that it is propogated and nourished from within.

Unknown Soldier · 11-30-2013, 01:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr. Charlie

I'm not saying income, security, healthcare etc. don't improve life, nor am I saying poverty is a prime requisite for happiness, only that it is propogated and nourished from within.

This is a utopian concept of perpetual bliss. The simple fact of the matter is that human beings are influenced by their immediate environment and those that they interact with. If that environment and interaction are positive then the likelihood of their happiness is going to be greater than if it was negative.

As I said before, somebody from a poor third world country and in a rural setting may well be innocent of first world issues, but those in urban areas more than likely won't be and would gratefully swap their lot for a life in a first world environment (which is why people emigrate anyway) and is more likely to grant them the happiness that they want.

I would go on about the gene factor here as well to counter some of the above, but as science is not one of my stronger points I won't.

As for the topic at hand, those pictures of American cities look a damn site more appealing than the pictures they use for the worst cities/towns in the UK.

Mr. Charlie · 11-30-2013, 01:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Unknown Soldier

This is a utopian concept of perpetual bliss. The simple fact of the matter is that human beings are influenced by their immediate environment and those that they interact with. If that environment and interaction are positive then the likelihood of their happiness is going to be greater than if it was negative.

As I said before, somebody from a poor third world country and in a rural setting may well be innocent of first world issues, but those in urban areas more than likely won't be and would gratefully swap their lot for a life in a first world environment (which is why people emigrate anyway) and is more likely to grant them the happiness that they want.

I would go on about the gene factor here as well to counter some of the above, but as science is not one of my stronger points I won't.

As for the topic at hand, those pictures of American cities look a damn site more appealing than the pictures they use for the worst cities/towns in the UK.

Environment plays a part, I agree. I don't think anyone, even the most mentally disciplined, could find happiness spread out on a torture rack and injured daily in terrible ways. But if one has food and shelter then, providing they have a functioning central nervous system, they are equipped to experience the bliss in existence.

11-30-2013, 01:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr. Charlie

Environment plays a part, I agree. I don't think anyone, even the most mentally disciplined, could find happiness spread out on a torture rack and injured daily in terrible ways. But if one has food and shelter then, providing they have a functioning central nervous system, they are equipped to experience the bliss in existence.

.....masochists.....

zombie kid · 12-02-2013, 06:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr. Charlie

I wouldn't pay these kinda lists any mind. Happiness comes from within and cannot be gauged by external factors. The only way to know if people are happy is to ask them. The kinda data these lists use to reach their conclusions make life easier, not necessarily happier.

I've travelled a fair bit in my time and the happiest people I ever met were not in America or the UK or France or Germany or Israel or any other wealthy nation. The happiest people I ever met were poverty stricken individuals in Nigeria and in India and they had nothing, they lived in dead end s**thole villages with no healthcare, one of them had half a leg and was selling bananas at the sidde of the road, and yet there was more happiness in their eyes than I've seen in anyone.

Mate, you wouldn't know miserable living conditions if they smacked you in the fucking face. I lived in Belgrade when NATO bombed the crap out of it in the late 90's. Do you know what it's like to have to live under a cement structure for 4 months, and then not know if your house is going to still be there when you get out? When you don't know if you're going to get your next meal or where it's coming from?

Stop spewing the "poverty and hardship is happiness" philosophy to everybody.

The Batlord · 12-03-2013, 09:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zombie kid

Mate, you wouldn't know miserable living conditions if they smacked you in the fucking face. I lived in Belgrade when NATO bombed the crap out of it in the late 90's. Do you know what it's like to have to live under a cement structure for 4 months, and then not know if your house is going to still be there when you get out? When you don't know if you're going to get your next meal or where it's coming from?

Stop spewing the "poverty and hardship is happiness" philosophy to everybody.

I think this might just be the most epic pwn I've ever seen.

zombie kid · 12-03-2013, 12:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Batlord

I think this might just be the most epic pwn I've ever seen.

Haha, it's a true story too mate. Now I'm just wondering if he has anymore hippie themed posts left to put here or have we shut him up for good.

Unknown Soldier · 12-03-2013, 01:51 PM

Don't you people like hippies?

11-30-2013, 12:10 PM	#1 (permalink)
Mr. Charlie Shoo Thoughts Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: These Mountains Posts: 2,308	I wouldn't pay these kinda lists any mind. Happiness comes from within and cannot be gauged by external factors. The only way to know if people are happy is to ask them. The kinda data these lists use to reach their conclusions make life easier, not necessarily happier. I've travelled a fair bit in my time and the happiest people I ever met were not in America or the UK or France or Germany or Israel or any other wealthy nation. The happiest people I ever met were poverty stricken individuals in Nigeria and in India and they had nothing, they lived in dead end s**thole villages with no healthcare, one of them had half a leg and was selling bananas at the sidde of the road, and yet there was more happiness in their eyes than I've seen in anyone.