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.

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.