Kelly says that increased money bring an increase in choices (78) but what about Schwartz's argument (available here as a video podcast) that too many choices are what is driving the growing trend toward depression?
The issue of choice and satisfaction feels to me like it stands on shifting sands. I looked back at the page you cited here, and next to the place where Kelly writes, "Higher income earners are happier. Citizens in higher-earning countries tend to be more satisfied on average" (78), I have the annotation "Hmm." What is this "satisfied on average"? How on Earth does one go about studying this? Or establishing a baseline for such a relative concept as satisfaction?
Schwartz makes sense re: excessive choice has ascended to grand, unquestionable status. That choice is good is a truism, no? And, furthermore, Americans are exceedingly wary (for good reason?) of attempts to limit choice.
The issue of choice and satisfaction feels to me like it stands on shifting sands. I looked back at the page you cited here, and next to the place where Kelly writes, "Higher income earners are happier. Citizens in higher-earning countries tend to be more satisfied on average" (78), I have the annotation "Hmm." What is this "satisfied on average"? How on Earth does one go about studying this? Or establishing a baseline for such a relative concept as satisfaction?
ReplyDeleteSchwartz makes sense re: excessive choice has ascended to grand, unquestionable status. That choice is good is a truism, no? And, furthermore, Americans are exceedingly wary (for good reason?) of attempts to limit choice.