Canada vs. USA A Tale of Two Nations' Happiness

Our understanding of mankind requires a more complex model that includes emotions, rational thought, unconscious and conscious decision-making, and "fast" and "slow" thinking. Emotions and instincts often drive our decisions, followed by cognitive thought. Associations, visuals, social environment, and advertising all have a strong influence on our decisions. We make inconsistent or "irrational" sequential choices, failing to meet basic norms of rational consistency. We are also mostly oblivious of our own mental equipment, which allows us to easily fall into traps and make blunders. Addicts often fail to consider the long-term effects of their actions, such as breaking diets or overspending. We also recognize (again!) that we are inherently social animals. Our satisfaction stems from adhering to social rules and feeling a part of the society. We feel others' anguish and react viscerally when they are sad or injured. Our brains feature "mirror neurons," which allow us to experience emotions from others' perspectives. Our ability to collaborate with strangers, even in the absence of reward or reciprocity, and punish non-cooperators even when it is costly or puts us at risk, is amazing.

Of course such cooperation and sense of community have limits. We engage in behaviors

Such as cheating, bluffing, deceiving, breaking promises, and killing members of opposing groups. We practice identity politics by being equally nasty to outsiders and loving to our own group. Human nature lessons, such as the Buddha's warnings against fleeting joys and the Greeks' cautionary tales, are more relevant than ever. Today, we have more choices than ever before. In the ancient world, most people had no choice but to labor hard to survive and risk famine and death due to terrible weather or luck. We are now faced with a set of actual choices. Should the globe pursue GNP at the expense of the environment, even if incremental gains do not significantly improve rich cultures' happiness   Should we pursue bigger personal salaries at the expense of society and social trust? Should governments allocate a portion of the $500 billion annual advertising budget to better understand consumer motivations, wants, and needs To create collaboration, trust, and community, should certain aspects of society be considered "off bounds" to the profit motive? According to a recent analysis of Finland's education system, the country's success in student performance can be attributed to developing a sense of community and equality within schools. In contrast.

Poor countries rightfully desire to do so What happens after the eradication of poverty 

How can we achieve well-being when economic needs no longer drive social change Which factors will guide humanity in the Anthropocene: advertising, sustainability, community, or something else? What is the pathway to happiness Taking Happiness Seriously. Most people agree that societies should promote the happiness of their residents. The United States' Founding Fathers recognized the right to pursue pleasure. British philosophers advocated for doing what is best for the most people. Bhutan prioritizes Gross National Happiness (GNH) over GNP. China promotes a harmonious society. However, most individuals believe that happiness is a function of personal decision rather than government policy. Happiness appears far too subjective and ambiguous to serve as a benchmark for a country's aims, let alone its policy content. This has been the traditional perspective. However, data is rapidly changing this attitude.

Numerous studies by psychologists economists pollsters and sociologists have 

Demonstrated that happiness, while subjective, can be objectively measured, assessed, correlated with brain functions, and linked to individual and societal characteristics. Inquiring into people's happiness and satisfaction with their life reveals valuable insights into society. It may indicate underlying crises or hidden strengths. It could indicate the need for change. The scientific study of happiness encompasses both individual and societal factors, including citizen satisfaction reports. The following chapters explain the fascinating and developing story of these studies. The assessment covers two aspects of happiness: daily feelings and overall life appraisal. The former is also known as "affective happiness," whereas the latter is known as "evaluative happiness. the U.S. education reform model prioritizes testing, measurement, and teacher pay based on student success. There are compelling reasons to reconsider economic sources of well-being, especially in wealthy nations. High-income countries have successfully addressed poverty, hunger, and sickness.