The Chinese v. American optimism metric is an excellent example of different outcomes from the same source: marxies running the 'media.'
The CCP runs the media there, which tells the people to be optimistic, and the people believe the lie because it's illegal not to.
US media is run by 'democratic socialists' who tell the people ORANGE MAN THREAT TO MUH DEMOCRACY, and the people believe the lie because they are trauma victims tricked into becoming indiscriminate consoomers of the infotainment products of transnational corporate PopCultureLLC™.
Fortunately I am not in either category...just an innocent bystander here on The Sofa. For that I am thankful.
That makes sense, but then the problem would have to be the media across all of the developed world.
I think there might be more to it. Anecdotally…
When my son was little, he had a friend whose life circumstances were much harder than his, and yet she always seemed so grateful for everything. Whereas he, whose family and material circumstances were better, was less so.
Anecdotal, yes, but I believe it represents a truth: people who get used to a certain level start to feel entitled to that level. It becomes their new baseline, and anything that drops below it is cause for real upset. And it takes much more to push that dopamine happy button. Entitlement is a key to misery.
Meanwhile, people in Nigeria are super optimistic. I think this is really telling.
Reporting a lack of optimism would be criticising the government. In saying that, I remember Chinese people would repeat slogans like 'Number One Economy!' and 'Five thousand years of history!' The lack of optimism everywhere else comes from people getting their buttons pushed all day every day to extract their last bit of adrenaline so they will spend the money or think the thoughts. Weird how you eventually understand 'turn away from worldly things' as being awesome advice.
Everything you say is true, But there may also be more going on. I think the more one has, the more entitled one feels. One gets used to a certain level, and then that becomes the new bottom. And entitlement is not a ticket to happiness.
By contrast, when one has less, one is grateful for every little bit of improvement. And the scope of hope is much wider.
You hear this from rich people. "I drove the Lambo off the lot sure that I would feel different as soon as I got it. But I felt like nothing had really changed." It's about materialism, but it's also more than that. Complicated!
My experience one is usually an ungrateful bastard whatever one's circumstances. You appreciate things more when you've had them and they've been taken away. Like 30% of my income for refusing the vax. That's also why people are encouraged to imagine if their relatives died. Also, relief of suffering is free happiness, whereas happiness in the form of celebrating your good fortune is just asking for trouble. Do you see animals cackling over a kill? No, because they are not stupid.
(I dunno—it kind of sounds like hyenas are cackling :-)
I get what you are saying. Perspective matters, and it is easy to lose perspective. In fact, I have a drawing near my desk that is intended to remind me to reclaim a sense of perspective.
You know, the Chinese also believe in harmony and the yin and yang. So if things are good, they will be worse in the future. And if things are bad, they can only get better.
I'm just saying there's another way to interpret that chart.
Also, among the countries particularly pessimistic, are Italians (me), French and Japanese. One thing all three have in common is high and unsustainable public debt. So we know things were good before and can only get worse 🤣🤣🤣🤣
Listen, we're all going to walk on the wild side soon, so don't you worry. And we got more bangs for the bucks because we started early and went all in and everyone else let us do it. Italians invented the ponzi scheme and sold Americans their own bridges. Can't beat our creative accounting!
Happy Thanksgiving friend! Indeed these are actually the best of times, even with all the weirdo stuff. History proves it out over and over. I hope you and yours have a wonderful day. Grateful for you! 💜🦃
For the first time in decades, we did not do a big family meal. Several people were sick and could not travel or have guests, so my wife and I got takeout Indian 🤣🤣🤣
The Chinese v. American optimism metric is an excellent example of different outcomes from the same source: marxies running the 'media.'
The CCP runs the media there, which tells the people to be optimistic, and the people believe the lie because it's illegal not to.
US media is run by 'democratic socialists' who tell the people ORANGE MAN THREAT TO MUH DEMOCRACY, and the people believe the lie because they are trauma victims tricked into becoming indiscriminate consoomers of the infotainment products of transnational corporate PopCultureLLC™.
Fortunately I am not in either category...just an innocent bystander here on The Sofa. For that I am thankful.
Happy Thanksgiving everybody!
That makes sense, but then the problem would have to be the media across all of the developed world.
I think there might be more to it. Anecdotally…
When my son was little, he had a friend whose life circumstances were much harder than his, and yet she always seemed so grateful for everything. Whereas he, whose family and material circumstances were better, was less so.
Anecdotal, yes, but I believe it represents a truth: people who get used to a certain level start to feel entitled to that level. It becomes their new baseline, and anything that drops below it is cause for real upset. And it takes much more to push that dopamine happy button. Entitlement is a key to misery.
Meanwhile, people in Nigeria are super optimistic. I think this is really telling.
Indeed. I wish folks Happy Thanksgiving even though I’m not because I’m alone.
ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE
Is there anywhere you can go to be with people?
Yes, but my family is long gone, so these holidays are sad for me and I prefer to be alone rather than fake being happy. Me being me.
Gonna go to the market and be nice to the staff...
You may find someone with whom you would not be faking being happy. Anyway, wish I could help. I am always here to talk to.
I appreciate you. Love your kids extra hard for me.
Reporting a lack of optimism would be criticising the government. In saying that, I remember Chinese people would repeat slogans like 'Number One Economy!' and 'Five thousand years of history!' The lack of optimism everywhere else comes from people getting their buttons pushed all day every day to extract their last bit of adrenaline so they will spend the money or think the thoughts. Weird how you eventually understand 'turn away from worldly things' as being awesome advice.
Everything you say is true, But there may also be more going on. I think the more one has, the more entitled one feels. One gets used to a certain level, and then that becomes the new bottom. And entitlement is not a ticket to happiness.
By contrast, when one has less, one is grateful for every little bit of improvement. And the scope of hope is much wider.
You hear this from rich people. "I drove the Lambo off the lot sure that I would feel different as soon as I got it. But I felt like nothing had really changed." It's about materialism, but it's also more than that. Complicated!
My experience one is usually an ungrateful bastard whatever one's circumstances. You appreciate things more when you've had them and they've been taken away. Like 30% of my income for refusing the vax. That's also why people are encouraged to imagine if their relatives died. Also, relief of suffering is free happiness, whereas happiness in the form of celebrating your good fortune is just asking for trouble. Do you see animals cackling over a kill? No, because they are not stupid.
(I dunno—it kind of sounds like hyenas are cackling :-)
I get what you are saying. Perspective matters, and it is easy to lose perspective. In fact, I have a drawing near my desk that is intended to remind me to reclaim a sense of perspective.
I am thankful every day, not just one day out or the year... LOL! I don't celebrate holidays... Haha!
You know, the Chinese also believe in harmony and the yin and yang. So if things are good, they will be worse in the future. And if things are bad, they can only get better.
I'm just saying there's another way to interpret that chart.
Also, among the countries particularly pessimistic, are Italians (me), French and Japanese. One thing all three have in common is high and unsustainable public debt. So we know things were good before and can only get worse 🤣🤣🤣🤣
Right. You have further to fall. People near the bottom have a lot of headroom for hope!
Listen, we're all going to walk on the wild side soon, so don't you worry. And we got more bangs for the bucks because we started early and went all in and everyone else let us do it. Italians invented the ponzi scheme and sold Americans their own bridges. Can't beat our creative accounting!
🤣🤣🤣
I am glad I don't live near a river.
I woke up this morning. Thanks God.
Amen, Jim. That goes for all of us!
Happy Thanksgiving friend! Indeed these are actually the best of times, even with all the weirdo stuff. History proves it out over and over. I hope you and yours have a wonderful day. Grateful for you! 💜🦃
Grateful for you too!
For the first time in decades, we did not do a big family meal. Several people were sick and could not travel or have guests, so my wife and I got takeout Indian 🤣🤣🤣
Hope you had a wonderful time!
Ubuntu
The sentiment or the Linux operating system? 🤣❤️
The sentiment! haha
🙏🏻
Could it be because there are almost 7 times more Chinese?
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
Happy Thanksgiving. I am grateful for all you offer here!
Happy Thanksgiving, Terra :-)
Happy Thanksgiving all, where attention goes energy flows, gratitude is it's own reward.
"Gratitude is it's own reward."
—There are ample survey and clinical data to support this.