Our skint govt is to spend money...

Cressers

...measuring how happy we are...

http://www.chichester.co.uk/news/nation ... _1_1618575

pb21

I think this is a sound move. Obviously with current spending cuts it may not be an ideal time to introduce this but I think it does make sense. There has been a growing exception over the years that an increasing GDP is not necessarily indicative of an increase in ‘well being’ and can actually have the opposite effect. Obviously the two to a certain extent go hand in hand (or should do) but the incessant drive to increase GDP, that is part of western society, has its limits and is a significant factor in the current economic situation. I’m pretty sure that populations with lower GDP can be just as happy and happier than those with high GDPs. Happiness in this case is a very relative term and I don’t think we should go back to medieval times or anything, but I think we could be doing better.

If ‘GWB’ begins to be measured and taken seriously rather than paying it just lip service then it could lead to more sensible decisions and strategies being implemented that would balance out some of the more purely financial decision making systems. It will hopefully add balance to government.

ShutUpLegs

So it is possible to be happy but not have any money? :shock:

Frank the tank

To ask what makes people happy, or about their GWB is very variable.

We all have days/times when we're happy others when we're miserable/grumpy some are even happy being miserable, or so it would appear. What is "happy"? It has nothing (in a lot of respects) to do with financial well being. If you gave anyone on this forum a million quid I dare say they'd be happy. Give 'em a million quid whilst simultaniously informing them they have an incurable, fatal illness and they won't see out another year, maybe not so happy.

People who are multi-millionaires, are they happy; having the money isn't what's making them happy it's the doing whatever they do to get them that money which must be providing the "happy" effect. As if it was about the money alone surely when they got to a couple of million that would have been enough too see them through in a comfortable state.

I think we all know people who are not so well off even as the ordinary Joe and they're happy.

Or have I missed the point.

N.B. All figures refered to are GBP.

spen666

pb21 wrote:

I think this is a sound move. Obviously with current spending cuts it may not be an ideal time to introduce this but I think it does make sense. .....

perfect time to introduce it - happiness @ rock bottom - Govt can claim to have made us happier as we get nearer next election

rick_chasey

Prolonged economic downturns are not called depressions for nothing.

Having loads of money on an individual level like frank suggests probably won't make you any happer in the long term, but not having enough money to live without worrying or stressing about it every day certainly will make you unhappier.

I guess GDP as a macro figure is more related to macro-happiness in terms of that people being in employment, with further opportunities (which a growing economy tends to provide) is a better place to be than being unemployed.

I think that for everyone on some level wants to be wanted and worth something. A job is a manifestation of that.

pb21

spen666 wrote:

perfect time to introduce it - happiness @ rock bottom - Govt can claim to have made us happier as we get nearer next election

Possibly/Probably

Still a good idea though if done correctly..[/quote]

random man

GWB should measure physical and mental health rather than the amount of money that people have, even though the amount they have will make them feel better than if they were poor.
People who relate happiness purely with money won't be genuinely happy, but a materialistic society like ours can make people feel as though it is all-important.

A cynic might suggest that it's a Tory ploy to make people feel happier living on less

verylonglegs

To paraphrase someone else...'Money can't buy you happiness but it gets you better quality misery.'

AidanR

It's an interesting idea, and not the first of its kind. I imagine it's pretty difficult to get right, though. Of course, one of the best ways to create a happier society is to create a more equal one (there have been studies - I don't have references though). It'll be interesting to see if the Tories will go down that route... (I'm guessing not!)

Cleat Eastwood

the multi millionaire cameron says theres more to life than money.....mmmmm

Frank the tank

Cleat Eastwood wrote:

the multi millionaire cameron says theres more to life than money.....mmmmm

It is only ever wealthy people who say money can't buy you happiness with any kind of conviction.

As I posted earlier, I'm not so sure it can but if I'm being honest I wouldn't mind finding out for myself.

mm1

Google The Young Foundation and read some of their reports (starting with "Grit" and "The State of Happiness") to find out why this matters. Research apparently suggests that the happiest societies are those with the smallest gap between rich and poor...I suspect that some assumptions around this will be tested to destruction in the next few years...don't forget; "we're all in this together".

Cressers

Can you imagine it "So, you've been unemployed for more than a year, you've had your housing benefit cut, you're at risk of becomming homeless, you're due to be conscripted on to a forced labour scheme that used to be a punishment for low-level criminals, How happy do you feel?"

Suddenly, being involved in surveys will be the most dangerous job in the world...