This is the economics of happiness - the market forces or rather socio-economic forces of Demand and Supply have a hungry, yawning gap. In otherwords, it's a pity that the Demand for Happiness far outweighs the Supply of Happiness, and the masses across the globe salivate to see happiness in only few. There has never been equilibrium. I do not know what he link you have provided has to offer. I'm afraid I've not cared to click and visit it, for I'm unsure about the opporunity cost!
I would rather think that 'the demand and supply theory' is not applicable to the economics of happiness. To me, happiness is not a good or a service to be demanded or supplied but rather an experience to be journeyed individually every moment of our lives. It is upto the individual to remain happy each moment despite the changing demand-supply graph of goods/services. That's why the importance of mental stability, I think. And that’s how stability, integrity, security, solidarity, firmness, etc make sense to feel happy constantly. (Not an expert view, just my own crazy personal interpretation)
It is griplessness to the five senses that brings happiness, I think, rather than the sensing of the five senses, which can only lead to higher demands/desires, therefore pressurize suppliers. Our physical self does, however, need goods and services to make our physical presence in the physical world and provide ‘haven’ to our mind. Therefore, the economics of happiness according to me is “growth in physical strength (corresponding with Health) to keep the mind fresh and alive to be able to think (corresponding with Education) and experience (corresponding with Life) happiness constantly.”
Gosh! Did I tire my poor brain thinking about happiness?
Yes, you think about happiness? Isn't that, if you will, one loose way of expectantly looking for happiness; in other words, demanding happiness irrespective of whether or not you deserve? Goods and services, demand and supply, price and money, leisure and work, all of these have got many things to do with happiness. Undeniably, happiness is a state of mind. Like it or not, happiness is a state of mind dependent on the these variables. Goods and services, both are happiness, and vice versa. I stand by my earlier comment, and reiterate that so long as there is no equilibrium between demand and supply of happiness, there cannot be realistic, continued happiness. They say you cannot make everybody happy, but we should essay to make all happy because there is something called trade-off. Trade-off between the supply and demand of happiness should be our concerted effort so that this saying is challenged - easier said than done, I know. But let's say, make others think and, of course, act! People say money cannot buy happiness, but I say money can buy happiness. It's that money alone cannot sustain happiness. I'm afraid I've the audacity to contend that it's not arguable that many do not grow or grow well (balanced growth against growth for the sake of mass/volume)in poverty. And what's poverty? It's not happiness in a strict sense of the word if it's not unhappiness.
Pleased to know that my comment has given birth to a new post. I never thought my comment could be this powerful. I'll check and see if your post produced by my comment is our happiness. Then I'll check which way it will flick me off the horns of procreation dilemma.
This is the economics of happiness - the market forces or rather socio-economic forces of Demand and Supply have a hungry, yawning gap. In otherwords, it's a pity that the Demand for Happiness far outweighs the Supply of Happiness, and the masses across the globe salivate to see happiness in only few. There has never been equilibrium. I do not know what he link you have provided has to offer. I'm afraid I've not cared to click and visit it, for I'm unsure about the opporunity cost!
ReplyDeleteI would rather think that 'the demand and supply theory' is not applicable to the economics of happiness. To me, happiness is not a good or a service to be demanded or supplied but rather an experience to be journeyed individually every moment of our lives. It is upto the individual to remain happy each moment despite the changing demand-supply graph of goods/services. That's why the importance of mental stability, I think. And that’s how stability, integrity, security, solidarity, firmness, etc make sense to feel happy constantly. (Not an expert view, just my own crazy personal interpretation)
ReplyDeleteIt is griplessness to the five senses that brings happiness, I think, rather than the sensing of the five senses, which can only lead to higher demands/desires, therefore pressurize suppliers. Our physical self does, however, need goods and services to make our physical presence in the physical world and provide ‘haven’ to our mind. Therefore, the economics of happiness according to me is “growth in physical strength (corresponding with Health) to keep the mind fresh and alive to be able to think (corresponding with Education) and experience (corresponding with Life) happiness constantly.”
Gosh! Did I tire my poor brain thinking about happiness?
Yes, you think about happiness? Isn't that, if you will, one loose way of expectantly looking for happiness; in other words, demanding happiness irrespective of whether or not you deserve? Goods and services, demand and supply, price and money, leisure and work, all of these have got many things to do with happiness. Undeniably, happiness is a state of mind. Like it or not, happiness is a state of mind dependent on the these variables. Goods and services, both are happiness, and vice versa. I stand by my earlier comment, and reiterate that so long as there is no equilibrium between demand and supply of happiness, there cannot be realistic, continued happiness. They say you cannot make everybody happy, but we should essay to make all happy because there is something called trade-off. Trade-off between the supply and demand of happiness should be our concerted effort so that this saying is challenged - easier said than done, I know. But let's say, make others think and, of course, act! People say money cannot buy happiness, but I say money can buy happiness. It's that money alone cannot sustain happiness. I'm afraid I've the audacity to contend that it's not arguable that many do not grow or grow well (balanced growth against growth for the sake of mass/volume)in poverty. And what's poverty? It's not happiness in a strict sense of the word if it's not unhappiness.
ReplyDeleteHey Dawa, thanks for your response. My response is in the next blog if you'd like to check.
ReplyDeletePleased to know that my comment has given birth to a new post. I never thought my comment could be this powerful. I'll check and see if your post produced by my comment is our happiness. Then I'll check which way it will flick me off the horns of procreation dilemma.
ReplyDelete