Take three findings:
1. There’s a negative correlation between watching TV and happiness. Passive forms of consumption, it seems, make us unhappy.
2. Volunteer workers are happier than others. This suggests unalienated labour - not passive consumption - is good for us. 
3. The self-employed are happier than employees (pdf). Having control over one’s own work - reducing alienation - is a source of happiness.
However, many fail to appreciate these facts. It’s a common finding in happiness research that people don’t foresee what will make them happy - which is why they watch too much TV, commute long distances or work long hours.
:: posted by buermann @ 2009-03-01 22:37:25 CST |
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