Trumps: White Angry Middleclass

[Ultralight]

Seems a bit late. If you look at the results from yesterday, if The Machine Candidates had closed ranks earlier, Trump would have likely not done well at all. Cruz and Rubio are splitting too much of the vote out.

Love it.

The Canadian promises Rubot the VP spot to drop out of the race. Trump problem solved.

[LDAHL]

What is "being happy"? Does it even repay thought? One mostly just is, moment by moment, ups and downs. Though there may be particular things one hates (one's job of course cough cough - obviously) and more diffuse things sometimes, and one may have some overarching darkness. But if one is not clinically depressed at the moment or something (obviously deeply unhappy), how would one even know if one was "happy"? Moods come and go, right? One might hate one's job though

There's a lot of truth to that. I find that I can't hunt happiness down, but am surprised at how often it has ambushed me. On the other hand, I can pretty much grab a handful of misery whenever I look for it.

I don't know exactly how you attract happiness. Gratitude maybe. Trying to create it for others and hoping to catch some of the backwash. Reasonable expectations. Offloaded baggage. Keeping busy, even if it isn't exactly what you think you were meant to do. Maybe simply accepting that life is hard and finite and contingent, and there's no use being a wimp about it.

I'm just saying.

[JaneV2.0]

There's a lot of truth to that. I find that I can't hunt happiness down, but am surprised at how often it has ambushed me. On the other hand, I can pretty much grab a handful of misery whenever I look for it.

I don't know exactly how you attract happiness. Gratitude maybe. Trying to create it for others and hoping to catch some of the backwash. Reasonable expectations. Offloaded baggage. Keeping busy, even if it isn't exactly what you think you were meant to do. Maybe simply accepting that life is hard and finite and contingent, and there's no use being a wimp about it.

I'm just saying.

"Not being a wimp about it." I've found that to be a good rule of thumb.

[Ultralight]

I can pretty much grab a handful of misery whenever I look for it.

We all can. And that should be a red flag to society (not to the government specifically -- no need to freak out!)

Maybe simply accepting that life is hard and finite and contingent, and there's no use being a wimp about it.

1. I largely agree.
2. I think that since this is the case we all ought to have the right to some belly-aching from time to time.
3. Also since this is the case, people should be able to humanely exit stage left anytime.

[ApatheticNoMore]

We all can. And that should be a red flag to society (not to the government specifically -- no need to freak out!)

there is much in this society that is not conductive to happiness, it does not score all that well on such things, and then there is just the human condition, and then there are personal things which may had or have a social component but.

Maybe simply accepting that life is hard and finite and contingent, and there's no use being a wimp about it.

I agree, although I don't use those terms, it's more "reality principle" (Freud of course) for me than any type of being tough. It's not toughness it's simple realism.

2. I think that since this is the case we all ought to have the right to some belly-aching from time to time.

3. Also since this is the case, people should be able to humanely exit stage left anytime. [/B]

yes I'm not sure who disagrees, liberals who have problems that people kill themselves with guns I guess. But I don't know that's too weird a reason to have a problem with guns, I think people have an absolute right to off themselves (but of course it WILL hurt one's loved ones).

[iris lilies]

We all can. And that should be a red flag to society (not to the government specifically -- no need to freak out!)



1. I largely agree.
2. I think that since this is the case we all ought to have the right to some belly-aching from time to time.
3. Also since this is the case, people should be able to humanely exit stage left anytime.

Belly aching too often, to the same set of people, and about the same issues, will NOT be allowed at some point because the audience will depart or shut you ( the generic you) out.

[Ultralight]

Belly aching too often, to the same set of people, and about the same issues, will NOT be allowed at some point because the audience will depart or shut you ( the generic you) out.

I would agree with that. I have found going to a therapist helpful for belly-aching.

You pay them, do your belly-aching, they pretend to listen and care in a convincing sort of way, and then you go home and spare your family and friends the belly-aching.

[jp1]

Everything i've read is that most people have a baseline level on the happy/muserable continuum. Some things will make them temporarily happy (yea! I got a promotion) or unhappy (i'm down because my dog died) but in fairly short order they go back to their base equilibrium on the happy/miserable scale. Judging by most people i've known this theory seems about right.

[Ultralight]

Everything i've read is that most people have a baseline level on the happy/muserable continuum. Some things will make them temporarily happy (yea! I got a promotion) or unhappy (i'm down because my dog died) but in fairly short order they go back to their base equilibrium on the happy/miserable scale. Judging by most people i've known this theory seems about right.

I have read the same stuff. I have also experienced this. It makes sense.

But I think that baseline often moves steadily downward for most people as they enter middle age.

[catherine]

I have read the same stuff. I have also experienced this. It makes sense.

But I think that baseline often moves steadily downward for most people as they enter middle age.

Maybe so, but then you get to the Golden Years--and studies show that older people are the happiest, and I have to say, I agree with them. http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/story?id=4688191