Here, read this:: The wealth paradox

Monday, November 20, 2006

Young people in developed countries unhappy, survey says

Seems like people are a lot happier when they are not so self-sufficient. If that's true, why do we so actively resist dependence, either on God or our neighbors?

At 21/11/06 7:20 PM, np said...: That's a many-layered question.

Culturally, I'd say that democratic/ capitalist mentality almost demands it. Independence equals success, dependence is synonymous with weakness. It shows up even in sayings we have, like "pull youself up by your own boot straps."

On an individual level though, I think it has to do with vulnerability and the struggle to trust that God or other people truly want to help support you. We don't like to feel needy or exposed.

Purely on the basis of the article though, it just seems that the more you have, the more you feel like you need. And maybe the less you have, the more you can appreciate small triumphs. Developing countries have the wealth of the future to look forward to, but developed countries are perhaps always in fear of losing that status.