<retrogrouch@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote in message
news:uelr249j7ifpgou1oft6dois2oual3vmaq@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> On Fri, 16 May 2008 21:39:06 +0530, "John Galt"
> <whoisjohngalt@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote:
>
>>
>><retrogrouch@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote in message
>>news:tu8r24d6v6t4nn37h2j3cbk4id752ba65i@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>>> On Fri, 16 May 2008 13:04:11 +0530, "John Galt"
>>> <whoisjohngalt@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote:
>>>
>>>>> I"ve been around some of the richest most powerful people in the
>>>>> country and I can tell you most certainly that is not true.
>>>>
>>>>Granted. I completely agree that once the necessities and the little
>>>>luxuries, such as those piano lessons, are covered, money doesn't buy
>>>>you
>>>>squat in the way of emotional happiness.
>>>
>>>
>>> Some of the happiest people I've met were impoverished Costa Ricans.
>>> But they had national health care so virtually all had their health.
>>> They had universal education so virtually all had basic education.
>>> Safety nets removed the most severe want. They found real joy in life
>>> and community in ways most Americans would envy.
>>
>>If you're claiming that national health and education leads to
happiness,
>>then you're affirming that money at that level leads to happiness. I
>>agree.
>
> That's your "if". It's just once certain basics are met, additional
> money bears very little correlation with contentment or happiness. But
> you said that yourself, above.
Yes.
>
>>> Happiness comes from community. The sad fact of America is money is
>>> destroying community. People buy TVs, home theaters, and cacoon
>>> themselves away, too many not even knowing their neighbors. And then
>>> they watch Oprah, Dr. Phil and get therapy because their lives are
>>> "empty" and lack "meaning".
>>
>>I am unaware of any sociologic studies that show that the "destruction
of
>>community" in America has to do with $$$.
>
> I wasn't saying money has to do with it.
OK.
>
>>The sociologic study done by
>>Putnam and published in BOWLING ALONE clearly showed that diversity is
one
>>of the culpable factors.
>
> Diversity?? That's a very odd interpretation for me.
>
http://www.boston.com/news/globe/ideas/articles/2007/08/04/the_downside_of_diversity/
> But I see it's out there. It looks more like a correlation than a
> cause. Interesting though.
Yep.
>
>
>>That said, I bemoan the loss of the front-****ch patio style of builidng
>>homes. Why don't people (of any income bracket) want those anymore?
>
> Another great book to go with "Bowling Alone" - "The Great Good
> Place".
>
http://www.amazon.com/Great-Good-Place-Bookstores-Community/dp/1569246815/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1210963816&sr=8-1
Thanks.
JG
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