Since moving to the States nearly a year ago, I’ve noticed that the Americans are obsessed with the search for happiness. A definite culture shock from the ingrained cynicism of the British. But does looking for happiness really work? Or does it just end in anxiety and misery? This week I’ve been writing about the phenomenon in the New York Times. Click on the link below to take a look. If you like it, or if you don’t, then I would love it if you would leave me a comment there on the site. And ideally Facebook share or tweet it. Thanks for reading!
7 Responses to “America the Anxious”
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Ruth Whippman
Journalist and documentary maker writes about the news, popular culture and feminism on both sides of the Atlantic.
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Read this in the NY Times and loved it. Perhaps the biggest mistake America has ever made was revolting against the British in 1776. Had we not, we’d be happier today and have universal health care. Eric Hoffer got it exactly right and so did you.
Hi Larry,
Thanks very much for reading, and for your kind comment!
Ruth
Being from Marin County, CA I suspect you must live in my neighborhood as I see this every day. Your story reminds me of one of the important teachings of Victor Frankl: For success, like happiness, cannot be pursued; it must ensue, and it only does so as the unintended side effect of one’s personal dedication to a cause greater than oneself or as the by-product of one’s surrender to a person other than oneself.
I enjoyed your NYT piece on the pursuit of happiness in America. Just shoot me. Now
Hi,
I envy you and people like you who are wise beyond their years. (I have a daughter like you:-))
Loved your column in NYT.
I expected you to be my age, on the mature side of 50, and full of wisdom that comes with decades of experience and thinking and living with all kids of stuff. Alas! You don’t look a day older than 30
Looking forward to reading more of what you have to say.
you are very kind, thank you! I really appreciate your comments, and thanks for reading.
By the way, I know I’m late commenting, but if this is a topic that interests you, you might like reading Smile or Die: How Positive Thinking Fooled America and the Rest of the World.
Smile or Die: How Positive Thinking Fooled America and the World