Second, many countries in Africa had sound, modern agricultural practices before there were “liberated” back into the dark ages. Colonialism, while a long way from perfect, did have its advantages.

To sit in an easy chair surrounded by the modern conveniences of life and expound on how happy and great subsistence living is, is insane. These folks are working morning till night, to survive; not prosper.

I don’t know how many of you have lived without electric lights, without telephone, without refrigeration, without television etc? My wife and I did; in our hippie years for about four years. It was out of choice because we were rebelling against someting ( I disremember what, now). The truth is, we can live without a lot, but who wants to? YOu ask any of these pristine, unspoiled aboriginal folks working their fingers to the bone from dawn till dusk if they would rather sit in an easy chair at night and use a wahing machine to wash their clothes, if they would rather their kids took some antibiotics rather than die, I believe that if they understood what you were asking, they would eschew their pastoral life for a modern one.

The good old days were never really all that good. We people have a tendency to remember what we like and want to.

ONCE BASIC NEEDS ARE FILLED, WE LOOK FOR WAR

Meanwhile, interestingly enough, the subject of happiness in our culture is one that scholars around the world are beginning to address. In the past couple of weeks, there’s been a great discussion raging on two different scientists’ email lists about happiness. The scientific thought on this at present seems to be that – once your basic needs are met for food, shelter and so on – there’s no great advantage to becoming more and more wealthy from the standpoint of happiness.

This area of study is fairly new in science. But many scientists are interested and talking about it.

After all, how many people in our “developed” culture take anti-depressants? How many take drugs to sleep? How many divorces? How many school shootings? Are these the signs of a culture of happiness?

Earth & Sky will be putting out of post on the subject of happiness soon …

All the best,
Deborah