Rich and Poor
I have little education in economics so I eagerly read articles about economic issues that are written in layman's terms. I believe that I learn something from them and that I become a better citizen, such as in voting, because of reading them. I read a wide variety of articles; I know so little about economics that I don't always know when the arguments are merely polemical and when they are factual. I try to understand when supposed economics experts are merely using economics expertise to support their own political or social values, to support their political or social views when they have no particular expertise on the issue, often no more than I have.
In a recent article, a leading professor of economics argues that people's sense of well-being is relative: People can be happy when they are better off than their peers, no matter whether their lives are improving or declining but that when their standard of living is rising they are less concerned about their relative well-being. That is, relative standards of living are most important in stagnant economies and, in growing economies, less important. In this professor's view, economic growth is important no matter what absolute standard of living has been achieved because growth itself brings higher energy, more contentment, better attitudes. I found this article persuasive because the conclusions are consistent with my own observations.
It's the same in our personal lives. The most energetic people, the people with the best attitudes, are the people whose lives are improving. It is only when people feel that their situation is unchanging or worsening that jealousies and frustrations appear. The obvious conclusion is that we must work to improve our lives, to avoid stagnation. But not everyone can enjoy improvements in his or her life. Some people are "stuck" in situations, are unable to muster the resources to improve, indeed are sometimes unable to maintain the status quo. What should they be doing?
First, avoid jealousy. Jealousy, along with its first cousin, envy, is purely destructive. Second, maintain optimism. An optimistic spirit may lead to improvement and may help us to avoid discontent. But most important, never give up, keep trying, no matter how hard things appear at the moment. And wish the best for everyone and the best may come to you.
MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM YOUR INTERNET GRANDFATHER
12-19-05
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