A few months ago, I read Gregg Easterbrooks’ book “The Progress Paradox,” which carries the intriguing sub title “How Life Gets Better While People Feel Worse.”
He draws on three decades of research and thinking to support the idea that almost all aspects of Western life have greatly improved in the past century—yet today, most men and women feel less happy than in previous generations.
He delves into the emerging science known as “positive psychology,” which tries to understand what causes a person’s sense of well-being and offers an alternative to our culture of crisis and complaint. He makes a compelling case that optimism, gratitude and acts of forgiveness not only make modern life more fulfilling but are actually in our self-interest.
He talks about subjects like “Abundance Denial,” “The Tyranny of the Unnecessary” and explains that we have more of everything than any generation before us except happiness. I liked this quote:
“From the standpoint of happiness math, it should be reiterated that it is far better there be millions of free, prosperous people who have the time and leisure in which to become depressed—many undergoing depressions in nice houses and attempting to distract themselves with nice vacations or nice dinners out—than numerous possible alternatives.”
He references very interesting studies about ‘self-reported’ happiness by a psychologist of the University of Illinois that offers some interesting facts and explanations. I won’t disclose the details here, but it’s a well written book, which could give guidance to many that are wondering why they’re doing well but not feeling it. I enjoyed it and give it thumbs up.