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Current Events => General Discussion => Topic started by: jtyangel on January 10, 2008, 05:44:46 AM

Title: French President Wants 'Happiness' as Part of Economic Measure
Post by: jtyangel on January 10, 2008, 05:44:46 AM

http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/WeirdNews/2008/01/10/4764931-ap.html

Quote

rench president wants happiness included in measures of economic growth
By Emma Vandore, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
            

   

PARIS - What price happiness?

French President Nicolas Sarkozy is seeking an answer to the eternal question - so happiness can be included in measurements of French economic growth. He's turned to two Nobel economists to help him, hoping if happiness is added to the count, the French economy may seem more rosy.

"It reflects a general feeling in Europe that says: 'OK, the U.S. has been more successful in the last 20, 25 years in raising material welfare but does this mean they are happier?"' said Paul de Grauwe, economics professor at Leuven University in Belgium.

This really deserves a place in the stupid socialist hall of fame. Happiness is not objective, how any rational economist can even try to include such a measure is beyond me. Measurement will vary from country to country, community to community, and person to person and is based on one's own life philosophy and personal values. How could they ever make a comparative measure based on that? Even a French economics professor seeking to include measures of happiness will be biased based on his own cultural allegiances.

Title: Re: French President Wants 'Happiness' as Part of Economic Measure
Post by: Chris_ on January 10, 2008, 07:23:24 AM

This will backfire anyway.

They're FRENCH for God's sake.  They are only happy when they are miserable.

Title: Re: French President Wants 'Happiness' as Part of Economic Measure
Post by: DixieBelle on January 10, 2008, 10:09:42 AM

well they recently banned smoking. I can't imagine that helping! :)

Title: Re: French President Wants 'Happiness' as Part of Economic Measure
Post by: jendf on January 10, 2008, 02:29:30 PM

The guy is getting no-strings-attached nookie from a supermodel. I guess he thinks that makes everyone in France happy.

Title: Re: French President Wants 'Happiness' as Part of Economic Measure
Post by: jtyangel on January 10, 2008, 02:31:27 PM

Quote from: freedumb2003 on January 10, 2008, 07:23:24 AM

This will backfire anyway.

They're FRENCH for God's sake.  They are only happy when they are miserable.

Sounds a lot like DU. :evillaugh:

Title: Re: French President Wants 'Happiness' as Part of Economic Measure
Post by: Uhhuh35 on January 10, 2008, 02:45:41 PM

Well maybe they can start by kicking out those unhappy "youths" of "North African" origin.