The Importance of Self-Reported Happiness

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Happiness literature says wealth doesn't seem to matter, but people act as if it does matter. Russell: We are likely descended from the discontent of the far past. The fact that we see complaining all around us may not be a coincidence,. It may be the way we are wired.

Author Gregg Easterbrook talks about the ideas in his latest book, The Progress Paradox: How Life Gets Better While People Feel Worse. How has life changed in America over the last century? Is the average person getting ahead or are the rich taking all the gains? Easterbrook argues that life is better for the average American in almost every dimension. The paradox is that despite those gains, we don't seem much happier.