Economist.com | The economics of happiness

Economist.com | The economics of happiness: "Lord Layard devotes a good portion of the book to a summary of what is known about how to be happy. Much of it will appear self-evident: cultivate friendships, be involved in a community, try for a good marriage. But his big idea is controversial. It is that a zero-sum game of competition for money and status has gripped rich societies, and that this rat race is a big source of unhappiness."

Why would this be controversial? It seems perfectly obvious, and probably supported by psychoneurology too. After fufilling basic needs, we move up in Maslow's pyramid to achievement. That's where we bump into all those other people trying to achieve too. In fact I believe that's people join bowling and billiard leagues - to give themselves an area for success (outside of work). We can't all be boss, but some of us have a great softball pitch.