Saturday, April 24, 2010
Saturday morning questions
Let's see how you live your life. Answer us this:
If 100 people your age were chosen at random, how many do you think you'd find leading a more satisfying life than yours?
After you have given that question some thought, modify it so:
If 100 Americans your age were chosen at random, how many do you think you'd find leading a more satisfying life than yours?
Post your answers in the comments with such elaboration you deem appropriate.
14 Comments:
By 
, at
Sat Apr 24, 01:55:00 PM:
Depends on how you define "satisfying' TH.
Is a rich single guy more satisfied than a poor guy with a great wife and kids?
By , at
Sat Apr 24, 01:58:00 PM:
By , at
Sat Apr 24, 03:02:00 PM:
Eighty-one years of observation and experience have led me to the belief that even in the happiest of lives there are moments of pain almost too much to bear. But in spite of having had those moments, I still feel I have lived a charmed life. I know many more than 100 persons and I cannot imagine wanting to trade places with any one of them. I know Solon said 'Call no man happy until he is dead', but I trust that my remaining years will be lived out with the same feeling of gratitude.
By , at
Sat Apr 24, 03:41:00 PM:
Let me see, how do I put it? Oh, yeah, don't care. I don't have to compare myself to anyone to know my worth, thank you very much!
Iris Celeste
By , at
Sat Apr 24, 07:44:00 PM:
"I don't have to compare myself to anyone to know my worth, thank you very much!"
So how do you evaluate your worth?
Value is what someone is willing to pay, depends on availability and demand, both of which require comparisons to be made.
By 
John, at
Sat Apr 24, 07:47:00 PM:
By John, at
Sat Apr 24, 07:49:00 PM:
Sorry, forgot to convert percent
Should read:
4% Americans
.2% World
By Robert Arvanitis, at
Sat Apr 24, 09:52:00 PM:
...meaning how many with whom I'd trade places?
None!
By JPMcT, at
Sun Apr 25, 11:37:00 AM:
Anwer..none and none.
It's impossible to know if someone is more satisfied than you are...so just rate your own level of satifaction.
By , at
Sun Apr 25, 01:55:00 PM:
Answering in the spirit of TH's question, I'd say 1 globally, because it isn't zero. In America, probably still 1, but a truer 1.
By , at
Mon Apr 26, 02:34:00 AM:
Out of a 100 people/Americans my age leading a more satisfying life than me: 99
I have no life at all except by the permission of the government.
By Noumenon, at
Tue Apr 27, 04:37:00 AM:
"I know many more than 100 persons and I cannot imagine wanting to trade places with any one of them."
That's called an endowment effect. The reason no one can answer this question realistically (everyone's waaay above average) is that
1) Unless someone else has what you want, you imagine yourself more satisfied than they because they don't have what you want. ie, those with kids pity those who would never want kids.
2) Even if you don't have what you want, your brain convinces you you want what you have, to keep your self-image up. Even if you were in the Holocaust.
Try answering the question "How many people out of 100 would other people say were more satisfied than me," and try reading overcomingbias.com.
By Noumenon, at
Tue Apr 27, 04:37:00 AM:
"I know many more than 100 persons and I cannot imagine wanting to trade places with any one of them."
That's called an endowment effect. The reason no one can answer this question realistically (everyone's waaay above average) is that
1) Unless someone else has what you want, you imagine yourself more satisfied than they because they don't have what you want. ie, those with kids pity those who would never want kids.
2) Even if you don't have what you want, your brain convinces you you want what you have, to keep your self-image up. Even if you were in the Holocaust.
Try answering the question "How many people out of 100 would other people say were more satisfied than me," and try reading overcomingbias.com.
By , at
Tue Apr 27, 02:16:00 PM:
Noumenon:
'how many do you think you'd find leading a more satisfying life than yours?'
It seems that you and I read this question differently. As I read it, the question is what judgment I would reach about what I would find. As you read it, the question is what judgment a group that has overcome bias (if such a group were possible) would reach about what it would find.
You question the validity of the former judgment, I of the latter.
Best wishes,
Jim
