Happy Fish

Continuing the theme of happiness, I bring you this environmental story.



When you think about it, this is more than an environmental story. Of all the substances we flush through our systems and our plumbing, the fact that it's anti-depressants that are showing up in fish is astounding. There must be a lot of people on anti-depressants. I get that these drugs are a boon to people who are clinically depressed, but shouldn't we be concerned that so many people these days seem to need them? What's going on? While the economy has a lot of people down, there must be more to it than that. Anti-depressants sell well in boom times too. What's wrong with us?

Here in the U.S., our lives are vastly easier and safer than in many other parts of the world. We have clean fresh water any time we want. We have more food than we need. In spite of Dick Cheney's fear mongering, we can go outside without worrying about organized groups trying to kill us. Sure, losing a job or a house is traumatic, but you can live through it. Your standard of living may drop, but you can still always enjoy simple pleasures. Why can't we just be happy?

The Happiness Project offers some interesting thoughts on the subject. I like how she thinks.