What is Happiness?

Another parliamentary election in New Zealand is looming again. The political parties are all expounding the virtues of their policies; be it lower taxes, environmental protection, more health spending etc. We the voters look at these policies and decide which of them would bring us the most benefits.

Lets employ some Socratic questioning to the term "benefits". It's fair to say that a "benefit" is something that would improve our well being. What is "well being"? I think it is safe to say "Happiness" is an indication of "Well Being"; we are happier if we have enough money to put food on the table than going hungry, we are happier if we are healthy as compared to being sick in bed.

So what is "Happiness"? Happiness has long defied a definition because it is never straight forward. Many of us think that money can buy happiness and just look at how much more miserable we are now. Most nations are earning much more now compared to twenty years ago, every indication from surveys however point that we are no happier, some even indicate we're more miserable.

It is difficult to measure happiness of a nation. Gross National Happiness (GNH) is one subjective method that the King of Bhutan came up with to measure the success of a nation. The cynical would probably think that the King is simply moving the goal post because he knows Bhutan can not possibly compete with many developed nations on GDP. That maybe true but the King has been true to his words and has developed Bhutan according to the GNH philosophy. Bhutan has always ranked highly on Happiness Indexes conducted by institutes like Leicester University and the Gallup World Poll just to name a few. These Happiness Indexes along with GNH is a combination of indices that reflects well being, economics and health.

Recent research as part of the Gallup World Poll have gone even further and measured Happiness only in emotional terms. After all, Happiness is a state of mind and can not be directly measured using wealth or any other physical measure. Subjects are surveyed using their emotional response and self reports on matters like work, income and relationships.

The Maasai people well known for drinking cattle blood are a tribal people in Africa. They lack many material comforts that industrial societies have but are found to be just as happy as individuals in many developed nations. Researchers think this is because they focus on what they have rather than what they lack. Also, they have a lot of self respect and possess the skills to flourish in their environment. However, the Maasai do rate their material resources poorly suggesting money can buy at least some kind of happiness. 

Research has also shown that living standards predicted overall life assessment better than day to day emotions. That is to say luxury goods can make you feel more satisfied with life but does not make it more enjoyable. On the other extreme, South Koreans rate material wealth higher than the Americans and Japanese, they too have the highest suicide rate in the industrialised world.

Another example showing that wealth doesn't bring happiness are the Danes. Although the U.S. is economically richer than Denmark, the Danes are psychologically better off. The difference is said to lie in a person's ability to trust other people's good intentions, a so called 'Social Capital'. The Danes expressed faith in their Government and business sector and expected a lost wallet to be returned. The Americans however, viewed both as corrupt and doubted a stranger would ever return a lost wallet.

A high opinion and contentment  with homeland is another source of happiness. Researchers found that national satisfaction can influence life satisfaction especially in poorer countries. This is also reflected by the statistical fact that incumbent governments have a higher chance of getting back in power if the country has recently won a world sporting event. It is often said that the Rugby World Cup win means that the incumbent government of New Zealand is guaranteed to get back in power.

So before you cast your votes this election, think about the overall well being of yourself and the nation. Think about social capital, your relationships, the respect for yourself and from others, your health, national pride. These things matter too, not just a few more dollars in your pocket.

Coffee with Mr. Keynes, Final

Mr. Keynes and I sat down in a nearby Cafe. I was looking forward to finding out how much economic growth he deemed to be enough for society. "Every government is obsessed about growth, why do you think that is?" He asked. "Errr... so the country can grow richer?" I replied. He then asked "Why do we want to grow rich?" in which I replied "So we could all have a good life!"

"And what is a good life?" Asked Mr. Keynes. I started thinking about a myriad of things a person could desire and before I could reply, Mr Keynes carried on, "People buy fast cars, beautiful houses, go on expensive holidays, it all boils down to beautiful things isn't it? The sleek body of a fast car, the architecture of a nice house and the beautiful things one sees on holiday. People essentially seek to experience Aesthetic Emotions."

"Another emotion people seek to have is to be In Love. I believe that one doesn't require any explanation." Smile Mr. Keynes. "We have now established that people seek to experience Aesthetic Emotions and being In Love, but is wealth the path to ascertain these two ultimate goods?" asked Mr. Keynes. "As they say, money can't buy happiness!" I replied. "Yes, that's correct but wealth is necessary at the basic level. One could hardly be thinking about aesthetics or love when one is hungry or hasn't got a roof over their heads. Wealth can buy beautiful things but it may not necessarily convey Aesthetic Emotions and in many cases it would make one more appealing to a potential lover. However, wealth is not necessary to attain these two ultimate goods." elucidated Mr Keynes further.

"Since money is necessary in a basic level to even allow us to start thinking of aesthetics and love, it has infiltrated our psyche as a 'Love of Money'. Money is a means to an end but our Love of Money has made Money into an end instead!" explained Mr. Keynes. "This 'Love of Money' is morally inefficient because it is actually not what people seek in life. 'Love of Money' also leads to hoarding which is economically inefficient as it impedes the spending of money which then hinders income and wealth distribution." Mr Keynes carried on.

"But, that still doesn't answer how much economic growth is enough!" Interjected I. "Ethically, the more appropriate question is how do we get more people to achieve the two ultimate goods in life." said Mr. Keynes. "That is to say how we are going to ensure economic growth goes to the poorer in society so they are able to achieve these ultimate goods."

At this point, I looked at my watch. I was running late for my lunch appointment. I left Mr. Keynes with a cordial goodbye. The last sight of him was him reading the business section of the Herald while shaking his head.

I do hope I bump into him again.

Otara market with Mr. Keynes, Part II

It was morning tea time as we walked pass a nearby bakery busy with people. "That's funny," I said "I don't recall the bakery being so busy in the past." Mr. Keynes pointed out, "See how most of the customers are tradesmen buying morning tea? They're all building that new council swimming pool across the road. Demand from the tradesmen have been so good that the bakery have had to hire extra staff!"

"That's pretty good going considering we've just come out of a recession! How lucky!" I commented. "Lucky? I think not," said Mr. Keynes, "See the road works over there for a new motorway? And the power cables being laid further away in the other direction? There has been a concerted effort in infrastructure building by the council as part of fiscal stimulus to keep the economy in positive growth!" Mr. Keynes carried on, "The follow on effect is that the tradesmen employed spends their money and the stimulus is spread to other parts like the bakery."

"Is that necessary?" I said, "I'm sure private enterprise could do the same especially now that interest rates are low and it costs less to borrow money." Mr Keynes smiled and said "That's what one would think wouldn't it? With GDP growth at less than 2% per annum and the US and Europe verging on bankruptcy, would you invest your money into an uncertain economic climate or keep it in a bank? " countered Mr. Keynes, "The great depression in the 1930's lasted 10 years, there's no knowing how long any economic doldrums would last. It was only through the massive military spending of WWII that ended the great depression."

"But where is this money going to come from especially now that unemployment rate is high; hence tax collection is low?" protested I. Mr Keynes went on to explain, "A good government would have had enough money put away during the good times in preparation of bad times like these, otherwise it'll have to borrow." With that last statement, I thought finally I've got Mr. Keynes cornered so I quickly asked "Is that wise? borrowing? Look at America and the predicament it's in!"

"That is a good point!" said Mr. Keynes calmly,  "One only borrows when one knows one can pay it back, hence investment in infrastructure like roads and power lines is always a good idea because it help support growth in other parts of the economy like manufacturing and agriculture." Defended Mr . Keynes, "The 2003 black out in North-eastern United States and 2001 black out in California is a classic case of infrastructure under investment. Not to mention the thousands of bridges that are categorised as structurally deficient in the US. The US have not invested the borrowed money to give them a follow on return on investment."

"It's the government's job to save while the times are good and spend when the times are bad. Not just that, the government also has the obligation to save for unforeseen circumstances." said Mr. Keynes. "What do you mean?" I said, "Isn't that what insurance policies are for?" thinking I've finally got him. "This whole market my friend, wouldn't be here if the stall owners had only their insurance policies to rely on!" expounded Mr . Keynes. "Two years ago, a tornado hit the open markets at Otara and caused considerable damage to the stalls and vans. Insurance policies nowadays do not and can not cover for natural disasters like a tornado! Thankfully the council squirrelled away a safety fund for many years from the fees stall owners pay and was able to compensate many of the stall owners after the tornado."

"Insurance companies charge premiums according to risk and the way risk is modelled is through the normal distribution curve. This is fine when it comes to fire and thefts where there are statistics to judge these risks on."

"There is no way anyone can model risk like natural disasters hence governments have to step in to compensate. The EQC (Earthquake Commission) is a good example! No one knew about the fault lines underneath Canterbury. For many years, it was compulsory for insurance companies to pay a levy to EQC for the very reason like Christchurch. If not for the government, Christchurch will never be rebuilt!"

Mr. Keynes has given me a great deal to think about. I noticed that all we've discussed in this second part is all to do with economic growth. I finally asked Mr. Keynes, "So, all this effort is given to sustain economic growth, how much growth do we actually need?". Mr. Keynes eyes lit up instantly, "Ahhh... my friends, that is the ultimate question, let's sit down for a coffee for this is a whole new topic to discuss."

Otara market with Mr. Keynes, Part I

One Saturday morning, as I was walking into the Otara markets, who should I bump into but Mr. Keynes. Dressed in a black suit and tie with his hair immaculately combed, he was definitely over dressed for Otara market. However, no one seemed to bat an eyelash, I suppose everyone there understands he's a product of a different era.

"Good morning Mr Keynes" I said. "A very good Morning to you too" said Mr. Keynes. "Have you come to shop for groceries?" I asked. "Good heavens, No. I'm here just to do my usual observations." said Mr. Keynes. I was curious as to what sort of observations but decided not to ask. "Would you mind if I walked with you while you shopped?" asked Mr. Keynes politely, I saw no harm in him doing so and I was keen to know what he was up to.

We came up to a fruit stall which sold imported fresh longans. At $8.00 a kg, they were a bargain compared to $10.00 from neighbouring stalls. As I walked forward to purchase the longans, Mr. Keynes held me back and said, "What you don't know is that this stall soak their longans in water to increase the weight of the fruit, many an unsuspecting buyer end up paying more for less fruit." I looked at him with an expression of disgust, he continued, "This is a classic case of information asymmetry, where the buyer does not have all the information the seller does. The efficiency expounded by free market theory starts with the assumption of information symmetry where both sides of a transaction have the same information. As you can see, this assumption falls short most of the time!"

"But doesn't the Freedom of Information Act ensure both parties have the same information?" I said. "Ahhh! That's provided if the buyer knows to ask the right question! Also, what stops the seller from lying? In the court of law, his word is as good as yours." countered Mr. Keynes. "This is also why so many people have ended up owning leaky homes, it's a sad state of affairs!" added Mr. Keynes.

"I come to Otara Markets to watch economic activity in action" offered Mr. Keynes. "The diversity of human motivation observed here is inspiration to an economist like myself. Free market thinkers believe that all economic participants are rational and all economic transactions are only carried out because it benefits both parties. This is frequently not the case!"

"Why wouldn't people be rational? I'm rational!" countered I. Mr. Keynes smiled and said "How could you be rational if you don't have all the information? Just now you almost got cheated by the water soaked longans." "Oh, ok." said I quietly. Mr. Keynes continued, "Free market thinkers assume people are simple automatons who only do things that benefit themselves. In reality, human motivation is far more complex than that."

"Look at that vegetable stall over there owned by Mr. Hawera" pointed Mr Keynes.  "Lots of people in the community buy there even though they are not the cheapest". "Mr. Hawera is a well known figure in the community who regularly donates fresh vegetables to the soup kitchens in the community. People are acting altruistic by buying from him even though they can pay lower prices elsewhere." As the price was reasonable, I bought most of my vegetables from Mr. Hawera after hearing what a good man he is.

Further on, we walked pass a fruit stall with good quality food at a cheap price. Surprisingly, there was hardly anyone buying from there. I looked to Mr. Keynes instinctively, knowing he'd have an explanation. "Mr. Tamaki who owns that store is also a well known drug dealer, no one in the community buys from him just to spite him!" explained Mr. Keynes.

"Altruism and spite are two human motivation that free market thinkers never want to think about. Not to mention the very obvious intentional information asymmetry of concealing the truth or lying!" said Mr. Keynes passionately. "Do you mean to say that human psychology is a main influence in economics?" I asked. "That's correct." replied Mr. Keynes.

"The master-economist must possess a rare combination of gifts. He must be mathematician, historian, statesman, philosopher–in some degree. He must understand symbols and speak in words. He must contemplate the particular in terms of the general, and touch abstract and concrete in the same flight of thought. He must study the present in the light of the past for the purposes of the future. No part of man’s nature or his institutions must lie entirely outside his regard. He must be purposeful and disinterested in a simultaneous mood; as aloof and incorruptible as an artist, yet sometimes as near the earth as a politician."

This morning's shopping is turning out to be a most insightful event.

Burn, London, Burn.

I was shocked when I saw the riots start in Tottenham. My bewilderment continued when it spread on to other parts of London. I myself wouldn't have expected something like this in a million years, but did anyone see it coming?

Professor Gus John, a fellow at the London Centre for Leadership and Learning of University of London, wrote to the UK Home Secretary warning of social disharmony back in early July. The authorities had warnings of social uprising but chose not to act on it. You can hear an interview with Professor Gus John here:

http://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/ninetonoon/audio/2495486/professor-gus-john

The gist of his research points to the high youth unemployment and the cuts in social and education programs  that has left UK youths in a "Hopelessness that has turned into a fearlessness that knows no bounds". He also points to a lack of moral leadership which has seen many British MPs get away with massive tax payer frauds, financial bailouts of banks that has continuously rewarded themselves huge bonuses irrespective of the economic damage they've done.

The author Hari Kunzru sums it up nicely: "That's true of the kids smashing shop windows to steal trainers. It's also true of the MPs fiddling their expenses, the police officers taking backhanders, the journalists breaking into phones. Why wouldn't they? Why wouldn't any of us? The example has been set by our new masters, the one per cent for whom and by whom we're governed.
The ability of powerful actors in the financial markets to socialise risk while privatising profit appears, to the financial peasantry, indistinguishable from organised crime. No reason for the rest of us to stand on ceremony."

Think of the cost of riot damage and the cost of incarcerating the young criminals. Is it really going to be less than the cost of social, employment and education programs for youths? I certainly know which path I would like society to take! Social harmony to me is another externality that current economic thinking has excluded in its cost calculation. If we don't pay a price for social harmony just like we don't pay a price for environment protection, the cost will eventually come back and bite us in the bum!

I am afraid that the current conservative government in the UK does not seem to have gotten the message. London will once again burn and hopefully; not at the 2012 Olympic games.

The love that dares not speak its name.

It was a year ago when I attended John's funeral. It was a solemn occasion; he had overdosed. The few of us there were family and friends that over the years had not deserted him. I suppose what made it even more difficult was that we had all seen it coming; but none of us knew what to do or even where to go for help.

A few years ago, John and I were having a beer on his porch. We were talking about overcrowded prisons for some reason. He said "I've been to prison", I thought he was joking so I said "For work?", "No, as a prisoner" he replied. I was a little surprised but not too much as I knew he use to do a little drugs. I casually asked "What were you charged for?" thinking it would probably be some minor charge for possession.

"Child molestation." he replied, I nearly spluttered beer down my shirt but I held myself together and tried to look calm. I managed an "Oh" but didn't know what else to say, I was uncomfortable to say the least but I knew he only told me this because he trusted me. After a short pause collecting my thoughts, I manage to ask how long and when he was incarcerated just to show that I was unfazed by this piece of information. After that, we went on to talk about other things as if nothing happened.

That night, I jumped on the internet to see what I could learn about paedophilia. The DSM (Diagnostic and statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) states that there is no proven treatment for paedophilia. The DSM classifies paedophilia as a disorder of adult personality and behaviour, it does not classify it as a mental disorder. 


This is an important distinction. Most people have a tiny tinge of some personality disorder. We all know of arrogant people who psychologically, can be said to display symptoms of narcissistic personality disorder. People who are prone to worry can also be said to display symptoms of anxious personality disorder; the list goes on. After reading this, I was adamant that I would not let the fact that John was a convicted paedophile change our friendship, after all, he's been a good friend to me.


John's been single the whole time I've known him. One time we were talking about love and gay relationships, I said "Isn't it great that we can now be ourselves and love who we want?" The moment those words came out, I regretted saying it. John noticed this and just smiled. He went on to tell me that one of the last things he said to his counsellor before he left prison was "You'll never understand what it is like to not be allowed to love who you desire." For which the counsellor had no reply to.


After that conversation, I got to thinking why do paedophiles exist? Evolution must convey some benefits to them in order for them to exist. According to criminal statistics, most paedophiles are heterosexual as in they mostly are attracted to prepubescent girls. Could it be that having a relationship to prepubescent girls gave them direct access to the most fertile women the moment the girls hit puberty? I think it is a very logical explanation. Evolution is neither wrong or right, it is when biology and modern ethics collide where there arises many problems.


I was often afraid for John. I kept telling him to keep it quiet when he felt like telling people. I was very afraid that people would not understand and that many more people would ostracise him and drive him further into his depression. What I didn't know was that by telling him to suppress who he is, I was driving him further into depression too.


After the funeral, I looked on the internet to see if there were support groups for people like John. There was nothing, Nada, Zilch! I read that the way to help paedophiles is to redirect their sexual energy into constructive areas, channel their sexual love into non-sexual ones. With no support groups around, how are paedophiles able to get help? Also, psychologist and psychiatrist rarely conduct research into this subject due to its taboo nature. If we are to better resolve this issue of paedophilia, as a society we have to open it up to discussion and be honest about it. Failing to do so would just marginalise this segment of our population and drive them further underground; not to mention put our children at risk


When I think of John, it is always tinged with sadness. Regardless of his issues, he was a good man and a good friend. I shall always remember him fondly.

Stuck in an Unrequited Love

Something a little different this time. Just a story... (names have been changed for obvious reasons)

At a social gathering the other day, I was introduced to Lance and we got talking. Lance was extremely chatty and was soon regaling me with every detail of his life. I found it interesting that he could be so open about his personal life with a person he had just met. I suspected that was how he was with everyone he met and I found him quite refreshing to talk to. We somehow got on to the topic of relationships, so I asked him a question I've always wanted to ask a middle aged gay man.

"I have always wondered why many middle aged men go for much younger men, even though there are plenty of single men of their own age". He paused for a while and started to tell me about George...

"I am in love with someone, and have been in love with him for a long time" said Lance. "His name is George and we first met when I was only a teenager, back when we were in the same school musical production." Lance carried on after a short pause reminiscing, "He used to tease me by poking me with his clarinet, that was how we got friendly. I gradually fell in love with him; even though I was still too young to know it."

 "Then we lost contact for many years. For those years I often wondered what could have been.Then out of the blue I bumped into him again at a concert. We quickly got reacquainted again, this time both as out gay men."

I nodded and he ventured on "We got very close, we went on family holidays together. We got to know each other's family very well. I now feel like I belong to his family. George is everything that I had hoped for, a childhood crush that has returned into my life... except that he doesn't view me the way I see him.There is nothing I want more than having George as a partner, however, he only wants me as a friend; a friend with benefits and always on his terms"

"George is obsessed with young Asian men". That completely caught me off guard but I put on my best counselling face and just nodded. "When we go out together, he is always perving at Asian men whenever a young attractive one walks by, I get quite insulted when I catch him doing it. I have often expressed my anger at his behaviour only to be told that my sex life is not his responsibility."

At this point I'm not sure whether to give him a hug  for his pain or a good shake to wake him up from this romantic foolishness. I can see how people can be stuck in the romantic hope of eventually having their love returned but logically I can never truly understand it, I suppose I'm just not built that way.

Lance went on further and said, "I even asked George why he keeps me around if he's only interested in young Asian men; in which George intimated that with the Asian men he's met, there is nothing much to connect with after sex. I gather those he'd met had poor English and perhaps the age gap was just too big."

Afterwards, I got thinking... George would be the classic case of someone with Peter Pan syndrome. Like a child with a gluttony for sweets, attracted to a food that is addictive but ultimately never nourishing.

I ask Lance has any of his friends and family made any comments. He said "All our friends including George's closes friends have told me to move on, saying George is just not worth it but still find myself unable to let go." After hearing that, I realised that there is really nothing I can say that Lance would have not heard before. All I could do was to give him my most sympathetic nods as I listened on.

I'm not sure how the conversation ended, I think we just went on to talk about other things. Ah... Unrequited love, it always leaves a bitter sweet taste...