Semi-vegetarian

This is not about happiness but...

Ever heard those crazy stats that go something like this: "Did you know there are more sheep than people in Scotland?"

"Not possible!" you say.
"How quaint!" you exclaim.

Well, according to this video "What's Wrong with the way we eat", the United States kills roughly 10,000,000 animals each year for food consumption. Ooops. I forgot 3 zeros. I meant: TEN BILLION. That's what, roughly 30 times our population?

A few other stats:

• "Between 1950 and 2000 the worlds population doubled, the meat consumption increased fivefold"
• "Experts who are serious about disease reduction recommend that we eat just over a half a pound of meat per week". Our actual consumption is over 1/2 pound per day...ie. more than 7 times more than that.

Since roughly 20% of all greenhouse gas is generated by livestock, or it's transportation.

The idea of eating less meat for the sake of the environment is an easier sell than "being mean to animals". At least for me anyway.

Old people are happier

So says CNN.

The first person I told about this said: "I've had that so far...although there may have been a happy bubble around age 4 or 5".

But basically, your odds of getting happier increase by roughly .01% each week. (This is why the article says 5% every 10 years...it sounds much more optimistic that way!)

Anyhoo...it looks like the key to happiness is: wait!

Money and happiness

Check out this article alluding to the fact that money might actually buy happiness, kinda. Basically once you get past a certain standard of living, money doesn't seem to matter much.

The graph also makes it look as though for countries at the high and low ends of the happiness scale, relative happiness within the country doesn't seem to vary much based on income level. It's the countries in the middle of the scale where the richer are significantly happier than the poor.

In the US it appears that you'll be a little happier if you're more well off than others. However, I do have a theory that many people in this country are significantly higher on the "well off" scale than they actually realize. So I'm not sure how that factors in...

It's the little things that say something about you

I was walking behind some kids (late teens, early 20's) the other day, and one of them threw his empty soda cup onto a perfectly clean, spotless, manicured lawn alongside the sidewalk. Walking about 20 yards behind them, I picked it up. hoping they would notice.

Two minutes later, his friend, finished with his soda, tossed it over the wall and into someone's backyard. I almost yelled out to them, but figured it wasn't worth getting in a fight (I had no homeys to back me up).

As a general rule, I don't judge. But somehow, for some reason, that one little action made me judge. It's pretty stupid, I'll admit, but in an instant, I learned so much about those two kids.

Maybe it's just basic "Do unto others"? But seriously, we're all human beings here, there is no point in being a dick just because you'll get away with it.

Is there a coorelation?

Usually I would say: yes. But I think it's different this time.

There is a pile of stuff on my desk. It's been growing. Clothes on the floor in the shape of a U around my chair.

Surely, this increasing mess must mean that I'm depressed, that I'm chaotic, and that I'm goofing away all my time. Not so. I've been working harder than ever, and this is just a consequence.

Maybe cause and effect isn't always clear cut.

However, I do waste a small amount of tiny mental anguish each day realizing this is something that needs to be taken care of. That, and taxes.

Is Technology Good or Bad?

There's a debate raging over at the Economist. Think it's all good? Consider this, from the "con" opening statement:

The system as a whole, the system we create and sustain and live in, now has so many and so complex separate parts that understanding consequential interactions, potential outcomes—intended and unintended—and long-term effects is more difficult than ever in human history. One might argue that the genesis of problems like over-choice and surplus complexity is in human frailty or human wants satisfied by technology, but, without technology, more simplicity would endure. Technology is the beneficial culprit that allowed us to do this.

I admit, reading The Paradox of Choice was an eye opener for me. We always assume that choice is better, but is it better if it practically paralyzes the decision making process, leaving us more stressed and less satisfied than when we began?

To be honest, I think this is why a lot of people are choosing Apple these days. Although even they may be endangering their own simplicity...I recently had trouble figuring out which iPod I needed, Nano or Touch. But there certainly is something to be said for giving people less choice. I can't imagine trying to buy a non-Apple mp3 player right now. Too many options.

Yes, we now charge for everything

While flying out of Denver a few days ago, I noticed a curious new service. It's called Clear. From their website:

Clear® is the fast pass for airport security. Clear members are pre-screened and provided with a high-tech card which allows them to access designated airport security fast lanes nationwide. Clear members pass through airport security faster, with more predictability and less hassle.

Clear's first year price is $100 plus the TSA vetting fee of $28 for a total charge of $128.

What is brilliant about this service, is that it pretends to be about safety. But really, it's nothing more than a VIP pass for people who are willing to pay more to skip the waiting in line.

Am I the only one who doesn't think this is fair? I understand the economics behind variable pricing, and how it can be used to maximize profits. But can't we draw the line somewhere? Everyone at the airport already paid different prices for their tickets.

Is it fair to ever charge for reordering privileges?

• Imagine watching people move in front of you while waiting in line at the restroom?
• Imagine people skipping to the front of the taxi queue?
• Waiting for the next ride on the ferris wheel? Sorry, that guy paid more.

Unless I'm mistaken, it doesn't seem like they are getting a different service, just a paid shortcut to the same service. It would make all the difference in the world if you could just present your card and walk right on through without having to:

• have your ID pic matched to your face
• have your ID name matched to the name on your ticket
• remove your shoes
• remove your belt
• remove your laptop from your bag
• remove your jacket
• drink the remaining water in your Nalgene
• walk through a metal detector
• have your pass checked again
• and put everything back together

PS. It's true. You do have to go through all the same loops with Clear, it's just that you get the extra feeling of superiority over all those schmucks waiting in line like everyone else...

From their site:

The Clear lane is a designated lane at the security checkpoint. Clear Members must verify a fingerprint or iris image (collected during enrollment) in order to enter the lane.
At the Clear lane, a Clear attendant will greet you and check your boarding pass, Clear card and government-issued photo ID. You will be asked to insert your Clear card into the kiosk, which also verifies the fingerprint or iris image that you selected during enrollment. When everything is verified (which takes just a few seconds), you will receive a receipt indicating that you are a Clear member.

Clear members still proceed through metal detectors and x-ray machines operated and regulated by the Department of Homeland Security but other parts of the process are expedited. When you approach the lane, our attendants will help you with the bins and to get ready to go through the checkpoint. This alone helps our lane speed by as much as 30%!

This is too much. Honestly.