Results: The dark side of happiness
Published on 10/11/2017
(Source: Tedx and The Happiness Institute) While Denmark has been regularly awarded the rewarding title of “Happiest Country in the World” over the past few years, it also suffers on the happiness-suicide paradox, a hypothesis that Meik Wiking presents as a correlation between happy countries and high suicide rates. Through a series of metrics and statistics, Meik Wiking helps us measure well-being inequalities that lead to gaps between happiness and unhappiness indices. While most research focuses on happiness and quality of life, Meik invites us to reflect upon the other end of those numbers. Meik Wiking heads the Happiness Research Institute which gathers knowledge and theories on what defines happiness and life quality. Meik Wiking is the CEO of the Happiness Research Institute, an independent think tank exploring why some societies are happier than others. He has recently published the book Lykken under lup – en opdagelsesrejse i lykkeforskningens verden (Happiness under the magnifying glass: a journey into the world of happiness research).
Note: these videos take a few minutes more than what most people that complete surveys in Tellwut will invest in their surveys, but trust me: every minute is worth watching. They offer different points of view on the same topic.

QUESTIONS
GO to COMMENTS
Comments
1.
1.
Our happiness levels is a complicated results of social relationships, sense of purpose, genetics, age, employment status, absolute and relative income, social comparisons, self-esteem, aspirations, health status, autonomy, consumption pattern, civil status and time use – to name a few. Compared to the people around you, do you consider yourself happy?
Yes
53%
998 votes
No
25%
467 votes
Undecided
22%
414 votes
2.
2.
The Happiness Institute says that, broadly speaking, three categories influence the happiness level of people. Those we cannot change (biology), those we can change over time (policies), and those we can change tomorrow (behavior). Do you agree?
Yes
43%
805 votes
No
14%
258 votes
Undecided
43%
816 votes
3.
3.
The Happiness Research Institute believes in the noble idea that the true measure of any society can be found in how we treat our most vulnerable members. Taking that as a reference, would you consider you live in a society with a high happiness level?
Yes
24%
446 votes
No
38%
711 votes
Undecided
38%
722 votes
4.
4.
Nowadays it is proven that inequality causes crime, social unrest and even armed conflicts. Do you consider you live in a society where inequality levels are acceptable?

Yes
25%
471 votes
No
36%
672 votes
Undecided
39%
736 votes
5.
5.
Doing what you say, and saying what to do, is the root of trust that seems to build Denmark as the happiest and most trusting society. As it is said in the second video, they are so trusting that they go to a restaurant and they can leave their babies outside. But a Danish woman tried the same thing in New York, and she got arrested. Do you consider you are a trusting person?

Yes
43%
810 votes
No
30%
559 votes
Undecided
27%
510 votes
6.
6.
Does it surprise you to hear that the happiest areas are the ones with a highest suicide rate?

Yes
49%
930 votes
No
25%
472 votes
Undecided
25%
477 votes
COMMENTS