Well, the citizens of the Scandinavian countries regularly report some of the world's highest levels of happiness, so I don't think grim weather dooms or even significantly predisposes people to melancholy. I suspect our aversion to cold, nasty weather stems from considerations both practical (we can do more when the weather is nice) and aesthetic (more pretty days means more pretty girls).
Rachel
· 1 year ago
I often tell people that I'm weather's bitch--if it's nice outside, it colors my entire world view. Which makes me wonder how I survived 18 years of Pittsburgh winters...
Jarred Taylor
· 1 year ago
Lots of Rescue Rangers and Darkwing Duck?
Ashish
· 1 year ago
The Scandinavians report some of the highest levels of happiness in the world. That suggests to me that either grim weather doesn't significantly predispose people to melancholy or that the Scandinavians have a lot to smile about (social democracy, green environmental policies, and a strong sense of community, for instance). Either way, Scandinavia is awesome.
Rachel
· 1 year ago
Ah, you're right--I totally overlooked TV! I may be weather's bitch, but I'm far more TV's bitch. :D
Jarred Taylor
· 1 year ago
@Ashish: Hmm, yeah, interesting. Maybe it's a case-by-case thing... certainly not everyone in DC was happy on Monday because the sun decided to come out. But as for me, I was at work on a holiday and generally not in high spirits, but a little warmth and light lifted me up.
Maybe if the Scandanavians lived closer to the equator AND had all the cool stuff they had, they'd be even happier?
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Maybe if the Scandanavians lived closer to the equator AND had all the cool stuff they had, they'd be even happier?