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Normally when people ask me why us Danes are considered the happiest people in the world I always answer the same way. We have no aspirations and are totally f

Normally when people ask me why us Danes are considered the happiest people in the world I always answer the same way. We have no aspirations and are totally fine with living a mediocre life. The entire society is based on that (with the high level of wealth redistribution) Good enough is almost the definition of Danish working culture. It's not for everyone (I moved) but it sure is a good quality of life.

prostoalex 10y ago
"Over there you think of nothing but becoming President of the United States some day. Potentially every man is Presidential timber. Here it's different. Here every man is potentially a zero. If you become something or somebody it is an accident, a miracle." Henry Miller, "Tropic of Cancer" (1934)
erikb 10y ago
I really like that. But the thing is, even if we Europeans are still quite protected from the outside world the outside world is still there. And there are always people who try to take what you have. So having some fighting skills is also necessary, I think. Life is not just about finding happiness.
- ThomPete 10y ago
  Oh I agree completely. I believe it's a major risk despite Denmark doing quite well on many other areas (design, gastronomy, sports architecture) it's size taken into account. I also think it's changing quite a lot because the younger generations grew up with social networks and so a certain amount of equalizing between cultures in certain areas is happening. As an example x-factor the music talent show is still doing well in Denmark. What is interesting is that over the years the quality of the contestants have really improved especially in the young category. My theory is that this is because the young generation is seeing how good contestants from other countries are and so what's good enough changes. My luck was that I did an internship when I was really young in the US and learned just how good the good really are. Their luck is that they are surrounded by talent which pushes everyones understanding of "good enough"

prostoalex 10y ago

"Over there you think of nothing but becoming President of the United States some day. Potentially every man is Presidential timber. Here it's different. Here every man is potentially a zero. If you become something or somebody it is an accident, a miracle." Henry Miller, "Tropic of Cancer" (1934)

erikb 10y ago

I really like that. But the thing is, even if we Europeans are still quite protected from the outside world the outside world is still there. And there are always people who try to take what you have. So having some fighting skills is also necessary, I think. Life is not just about finding happiness.

ThomPete 10y ago
Oh I agree completely. I believe it's a major risk despite Denmark doing quite well on many other areas (design, gastronomy, sports architecture) it's size taken into account. I also think it's changing quite a lot because the younger generations grew up with social networks and so a certain amount of equalizing between cultures in certain areas is happening. As an example x-factor the music talent show is still doing well in Denmark. What is interesting is that over the years the quality of the contestants have really improved especially in the young category. My theory is that this is because the young generation is seeing how good contestants from other countries are and so what's good enough changes. My luck was that I did an internship when I was really young in the US and learned just how good the good really are. Their luck is that they are surrounded by talent which pushes everyones understanding of "good enough"