These days I find myself very fatigued with economists. I am not interested in quantifying everything in the world and subjecting it to a cost benefit analysis. I shudder at the thought of economic forecasts and projections. When arguing with economists it’s really hard to win, because they use so much jargon and seem to rely on “the numbers don’t lie” type of thing. And then there’s the obsession with money, money, money. And we know where that kind of thinking has gotten us. Finally, because I don’t really understand, care about, or like economics yet it’s inescapable. GDP, recession, decline, numbers, bad news –everywhere! Can someone please ask NPR to run at least one less sorry state of the economy story?
Enter Bhutan. That lovely landlocked nation in Asia that’s oh so hard to visit, but is beautiful and Buddhist and cares about its citizens’ happiness. This entails valuing such things as: respect for all living things, nature, community participation and the need for balance between work, sleep and reflection or meditation. I am trying to imagine an American leader talk about the need for reflection and meditation in its citizens’ lives. Has anyone thought of bringing that up? Who’s not on PBS? Anyways check out the article about Bhutan and its quest to raise its GNH (Gross National Happiness).