New Happiest States Ranking

[Schadenfroh]

Article
http://news.yahoo.com/s/livescience/20091217/sc_livescience/happieststatesrevealedbynewresearch

Full List
http://www.livescience.com/culture/091217-happy-state-list.html

"We wanted to study whether people's feelings of satisfaction with their own lives are reliable, that is, whether they match up to reality - of sunshine hours, congestion, air quality, etc - in their own state," Oswald said.

The results showed the two measures matched up. "We were stunned when it first came up on our screens, because no one has ever managed to produce a clear validation before of subjective well-being, or happiness, data," Oswald said.

Top 10:

1. Louisiana
2. Hawaii
3. Florida
4. Tennessee
5. Arizona
6. Mississippi
7. Montana
8. South Carolina
9. Alabama
10. Maine

The article mentions that this does not match the findings of the other study, (posted on AT last month):

The happy-states list, however, doesn't match up with a similar ranking reported last month

Oswald says this past is based on raw averages of people's happiness in a state, and so doesn't provide meaningful results.

I see several states that top the nation in obesity on there. Several of those are rather poor states. It does not surprise me that Louisiana is at the top, non-stop party there. Most people that I have met / known in Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee and Louisiana have been rather cheerful.

 

[Whoozyerdaddy]

Wow Hawaii... worst economy ever. Second happiest state. Nice.

Louisana... lol. Wonder how they would rank if the Saints were 6-7 like usual?

 

[CaptnKirk]

Ignorance is bliss . . with certified proof.

 

[F1N3ST]

Michigan representing 48th! Woot.

 

[SunSamurai]

California not on the list? Shocking.

It must be becuse we know our govenment is shit. The other stats will catch up. (Hi and FL dont give a shit, they are old people or natives)

 

[PrinceofWands]

Out of the top 10 I think I'd only really enjoy Maine, and know 8 of the others are my idea of hell of Earth (I'm neutral on Montana). Well ok, Hawaii may not be hell, but it's certainly not anywhere I want to be.

 

[DrPizza]

And, #50: NY

 

[RedArmy]

Go NY! Go NY!

 

[theflyingpig]

California not on the list? Shocking.

It must be becuse we know our govenment is shit. The other stats will catch up. (Hi and FL dont give a shit, they are old people or natives)

No, it's because California is filled with angst filled liberals who hate America. Everyone knows this.