Can lawyers be happy?

[Caliga]

Also... all of Dr. K's hygienists were hot chicks.

[Malthus]

Perhaps; but the amounts we are talking about are the amounts a person could reasonably earn as a professional. I don't think those approach anywhere near the point where asymptotic limits become an issue ... at least, that hasn't been my experience. 

It's hard for any given individual to judge for themselves, though, since multiple variables are all constantly changing.  Your baseline expectations, your income, your age, your family situation, just to mention a few examples, typically evolve throughout your life.  You can't hold all these variables except one constant as an individual, but a well-designed statistical study can.

Heh, 'only us actuaries can have an opinion on happiness'? 

How about this: generally, talk of "asymptotic limits" and the like on happiness derived from money is absurd at the very least until one has enough money to live a comfortable middle-class lifestyle without having to work.

At least, for us living in the West.

[Barrister]

Heh, 'only us actuaries can have an opinion on happiness'? 

How about this: generally, talk of "asymptotic limits" and the like on happiness derived from money is absurd at the very least until one has enough money to live a comfortable middle-class lifestyle without having to work.

At least, for us living in the West.

Disagree.  Statistically I believe happiness is strongly correlated with working.  Not "working even though you don't want to", but working in and of itself.

Look - I definitely WANT more money.  There's a reason I bought a Lotto Max ticket yesterday ($50 million jackpot!).  But I recognize that if I won I would be ecstatic initially and that my family would be financially secure, but in the long term I don't know if it would make me any "happier".

[Malthus]

Disagree.  Statistically I believe happiness is strongly correlated with working.  Not "working even though you don't want to", but working in and of itself.

So? Having enough money to live on with a decent lifestyle means one can work at will, without worrying about earning a living. As for myself, I'd take up wordcarving and painting. It's the freedom to do what you want, and not the lack of work, that makes for the increased happiness.

[The Brain]

Disagree.  Statistically I believe happiness is strongly correlated with working.  Not "working even though you don't want to", but working in and of itself.

So? Having enough money to live on with a decent lifestyle means one can work at will, without worrying about earning a living. As for myself, I'd take up wordcarving and painting. It's the freedom to do what you want, and not the lack of work, that makes for the increased happiness.

What a wordmeister.

[Monoriu]

Heh, 'only us actuaries can have an opinion on happiness'? 

How about this: generally, talk of "asymptotic limits" and the like on happiness derived from money is absurd at the very least until one has enough money to live a comfortable middle-class lifestyle without having to work.

At least, for us living in the West.

Disagree.  Statistically I believe happiness is strongly correlated with working.  Not "working even though you don't want to", but working in and of itself.

Look - I definitely WANT more money.  There's a reason I bought a Lotto Max ticket yesterday ($50 million jackpot!).  But I recognize that if I won I would be ecstatic initially and that my family would be financially secure, but in the long term I don't know if it would make me any "happier".

There is a difference between having to work for money, and working just for the enjoyment. 

[DGuller]

How about this: generally, talk of "asymptotic limits" and the like on happiness derived from money is absurd at the very least until one has enough money to live a comfortable middle-class lifestyle without having to work.

I would disagree even stronger with that.  I think that "not having to work" is far from an unqualified good that you make it to be.  I'm sure some people have plenty of fulfilling things to do to occupy their time without having to work, and some of those people might even find that this is still true after they do indeed stop working, but a lot of people can easily go stir-crazy in an environment when there are no factors that can put pressure on their qualify of life.  Being able to consistently get everything you want is hell, not heaven.

[Barrister]

Heh, 'only us actuaries can have an opinion on happiness'? 

How about this: generally, talk of "asymptotic limits" and the like on happiness derived from money is absurd at the very least until one has enough money to live a comfortable middle-class lifestyle without having to work.

At least, for us living in the West.

Disagree.  Statistically I believe happiness is strongly correlated with working.  Not "working even though you don't want to", but working in and of itself.

Look - I definitely WANT more money.  There's a reason I bought a Lotto Max ticket yesterday ($50 million jackpot!).  But I recognize that if I won I would be ecstatic initially and that my family would be financially secure, but in the long term I don't know if it would make me any "happier".

There is a difference between having to work for money, and working just for the enjoyment.

Of course there is.

But I'm not sure there's a difference in terms of net happiness.

[Eddie Teach]

Brain carves his words with a machete.

[garbon]

Of course there is.

But I'm not sure there's a difference in terms of net happiness.

Maybe for someone who loves the work they do and doesn't mind the inane bullshit that can come from bureaucracies/organizations/corporations.

Personally though I think I'd be a lot happier if I could spend my "working hours" writing and other creative endeavors when I was relying on them to put food on my table. Instead I've taken the safe route of good money, less interesting work.

[Ideologue]

Also... all of Dr. K's hygienists were hot chicks.

Discrimination is totally radical, man.

[Ideologue]

Anyway, if money has a diminishing rate of return viz. utility, what, exactly, is the objection to socialism again?

[alfred russel]

Anyway, if money has a diminishing rate of return viz. utility, what, exactly, is the objection to socialism again?

I have a personality that puts a lot of people off. I'm not especially attractive or naturally athletic. The one thing I have going for me is that I have a skill set that allows me to earn a bit more than the average bear. That also allows me to have the resources to stay in shape. I can leverage these things to get laid.

If everyone was compensated the same, I would be fucked. Or not fucked.

[Eddie Teach]

Eh, I don't see how working 70 hour weeks makes it easier for you to stay in shape.

[grumbler]

Hey Malthus - I think the research has shown that as long as you're above a certain amount (nobody enjoys abject poverty), having more money does not correlate to being happier.

Yeah, I certainly buy that.  It makes no difference to me if I have US$10 billion or US$100 billion.

Monster. Do you know how many African/Asian children you can save with 90 billion?

Why save them? They don't keep well, even in the freezer.

Well played!