A Census Article about “How Happy Are You” And the State of Your Well-being.

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The article “How Happy Are You” A Census Wants to Know” by John Tierney is about a Boston suburb, Somerville, Mass. Officials are asking the people of Somerville about their happiness and what they should do to make them feel more happy. They added questions on to their census such as “How satisfied are you with your life in general?” and “Taking everything in account, how satisfied are you with Somerville as a place to live?” These questions added to the census were expected to get back specific answers. In my opinion i do not agree that happiness can be measured. In the article there were also some concerns on whether or not politicians should be promoting happiness or not.

I believe that the officials are making it seems as though one can measure there happiness by how much “green” one has. I do not agree that people could measure there happiness because, they are being blinded by material or environmental things such as “physical settings”. One can have a moment of tranquility and peace when looking at the  physical settings they want to be around, but happiness in my opinion is deeper than that. What happens when you turn around from this “physical setting” and your surroundings, when you wake up at 3 am and you’re laying in bed; Are you happy? So i do not think it should be measured by governments because the government can only do so much, and they can’t measure every single persons complete happiness. That is why i believe happiness is deeper than having “more parks or highways” in ones city. Other than being measured people tend to “promote” happiness. The government tries to promote happiness by giving the people what they want. But even in a world with everything the people want, true happiness is  ones choice.

Things that are important for my well-being would be food on the table, a roof above my head, principles, education, communication, and feeling safe and comfortable. I believe sanitary, hospitals, police and fire departments are important for the well-being of a community. While this is all true well-being and happiness are slightly different. Things that make you feel comfortable and healthy, like food and government agency’s, are all part of ones well-being. And having all of this would make you feel happy at the moment, but true happiness comes from within. Nevertheless Conflicts between individuals and community well-being exist and i believe its normal because people have different opinions and ideas regarding a community well being.

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The article “How Happy Are You? A Census Wants to know ” by John Tierney is about how a suburb in Boston , Somerville, Mass. Is trying to track people’s happiness. And they are doing so by adding a couple of question on to their census , including “How satisfied are you with your life in general ? , In general how similar are you to other people you know ?” These questions are somewhat basic but are intended to get some specific answers. Well at least a good feel for what residents of this towns, happiness rate is. This information is meant to benefit the people, officials will take it and see if they can create relationships between the level of happiness and the environment. How much green space there is what can be added what can be taken out?
I don’t believe happiness can be measured , a scale can’t be set so that everyone can be divided into categories. There are levels to it. People can be happy but , their definitions of happy aren’t the same, so they won’t give off the same measure. Everyone has their own individual measure or scale of happiness. Different factors affect everybody . I believe that many people believe happiness can be promoted but in reality that isn’t true. We see commercials on t.v all the time that offer products and behind them are smiling faces, seeming to be content. But happiness is whatever you let it be, it cannot be promoted or advertised. What officials are trying to do in this town is a good idea, but its just a theory that they can measure happiness and control factors to raise it. Government tries to do so much already when it comes to peoples lifestyles, letting them think they can control your happiness is just not realistic. They shouldn’t try to change anything , promote it or measure it.
For my well-being, I believe feeling safe is so important, feeling comfortable, being able to move freely, communication, trust, honesty. As a community I believe it is important to be clean to pick up your garbage, keep the environment healthy. People in your community being healthy having doctors and hospitals as resources. To get along with people, have communication with people around you. Working together. There definitely could be conflicts between the well-being of an individual and the well-being of a community .But I believe there can be a middle ground where you can work around things.

Response to article

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After reading the article, “How Happy Are You? A Census Wants to Know” got me thinking as to what truly makes someone happy. I believe everyone views happiness in a different way. They believe if they have a certain life or have certain things they will be happy. I do believe people may see things and believe if they have it they too will be happy but it doesn’t always work that way. A lot of other factors can contribute to someones level or scale of happiness. If they may be in a tough spot with money or their job they may not feel as happy, but if everything is going well for a person their level of happiness will be much higher than someone who is going through bad times. But then again there are some people who have everything and are not happy and only give the illusion of happiness. i truly people everyone has different things that make them happy, we may have similarities of what can make one happy but everyone is different. Living in todays society you have to find your own happiness, I do believe everyone has a chance at it if they believe they do.

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In this article from The New York Times , How Happy Are You? A Census Wants to Know by John Tierney the government of Somerville Massachusetts is putting a number on its citizens happiness. As the yearly census go out a few questions on their environment and life style have also been attached. The government of Somerville what’s to know on a scale from 1-10 how happy are you right now ? They feel the need to know how their 76,000 residents lives are affected by policies that can be changed to make their lives happier.

Although some residents think this is a good idea and even feel flattered by the city’s attention, I don’t believe that happiness should be measured and promoted by the government. But it is, throughout our daily lives we are constantly being told how to be happy and all the material things you need in order to do so. Although this experiment is meant to improve living conditions not everyone takes it serious and the results may be affected by the people who are unhappy by petty materialistic factors such as their looks and superficial needs. Things such as efforts by the city to improve should be taken into account and an overall services.

In regards to the communities well being I believe we need to focus on the public school systems, mass transit and health issues. Although Somerville seems like the “..perfect test tube for such an experiment” a more ideal place for such an experiment should be a larger city with a variety of incomes and needs. Although not everyone may agree on one specific solution or policy to community issues it is worth a try.

Summary/Response to “How Happy Are You? A Census Wants To Know?”

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I believe happiness can be measured and promoted to a certain point, obviously you can’t just make a person happy by saying a certain thing to them or by asking a question. Everyone has their own opinion to what happiness means and what to do to make themselves happy. People will be happy if they see change in their community, the government knows what goes on and what people are going through everyday. If they really wanted people to be happy they would just act on it not ask a question on a census. A lot of people don’t even read all the questions through they just skip around or put whatever to get it over with.

Another thing is that honestly only you can make yourself happy because you have your own definition to it and you can change things to better yourself and your life and what you do. The government can only do so much to help a person be happy.

 

This is my introduction…FINALLY!!!

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My name is Damon Drumgold. I’m a proud 45 year old freshman. Born in Queens, raised in Brooklyn. I am a veteran with 4 sons ranging in age from 22 to 3 years of age. I enjoy working out, eating out, eating right, playing sports with all of my sons.

I love to read a great book, indulge in intelligent conversation. Particularly in relation to what was read or written. I also enjoy discussing current events. The proud freshman in me would like to inform the world that, like when I finally obtained my drivers license, I was ecstatic. Well that’s what I’m feeling for finally making it back to school. Needless to say, I’m bubbling with joy.

How Happy Are You? A Census Wants to Know

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The article “How Happy Are You? A Census Wants to Know” by John Tierney researches Somerville Massachusetts. This research is premised on a Census report taken April 30, 2011 where they rated the population’s overall happiness on a scale of 1-10. The results would by and large dictate the social policies of Somerville. The Census is also backed up with a detailed telephone survey from a randomized sample of Somerville’s 76,000 residents.

In my opinion, granted, number don’t lie, however the flipside is that these “Social Policies”, and the implementation of them doesn’t necessarily result in a person’s happiness. Change is imminent of course, but I’m talking holistic happiness.

For example, the question “how could it be a bad idea to measure directly the very thing you are trying to maximize?” To me that’s an extremism concept. It appears that going from 0-100 is the ONLY order of the day it seems, and that’s just not realistic. There’s no maximum without a minimum, no good without bad, no day without night. The key is balance. The pursuit of happiness, I get that, however the adage “Progress not Perfection” should be prevalent in this case. That should be the only order of the day. For that’s attainable and practical. It’s also easier on the psyche.

Social Policies, according to the article, “Are always meant to promote things that promote happiness”. Where I’m from, social policies create chaos. My neighborhood becomes a “Police State”. I’m not totally personalizing, however sometimes it can’t be helped. True happiness comes from within not without.

Parks, bike paths, etc., it all sounds good and may actually be good, but none of that is from within. I believe that true happiness derives from the simple things in life in my opinion. Work, health, great home, great kids. I am happy. The key is to make time for you: a nice brisk 5 mile run, a relaxing bath (Calgon Take Me Away), meditation, solitude.

Being cognizant of your acts and deeds in relation to how it affects yourself and others because it always, most certainly will.

 

 

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Hello everybody,
My Name is Carina Flores, I am currently 18 years old my birthday just passed in June. I live in bensonhurst , Brooklyn. I’ve been living there for about a year and a half now. My neighborhood is pretty quiet which is why a few of my hobbies include being at home watching Law and order special victims unit, going for walks, ice-cream, reading and dancing. I’ve been in an amateur dance group for about 4 years now, we dance mostly traditional Hispanic dances. Dance is truly my passion.

My nephew & I after once of my dance performances

My nephew & I after once of my dance performances

Over the summer I had a remedial math class at city tech and I worked. From 8:30am to 11:30 am I had class and from 12-5 I worked. I had a big birthday party over the summer , for me and my dad. That was really my biggest highlight. My summer was a little too short.
My god brother graduated from city tech about two years ago, so I had very high expectations of the school. I still do. At first I didn’t think I was going to like going to school here, I thought it was going to be too close for comfort ( I can get there in 40minutes). I also thought I was going to get lost. But after taking my first class here, I like it. It is pretty easy to move around, and my professors that I have met so far, are really nice. During the winter and summer I hope to be able to take a class. I wasn’t to be on track to graduate in the 4 year span. As far as career goals, I was always stuck on being a police officer, but something changed, after seeing everything that goes on in news, I decided I didn’t want to be part of that. I know it’s easy to say well I can be the one to change that but realistically speaking old habits die hard. This is why I’ve decided to be a social worker. I would like to help teens, ideally working in a juvenile detention center or in a correctional facility. Where I feel the most work needs to be done.
My strengths are my ability to describe, and keep my stamina in writing. My weaknesses are not being able to organize my ideas. I like writing because it gives everybody a chance to express themselves. You are able to explore your mind through writing. I have had some use of technology in my senior year of high school everything was digital instead of carrying notebooks and pens we carried around a laptop where we did all kinds of work. I believe happiness is within. You have to be happy with yourself before you can be happy about anything else. Happy meaning feeling good about yourself, feeling content, having the jitters all opposites of being sad. But happiness doesn’t involve just one person it involves everybody. Well to me it does, everyone I want to involve. I am excited to be taking this course, I hope to learn some kills to improve my writing and learn a new perspective on happiness.

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Hello everyone,

My name is Dulce Tepi, I am 18 years old but I’ll be turning 19 on November 19. I can be extremely shy at first but that fades away pretty quickly. I am the youngest of three. I have a pretty big, crazy and loving family including a beautiful white pitbull. I’ve lived in brooklyn most my life but I was born in a small town in Mexico. Some of my hobbies include reading, baking and spending time with the amazing people in my life.

My Pitbull, Piccolo

My Pitbull, Piccolo

Like anyone else I’ve changed my mind about a hundred times on what I want to do as a career. Since I was in middle school I decided that I wanted to be a pastry chef. Therefore when it was time to apply to high schools I chose a school in which I could make this possible. Thoughout my high school career I was already taught about the industry and given opportunities to hands on work. I worked as a pastry assistant for the last couple of summers in a catering company. Then went on to be a pastry intern at Union Square Cafe. I was offered a full time job but had to decline it since I wanted to focus on college. Although I wanted to become a pastry chef I figured I could always have that as a backup plan.

I got a preview of City Tech this summer so I’m pretty familiar to where everything is and where I can get help. My technology skills are pretty basic and almost non existing. Although I love to read my writing skills need a lot of improving. My biggest weakness in writing would probably be my digression as well as not transitioning well. If I had to rate my happiness like in the article right now I would probably be at a 7+. My expectations for this course are to improve my writing.

Introduction

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Hey guys , my name is Gabriela Velasquez feel free to call me Gaby. I’m 18 years old and i’ll be 19 in december. I have two sisters and one brother I went to high school in jamaica, queens and I live in Far Rockaway. My goals in life is to be a psychologist for children that are hospitalized and help them get through something that may be very confusing for them.  Over the summer all I did was work and spend my free time with my family.

I believe as a writer i’m really good at it , when I get an assignment I put a lot of thought into  and I can for write about anything , what may be my weakness is that I absolutely cannot write when i’m in a classroom for some reason its like my mind is shy and I cant think of anything. I don’t know if its something that I can control and change or if it’s just who I am. What I enjoy about writing is that it’s a way were you can express what you’re feeling or the way you see things.

Happiness, to me, means doing something that you enjoy or being around people or anything that makes you smile and makes you feel good. Being happy can be just you reading a book or listening to a song that you like. My expectations for this course and for the learning community is to able to speak up more and learn how to work with people that  I don’t know and being able to have a conversation. I want to be a better reader and have better understanding so that my writing can improve.