My definition of civilization is below.
"The country of Bhutan’s emphasis on GNH, or 'Gross National Happiness,'dates back to 1972 when King Jigme Singye Wangchuck coined the term. And they back it with a Gross National Happiness Commission set up in 2008 to guide public policy. Here are a few examples of how the commission reviews public policy proposals. Do proposals:
- Increase or decrease levels of stress in the population?
- Discourage or encourage physical exercise?
- Increase or decrease “economic security within the population”?
- Increase or decrease “material well-being within the population”?
Their prime minister explained to a reporter from The Guardian:
'In the end, the development must be about furthering human civilization … to increase and improve the level of human well-being and happiness. We are talking of happiness, not of a sensory kind. The human being has material as well as emotional, psychological, and spiritual needs.'"
What would the US capitalism look like if these were our guiding principles? How truly civil-ized.
I brought in the new year by turning on pbs this morn. It was all about Bhutan. So interesting when they went into the negative effects of bringing media into the country in 1999. Desire has been imported
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year!
Interesting, I'll have to check it out.
ReplyDeleteHappiest & Tastiest New Yr to you Restless Des!
ReplyDeleteBack at you, CP, and enjoy tomorrow's parade!
ReplyDeleteWhat a delicious thought. Happy 2012.
ReplyDeleteLisa Napoli wrote a book about a year she spent in Bhutan helping them set up a radio station. Good read.
ReplyDeleteI'm moving there, if they'll have me.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great concept, Gross National Happiness. I suppose if we all pitch in on an individualized basis, we can be well on our way there :)
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year to you!
J: Yeah, talk about changing the filter on our lens. I figure I can at least use this formula when thinking about the family.
ReplyDeleteP:Let's go!
M:Must read! I think she was the one who did those open house Friday night no-fuss parties. Inspiring!
The film I watched is 5 yrs old. I know this because the young king was 26 in the documentary and 31 now.
ReplyDeleteMy new years resolution should bring me gross national happiness. I've pulled my crock pot out and am using it for the first time. Black beans.
Any recommendations for seasoning? no meat please
PA: A sliced onion and a head of garlic. When the beans are cooked through, a tablespoon of salt per pound of dried beans. I just had enfrijoladas this morning, which is a fried corn tortillas dipped into a black bean puree. Heaven, to my pre-Columbian roots.
ReplyDelete