Hello World

[percival]

I've just created my LJ in an effort to become more communicative. What am I going to talk to people about?
No idea ...

Let's start with this book I'm reading, it's by a psychologist called Oliver James and he's addressing the question: If we're so much better off than in the 1950's, then why are we less happy? He thinks it's because our society has become more competitive: there are more choices, and the pressure is on to "have it all". If you underachieve, you feel small, subordinate. Your serotonin levels drop, and bang! you're depressed. The link between society, psychopharmacology,
and mood is quite interesting. What I don't like about the book, however, is the way it reduces everything to serotonin. I don't know enough about neurochemistry to be able to assess whether other neurotransmitters might not have a word to say, as well.

OK, that's my first post. I'd like to conclude with a big thank you to awelkin and swampfaye for making me welcome.
I'm now going to modify my journal and comment on some friends' journals. (Hello Piper, watch out, here I come!)

Comments

I think...

[swampfaye.livejournal.com]

I think it is because our priorities changed. Now we are focused on achieving "things" - where in the 50's they were focused on achieving continuity with others. Family, civil rights - those sprung up from their priorities to gather as a community. Now we are busy keeping up with the Joneses so much that we don't even get to know what the Jones family is like... only what they are wearing...