I dunno Liam. I think this is more about optimism and pessimism than any class.

I'm not living in any ivory tower, nor am I keen on neo-liberal politics. Yet I just don't buy into all this doom and gloom crap. I look outside and see that I have plenty of opportunities to be happy, and realise that rather than moan about fate, I can live a pretty decent life if I have the gumption to make one for myself.

"because people want it" isn't an answer to HoHum's questions.

"because people want it" is the typical "Turn right" corporate response to any question that challenges the status quo.

If you acknowledge the 'reality' that Hohum presents, then how are people happy in such situations?

Sure we are told daily and and in a myriad of ways by corporations (mostly through their TV/media) that we are happy.

Except, happiness requires conciousness.

That's why the Great Depression was so named.

We'll see how happy people are during the next one.....

Blind, self-indulgent ignorance and indifference towards the harsh realities being forced upon some 2 million or more 'ordinary' (working class) Australian citizens. A toxic mixture of Social Darwinism (survival of the fittest) and managerialist psychobabble!

Throw a barbie, Cassandra, for the 'workers-at-the-coalface' of the burgeoning Charity Industry (NOT the 'executive directors', CEOs, CFOs and the like)... often offshoots of the various 'Christian' sects, and listen to the anecdotal evidence out there regarding the rapidly worsening plight of several million already marginalised and alienated individual Australians and families.

Oh, and whilst you and your care-free (for the moment that is) kids are "wolfing down a Happy Meal" I suggest that you closely read and reflect at length on 'The Hidden Injuries of Class', as opposed to the fantasy of another Harry Potter!

"But what makes me happy is to take my kids to laugh our heads off through the new Pixar movie, stop in at Time Zone to bust some moves in a video dance-off and put in an order for the new Harry Potter before wolfing down a Happy Meal"

Then what makes you happy is the act of making your children happy.
And it's likely that what makes the kids happy is not just the happy meal, the games, and the movie, but actually the sharing of these experiences with their mum and their siblings.

The author demonstrates once and for all that ignorance really is bliss.

Seems to me there has been boom time for the unhappiness industry for 20 odd years. Every oddity and personal quirk gets a label these days- I'm sure even 'optimism in the face of difficulties' has been classified by some psychologist on the make.
Climate change would be better marketed as 'opportunity to end pollution' etc than as it is now, where its a political weapon or a chance for the 'end of the worlders' and 'human haters' to vent their spleens.
Gotta go QUEEEEENSLANDER