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Ishmael Companion: Beyond Civilization -- resources for teachers and readers
Standards of living · Standards of living: Chicago-Madrid · Standards of living: Madrid-Houston · A lover of civilization · Searching for an alternative
In a paper, rate your standard of living on a scale of 1 to 5, 1 being the lowest, 5 the highest. Assess how much of your feeling of happiness or unhappiness depends on your standard of living.
Would you be happier or unhappier living in a world in which everyone shared your standard of living--no one had more, no one had less?
By moving from Chicago to New Mexico, Quinn says he and his wife got more of what they needed at that time by adopting a lower standard of living. Can you imagine getting more of what you need by adopting a lower standard of living?
By moving from Madrid to Houston, the Quinns upped their standard of living tenfold, but the author says that if they're happier in Houston than in Madrid, it has nothing to do with their higher standard of living. He doesn't definitely say that they are happier, but it could certainly be read this way. Assuming that they are happier, name some things (having "nothing to do with a higher standard of living") that might account for it.
What is a Luddite? A Unabomber?
What are the accomplishments that entitle Mikhail Gorbachev to be considered a "wise and thoughtful statesman"?
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