Arse-backwards

That is the only way to describe the conclusions of a recent study on wealth and happiness:

A study published in the journal Perspectives on Psychological Science has found that moderately happy people are wealthier than extremely happy individuals.

While people who are happy are certainly more healthy and successful than those who are angry and depressed, said Dr Ed Diener of the University of Illinois, people who are moderately happy may achieve more than those who are extremely happy.

'Our findings suggest that extremely high levels of happiness might not be a desirable goal and that there is more to psychological well-being than high levels of happiness,' the study says.

Or we could conclude that wealth isn't everything, and that there's more than one way to live the good life. But that would be an anathema in a capitalist society, wouldn't it?

(Hat tip: European Tribune)