Answer to Question #309474 in English for Kelsey Jand

Question

Instructions: Read and annotate the following excerpt from “In Pursuit of Unhappiness” by Darrin McMahon, originally published in the New York Times, December 29, 2005.

(11) "Those only are happy," he came to believe, "who have their minds fixed on some object other than their own happiness; on the happiness of others, on the improvement of mankind, even on some art or pursuit, followed not as a means, but as itself an ideal end. Aiming thus at something else, they find happiness by the way." For our own culture, steeped as it is in the relentless pursuit of personal pleasure and endless cheer, that message is worth heeding.

Answer 1

Darrin M. McMahon. (2005, December 29). In pursuit of unhappiness. The New York Times - Breaking News, US News, World News and Videos. <b>https://www.nytimes.com/2005/12/29/opinion/in-pursuit-of-unhappiness.html</b>

Due to the wording and expression, "In Pursuit of Unhappiness" may be a perplexing article for some. Readers may be confused by the title, which seems to contradict the whole text, which focuses on obtaining actual happiness. McMahon, on the other hand, is encouraging Americans to seek dissatisfaction. He gives statistics that prove it by saying, “Sociologists like to point out that the percentage of those describing themselves as "happy" or "very happy" has remained virtually unchanged in Europe and the United States since such surveys were first conducted in the 1950's. And yet, this January, like last year and next, the self-help industry will pour forth books promising to make us happier than we are today. The very demand for such books is a strong indication that they aren't working” (McMahon).  McMahon is claiming that our level of happiness has remained constant throughout time, despite the fact that the quality of living in America has improved. "And yet, as last year and next year, the self-help business will flood out books promising to make us happier than we are now," he continues. The fact that such publications are in high demand indicates that they aren't functioning." Self-help books, according to McMahon, are ineffective. He is often arguing that, despite the fact that modern technology has made life simpler for Americans, the majority of them are still dissatisfied.