Answer to Question #309475 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.

(12) So in these last days of 2005 I say to you, "Don't have a happy new year!" Have dinner with your family or walk in the park with friends. If you're so inclined, put in some good hours at the office or at your favorite charity, temple or church. Work on your jump shot or your child's model trains. With luck, you'll find happiness by the by. If not, your time won't be wasted. You may even bring a little joy to the world.

Answer 1

Darrin M. McMahon. (2005, December 29). In pursuit of unhappiness. The New York Times - Breaking News, US News, World News and Videos. 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.