This hits the nail on the head. The happiest people I've met in my life, and I've been literally around the world, are in some of the poorest "developing" countries. Their basic needs were met, food and shelter, at least for the day. But they didn't have much more, except their friends, family, and the nature around them - forests, rivers, mountains and ocean.

The saddest people I've seen were in the richest countries, like the U.S. and Germany. Yes, the homeless population, I've met them too - but more surprisingly, the wealthy ruling class. They've conquered the land, covered it with concrete and asphalt, colonized their own public, produce and broadcast mass media entertainment, and command the largest militaries. Yet their culture has clearly devolved and degenerated, propped up by drugs, cosmetic surgery, nice clothes, nice houses, nice cars. But it's not enough to fill that emptiness inside.

It's a simplification of course, there are many very miserable poor people, that's the base majority of humanity, on whom the pyramid of modern civilization is built. But I have no respect for those at the top, the self-styled kings of today. They're deeply unhappy people who are not fit to lead the world, much less themselves.

I agree. I'm interested to hear other's thoughts on happiness without contention vs contention without happiness. To me, the former "feels" preferable, but I'm not sure whether it actually is.