Link: In Pursuit of Unhappiness - New York Times.

"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."

Great article...   reminds me of Debi (Minnie Driver)'s quote from Grosse Pointe Blank,

"Everybody's coming back to take stock of their lives. You know what I say? Leave your livestock alone."