Anxiety and philosophy

[sumguy]

I fully understand that. But I guess your anxiety is focused on your children specifically?

Well, that was just one example. I do what I can about things I can control, so I can quit worrying about them, but it's the things I have no control over that really get to me.

 

[verticity]

And @verticity, you are true about Kierkegaard's leap of faith. Even though I don't feel Christian myself, I really admire his way of meeting "God". We see too many people these days that just follows an accepted doctrine, because that "is what everybody does" - we need to create our own existence instead IMO.

As goes for the Nordic countries, I think it is normal to follow specific 'doctrines' here just like everywhere else. I don't think the incidence of anxiety disorders are higher here than elsewhere.

Yes, to be clear, I wasn't knocking him for being either Christian or Nordic. I just get the impression, never having visited there, that folks in the Nordic countries are more introspective, and possibly depressive, than elsewhere, and I wonder if some of it might actually be caused by the philosophy that many of them adhere to, propagated by folks like Kierkegaard. However I hasten to note that my knowledge of Kierkegaard is very limited, and my knowledge of the culture of Nordic countries mainly comes from the films of Ingmar Bergman, the writings of Strindberg and Ibsen, and the art of Edvard Munch ("The Scream" guy, lol).

Or it could just be a lot of Seasonal Affective Disorder in northern countries.

 

[verticity]

Sorry, I'm not into all the latest hipster stuff. @verticity, exactly what does one do with conduit pipe? @shakas, you might pitch in too since you have already recommended some "accessories".

Conduit pipes are used in a form of transcendental meditation, where you grease up the pipe, than slide on it, in an attempt to transcend your earthly existence. You basically "slide" into enlightenment.

 

[nhoeg]

Yes, to be clear, I wasn't knocking him for being either Christian or Nordic. I just get the impression, never having visited there, that folks in the Nordic countries are more introspective, and possibly depressive, than elsewhere, and I wonder if some of it might actually be caused by the philosophy that many of them adhere to, propagated by folks like Kierkegaard. However I hasten to note that my knowledge of Kierkegaard is very limited, and my knowledge of the culture of Nordic countries mainly comes from the films of Ingmar Bergman, the writings of Strindberg and Ibsen, and the art of Edvard Munch ("The Scream" guy, lol).

Or it could just be a lot of Seasonal Affective Disorder in northern countries.

Denmark, where I am from, gets on top of United Nations world-hapiness-index each year.

Tourists visits Denmark because they want to experience "The happiest country on Earth". Just do a Google-search and you'll see .

 

[Deleted User01]

Why is Denmark the Happiest country on Earth? Is marijuana legal there and they have "heady" strains? Or is the retirement age 50? Are you doing 4 day work weeks? Part of being unhappy stems from being in the "rat race". Or perhaps the streams run with cold pure vodka and the fish come out already pickled and ready to eat (with vodka). Like a candyland for adults. I have to admit that I know nothing about Norway.

 

[Deleted User01]

Looks like the Nordic countries and Switzerland round out the top 10. Maybe it's true, Blondes do have more fun. Maybe @Henry can tell us why New Zealanders are so damn happy all the time. Mexico is happier by only an iota. I think the U.S. fell to 15 when they let the cranky old man club have the last vote. I'm always interested in knowing if the countries that adhere to "Socialism" are indeed the happiest. Social medicine is huge if it works. I'll bet that's why so many entrepreneurs come to the states to roll the dice. And so we celebrate the fourth knowing that the sky is the limit if you live in the U.S. But you also have the freedom to live dirt poor if you so desire. Please, let's not make this political and get banned. Let's just celebrate that we have the freedom to go as high or as low as we want and nobody be stopping us.

 

[nhoeg]

Denmarks hapiness is due to our welfare system. Students get paid to study, free healthcare for everyone, people can retire earlier and if you have not saved money for retirement, you'll get paid every month anyway. Everybody has the RIGHT to have at least 6 weeks of vacation each year, while still getting salary.

A common used phrase about Denmark is, "that there are no poor people here", and corruption is about 0% here aswell.

Oh, and in case you did not notice: We have the worlds highest tax-rate.
This is a hot political subject these days in DK, as we are a lot who aren't too happy about a 55% income tax.

But the good thing about it is, that it actually works. There are very few Danes who would like to eliminate our welfare system completely.


And @Deleted User, I think 2015 is the first time in a long time that Denmark is not ranked no. 1 ;-).

 

[verticity]

Denmark, where I am from, gets on top of United Nations world-hapiness-index each year.

Tourists visits Denmark because they want to experience "The happiest country on Earth". Just do a Google-search and you'll see .

That's kind of a paradox isn't it. Scandanavian countries are the happiest places on earth (except for Disneyland, of course), but the well known art from there is totally depressing: Did you ever see The Seventh Seal or Scenes from a Marriage?

 

[Deleted User01]

I kinda figured that Denmark has an extensive welfare system. Let's hope Denmark and others like it don't go down the same road as Greece. It's heck trying to take back giveaways. @nhoeg, are you guys on the Euro?

 

[nhoeg]

That's kind of a paradox isn't it. Scandanavian countries are the happiest places on earth (except for Disneyland, of course), but the well known art from there is totally depressing: Did you ever see The Seventh Seal or Scenes from a Marriage?

No, I have never heard of it. The only depressing art I can think of is Edward Munch, and he's from Norway. And another depressing thing we have is the "Jantelaw", but we are a lot of people who really hates this "law"/doctrine.
In terms of arts and literature, I guess you have all heard of Hans Christian Andersen(famoues around the Globe for his fairytales). He amongst others represents The Danish Golden Age, which is known for arts and writings that are the complete opposite of depressing ;-).

I kinda figured that Denmark has an extensive welfare system. Let's hope Denmark and others like it don't go down the same road as Greece. It's heck trying to take back giveaways. @nhoeg, are you guys on the Euro?

No we are not on the Euro. Some years ago I really wanted us to be a part of it, but now I'm actually pretty happy with our Kroner

 

[nhoeg]

This is actually my favourite from the Danish Golden Age: ("Hip Hip Hurra", painted by. PS. Krøyer)

Damn they are having a party right there.

 

[verticity]

... And another depressing thing we have is the "Jantelaw", but we are a lot of people who really hates this "law"/doctrine.

Interesting:

"Janteloven was created by Danish-Norwegian author Aksel Sandemose in 1933 in his novel A Fugitive Crosses His Tracks (En flyktning krysser sitt spor). {{Side note: I find it so incredibly fascinating that something with this much cultural influence came from a novel. Ah, the power of literature.}} The novel is about a small Danish town called Jante which abides by these 10 – rather harsh – laws:​

1. You’re not to think you are anything special.
2. You’re not to think you are as good as we are.
3. You’re not to think you are smarter than we are.
4. You’re not to convince yourself that you are better than we are.
5. You’re not to think you know more than we do.
6. You’re not to think you are more important than we are.
7. You’re not to think you are good at anything.
8. You’re not to laugh at us.
9. You’re not to think anyone cares about you.
10. You’re not to think you can teach us anything."

Hahahahahaha. Oh, sorry...

But actually that kind of attitude is kind of typical of certain Scandinavian immigrant communities here as well. I'm thinking of Norwegian immigrants in Minnesota, as depicted in the radio show "A Prairie Home Companion" for example.

 

[verticity]

I kinda figured that Denmark has an extensive welfare system. Let's hope Denmark and others like it don't go down the same road as Greece. It's heck trying to take back giveaways. @nhoeg, are you guys on the Euro?

They won't because they pay for their welfare with the required taxes.

 

[nhoeg]

Interesting:

"Janteloven was created by Danish-Norwegian author Aksel Sandemose in 1933 in his novel A Fugitive Crosses His Tracks (En flyktning krysser sitt spor). {{Side note: I find it so incredibly fascinating that something with this much cultural influence came from a novel. Ah, the power of literature.}} The novel is about a small Danish town called Jante which abides by these 10 – rather harsh – laws:​

1. You’re not to think you are anything special.
2. You’re not to think you are as good as we are.
3. You’re not to think you are smarter than we are.
4. You’re not to convince yourself that you are better than we are.
5. You’re not to think you know more than we do.
6. You’re not to think you are more important than we are.
7. You’re not to think you are good at anything.
8. You’re not to laugh at us.
9. You’re not to think anyone cares about you.
10. You’re not to think you can teach us anything."

Hahahahahaha. Oh, sorry...

But actually that kind of attitude is kind of typical of certain Scandinavian immigrant communities here as well. I'm thinking of Norwegian immigrants in Minnesota, as depicted in the radio show "A Prairie Home Companion" for example.

Yes, its horrible, really.

And the worst part is that I think it still exists to some degree here in Denmark today. When going in public transport in the US, I've experienced a lot of people smiling and talking to me. Very comforting and good vibes. When going shopping in the US I've also experienced almost superficial kindness to me.
In Denmark, on the other hand, the woman behind the disk at the local supermarket hardly says "hello". And in public transport, people just think you are being extremely weird if you begin small talk. People mind their own business and everyone seems reserved here compared to elsewhere.

@verticity - I'm a little confused with that list of ten... Who is the "you", and who is the "we"?

The "we" is the general community. It could be anything, really. An example is a kid who wants to be a very good football-player. But the established communities(maybe football-communities or his family) keeps saying these things to him. Or maybe they are not saying them directly, but their attitude is like this towards him. That is Jantelaw. We often hear about Jantelaw when young people break out of established family-oriented-doctrines and reach for higher positions in society.

 

[nhoeg]

 

[nhoeg]

@verticity, you miss the 11th law of Jante

1. Perhaps you don't think we know a few things about you?

LOL.

 

[nhoeg]

Sounds rather Amish; their objective is humility before a Creator. What's the motivation in "Jantelaw"?

But with all that said, I don't think you guys or any other for that matter should take the Jantelaw too seriously. It's not like some thing we always talk about here nor are we thinking about it. It's just like "this weird law" that we all learned about in Danish Public School . Some people can maybe relate to it, others will never give it a thought.

From wikipedia: "Generally used colloquially in Denmark[3] and the rest of the Nordic countries as a sociological term to negatively describe a condescending attitude towards individuality and success, the term refers to a mentality that de-emphasises individual effort and places all emphasis on the collective, while discouraging those who stand out as achievers."

EDIT: When I say "learned about" I don't mean that the teachers actively used the Law of Jante against us young kids I just mean that we read about it as a part of getting to know our own culture and heritage.