Economic ostracism via Airbnb

According to the international scientific literature, human happiness does not depend on the level of income, as long as basic human needs such as shelter and food are met. Despite the perception of many that the rich are happier, statistics around the world do not confirm such causation.

There are two main reasons behind this failure to identify any significant impact of income on human happiness. The first relates to the adjustment that takes place as a result of whatever happens to us in life - from winning the lottery to having a serious health problem and ending up in a wheelchair. Research has shown that one year after winning the lottery or one year after an accident, individuals have adjusted to their "pre-shock" life situation and report the same levels of happiness as before.

The second reason relates to the well-known expression "keeping up with the Joneses...