So why am I not depressed?

[OneFootInTheGrave]

compared to Philly, Hull is great.

[Provost Harrison]

Well yeah, the violent crime rates in Hull are negligible compared to those in Philly and the economic prospects for the place actually seem to be improving...yeah, I'm still not convinced by that myself.

[Provost Harrison]

Actually there was a job going in my area in the Hull area...offering £25-30k...typical for Hull. Good luck with filling that position with that pay level

[ricketyclik]

I have a theory about the increasing incidence of depression.

Apparently simple, repetitive tasks involving the use of the body - eg, knitting, washing up the dishes, mowing the lawn, shelling nuts - where there is some concentration required, but not enough to prevent the mind from doing something else, such as having a conversation or daydreaming about the ideal form of government, produce very healthy "brain waves". That is, the brain is in a happy state.

Throughout the industrial revolution we've sought to free ourselves from menial tasks. I suspect that it is these menial tasks - not too demanding or boring - that help keep a mental equilibrium. Keeping oneself busy, so to speak.

I'm not claiming that all depression is the result of lack of activity, some is definitely a result of chemical imbalance, but on a statistical level I bet there's a connection.

[Al B. Sure!]

I have a theory about the increasing incidence of depression.

Apparently simple, repetitive tasks involving the use of the body - eg, knitting, washing up the dishes, mowing the lawn, shelling nuts - where there is some concentration required, but not enough to prevent the mind from doing something else, such as having a conversation or daydreaming about the ideal form of government, produce very healthy "brain waves". That is, the brain is in a happy state.

Throughout the industrial revolution we've sought to free ourselves from menial tasks. I suspect that it is these menial tasks - not too demanding or boring - that help keep a mental equilibrium. Keeping oneself busy, so to speak.

I'm not claiming that all depression is the result of lack of activity, some is definitely a result of chemical imbalance, but on a statistical level I bet there's a connection.

I doubt it. Weren't rates of alcoholism far higher back in the day?

[ricketyclik]

I doubt it. Weren't rates of alcoholism far higher back in the day?

Firstly, you're equating alcoholism with depression, which ain't necessarily so, secondly, there were plenty of other reasons to be depressed back in the day, and thirdly, you're confusing depression as the result of circumstance with clinical depression.

[kittenOFchaos]

Al B. Sure!

Why do you insist on staying in Philadelphia? Have you appeared in 'The Wire' yet?

Why didn't University lead onto a decent job - one where guns aren't put against your head?

[Wezil]

Why do you insist on staying in Philadelphia? Have you appeared in 'The Wire' yet?

Wrong city. The Wire took place in an entirely different American ****hole.

[The Mad Monk]

I have a theory about the increasing incidence of depression.

Apparently simple, repetitive tasks involving the use of the body - eg, knitting, washing up the dishes, mowing the lawn, shelling nuts - where there is some concentration required, but not enough to prevent the mind from doing something else, such as having a conversation or daydreaming about the ideal form of government, produce very healthy "brain waves". That is, the brain is in a happy state.

Throughout the industrial revolution we've sought to free ourselves from menial tasks. I suspect that it is these menial tasks - not too demanding or boring - that help keep a mental equilibrium. Keeping oneself busy, so to speak.

I'm not claiming that all depression is the result of lack of activity, some is definitely a result of chemical imbalance, but on a statistical level I bet there's a connection.

This would not surprise me at all. Add in a sense of accomplishment and you have happiness.

[DaShi]

Coming from a ****hole like philly is far less of an impediment than is being born stupid. You were given far more of a head start than some kid with an IQ of 90 born into a middle-class household with income 65k. You are wasting the talents you did nothing to earn.

Please leave me out of this.

[KrazyHorse]

Wrong city. The Wire took place in an entirely different American ****hole.

One which is far more of a ****hole than Philly, actually...

[Zoetstofzoetje]

Good job in thriving in those conditions Al. Just ignore these ignorant people.

[kittenOFchaos]

Wrong city. The Wire took place in an entirely different American ****hole.

Hmm, this is the first time I've been corrected on this.

Poor Baltimore.

[Tupac Shakur]

I came up out of Baltimore, however, which is better than anything Philly has ever produced.

[KrazyHorse]

Good job in thriving in those conditions Al. Just ignore these ignorant people.

Thriving = unemployed 20something choosing to live in a ****hole?



What was your alleged PhD in, again?