Sunshine And Delight

[jack]

This morning, I was happy because the sun was shining. But why do I say "I'm happier whenever the sun is shining" instead of "I'm less happy whenever the sun is hidden"? Is the first more optimistic becauase it describes happiness, or the second because it ascribes happiness the default state?

Comments

[rochvelleth.livejournal.com]

Maybe you only think about being happy when the sun is shining when you see the sun shining, so you wouldn't say the second anyway...?

And is it true that you're deomnstrably *less* happy when the sun is hidden?

[cartesiandaemon.livejournal.com]

I must be doing that. But it *feels* that way round when I think of it.

And is it true that you're deomnstrably *less* happy when the sun is hidden?

Well, it doesn't feel like that, but on average, I must be, assuming the rest of my life makes me equally happy, but sometimes I perk up when the sun comes out.

[sunflowerinrain.livejournal.com]

Isn't this applicable mainly in winter, or when the sun hasn't been shining for a while[1]? If it were August in a heatwave, would the sunshine lift your spirits? Of would you rather dance in the rain?

All of which speculation is quite off the point, of course :)
I would think your default state is not especially happy or unhappy; as the sunshine raises the happiness, you notice that you are happier. Sounds more optimistic than otherwise.

[1] This phrase discomforts me, because the sun always shines.

[cartesiandaemon.livejournal.com]

I'm not sure. I think in the summer I am happy each time I go outside, but I'm not certain come to think of it.

The sun always shines? Well, it could be described as doing so, but I thought it was accepted meaning of it that it shines *on us*.

[sunflowerinrain.livejournal.com]

Chart of happiness against sun and going out... :)

It is the accepted meaning. I'm just odd.

[cartesiandaemon.livejournal.com]

But look at my lj. If I'm depressed I avoid writing, if I'm happy I'm generally mid-[activity], so I only write in the middle; this chart would be equally unrepresentative :)

[sunflowerinrain.livejournal.com]

Never mind the analysis then, come out to play in the sunlight :)

[cartesiandaemon.livejournal.com]

*looks outside*

[sunflowerinrain.livejournal.com]

*checks flights south*