In Focus, March 2018, the BBC popular science magazine, the theme is ‘the science of happiness’. The   editor, Daniel Bennett, kicks off with a quote from Albert Einstein, ‘A calm and humble life will bring more happiness than the pursuit of success and the constant restlessness that comes with it.’ He may have been a clever guy but I’d contest almost every word of that statement.

However, the magazine does delve deeper, comparing, among other things, the relative happiness of nations. As often reported elsewhere, Norway comes out on top of the happiness league table (based, like most of these tables, on the questionable evidence of polls). However, in News In English – Views and News from Norway – (www.newsinenglish.no) they report on major heavy drinking problems in Norway, ‘The role of alcohol in Norway often appears to be to consume it until you’re senseless, and alcohol commonly is accepted as an excuse for indulging in antisocial behaviour. Binge drinking seemingly isn’t regarded as aberrant behaviour in Norway, even by sober citizens who, generally speaking, uncomplainingly tolerate the ensuing brawls and other unpleasant results.’ My retort would be, if they’re so happy, why the need to get senselessly drunk?

Happiness, as I show in my book, is not just about material factors like money, wealth, sex and power etc, but nor does it (as Einstein says) mean being a humble nobody who just accepts his or her lot in life. Happiness, I believe, is not a static end in itself but an illusive way of being. Striving for difficult, even impossible goals, is what we humans were made for – the reason we exist. This may be difficult, even painful, but it’s the only road worth travelling.