The Drag of Devising a State-by-State Mirth Meter.

The author discusses the challenges in creating reliable mirth meters, citing studies on happiness as example. He mentions a November 2009 well-being report in which Mississippians were ranked 48th in 50 states, yet an online study ranked it the seventh merriest U.S. state. He notes that a state that has many married, rich people may rank high in happiness but not because its residents have chosen it an ideal place to live. He is concerned that because Americans do not differ much in reporting their satisfaction, it is difficult to tell their happiness.