proximity to the arctic?

or maybe distance from the equator? here are some nation rankings for you…

first, the world’s happiest countries in 2012 — by which they (the legatum institute people) mean the world’s most prosperous countries (i think i see the hajnal line there…):

top 10 countries:
- Norway
- Denmark
- Sweden
- Australia
- New Zealand
- Canada
- Finland
- Netherlands
- Switzerland
- Ireland

bottom 10 countries:
- Ethiopia
- Yemen
- Zimbabwe
- Togo
- Burundi
- Haiti
- Chad
- Afghanistan
- Republic of Congo
- Central African Republic

see their methodology here.
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and now … world internet usage, june 2012 — world regions – percentage of population:

- North America = 78.6%
- Oceania/Australia = 67.6%
- Europe = 63.2%
- Latin America/Caribbean = 42.9%
- Middle East = 40.2%
- Asia = 27.5%
- Africa = 15.6%

within the americas (north and latin):

- Greenland = 90.1%
- Canada = 83.0%
- United States = 78.1%
- Argentina = 66.4%
- Chile = 58.6%
- Jamaica = 54.7%
- Brazil = 45.6%
- Dominican Republic = 45.6%
- Mexico = 36.5%

within europe:

- Sweden = 92.7%
- United Kingdom = 83.6%
- France = 79.6%
- Italy = 58.4%
- Albania = 49.0%
- Kosovo = 20.5%

within asia:

- South Korea = 82.5%
- Japan = 79.5%
- Sinagpore = 75.0%
- Hong Kong = 74.5%
- China = 40.1%
- Georgia = 28.4%
- Pakistan = 15.3%
- India = 11.4%
- Afghanistan = 5.0%

_{(note: comments do not require an email. the internet!)}

linkfest – 08/14/11

Intelligence tests highlight importance of genetic differences – “DNA study links variations in intelligence to large numbers of genes, each with a small effect on individual brainpower” – via steve sailer.

You can count on this: Math ability is inborn – “Do some of us just arrive in the world with better math skills than others? It seems we do….”

Psychology and its national styles

“What about me?” Perceptions of exclusion and Whites’ reactions to multiculturalism – “Overall, results show that the purportedly ‘inclusive’ ideology of multiculturalism is not perceived as such by Whites.” – via the inductivist.

World survey links religion and happiness — for some – “[I]n societies under stress, those who are religious outnumber – and are happier than – their nonreligious counterparts. Where peace and plenty are the norm, however, religious participation is lower and people are happier whether or not they are religious….”

Why one waist-size guide doesn’t fit all ethnic backgrounds

Why the rich ‘are such a selfish, less empathetic and less altruistic lot’

bonus: It’s the Economy, Dummkopf! by michael lewis.

bonus bonus: Building Blocks of DNA Found in Meteorites from Space

_{(note: comments do not require an email. sith penguin.)}