Caroline Paulsen, Chapter 9, Question 6

In chapter 9, Charles Wheelan points out the deficiencies in using GDP alone to measure the economies/prosperity/happiness of countries. Although I had known that GDP was an insufficient measurement, I hadn't previously known how insufficient it is and how many different approaches there are to help measure particular parts of economies and determine economic prosperity.  I found it fascinating how people are trying to come up with new methods measuring these things, such as with a Green GDP (to subtract environmental damage that can appear to help short-term economic growth) or a Human Development Index (to measure other aspects of economic health such as GDP, life expectancy, literacy, education, etc.). I also thought that it was amusing how people are even trying to figure out new ways to calculate national happiness.