Measures of Well-Being

The Census has a new release with findings on what it calls "extended measures of well-being." Among the results: "the number of households with cell phones increased from 36 percent to 71 percent between 1998 and 2005." Also, "the number of households with a personal computer increased from 42 percent to 67 percent between 1998 and 2005." And, "among all households, 96 percent reported having a microwave oven." A microwave oven, cellphone, or personal computer may not be much consolation if you are unemployed and your house is being foreclosed on, but amid all the gloom and doom it's worth pausing to assess some of the progress and technological innovation that takes place under capitalism.