The Lobster Index

Over the last 30 days, I've consumed 19 lobsters here in Sierra Leone. This works out to 0.63 lobsters per day!! If I continue at this rate, I'll consume 231.2 lobsters over the year!!!

Now, the relevance of this, is that I believe my consumption of lobsters directly correlates to my happiness. As you will see with the chart on the right, my happiness grows as I consume more lobster. (The data does not lie!!)

It is a result of this, that I am suggesting that the Lobster Index be used as another measurement tool to evaluate countries.

My rationale is the following: Sierra Leone is one of the poorest countries in the world. I think only Sudan or Somalia is considered poorer, perhaps even Afghanistan, but thats the type of level we're at. However, this does not reflect the every day happiness than many Sierra Leoneans feel. They live simpler lives ofcourse, and face many challenges, but f-ck they get to eat lobster as much as they catch it or afford it. Now, to Sierra Leoneans, lobster is still not cheap, but its not unobtainable and its not out of the realm to eat. Fish like baracuda is more regularly eater, but lobster is still attainable.

And thus, like GDP per capita, I think we should have the Lobster Index for each country. Sierra Leone may be a poor country, but with lobster for lunch and dinner, it is surely a happy country and thus, this happiness should be reflected and promoted to attract others to Sierra Leone. Poor incomes, often poor quality of life, but lots of lobster-eating induced happiness can make the pain go away!