> working hours have no significant upward trend. [...] More people simply don't work.

Just curious: Do those graphics take into account the people that don't work as 0h? or has the working hours not gone up among those who do work?

> Looks like that protestant work ethic/capitalism/etc is working pretty well for us.

Judging by economic growth and consumption, may be. And those might be good metrics.

But are you happier for it? Are you enjoying the rewards of your hard work?

Not trying to imply you aren't, by the way. And I say "you" because I'm a westerner, but not from the anglosaxon sphere and I don't see quite the same work ethic around me, although not too different either.