A standard of living refers to the level of wealth, comfort, health, and happiness experienced by a community or society. Unlike common conceptions, in this alternate timeline, the standard of living concerns itself more with the well-being, cohesion, and quality of life of a community rather than strictly the individual wealth or income of its members.
In this reality, the standard of living is a crucial indicator of the overall health and prosperity of a society. Governments and organizations actively seek to improve and maintain a positive standard of living, as it plays a significant role in social cohesion, public health, and environmental sustainability.
A variety of factors determine the standard of living in a community, with some of the most important factors being:
Instead of evaluating standard of living strictly in terms of GDP or income, societies in this timeline utilize the Harmony Index. The Harmony Index uses a set of interconnected measures that analyze a community's well-being, environmental impact, and shared resources in tandem. These measures are then grouped into various categories such as community cohesion, cultural richness, social collaboration, environmental health, and economic balance.
Comparisons of standard of living between nations in this timeline reveal a wide range of values and beliefs regarding prioritization and measurement of such concepts. Some societies might prioritize economic growth and individual wealth, while others emphasize social cohesion and environmental responsibility. The diversity in approaches and priorities allows for unique expressions of standard of living that can better accommodate the varied needs and values of different communities around the world.
In conclusion, the standard of living in this alternate timeline differs from conventional understandings. Emphasizing collective happiness and community well-being over individual affluence, the Harmony Index provides a more holistic way of measuring the standard of living. This approach reinforces priorities that encompass both economic factors and social well-being, highlighting the power of communal cohesion, cooperation, and environmental care to contribute to a prosperous and healthy society.
