I think one might find that those living in small agricultural/animal herding communities also report high levels of satisfaction with their lives, perhaps as a result of the lifestyle/social structures described by lincolnq above, and they don't have to sacrifice modern medical care, comfortable beds, a steady supply of food etc. A hunter-gatherer lifestyle is not a prerequisite for those kinds of structures and relationships. I'm thinking of the Sardinian communities in the central plateau of Sardinia, which has very high numbers of very long lived people. Of course, those communities are now predominantly old, with young people by seduced by the money, more material goods, and "action" of the large cities. So, there's that to consider as well. When there's a choice, young people prefer to leave.
I think one might find that those living in small agricultural/animal herding communities also report high levels of satisfaction with their lives, perhaps as a result of the lifestyle/social structures described by lincolnq above, and they don't have to sacrifice modern medical care, comfortable beds, a steady supply of food etc. A hunter-gatherer lifestyle is not a prerequisite for those kinds of structures and relationships. I'm thinking of the Sardinian communities in the central plateau of Sardinia, which has very high numbers of very long lived people. Of course, those communities are now predominantly old, with young people by seduced by the money, more material goods, and "action" of the large cities. So, there's that to consider as well. When there's a choice, young people prefer to leave.