I think there is something to that. People do gravitate somehow to truly depressing songs for example. And have very pessimistic views about a lot of things. Not that they are unfounded always, but there still are always good things to be found. I think there is a huge biological component to all this (as if it could be separated)...low fat diets..lack of sunlight (I think that 15 minutes a day could prevent rickets but I doubt it can prevent depression..try for an hour in the middle of the day without glasses and baring as much skin as possible..also take calcium pills and sit in the sun..likewise do that with older people..get them out in the sun)..lack of omega 3s...certain ethnic groups are supposed to eat fish or pretty much will have depression ...Scandinavian, Irish, Native American, Russian. See any theme here? These groups also tend to have alcoholism problems. I think if you took basically healthy people, sat them down for 8 hours and then home on a smelly bus for another hour, (flourescent lights in both places), and even did nothing else you would induce depression in a good percent of them..add financial stress, family stress, chores, raising children...too much. And remember, there used to be living situations where some went out to work and some stayed home and cooked and washed etc...I think the factor of coming home from a hard day and then having to cook is overlooked in all these discussions..so we grab what is handy..not good....lots to think about. mg