Comments on: I’m only doing it to make us happy http://www.neocrats.com/2007/03/02/im-only-doing-it-to-make-us-happy/ Fri, 21 Nov 2008 18:04:52 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.1 By: Lincoln http://www.neocrats.com/2007/03/02/im-only-doing-it-to-make-us-happy/#comment-19564 Lincoln Fri, 02 Mar 2007 03:58:05 +0000 http://www.neocrats.com/2007/03/02/im-only-doing-it-to-make-us-happy/#comment-19564 Mandel, I like your question, and I agree with the spirit of your post that over-consumption does not produce happiness. But I want to complicate things a little bit by raising some economic questions: At what point in the development of an economy does consumption become its driving force (as I understand it to be in the West now)? Before that point, what drives the economy? And what is the relationship between the drivers of an economy and the percentage of people involved in it who don't struggle to meet their daily needs? For answers to these questions, I turn to people who know things about this. I don't. Please, friends, feel free to correct any poor asumptions that are built into my questions. Mandel, I like your question, and I agree with the spirit of your post that over-consumption does not produce happiness. But I want to complicate things a little bit by raising some economic questions: At what point in the development of an economy does consumption become its driving force (as I understand it to be in the West now)? Before that point, what drives the economy? And what is the relationship between the drivers of an economy and the percentage of people involved in it who don’t struggle to meet their daily needs?

For answers to these questions, I turn to people who know things about this. I don’t. Please, friends, feel free to correct any poor asumptions that are built into my questions.

]]> By: nemoDreamer http://www.neocrats.com/2007/03/02/im-only-doing-it-to-make-us-happy/#comment-19581 nemoDreamer Fri, 02 Mar 2007 21:38:16 +0000 http://www.neocrats.com/2007/03/02/im-only-doing-it-to-make-us-happy/#comment-19581 I like the concept of the "Deferred Happiness Syndrome" as a sadly governing force of our lives. I find myself doing the same thing, although I KNOW that its backwards logic doesn't make any sense, as if that way of living were hard-wired into my behavior... And of course "hard-wired" is a cheap excuse. We all know that it takes effort to change ones perception of the flow of things, and we resort to saying "that's so true" instead of taking the necessary steps to break the habit. What about consumption that actually helps with social interaction and artistic enjoyment? Like the iPod I so badly want (need?)... I like the concept of the “Deferred Happiness Syndrome” as a sadly governing force of our lives. I find myself doing the same thing, although I KNOW that its backwards logic doesn’t make any sense, as if that way of living were hard-wired into my behavior…
And of course “hard-wired” is a cheap excuse. We all know that it takes effort to change ones perception of the flow of things, and we resort to saying “that’s so true” instead of taking the necessary steps to break the habit.

What about consumption that actually helps with social interaction and artistic enjoyment? Like the iPod I so badly want (need?)…

]]> By: Mandel Cola http://www.neocrats.com/2007/03/02/im-only-doing-it-to-make-us-happy/#comment-19590 Mandel Cola Fri, 02 Mar 2007 22:23:41 +0000 http://www.neocrats.com/2007/03/02/im-only-doing-it-to-make-us-happy/#comment-19590 We all need iPods. Of course we need next year's model, and the iPhone Saleem brought to our attention some weeks ago. And the following year's model, because the original one is just way too big - can't believe i bought one, it only fits 20,000 songs. Anyhow, gotta go. I've heard ebay's got the new O2 PDA. I need that one (honestly, I do). We all need iPods. Of course we need next year’s model, and the iPhone Saleem brought to our attention some weeks ago. And the following year’s model, because the original one is just way too big - can’t believe i bought one, it only fits 20,000 songs.

Anyhow, gotta go. I’ve heard ebay’s got the new O2 PDA. I need that one (honestly, I do).

]]> By: nemoDreamer http://www.neocrats.com/2007/03/02/im-only-doing-it-to-make-us-happy/#comment-19594 nemoDreamer Fri, 02 Mar 2007 22:42:13 +0000 http://www.neocrats.com/2007/03/02/im-only-doing-it-to-make-us-happy/#comment-19594 I have all these material wishes, like an iPod, a killer-computer, specialized coding-software, but when the money to fulfill those needs is actually available, I go through this whole "now do I REALLY need this?" thing. Why can't that happen when it's still just a dream. I could then focus my energy on something else... Like an iPhone. aaaaaaaawwww carp! I have all these material wishes, like an iPod, a killer-computer, specialized coding-software, but when the money to fulfill those needs is actually available, I go through this whole “now do I REALLY need this?” thing. Why can’t that happen when it’s still just a dream. I could then focus my energy on something else…
Like an iPhone.
aaaaaaaawwww carp!

]]> By: Mandel Cola http://www.neocrats.com/2007/03/02/im-only-doing-it-to-make-us-happy/#comment-19614 Mandel Cola Sat, 03 Mar 2007 14:39:20 +0000 http://www.neocrats.com/2007/03/02/im-only-doing-it-to-make-us-happy/#comment-19614 The current Fast is a chance to separate ourselves a little from these ephemeral attachments. After 19 days of it, I find that you do re-evaluate what your needs are. The current Fast is a chance to separate ourselves a little from these ephemeral attachments. After 19 days of it, I find that you do re-evaluate what your needs are.

]]> By: Sanisha http://www.neocrats.com/2007/03/02/im-only-doing-it-to-make-us-happy/#comment-19615 Sanisha Sat, 03 Mar 2007 16:04:53 +0000 http://www.neocrats.com/2007/03/02/im-only-doing-it-to-make-us-happy/#comment-19615 Did we not just establish that ipods with spiritually enlightening texts are good ?! Mandel about the persuit of happiness...i guess it's about striving for a balance, even when it comes to our attitudes during the Fast.I used to get so annoyed with people,even the ones on medication who were exempt and as a result i could not even concentrate on reflecting and re-evaluating. Did we not just establish that ipods with spiritually enlightening texts are good ?!

Mandel about the persuit of happiness…i guess it’s about striving for a balance, even when it comes to our attitudes during the Fast.I used to get so annoyed with people,even the ones on medication who were exempt and as a result i could not even concentrate on reflecting and re-evaluating.

]]> By: Saleem http://www.neocrats.com/2007/03/02/im-only-doing-it-to-make-us-happy/#comment-19618 Saleem Sat, 03 Mar 2007 20:10:05 +0000 http://www.neocrats.com/2007/03/02/im-only-doing-it-to-make-us-happy/#comment-19618 A very good point, Sanisha. I don't get annoyed at people on medication, but I do get a touch fundie about the Fast (except for the gum, cf last year) and consequently run around fuming. Which of course is entirely not the point. A very good point, Sanisha. I don’t get annoyed at people on medication, but I do get a touch fundie about the Fast (except for the gum, cf last year) and consequently run around fuming. Which of course is entirely not the point.

]]> By: nemoDreamer http://www.neocrats.com/2007/03/02/im-only-doing-it-to-make-us-happy/#comment-19640 nemoDreamer Mon, 05 Mar 2007 02:01:39 +0000 http://www.neocrats.com/2007/03/02/im-only-doing-it-to-make-us-happy/#comment-19640 ok, speaking of iPods: forget your iDock or anything like it. THIS is what you've been waiting for!!! http://www.thecoolhunter.net/lifestyle/THE-IPOD-CONCERTO-TABLE/ ok, speaking of iPods: forget your iDock or anything like it. THIS is what you’ve been waiting for!!!
http://www.thecoolhunter.net/lifestyle/THE-IPOD-CONCERTO-TABLE/

]]> By: Saleem http://www.neocrats.com/2007/03/02/im-only-doing-it-to-make-us-happy/#comment-19650 Saleem Mon, 05 Mar 2007 09:35:51 +0000 http://www.neocrats.com/2007/03/02/im-only-doing-it-to-make-us-happy/#comment-19650 I'm not sure if it's extremely kitsch or quite cool. Maybe if it were black, it wouldn't be so potentially kitsch. I’m not sure if it’s extremely kitsch or quite cool. Maybe if it were black, it wouldn’t be so potentially kitsch.

]]> By: nemoDreamer http://www.neocrats.com/2007/03/02/im-only-doing-it-to-make-us-happy/#comment-19658 nemoDreamer Mon, 05 Mar 2007 12:23:09 +0000 http://www.neocrats.com/2007/03/02/im-only-doing-it-to-make-us-happy/#comment-19658 it comes in black for the black iPod. come on... the white is amazing.... it comes in black for the black iPod.
come on… the white is amazing….

]]> By: Mandel Cola http://www.neocrats.com/2007/03/02/im-only-doing-it-to-make-us-happy/#comment-19684 Mandel Cola Tue, 06 Mar 2007 03:20:46 +0000 http://www.neocrats.com/2007/03/02/im-only-doing-it-to-make-us-happy/#comment-19684 Before this posting becomes history, let me express gratitude for receiving the lowest post rating since ratings were introduced. I take pleasure in restoring the balance - an apt act for a post of this theme! Before this posting becomes history, let me express gratitude for receiving the lowest post rating since ratings were introduced. I take pleasure in restoring the balance - an apt act for a post of this theme!

]]> By: Sanisha http://www.neocrats.com/2007/03/02/im-only-doing-it-to-make-us-happy/#comment-19689 Sanisha Tue, 06 Mar 2007 06:27:21 +0000 http://www.neocrats.com/2007/03/02/im-only-doing-it-to-make-us-happy/#comment-19689 Mandel, you always make us laugh, in the moment, and I guess that what makes rating your posts and humour difficult, because after you've laughed at it first time, it's not easy to tickle that funny bone again :) /which ties in with your post about the danger of resting our happiness on material things, we are never satisfied, always wanting more, bigger, better after the first 'high'. Mandel, you always make us laugh, in the moment, and I guess that what makes rating your posts and humour difficult, because after you’ve laughed at it first time, it’s not easy to tickle that funny bone again :)

/which ties in with your post about the danger of resting our happiness on material things, we are never satisfied, always wanting more, bigger, better after the first ‘high’.

]]> By: Yonni http://www.neocrats.com/2007/03/02/im-only-doing-it-to-make-us-happy/#comment-19788 Yonni Thu, 08 Mar 2007 23:05:05 +0000 http://www.neocrats.com/2007/03/02/im-only-doing-it-to-make-us-happy/#comment-19788 Ah. The question; does money (nay consuming) bring happiness? It's often asked... clever folks even seem to want to write scientific papers on the matter. Science-schmience Thing is, in my mind, scientific papers don't take into account the intricate individual make-up of the participants. Maybe they do? After all clever people run these skams.. What makes people tick - what makes them happy. I don't even know what makes me happy; twinkies? work? birds? "kitsch" ipod junk? Until people figure out what it is that makes them happy (and not what they think their mates will think is neat), they will never know if they have attained that state of mind. Leave the politics and science out. Ah.

The question; does money (nay consuming) bring happiness? It’s often asked… clever folks even seem to want to write scientific papers on the matter.

Science-schmience

Thing is, in my mind, scientific papers don’t take into account the intricate individual make-up of the participants. Maybe they do? After all clever people run these skams..

What makes people tick - what makes them happy. I don’t even know what makes me happy; twinkies? work? birds? “kitsch” ipod junk?

Until people figure out what it is that makes them happy (and not what they think their mates will think is neat), they will never know if they have attained that state of mind.

Leave the politics and science out.

]]> By: nemoDreamer http://www.neocrats.com/2007/03/02/im-only-doing-it-to-make-us-happy/#comment-19794 nemoDreamer Fri, 09 Mar 2007 04:29:30 +0000 http://www.neocrats.com/2007/03/02/im-only-doing-it-to-make-us-happy/#comment-19794 To tie in with our "does consumption make us happy", here's what the consumers are saying: <a href="http://www.thecoolhunter.net/hot-pick/INSPIRATION-NATION/" rel="nofollow">Inspiration Nation</a>, a good read about the flood of 'cool' and the role of creativity. Subtle is the new black. To tie in with our “does consumption make us happy”, here’s what the consumers are saying:
Inspiration Nation, a good read about the flood of ‘cool’ and the role of creativity.
Subtle is the new black.

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