The hedonic treadmill

[noonereal]

Originally Posted by Boreas

Actually, I think the "treadmill" is really only a means of observing what's postulated as being a characteristic of human nature: that we experience a relatively fixed state of happiness, regardless of circumstances. The treadmill is merely the instrument for determining changes in our circumstances against which our degree of happiness can be measured.

Well put and pretty much indisputable.

[merrylander]

[QUOTE=noonereal;11228][QUOTE=merrylander;11227]But why on earth get on it in the first place?

I'll tell you why. It is part of the American culture. I though success was measured by economic achievement. It's not.

American culture? Now there is an intersting thought.

[merrylander]

A fixed state of happiness? Can't say that ever happened to me, prior to ending my first marriage I seriously contemplated sending my car into a bridge abutment at full throttle.

Then I met my present wife and I now know what constitutes true happiness.

[Sandy G]

I was kinda on it, but since I got canned a couple years ago, I've been much happier, really. I'm rich now if I have $20 in my pocket. I got enuf "Stuff" to keep me occupied from now on. I put in 29 years at a family owned business, after my family sold it out, the new bunch decided I was anachronistic, I guess. I thought they were a bunch of Philistines-None of us knew what we were doing, we were all idiots, etc. They treated us like a bunch of 15-yr-olds at our 1st job at McDonald's-You were LATE if you got there at 8.00.01, you left early if you left at 4.59.30, you got 1 hour for lunch, too damn bad if you had to run to town & pay bills or somesuch-"Can't you do it online ?" was their standard thing, & they'd fire you if you went to the doctor too much.

[d-ray657]

Originally Posted by Charles

I came to the conclusion years ago that money is an object that you give to people to make them go away.

Case in point, loan $20 to an asshole you don't like and you'll never see him again.

There's more to being a hedonist than having money.

Chas

There was a question posed when the NY governor was exposed as haiving used a high dollar call girl, why should someone who was charismatic and successful have to pay for his pleasure. The answer was the men in that position don't pay for sex, they pay for the woman to go away afterward, and not say anything.

As far as the measure of success being financial, I have always rejected that idea. The most important job I have ever had in my life was raising two sons who are now happy, responsible, and purusing their education in areas that excite them. I would like to think that their mother and I have taught them to measure their success in meaningful ways.

Regards,

D-Ray

Regards,

D-Ray

[Boreas]

Originally Posted by merrylander

A fixed state of happiness? Can't say that ever happened to me, prior to ending my first marriage I seriously contemplated sending my car into a bridge abutment at full throttle.

Then I met my present wife and I now know what constitutes true happiness.

I think the focus of the hedonic treadmill is economic circumstances. I also doubt anyone could seriously argue against the effect of of events in our personal lives on our degree of happiness.

It could be argued that events in our personal life are largely transitory. They can cause significant swings of the needle on our "Personal Happiness Meter" but the needle will center again after a time. I think that may be true.

John

[BlueStreak]

Originally Posted by Sandy G

I was kinda on it, but since I got canned a couple years ago, I've been much happier, really. I'm rich now if I have $20 in my pocket. I got enuf "Stuff" to keep me occupied from now on. I put in 29 years at a family owned business, after my family sold it out, the new bunch decided I was anachronistic, I guess. I thought they were a bunch of Philistines-None of us knew what we were doing, we were all idiots, etc. They treated us like a bunch of 15-yr-olds at our 1st job at McDonald's-You were LATE if you got there at 8.00.01, you left early if you left at 4.59.30, you got 1 hour for lunch, too damn bad if you had to run to town & pay bills or somesuch-"Can't you do it online ?" was their standard thing, & they'd fire you if you went to the doctor too much.

Sounds like you had it really good----then got a taste of what the rest of us go through.

Tastes like shit, doesn't it, Sandy?

Dave