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posted by cmn32480 on Sunday June 28 2015, @03:13AM   Printer-friendly
from the what-is-happiness dept.

Many people know that experiences will make them happier, and yet they continue to spend money on material objects because of their perceived greater value.
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It has been shown by a recent study from San Francisco State University that greater happiness comes from seeking experiences, rather than material objects. Although this may seem like common sense to many readers, reality paints another picture – one in which people most often spend their money on material items because they mistakenly believe that they have greater value.

People do this because material items are tangible; they have measurable economic value attached to it; and they're always present, able to be used or seen. Memories of experiences, on the other hand, are fleeting experiences, temporary purchases with no concrete price tag.

And yet, people are never as happy in the long run after spending money on material items than they are after forking out for adventures, travel, and experiences.

Camping out on top of the 15th guard tower on the Simatai stretch of the Great Wall of China and waking up the next morning at the very top of the clouds, the guard towers peeking through, and the sunrise casting everything in golden light and rainbows, was one of the happiest moments of my life. On the other hand, my last laptop, a real Thinkpad, was like an extension of my body and made me feel happy and productive every day for years. So is it really that things can't make you as happy as experiences, or that meaningless consumption of meaningless things can't make you happy?


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  • (Score: 4, Insightful) by KilroySmith on Sunday June 28 2015, @03:18AM

    by KilroySmith (2113) on Sunday June 28 2015, @03:18AM (#202324)

    It's not an either/or. I bought a boat for our family - not so they'll remember the boat, but so that they'll remember the days on the boat, the experiences of getting up on waterski's the first time, getting caught in a thunderstorm on the lake, screaming like banshees as the jump into the lake with their friends.

    On the other hand the big screen on the wall doesn't give them any experiences - they watch TV on the 4" display on their iPods, and TV in and of itself isn't much of a memorable experience generator.

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  • (Score: 4, Funny) by Tork on Sunday June 28 2015, @04:57AM

    by Tork (3914) Subscriber Badge on Sunday June 28 2015, @04:57AM (#202346)
    When I first got Siri on my phone I showed it to a few of my coworkers, we sat around talking to it trying to cook up amusing results. I told it to call me a hooker and I had to hurriedly hang it up because it tried to place a call to one of my female coworkers.
    --
    🏳️‍🌈 Proud Ally 🏳️‍🌈
  • (Score: 2) by davester666 on Sunday June 28 2015, @08:34AM

    by davester666 (155) on Sunday June 28 2015, @08:34AM (#202375)

    Yes, it is. Owning a sex slave doesn't make you happy. Having sex every night does.

  • (Score: 1) by theronb on Sunday June 28 2015, @03:51PM

    by theronb (2596) on Sunday June 28 2015, @03:51PM (#202440)

    I bought a really nice musical instrument and I use it to play in jam sessions with other people. I get to a) have a really nice "thing", b) use it in enjoyable creative experiences, and c) meet new people as a result. Can't beat that!

  • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday June 28 2015, @07:14PM

    by Anonymous Coward on Sunday June 28 2015, @07:14PM (#202478)
    I'm pretty sure some advanced medical technology/treatment in the future would be able to induce the feeling of happiness too.

    Of course that sort of technology would probably advance the field of torture too ;). Imagine being able to "play" someone like an instrument - pain, pleasure, sadness, happiness, terrible itches at unscratchable places, etc.

    Maybe I shouldn't have mentioned that but everyone likes to give the excuse of if they didn't do it, someone else would too. Plenty more stuff that could be invented or created but shouldn't, at least not yet.