Buying Happiness?

Question

Read First. Intelligent Answers only.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nf/20060718/bs_nf/44719

Does anyone have a take on this? Do you think this article is correct?

Answer 1

No this is not correct. We can't buy happiness. We can be happy with our all expensive gadgets but we ge bore by them very soon. Pure happinees comes within our heart itself. And our heart feel happy with the little things in our life we do.

Answer 2

Okay I am not intelligent and neither are my views but on to it anyway.

Yes, indeed I agree that happiness is not pegged to tech toys. But that statement needs to be qualified.

Firstly I want to talk about the correlation between national happiness and technology. The example given was raised to my sometime before, when we were having a discussion whether GDP is a good way to measure the success of a country. Vanuatu, though ranked lowly in GDP, is a very happy country. I think its PARTLY because, as individuals, ignorance means bliss. They dont know what is out there in the world, better.

Of course, I also feel that simplicity is bliss:) Why be complicated when we can live a simple life? Of course, this is a very simplistic and narrow view. bleh.

Also, having tech toys doesnt necessarily make you happy. Okay, look at this scenario. Everyone knows that this particular tech toy is in fashion. You get it. You feel 'in'. But that is, usually: For a while. After a while, its such a norm that you dont even give it second thoughts. If you are even happy for that short while, is it true happiness...or superficial?

So I dont think true happiness is pegged to tech toys or anything materialistic. Happiness comes in a few forms...but there is no way to buy true happiness.

And Im sorry, I know I digressed halfway.

Answer 3

Go read the NEF's site (those in charge of the study cited in that article).

Who were some of the "happiest" people? Central Americans and those living in Colombia. Yeah. The epicenter of international drug trade, and consequently one of the most historically war-torn areas in the world.

At best, this means that the study's conclusions are faulty in that they haven't taken into account certain very prominent factors. For instance, in the recent past, the areas of Central America and Colombia have been relatively peaceful, so if you ask someone "How would you rate your happiness with life, 1-10?" at this particular moment they'd likely be much happier than when they were living in fear of a guerilla war.

Trying to measure something as incredibly subjective as happiness and pass it of as a legitimate study is assinine.

Answer 4

I think its comparing an apple to an orange.
If you are living in the city, you will naturally be less happy because of the need to maintain a high standard of living while going through stiff competition in school or work everyday.
If you bring those gadgets to that island and people start being especially nice to u just to borrow these toys for a day or 2, you will surely be much happier than the inhabitants themselves.

Answer 5

Can't say this article is wrong.
Peole in low tech are supposed to have more love, humanity but less education compared to those in cities.So they should be more happy.
It's not the tech that determines happiness but the thoughts of the inner soul.If it sticks to goodness it find happiness.But for that those around u should also be good.Difficult to find in cities, where money to live matters more.

Answer 6

i agree with the article....tech toys do not necessarily indicate happiness. what abt emotional needs and concerns? they cannot be satisfied with technology alone......you need relationships ,love , support and dozens of other things that constitute happy living.

Answer 7

but if you are unhappy - money will make you content at least

Answer 8

who cares! i dont! lol

Answer 9

should be more happy.

Answer 10

ya i think so!!!!