Why do people think that a higher standard of living makes them happier?

Question

Statistically, our standards of living improved over the years, but our total happiness did not. What makes people happy overall are having lots of real friends, a soulmate and the like. Why do people think that material gains would really make them that much happier? You know, people used to just gather food for a living and that only takes about 20 hours per day. The rest of the time is spend dancing, having fun with friends, and the like. Do you think our ancient ancestors are any less happy than us? They aren't unhappy because things like IPods didn't even exist so they don't feel the need to strive for them. Do you understand what I'm saying?

I meant 20 hours per week.

And things like diseases are more problematic today than before because we live closer together and domesticated animals (lots of diseases initially came from animals).

In my anthropology textbook, the costs of food production (instead of hunting and gathering) outweighs the benefits. We have more technology and knowledge, but we also have to work harder, spend less time with our kids, have a less nutritious diet, more diseases, and so on and so forth.

I would also like to add pollution, inequality, warfare, and materialism to the lists of costs.

Pandora, people lived more in peace back then than you think. It is mostly due to overpopulation that people fight. So your assumption of savages with weapons doesn't make that much sense. Today, savages fight with machine guns and missiles.

Answer 1

Well a lower standard of living is no guarantee of happiness either.

Might as well be comfortable in our misery, if we have any.

Seriously though, I suspect people tend to romanticize
earlier civilizations and social groupings.

I'd rather grapple with my boss and the bank manager than a horde of savages armed with weapons and a soup pot. Fight back, avoid death and live to the ripe old age of 28. No thanks - give me a long, slow slide towards a heart attack via the gym and KFC combo.

I also think that the whole idea that the masses should be happy with a simple way of living is a bit of a myth foisted on us by the dominant few via hollywood and books and so forth. I suppose that Marx and his like thinking proteges have explored all of that. Whereas religion was the opiate of the masses in his view and time (to keep them turning the wheels of production) I suppose nowdays it's entertainment and various diversions. It might even be actual opiates but then the wheels of production mightn't turn as efficiently.

You're asking a psychological question that really needs a sociological answer.

Answer 2

company united statesa. sends the very reliable message (by way of merchandising) that consumerism equals happiness. In different words, the extra you have, and the extra present day and larger and extra proper those issues are, the happier you would be. Why this message? simply by fact it receives you to commerce up your place - to purchase a sparkling automobile - to purchase the main up-tp-date fashions - etc., etc. save this in ideas: interior the 1950's maximum better halves stayed at residing house to boost the youngsters, and however the primary of residing and relative happiness of that era is widespread as being incredibly extreme. company united statesa. despatched the message to housewives that with a view to be quite happy, and have sufficient funds each and each of the flaws you quite desire, you should connect the artwork tension and function a profession. Now maximum families are 2 earnings, yet are we any happier? No, possibly on the subject of an identical. yet, now we produce extra for the companies we artwork for... See the equation yet?

Answer 3

There was , is and always will be something to complain about.