According to Harold James,(Professor of History and International Affairs at Princeton University)'The Empirical study of Happiness has produced evidence that the satisfaction from buying objects is short lived and depends on continued repetition.That is socially,morally and environmentally wasteful.On the other hand the consumption of experiences(rather than objects) produces a more sustained satisfaction.The new service economy emphasizes human interaction more than individualistic consumption.'
We cant deny the fact that in this modern world we,the Humans are becoming more Materialistic?More Greedy???We believe in the false notion that Materialism and Consumerism has a soothing effect on fulfilling all our desires and the enjoyment of pleasures are all that is required to make us happy and contended.The recent past has given us innumerable examples of how this monster called Greed can be devastating for all ouf us.It is only quite natural that this insatiable desire for Materialism has created a society which is very weak morally and completely bankrupt on values and ethics.Good old charm of Simplicity,Minimalism,Humility and Candor has taken a back seat.This never ending game of One-Upmanship has taken us nowhere.Our quest for Superficial Happiness has left a big vacuum in all of us.A sense of Equanimity has totally vanished from our psyche.Man has indeed become a Ravenous Beast.
Moral and Spiritual satisfaction can fill our lives with Happiness that is more enduring... more eternal,than the ephemeral and fleeting world of consumerism and instant gratification.
3 comments:
Good observation Neel....actually its like deep within we all know that consumerism doesnt make us happy...it just deviates our mind for a certain period of time...but thn we feel empty again....so again we make a materialistic goal..matching agenda n there we go again to acquire the objective..
So its a difficult feat for us to think beyond the materialistic things n understand tht happiness is no way proportional to consumerism :)
Cheers !!
"Consumption of experiences" - now thats quite a wonderful choice of words.......And I totally agree that "joy, happiness & peace" is a much more desirable state than "fun & pleasure"......as u wonderfully brought that any "pleasure" or "fun" derived from materialistic thing is short lived, and automatically brings in pain.
Well thought out piece......and a great read.
Beautifully expressed, Neel. I do agree with your ideas about greed. Contentment derived from loving people is much more satisfying than materialistic pursuits. You are a lover; hence you need to be able to love in order to express your essence or true nature. You love because you are the lover, not because of what others around do or don't do to inspire your love. We are here to love, to share experiences, to inspire, and to encourage. When we actively love, we are at our best.
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