Thread: ... and the Pursuit of Happiness

Originally Posted by xman

You may think what you like, but the evidence suggests that you are entirely wrong.

X

I was good to myself and my family became happier as a whole. This evidence suggests that Jimbo is entirely right.

Originally Posted by hoglahoo

I was good to myself and my family became happier as a whole. This evidence suggests that Jimbo is entirely right.

As it was not a scientific study, the result or conclusions can be dismissed too easily.

Originally Posted by xman

As it was not a scientific study, the result or conclusions can be dismissed too easily.

Still, the unscientific evidence suggests Jimbo is right!

Go Jimbo!

I don't know about karma but I hope I never get what I deserve. A friend of mine was fond of saying,"Do the right thing and the right thing happens". I think happiness is a byproduct of doing the right thing. Whether it be for yourself or for others.

Dr Hans Selye was in the '70s recognized as the foremost expert on stress and it's effects on humans. He wrote a book called The Stress of Life which was recommended by Runner's World magazine to marathoners. The last chapter being the only one meant for layman.

The gist of it was that the way to reduce stress was to do things for others so that when they naturally expressed gratitude both parties were happy and therefore had less stress. Sounds right to me.

Originally Posted by xman

Happiness comes, not as a result of making yourself happy, but as a result of being good to others.
X

maybe that's only because people are conditioned (usually) to feel guilty when they are selfish. I, for one, have abandoned the conditioning of my younger years and have discovered the joys of good old fashioned selfish hedonism, and will never turn back. Spent most of my formative years doing a lot of charity work and such, 'cause I was told it would make me happy, but it never really did. Selfishness (minus the imposed guilt) has worked out a lot better for me.

Guess I agree with Jimbo here. Everyone's got their own thing, different people find happiness different ways. xman, if you find helping others makes you happy, that's awesome, but it's a little shortsighted to think there aren't exceptions to that rule, scientific studies notwithstanding.

Dunn put theory into practice recently after her boyfriend gave her six dozen roses to celebrate their anniversary. Dunn in turn tried to give one rose to six dozen people, spreading the happiness windfall far and wide.

Maybe it made her feel happier, but that little stunt most likely ****ed of the boyfriend who had just pluncked down some hard earned cash for six dozen (!) roses for his girlfriend.

In retribution I suggest that instead of taking her out to a nice resturant for dinner, he "spreads the happyness far and wide" by taking another young lady who was without a date for the evening in her place.

Originally Posted by xman

As it was not a scientific study, the result or conclusions can be dismissed too easily.

I must say as well that the linked article lacks some credence as well.

They draw the conclusion that helping others makes people happier, which very well may be. But in part of the study, the peope running the study supply the money for the subjects to give to others. Giving away someone else's money is easy,and may lead to false positives ala the cited "spend Oprah's money" citation as well.



I spent my bonus money on shave stuff, and I'm happy as can be.

Except now the moneys all gone again...


If someone wants to feel better and Paypal me some funds, it may very well be a win/win situation! It would also allow us to test the above hypothesis about people spending their own money (i.e.- you fine folk) to help others (i.e.- yours truly)

C'mon guys, for the sake of Science!

Originally Posted by Seraphim

C'mon guys, for the sake of Science!

I'm all for it! Everyone pm me for Seraphim's paypal info, and you can send the $ there

Well, I am always a bit sceptical of the results of "soft" science findings. 99% of the time they do not even fully understand what it is they are measuring, and consequently most of these survey "studies" lack even the most fundamental levels of control. The best most can do is measure covariates and hold on for the ride. Which is not in and of itself a bad thing, mind you.

Anyway all I mean is that I believe that true happiness comes from within. You being happy with You. I think people happy with themselves will help others as a natural consequence of being happy with themselves. I also think you can probably gain happiness by helping others, by having a nice cuppa tea with your grandmother, patting the dog, or popping an ecstasy tablet (from what I hear). In my mind the question is not what will make you happy. The question is what will *keep* you happy?

Anyway, I did not mean to make anyone unhappy . Go out and live long and prosper! (and if you still have one, call your grandmother for no reason other than to chat)

James