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Why aren't smart people happier?

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Re: Why aren't smart people happier?

#11

Post by refurb »

NickRandom wrote: post #2

The sad fact is that humans can never be happy for any length of time. It is how our brains are wired and a result of evolution. Even if a person lived in a paradise and had all their needs and wants provided; one of two things will occur - Either that person becomes bored or they wonder 'hmmm, I wonder if x,y or z could be better in some way?' and then trying to improve on perfection.

Pretty much.

If humans could ever reach a state that would guarantee happiness we’d still be living in caves and having 10 children so 5 make it to adults.

Progress requires dissatisfaction with the status quo.

Re: Why aren't smart people happier?

#13

Post by Bootvis »

mantas wrote: post #4

Ignorance is a bliss. We as society shouldn't focus so much on being „happy“. Happiness by itself is not worthwhile. What are you going to tell on your deathbed and how will your relatives remember you? Oh, he never did anything, but he seemed happy all the time!

Sounds pretty good to be honest.

Re: Why aren't smart people happier?

#14

Post by voganmother42 »

mantas wrote: post #4

Ignorance is a bliss. We as society shouldn't focus so much on being „happy“. Happiness by itself is not worthwhile. What are you going to tell on your deathbed and how will your relatives remember you? Oh, he never did anything, but he seemed happy all the time!

Hmm, living life for its own simple satisfaction seems like a worthwhile option and no small legacy. Being happy and lifting up the spirits of those around you is no small contribution - and is certainly not exclusive with “doing something”.

I wonder about optimizing your life around your deathbed, obituary, or your contribution to society…if it makes you happy I guess;)

Re: Why aren't smart people happier?

#17

Post by me_me_me »

tonmoy wrote: post #8
NickRandom wrote: post #2

The sad fact is that humans can never be happy for any length of time. It is how our brains are wired and a result of evolution. Even if a person lived in a paradise and had all their needs and wants provided; one of two things will occur - Either that person becomes bored or they wonder 'hmmm, I wonder if x,y or z could be better in some way?' and then trying to improve on perfection.

If you assume happiness is a feedback mechanism rewarding you for doing the right thing, then it makes sense. The reward needs to be modulated to be effective, constant reward would stop us from improving

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hedonic_treadmill

Re: Why aren't smart people happier?

#18

Post by necovek »

willcipriano wrote: post #9

Being smart isn't enough, you have to be wise. Intelligence can help you climb to the highest positions in business and academia, wisdom allows you to understand that it isn't really worth it.

I used to say simply having common sense, but wisdom is fine too: plenty of smart, intelligent people lack the most common of common sense (I have no idea why it's called "common" when it's anything but — in Serbian, we say "zdrav razum" or "healthy sense/reason" which is slightly better).

I found it particularly funny when my University math professors displayed a complete inability to reason about the simplest of things.

Re: Why aren't smart people happier?

#19

Post by frankzander »

Because happiness isn't a mental skill. What makes you happy is try to have and keep peace with everyone and do good things, make presents to others, give and don't expect to get something back (you will but don't expect it). (it's the opposite you see nowadays in movies or series ;-)

It's about social connections and inter-human things ... not some skills you learn on universities but from loving and well raised parents.

Re: Why aren't smart people happier?

#20

Post by okamiueru »

willcipriano wrote: post #9

Being smart isn't enough, you have to be wise. Intelligence can help you climb to the highest positions in business and academia, wisdom allows you to understand that it isn't really worth it.

I don't know if wisdom really helps. Or, maybe I just feel that way, because I lack it. How would wisdom help with happiness, when you see a likely worsening climate, rampant inequality for really no good reason, which together with the former is bound to cause significant sivil unrest and wars in the coming decades?

In my limited version of it, is to strive to be humble, and the happiness for those around you. Find joy in helping the communities (whichever that be in the connected world) you care about. But... That still doesn't truly make me happy. And relies on willfully ignoring everything mention earlier.

The only thing to hope for is a miracle in both energy production, and a sudden increase in empathy. I fear that human nature is stil stuck in a the ape mindset of "I got mine", and will never get out of.

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