Up until perhaps the 1950s the industrial revolution was providing some sense of greater happiness to the populace of the US. Our companies created more things, maximized outputs for the inputs and paid us more money and gave us more security.
Day to day life still hung in the balance for the majority of people prior to this era. Food, clothing, and shelter weren’t by any means secure so people worked hard to secure these things.
As things began to become more secure and almost guaranteed (with government safety nets), a consumer revolution kicked in and suddenly the basics were covered as well as gadgets to make us even more comfortable. The icing on the cake if you will.
The trouble now is that for the past half century, we have continued on that trajectory but we are increasingly leaving behind the simplicity of those times – we are moving toward an ever faster, noisier, and more connected world. This trajectory is pulling us further out of our orbit from the center of our basic, simple humanity – our connections with each other and nature. I think many people are finding that more of more isn’t bringing happiness on top of happiness.
One of the greatest questions of our time then is – where and what is the balance of happiness and advancement and how to we get ourselves there?
I think you need to be content and complacent to reach the balance of happiness, irrespective of what you have or where you stand.
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Maybe we should’ve listened to the Luddites!
It seems that most folks have a big ol’ hole right in their middles. Different people try to fill it with different things, whether it’s drugs, money, LCD TVs, or even some ineffable notion of happiness. If all you want is a happy life, then only do happy things. Sounds boring to me, but to each his own. Problem is, the more stuff you try to cram in that hole the bigger the hole gets. Let’s just stop digging and try to be good and good for one another.
Jay, I’m with you. Fill the hole with being good to self and one another. Check!
Hi Ben:
What a post, and what a question:
Where and what is the balance of happiness and advancement and how to we get ourselves there?
I believe the answer relates to growth:
Once we reach our adult height we have to choose between keep on growing muscle and fat or Growing on Wisdom. And Wisdom, beyond any doubt, relates directly to Happiness….
If we keep on growing just fat and muscle, many will keep on starving to death….
If All of Us Start Growing on Wisdom we will Find a Way Out from the USA invented consumerism that is killing our Souls….