Will money buy YOU happiness?

[BoomerD]

Money can NOT buy happiness...but it will make a helluva down payment...

 

[whistleclient]

Originally posted by: Vic


What will you do without Bush to scapegoat for all the problems you see in the world?

I think you don't quite understand the definition of scapegoat. A scapegoat is one is who is punished for the errors of others. Bush has clearly made mistakes, huge mistakes, which have considerably weakened the United States.

But back on topic:

Money solves some problems-- You no longer have to worry about the small things-- can I afford this meal? Can I afford this magazine?-- but it creates new ones. Does this person only like me for my money? And there's guilt-- why am I lucky and others not so lucky? Sure you can do a lot of good with it, but you can't save everyone.

 

[Dirigible]

Would it make me happy? No.
A) I'm already a pretty happy guy.
B) Root causes of unhappiness I do have would be mostly unchanged.

Would lots of money remove a few worries, let me have a bit more fun, and make me somewhat happier? Yes.
A) I'd have more time for my family, friends, and hobbies.
B) I could make a positive difference in the world (charities, medical research, technological research) rather than being a small cog in a large corporate machine.
C) Worries of being able to provide a good education for my children and healthcare for my parents would be gone.

So there.

 

[JLGatsby]

Originally posted by: LolaWiz
I honestly think pure love can make someone happier than money can in certain situations.

But think of all the people a non-rich person has never met who COULD have made them far more happier than the person they're currently with.

Many people in this world end up "settling" with whoever they happen to find along the way because they're so busy trying to make ends meet. Also a lack of money makes it difficult to make yourself more physically presentable (nice clothes, etc). Try to get a date in a ripped t-shirt and frizzy hair.

People don't like to hear it, but money can buy love to. Not directly, but indirectly yes. Money cures all problems.

 

[Vic]

Originally posted by: JLGatsby

Originally posted by: SSSnail
No poll, I want to see HOW money would make each of you happy. Everyone has their ways of thinking, live the dream!

Money buys freedom. Freedom is the ultimate happiness.

Freedom from a job. Freedom to choose from a wider selection of partners. Freedom to pursue your hobbies. Freedom to travel and discover new things/places/people.

Anyone who says money does not buy happiness is doing it because it's cliche and fashionable.

Actually, no, money does not buy freedom. Because (with an absurd amount of money as the OP said) you will never free of the nagging fear of losing that money, nor of the inability to trust those around you.

Things are just that -- things. It's the dream that sustains most people. When your dreams are fulfilled, and you discover just hollow they really are, that can be devastating.

"Cliche and fashionable" mean jack to me BTW. Someday maybe you'll be mature enough to understand (though with you, I doubt it).
In the meantime, I won't lie -- fsck yeah I would like an absurd amount of money. Who wouldn't? But if I ever got that, I'd understand the price that comes with it (which is your "soul" if you're not careful) and walk into it with my eyes open, instead of bounding for joy with eyes shut right off the mental abyss.

 

[Ausm]

I sure as hell don't thing being obscenely rich would make someone depressed ;P


Ausm

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

Originally posted by: Vic

Originally posted by: MagnusTheBrewer

Originally posted by: SSSnail
Would it? We're talking an absurd amount of money.

You can do nothing all day, or you can already "do nothing all day" right now?

You can get two chicks at once, "the type of chicks that would go for a dude like you with money".

You can feed the homeless, get rid of diseases and spend towards world peace?

How would this mountain of money make YOU happy?

Damn straight! I'd build a brew pub in New Zealand and kiss Bush goodbye!

What will you do without Bush to scapegoat for all the problems you see in the world?

I'd brew great beer, serve great food and shake my head over the crazy antics of American politics. Hell, I might even learn to like cricket!

 

[Vic]

Originally posted by: tangent1138

Originally posted by: Vic
What will you do without Bush to scapegoat for all the problems you see in the world?

I think you don't quite understand the definition of scapegoat. A scapegoat is one is who is punished for the errors of others. Bush has clearly made mistakes, huge mistakes, which have considerably weakened the United States.

Nope, I understand it perfectly, and you (ironically) demonstrated. You really think that Bush and Bush alone is responsible for all the things you blame him for? Hey, I hate him as much as the next guy (and I've never voted for him, thank you), but he is clearly a scapegoat.

 

[Vic]

Originally posted by: MagnusTheBrewer

Originally posted by: Vic

Originally posted by: MagnusTheBrewer

Originally posted by: SSSnail
Would it? We're talking an absurd amount of money.

You can do nothing all day, or you can already "do nothing all day" right now?

You can get two chicks at once, "the type of chicks that would go for a dude like you with money".

You can feed the homeless, get rid of diseases and spend towards world peace?

How would this mountain of money make YOU happy?

Damn straight! I'd build a brew pub in New Zealand and kiss Bush goodbye!

What will you do without Bush to scapegoat for all the problems you see in the world?

I'd brew great beer, serve great food and shake my head over the crazy antics of American politics. Hell, I might even learn to like cricket!

Sounds like fun. Until you discover the crazy antic of New Zealand politics.

 

[Thraxen]

Originally posted by: Vic
Actually, no, money does not buy freedom. Because (with an absurd amount of money as the OP said) you will never free of the nagging fear of losing that money, nor of the inability to trust those around you.

I disagree completely. I would love to have the [realistic] freedom to choose to work or not. That would indeed make me happy. I've got plenty of friends now so if I came into a large sum of money I would already have plenty of people on whom I could trust.

 

[JLGatsby]

Originally posted by: Vic
Actually, no, money does not buy freedom. Because (with an absurd amount of money as the OP said) you will never free of the nagging fear of losing that money, nor of the inability to trust those around you.

If you have enough money, you wouldn't need to worry about ever going broke again.

If you have $500million in government bonds, I think I would be able to sleep at night. No one is going to take that.

And your nagging fear? How is that any different from the nagging fear millions have every day or wondering how they're going to pay their bills? You're worried about the "nagging fear" of the rich? LMAO Give me a break.

 

[FoBoT]

no, i am doing ok

i wouldn't refuse a pile of money, but i don't buy lotto tickets either

 

[K1052]

Originally posted by: Ausm
I sure as hell don't thing being obscenely rich would make someone depressed ;P


Ausm

But it is patently false to say that money alone can solve all your problems and get you everything you desire (as JLG claims). Some things, people, and ideas are simply above price.

 

[Syringer]

If money didn't matter, people would not go to work and live off welfare.

 

[JLGatsby]

Originally posted by: K1052
But it is patently false to say that money alone can solve all your problems and get you everything you desire. Some things, people, and ideas are simply above price.

Give me an example, I'll prove you wrong.

 

[K1052]

Originally posted by: JLGatsby

Originally posted by: K1052
But it is patently false to say that money alone can solve all your problems and get you everything you desire. Some things, people, and ideas are simply above price.

Give me an example, I'll prove you wrong.

What happens when you run into someone your wealth won't influence? Such people exist.

 

[OrganizedChaos]

with money i could

get some health insurance and start getting yearly physicals again
go back to school
get the balljoints fixed in my jeep so I'm not worrying about losing a wheel
get my cats tumors fixed
get dental coverage and start going to the dentist again
get new glasses so i can read without getting headaches

yeah, money would definitely buy me happiness

 

[Vic]

I'm not going to argue this point with high school kids who've never seen the real world, or don't know what having money is like.
In the meantime, I'll take the real life experiences of real people who have been through it. Ask Cobain what money was like. Ask Staley what he thought about having more money than he could spend. Ask countless others of the unhappy rich.
If you're not happy with your life now, how are you going to be happy when all your dreams have come true and you have nothing left to dream for anymore?

 

[Dirigible]

Originally posted by: JLGatsby

Originally posted by: K1052
But it is patently false to say that money alone can solve all your problems and get you everything you desire. Some things, people, and ideas are simply above price.

Give me an example, I'll prove you wrong.

I would like the cartilege in my left knee to grow back so I can do sports without pain.

I would also like immortality, to be free from the fear of dying.

I can't get either of those things right now for any amount of money.

 

[Gautama2]

Originally posted by: her209

Originally posted by: Atheus

Originally posted by: her209
Desire leads to wanting.

Wanting leads to jealousy.

Jealousy leads to suffering.

Suffering leads to hate.

Hate leads to fear.

Fear... leads to the dark side...

</yoda>

Actually, I got mine from here

The term we usually use is attachment, not jealousy.

But good for you for applying Buddhist beliefs :thumbs:

 

[Vic]

Originally posted by: OrganizedChaos
with money i could

get some health insurance and start getting yearly physicals again
go back to school
get the balljoints fixed in my jeep so I'm not worrying about losing a wheel
get my cats tumors fixed
get dental coverage and start going to the dentist again
get new glasses so i can read without getting headaches

yeah, money would definitely buy me happiness

Pardon me, but what you're talking about is peanuts pay-the-bills-and-rent kind of money. The OP specifically said "We're talking an absurd amount of money."

 

[BoomerD]

Originally posted by: K1052

Originally posted by: JLGatsby

Originally posted by: K1052
But it is patently false to say that money alone can solve all your problems and get you everything you desire. Some things, people, and ideas are simply above price.

Give me an example, I'll prove you wrong.

What happens when you run into someone your wealth won't influence? Such people exist.

You have them killed...THAT influences them (and those who know them) more than your money ever could...Just ask Tony...

 

[JLGatsby]

Originally posted by: K1052
What happens when you run into someone your wealth won't influence? Such people exist.

You're not thinking about it deep enough.

Think right now, of all the people you COULD but didn't meet if you were rich. All the places you could travel to. And the ways you could present yourself. Clothes, haircuts. Money influences everyone. A number may not influence some people. But free time (you could spend with them), maybe dressing nice, or having the time to improve your social skills would ultimately influence them.

Without money, you may not even have met all the people in the world that could make you happy. Or you may not have had enough time for them. If you work 12 hours a day, don't tell me that that wouldn't influence someone (you wouldn't have any time for them).

 

[Thraxen]

Originally posted by: Vic
Pardon me, but what you're talking about is peanuts pay-the-bills-and-rent kind of money. The OP specifically said "We're talking an absurd amount of money."

So? The point remains the same. He could likely just add a new home, new car, nice HT set-up, etc... to his list. If stuff like that didn't make people happy then there wouldn't be a market for them. Simple as that.

 

[her209]

Originally posted by: JLGatsby

Originally posted by: K1052
But it is patently false to say that money alone can solve all your problems and get you everything you desire. Some things, people, and ideas are simply above price.

Give me an example, I'll prove you wrong.

Five pirates on an island have one hundred gold coins to split among themselves. They divide the loot as follows: The senior pirate proposes a division, and everyone votes on it. Provided at least half the pirates vote for the proposal, they split the coins that way. If not, they kill the senior pirate and start over. The most senior (surviving) pirate proposes his own division plan, and they vote by the same rules and either divide the loot or kill the senior pirate, as the case may be. The process continues until one plan is accepted. Suppose you are the senior pirate. What division do you propose? (The pirates are all extremely logical and greedy, including you, and all want to live.)