Why do people work 16 hours a day and prioritize money over happiness.

[phreak]

I could repeat myself, but - I'm not searching for happiness. I find this "search for happiness" very flawed from a get go. No other animal is trying to search for happiness, only people, and they fail miserably. Because they doesn't realize that we are here not to be "happy" (today I feel kind of sad. Idk why tbh, but I don't mind it, it will pass, just like when I'm feeling very happy, it's a constant change), we are here to fight for survival, survive, procreate, to be alive so to speak. If we are succesfull at that (live comfortably/no stress, because stress equals a threat of death in it's essence) - we feel "good emotions", and if we are conctantly succeeding at it - we are "happy", there's really nothing else to that. I'm not trying to maximise my happiness, I'm trying to maximise my power, my survival, survival of my closest people. I like fucking hot and young girls, it doesn't usualy happen if one is not very valuable as a partner for survival (aside good genes). People overrationalize this shit way too much.

I hope you see the irony in your final statement.

Also: you seem terribly narrow in your views. Just because you find the search flawed, does not mean it actually is flawed for others. Do many fail? Yes, because they are being told by people like you that simply gathering resources should make them happy -- which it doesn't.

[FitnessFrenzy]

people should be free to work as much as they want. However, not many people realize what they miss out on when they work so much. If you work 70 hours per week for years, you must feel that a Rolex watch and a Bentley is more important than more time for social life and sports. Otherwise, that rat race is pointless.

I sometimes see old men in sports cars with sad faces who look like shit. I wonder if they think it was worth it to have that SL500 Mercedes?

[da_vinci]

I hope you see the irony in your final statement.

Also: you seem terribly narrow in your views. Just because you find the search flawed, does not mean it actually is flawed for others. Do many fail? Yes, because they are being told by people like you that simply gathering resources should make them happy -- which it doesn't.

What I write is a pretty simple evolutional point of view, a factual reality, while many tend to talk about happiness in various poethical and philosophical ways. I think I shoot straight to the target with this one.
 And I don't say that gathering resources will make them happy, I say that happiness is a human created illusion (at least the way it is presented). There's no "happiness", just one of the emotions that signalize our brain about a good situation of survival or bad situation. I've yet to see a "not happy" person who is rich and has a balance in his head (regarding daily stuff/relathionships/etc..) and I've yet to see a happy person who's poor and disoriented in a reality. But it's all relative still, because permanently happy are only legally retarded people or addicts (while high). Emotions are meant to give a signal of certain kind. Everything that is happening in our head has a very specific reason. Body can't afford to keep any system, be it physical or emotional, just for the sake of it.
 Finally - it's ALL about survival, all, we do nothing that is not related to survival. Once you realize this - everything else falls to a place.

[da_vinci]

people should be free to work as much as they want. However, not many people realize what they miss out on when they work so much. If you work 70 hours per week for years, you must feel that a Rolex watch and a Bentley is more important than more time for social life and sports. Otherwise, that rat race is pointless.

I sometimes see old men in sports cars with sad faces who look like shit. I wonder if they think it was worth it to have that SL500 Mercedes?

But you probably a lot more often see poor people with sad faces of any age, don't you?

[Tapeworm]

My schedule doesn't lend itself to 8 hour M-F work days.  I imagine others also have deadlines to meet which don't move just because most people are going home.  How you gonna work 8 hours when there's only 4 hours of shit to do?  How do you do 12 hours worth of stuff in an 8 hour day?  Hours shmouwers.  You either accomplish the task on time or you don't.  Why do people want to work a job that's hours oriented rather than task oriented?  So they can watch the clock crawl all day?

[HTexan]

Get a life, even the homeless wear clothes and you don't need to car to go from a to b

You get a life leach. Clothes arn't free. Somebody had to pay for that clothes. You think clothes should be free? Some hipster designed the clothes, some farmer grew that cotton, some immigrant was responsible for picking the cotton, then some boat dude transported the shit to China. Then Some little fucking Chinese kid put the clothes together, a whole shitload of people were responsible for getting it transported back to the US. Then some pimple face kid sold it to you in the fucking mall. Are you saying that all those people should work for free just for your fat lazy overprivileged ass? That's the problem with America today, everybody is a fucking lazy pussy.  /end rant

[SF1900]

You get a life leach. Clothes isn't free. Somebody had to pay for that clothes. You think closes should be free? Some hipster designed the clothes, some farmer grew that cotton, some immigrant was responsible for picking the cotton, then some boat dude transported the shit to China. Then Some little fucking Chinese kid put the clothes together, a whole shitload of people were responsible for getting it transported back to the US. Then some pimple face kid sold it to you in the fucking mall. Are you saying that all those people should work for free just for your fat lazy overprivileged ass? That's the problem with America today, everybody is a fucking lazy pussy.  /end rant

A lot more people work than don't work. If every body was lazy, every body would be on welfare. Most people wake up every morning and go to work when compared to the ones that don't.

Every generation that comes along is lazy, uneducated, stupid, privileged, blah, blah, blah. All the older people look at current generations, wave their fist in the air and say something cliche like, "When I was 8 years old, I walked 87 miles to school one way, in 45 feet of snow, with no shoes on." Sure you did. 

[HTexan]

A lot more people work than don't work. If every body was lazy, every body would be on welfare. Most people wake up every morning and go to work when compared to the ones that don't.

Every generation that comes along is lazy, uneducated, stupid, privileged, blah, blah, blah. All the older people look at current generations, wave their fist in the air and say something cliche like, "When I was 8 years old, I walked 87 miles to school one way, in 45 feet of snow, with no shoes on." Sure you did. 

Most people just want a pay check, and do just enough need to get in trouble.

[FitnessFrenzy]

But you probably a lot more often see poor people with sad faces of any age, don't you?

that is likely true. Also, white undereducated men who don't have jobs are killing themselves in record numbers:

http://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2016/01/white-working-class-poverty/424341/

[El Diablo Blanco]

In a capitalistic society MONEY=HAPPYNESS

Just because you see Rich people unhappy, it's not the money making them unhappy.  It's other shit plus most likely drug use.

[da_vinci]

that is likely true. Also, white undereducated men who don't have jobs are killing themselves in record numbers:

http://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2016/01/white-working-class-poverty/424341/

That's what I'm talking about. Better to be sad and rich than sad and poor.

[da_vinci]

In a capitalistic society MONEY=HAPPYNESS

Just because you see Rich people unhappy, it's not the money making them unhappy.  It's other shit plus most likely drug use.

The funny thing is - in other societies there are other "money" or signs of power and domination that everyone strive for. Money is just a manifestation of how good can you adapt to this enviroment and get an edge over the rest.

[jude2]

A lot more people work than don't work. If every body was lazy, every body would be on welfare. Most people wake up every morning and go to work when compared to the ones that don't.

Every generation that comes along is lazy, uneducated, stupid, privileged, blah, blah, blah. All the older people look at current generations, wave their fist in the air and say something cliche like, "When I was 8 years old, I walked 87 miles to school one way, in 45 feet of snow, with no shoes on." Sure you did. 

I think it is more like half work and half don't. 50% are on some type of welfare.

[pellius]

In a capitalistic society MONEY=HAPPYNESS

Just because you see Rich people unhappy, it's not the money making them unhappy.  It's other shit plus most likely drug use.

Having money also gives you more options -- including not having money. It cracks me when people say that the more money you have the more problems you get and the more miserable you become. If that's the case just get rid of the money. Very, very easy to do.

Much easier for a rich man to become poor than a poor man to become rich.

[pellius]

A lot more people work than don't work. If every body was lazy, every body would be on welfare. Most people wake up every morning and go to work when compared to the ones that don't.

Every generation that comes along is lazy, uneducated, stupid, privileged, blah, blah, blah. All the older people look at current generations, wave their fist in the air and say something cliche like, "When I was 8 years old, I walked 87 miles to school one way, in 45 feet of snow, with no shoes on." Sure you did. 

If everybody was lazy then there would be no wealth created to pay for welfare.

[SF1900]

In a capitalistic society MONEY=HAPPYNESS

Just because you see Rich people unhappy, it's not the money making them unhappy.  It's other shit plus most likely drug use.

Well, yeah, like many things in life, money is neither inherently good or bad, and can be used to create happiness or unhappiness. I agree, it's not the money itself that makes someone unhappy, but how responsible they are with it.

[pellius]

Well, yeah, like many things in life, money is neither inherently good or bad, and can be used to create happiness or unhappiness. I agree, it's not the money itself that makes someone unhappy, but how responsible they are with it.

It's not so much if you are responsible with money. I mean, if you are not responsible you just go back to being poor. It's what you do to get and keep that money that is corrupting and the cause for unhappiness.

[JasonH]

Money and happiness are two completely different things and I don't know why people try and link the two.

Why should money bring happiness? Turn it on its head and you'll see how ridiculous the notion is - ask will more happiness bring more money? Not necessarily.

There are happy poor people, happy rich people, sad poor people and sad rich people. It's very hard to correlate financial status and state of mind, they are unrelated as far as I'm concerned.

Going back to the original question - I'm sure there are people working on Wall Street doing 16 hour days purely because they want to and because they can, simple as that - it gives them purpose, it pays the bills, it's a living, it's a status thing, all of the above.

[pellius]

Money and happiness are two completely different things and I don't know why people try and link the two.

Why should money bring happiness? Turn it on its head and you'll see how ridiculous the notion is - ask will more happiness bring more money? Not necessarily.

There are happy poor people, happy rich people, sad poor people and sad rich people. It's very hard to correlate financial status and state of mind, they are unrelated as far as I'm concerned.

Going back to the original question - I'm sure there are people working on Wall Street doing 16 hour days purely because they want to and because they can, simple as that - it gives them purpose, it pays the bills, it's a living, it's a status thing, all of the above.

Providing for your basic needs is a requirement for happiness. If you don't have a roof over your head, no or not enough food to eat, you're cold or hot, people stare at you because you are dressed in rags, your feet are callous and have sores because of no shoes, you have a mop of hair full of lice because it's never cut or washed, you stink to high heaven because you can't bathe.

You sound like someone who has never been truly poor. Never know what it's like to live on the streets grubbing for food. Truly poor people are not happy. They may have happy moments but when you belly is aching for food, you're filthy, can't read, sick or injured with no access to a doctor.

Money is a necessary but insufficient condition for happiness. Without money you are miserable.

Don't believe me? Get rid of all your money. You wouldn't get rid of your air conditioner and heater let alone two days without eating.

[FitnessFrenzy]

Money and happiness are two completely different things and I don't know why people try and link the two.

Why should money bring happiness? Turn it on its head and you'll see how ridiculous the notion is - ask will more happiness bring more money? Not necessarily.

There are happy poor people, happy rich people, sad poor people and sad rich people. It's very hard to correlate financial status and state of mind, they are unrelated as far as I'm concerned.

Going back to the original question - I'm sure there are people working on Wall Street doing 16 hour days purely because they want to and because they can, simple as that - it gives them purpose, it pays the bills, it's a living, it's a status thing, all of the above.

not true. Read this:

http://www.cnbc.com/id/50027184

http://content.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,2019628,00.html

[JasonH]

Providing for your basic needs is a requirement for happiness. If you don't have a roof over your head, no or not enough food to eat, you're cold or hot, people stare at you because you are dressed in rags, your feet are callous and have sores because of no shoes, you have a mop of hair full of lice because it's never cut or washed, you stink to high heaven because you can't bathe.

You sound like someone who has never been truly poor. Never know what it's like to live on the streets grubbing for food. Truly poor people are not happy. They may have happy moments but when you belly is aching for food, you're filthy, can't read, sick or injured with no access to a doctor.

Money is a necessary but insufficient condition for happiness. Without money you are miserable.

Don't believe me? Get rid of all your money. You wouldn't get rid of your air conditioner and heater let alone two days without eating.

Hmm fair enough, I stand corrected. I suppose when you bring it down to the lowest common denominator there is a genuine need for some money to bring a certain degree of happiness and well-being.

[kh300]

The older I get the more of a minimalist I become. I used to collect materiel objects as a scorecard. I've demoted myself at work and earn less. I now own a truck I bought with cash when I used to make payments on 3 vehicles. Moved into a smaller house. The simpler my life is the happier I become. We are taught from a young age to follow a plan and to buy yourself into happiness. Its simply not true. Less is more in life. But to each his own.

[honest]

So since you've come to realize that life is better without money then it would be safe to assume you don't have any money.
So how are you able to use a computer and get access to electricity?

Wrong assumption on your behalf, I just identified some problems that I have encountered with having what some would perceive as a lifestyle over and above their own, I am at peace with myself that a lot of the friends I grew up with are no longer in touch with me, I don't really have time to worry about it, and being driven and successful isn't a crime,  I am at my happiest either working, training or enjoying the fruits of working hard holidaying with my family.

[HTexan]

The older I get the more of a minimalist I become. I used to collect materiel objects as a scorecard. I've demoted myself at work and earn less. I now own a truck I bought with cash when I used to make payments on 3 vehicles. Moved into a smaller house. The simpler my life is the happier I become. We are taught from a young age to follow a plan and to buy yourself into happiness. Its simply not true. Less is more in life. But to each his own.

yeah, when I got my first "good paying" job straight out of college, I when ape shit too. I had 3 cars, what single man needs 3 cars? I basically bought all the shit I wanted growing up but couldn't afford.

[Irongrip400]

Irongrip telling us his salary for the 50th  time in this thread.

But it's true, couple hundred k a year is nice, but not rich.   A lot depends on geography and family situation.   A single guy making that can do pretty much what he wants, but with a family, you live well, but you're not going to retire.

 

Irongrip coming off as a monster douche. Seriously though, I'm very humble in person, I just like being a douche on here. Like getting home gym advice and not thanking folks, or starting diet threads and not following up...