We yearn for more money. We claim we don't need money.
We strive for jobs giving more money. Yet we are shackled by those same jobs because of money.
Money is many things. Its nature is multidimensional, and our relationship with it is complex at best.
Let's try to distill this. At its very essence, what is money?
Money is, at its core, simply a medium of exchange. But the key is that it is is used for exchanging virtually anything. The things we can exchange for money range from trivial to obscene: a can of soda, a new coat, a car, a horse, a house, an island, etc. In some cases, or even many cases, money is exchanged for time, or even affection.
So we can get a lot of things by having money. But how do we get this "money" in the first place? For most of us, we "work" for the money. What is work? Work is the exchange of our time for money. The countless hours that we've spent toiling our craft even before the present job is also rolled into the barter equation.
So as the saying goes, time truly is money.
So we exchange our time for money, in order to obtain other things by trading away this money. It's the way things revolve around the world, isn't it...
But what if we had tons of money? What would be different? We'd still be able to get all those material things, but would no longer have to trade in our time to get them. Suddenly, we have a lot more time at our disposal.
Having money would give us time. Having money would set us free.
hm, I like this logical approach. I'm not sure if you'd prefer to discuss the structure of the argument or whether there's truth to it. But with respect to the message you're trying to convey, there also exists the law of diminishing marginal utility which is seen very easily in how people respond to personal income. so, it's nice to aim for a big number, but generally speaking you could spend your time focusing on other means of personal satisfaction and it will probably be a better use of your time. I understand there was a princeton study which found that people with higher incomes don't necessarily spend their time in more enjoyable ways than people who earn much less. but of course the lift from poverty into middle class would increase happiness.
but I do generally disagree with the idea that money can't buy happiness. it certainly buys the ingredients!
This is totally wrong. Money is the biggest slavery known to mankind. Unfortunately the times that we live in, make a lot of people believe that money gives them freedom, happiness, love etc...
On February 09 2012 18:48 mdb wrote: This is totally wrong. Money is the biggest slavery known to mankind. Unfortunately the times that we live in, make a lot of people believe that money gives them freedom, happiness, love etc...
At first this seems true, but if one had enough money one could retire for the rest of one's life to do whatever they wanted. Isn't that freedom? That's what Haji is saying.
In addition, many people who do make this money do not retire. They continue working because they don't know anything else. That's not slavery, it's finding purpose.
A lot more people would be better off if they loved money more than they loved the things money can buy. I would be sick to my stomach if I spent $300 on a pair of Air Jordan's that cost probably $10 to make. But some people will go crazy just to have a chance at being taken advantage of by a corporation in such a way.
Money buys happiness. There's a certain point of wealth where happiness is achieved by having all expenses met, where MORE money couldn't possibly increase your standard of living. It is the line between luxury and island-owning, I think. As for me, I'll always take more... money is also your shield against the law, and it means more than your vote. Money is democracy, these days.
Now this isn't saying anything about whether the actual currency we use is any good... It's kind of a bad system really.. one where the value of the currency must depreciate constantly.
I dont work for money I work for enjoyment. Enjoy what you do then you are Not "shackled down by the system." Spending 60+ hours a week earning minimum wage and i fucking love it
Money is latent value. You exchange money for value. You work for value. You work for money. Your work is valuable. If you already have value then you don't need to work.
"Money can't buy happiness" hahahha I disagree. There's an old Chinese saying: "Money can make Death turn the stone grain mill."
I feel bad for materialistic people. They're never satisfied, always want smth more , want to buy lots of houses, companies, luxuries. Sadly, this applies to majority. People hurt each other to get richer. I never stop asking is that worth it. Remember when blizzard was a small company? passionate, they really cared about what they were doing, about their fans, games. now, after activision came in, all they care is money. Money is evil, not freedom
wouldnt anyone truly agree that happiness* is a state where your conscious is diminished? where you don't have to think of your circumstances, think about anything negative?
truly, i believe, happiness can interrupt your conscious and make you lack in areas of your life.
so, yes, i believe money can buy happiness; to the extent where you have servants, a big house, doesnt have to worry much about expenses, or any harm to you.
On February 09 2012 21:49 Revolt wrote: wouldnt anyone truly agree that happiness* is a state where your conscious is diminished? where you don't have to think of your circumstances, think about anything negative?
truly, i believe, happiness can interrupt your conscious and make you lack in areas of your life.
so, yes, i believe money can buy happiness; to the extent where you have servants, a big house, doesnt have to worry much about expenses, or any harm to you.
lol what? since when is conscious defined as the amount of worry in your life? are you really saying that it's a bad thing that the opportunity cost of being happy is not worrying? if you do truly believe that, then I feel sorry for you. you can be happy and productive at the same time.
such a strange thing to say
edit: furthermore, you are defining a short-term happiness with your examples of servants, a big house, and lack of expense worry. while these seem like great things when we're children, in reality we can lose a lot by being spoiled, feeling too prideful, being lazy, or not appreciating the value of a dollar. these material things have no foundation for true happiness, it's empty carbs.
EPT
