20 February 2009

It is better to do than to have


Or at least that's what this article says: Study: Experiences make us happier than possessions. I found the readers' sometimes hostile reactions to this equally interesting.

It's a valid point to say that cool experiences often aren't cheap and that some possessions (like musical instruments and board games, for example) can actually create many happy memories for years to come.

What do you think makes people happier? Do people need material objects to feel safe? Are experiences more enriching than objects? Does it depend on the object? Do you think it's simply personal preference?

At any rate, I thought the long-term affects were interesting-- how material objects faded in time, but memories often grew even more enjoyable.

If your birthday were coming up, would you want a material gift or an experiential one? Which would make you happier? Why?

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