But Will It Make You Happy? NYTimes Article That Talks About Bonding Behaviors, Less Consumption

Submitted by Dano_Clarke on Sun, 2010-08-15 15:25
Community topics: 
bonding behaviors

I thought this was good and reinforced some ideas discussed in CPA.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/08/business/08consume.html?pagewanted=1&r...

From page 2 of the article:

"Current research suggests that, unlike consumption of material goods, spending on leisure and services typically strengthens social bonds, which in turn helps amplify happiness. (Academics are already in broad agreement that there is a strong correlation between the quality of people’s relationships and their happiness; hence, anything that promotes stronger social bonds has a good chance of making us feel all warm and fuzzy.)

And the creation of complex, sophisticated relationships is a rare thing in the world. As Professor Dunn and her colleagues Daniel T. Gilbert and Timothy D. Wilson point out in their forthcoming paper, only termites, naked mole rats and certain insects like ants and bees construct social networks as complex as those of human beings. In that elite little club, humans are the only ones who shop."

Comments

Marnia's picture

Submitted by Marnia on Sun, 2010-08-15 17:58.

for posting

Submitted by Dano_Clarke on Mon, 2010-08-16 20:44.

I want to share with you what my new girlfriend wrote after she read it.

"I finally got a chance to sit down and read this. Thanks for sending it."

"I really like the part you quoted baby... experiences go farther in bringing about happiness than short term satisfactions. I want us to have long term, meaningful happiness. I want to share experiences with you. Its also that whole kareza concept... bonding will ultimately make our relationship stronger.

*looks deep into your eyes*"

I believe this is awesome...and I will some day get her permission before I share her thoughts. (It's not getting deleted though. I'm gonna want to see everything I wrote.) I hope over time I can get through all these different cycles and live in this simpler, happier manner.

Submitted by Rachel on Wed, 2010-08-18 07:13.

I like that she calls you "baby." :-)

rediscovered

Submitted by Dano_Clarke on Wed, 2010-08-18 08:17.

At least I think so.

Marnia's picture

Submitted by Marnia on Tue, 2010-08-17 21:11.

you have all the pieces of the puzzle. That's great. All you need is time and determination.

Submitted by Dano_Clarke on Wed, 2010-08-18 08:17.

I'm sort of back to "maintenance" orgasms to avoid the worst parts of withdrawal. Luckily I put out the fire and my recent use of porn has been contained.

Thank you for your support Marnia.