"The price we pay for advance in civilisation is loss of happiness"- wrote Sigmund Freud. Of course he wrote many more interesting things regarding promiscuous topics, but this statement reinforces his high-handedness.
Does this mean pleasure and progress don't go together??? It seems absurd considering that we've all reaped the benefits of technology which has generally upped the quality of our lives. A wheel made things easier, agriculture alienated foraging, antibiotics alleviated suffering, electronics has revolutionised the communication industry. So, how can such palpable gains result in loss of happiness???
Actually, Freud talks about a totally different kind of happiness which is often miscontrued the same way as his other pennings are. This unhappiness is a by-product of technological and societal advancement which results in unreasonable and often nefarious demands which is unmatched by the supply. Hence, the discontent and consequently the evident unhappiness in the lives of people all around.
What has happened from the time Freud made his observation is that happiness is also considered as an 'offer', though it is an ephemeral one. This perception has resulted in a subtle shift in people's attitude according to which happiness ultimately boils down to an Insignia, an iPhone, a charming girlfriend, a date with Katrina Kaif or a Botox treatement. Unfortunately, Buddha had realised and propogated years ago that the next model is always out of stock in the present. Hence, one's happiness on the basis of his possession or prowess is bound to be overwhelmed in future. Thus, perennial unavailability leads to disenchantment which breeds discontenment and as they say- Only DESIRE remains.... I cannot fathom an unhappier situation.
Aamir Khan casts a spell with this latest Samsung brand flick - Next is What??? I think i may answer this ubiqutous question. NEXT is infact HAPPINESS. It just needs a subtle introspection and identification of priorities.
Service to parents may top the list of priorities. You might start realising the difference in contentment level between owning an Audi and washing dishes/clothes as a gesture of help for your 'Mom'.
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5 comments:
Reading Freud these days?
When is a man happy??
Don't ask me. But yes materialistic happiness is temporary.
but i ask why are we happy with a iphone or a charming girlfriend.Who programmed us that way?? we are the way we are but why we are the way we are??
@sanjay
Not reading Freud yaar... still have a long way to go to reach that level. I came across the quote in ET and it expedited this thought process which had been surreptitious for long.
Adding to you.... in this material world, man is happier if he possesses something which other do not have. Why are we programmedb in this way which smells of vertiable servility towards material possessions (on a personal scale)??
Maybe you could answer it better as you have always been the ambassador who reflected contentment unlike people like me who stuck their neck out for each and every affair!!!
i can't because i 'reflected contentment', i am not actually content heheh. no one is i guess.
Quoting Freud now, are we?
and that too on the matter or happiness? I would not trust that person even with my dreams.
In my world, happiness is a state of the mind, and has little to do with civilization or lack there of.
Were the grasses more green? Was the sun more yellow? Were the sounds of the lark more sweeter before civilization?
Yes, civilization has brought us lots of comfort and discomfort, but for individual happiness, it has been able to change little.
@johney
Welcome back... as you rightly said during our farewell party.. it was just not 'parting'. I would believe Freud because i tend to convince myself of the failed promiscuous efforts of mine.
Individual happiness is one individualistic trait which is highly correlated to other variables. However, your way of life reinforces the fact that contentment and happiness is not something elusive !!!!
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