[syndicatedjelly]

"contempt" isn't the word I'd used to describe my feelings towards this existence. It would be more like a deep, existential sadness. That life can fall into these local minimums of optimization - where everything is, on average, good.

- I'm happy, but not very

- I'm financially successful, but not very

- I like what I do, but too much

- I'm comfortable, but not too comfortable.

It's like my entire personality, likes, and dislikes have been smeared into a 2-dimensional caricature and propped up by a couple supports, for everyone to see and admire. This sort of existence is safe, inoffensive, and unremarkable.

Love your blog btw, it gives me confidence to be more like myself in my own life.

[tonyedgecombe]

>I'm financially successful, but not very

I read about some research recently where the researcher asked people how much money they earned and how much they would need to feel financially secure. No matter how much they earned they all felt they needed about 50% more.

It seems we are programmed to feel mildly dissatisfied no matter what our circumstances. I guess that is what drives us on.

[pdimitar]

This point of view is very popular and I've seen zero evidence for it throughout my entire life. Consider you might be living in a bubble where "the hedonistic treadmill" tired trope makes perfect sense... and that bubble is fairly small. Ever thought of it?

Practically every person I ever asked told me more or less this:

"Yeah sure, who would not want 100K a month? But I am not willing to forfeit my personal and family life for it and that kind of money always comes with a catch. Nah man. I'd be happy with 20K a month but it ain't ever happening while there's always the next a-hole CEO who wants a bigger yacht than his bros in the golf club."

So yeah, I heard your take many times and I have not seen it out there. Not once.

[tonyedgecombe]

I’m not sure whether you are agreeing or disagreeing with the points I made.

Or perhaps you just had something you wanted to get off your chest.

[pdimitar]

Me saying that I heard your takes many times but never seen it anywhere should have tipped you off that I disagree.

Not sure what your response contributes to any discussion though. You did not try to defend or enrich your position.

[tonyedgecombe]

Assuming you were responding to my statement "It seems we are programmed to feel mildly dissatisfied no matter what our circumstances." I can't see how that squares with the paper I talked about. Of course you can raise your anecdotes but that proves nothing.

[pdimitar]

What you said are also anecdotes which also prove nothing.

The hedonistic treadmill does not exist.

It's a feel-good construct, I found.