[joe_the_user]

It's certainly documented that people have a short-term bias in their happiness choices.

However ... I started to listen to tunes on my machine about two months ago and I think I can look back on those two months and say I've been happier and more productive during that time. There are times to turn off the tunes - I never walk around with headphones - but music is cool and the article's argument about lottery tickets won't change that.

[noonespecial]

Music is actually a terrible example because it has qualities that change mood and percetion all by itself. Its effecs also vary so widely for individuals as to make comparisons nearly meaningless.

[philwelch]

For individuals? Hell, they vary widely over time as well.