Are we more happy than our ancestors /his/?
We can circle the globe in less than 24 hours for a fraction of a year's wage, we can communicate with people in nearly every country within a fraction of a second, we can watch forms of entertainment that would've been considered witchcraft not but 100 years ago, and we can pleasure ourselves to women that are miles out of our league. But are we truly any happier?
No. What a monstrous society soulless international capitalism has created.
I've never considered myself a right-winger, but I'm really beginning to wonder if the Industrial Revolution and the Enlightenment weren't the worst mistakes in history.
>entertainment that would've been considered witchcraft not but 100 years ago
People 100 years ago would not have considered computers, modern televisions, or other forms of contemporary tech witchcraft. Neither would people 200 years ago, for that matter.
>>786425
Yet we have plentiful food, shelter, and entertainment. Do you really believe that man can only be happy if he enjoys occasional victories in his persistent struggle against nature?
Or are you just an unhappy person?
>>786390
Kind of. Billionaires are still more balanced than kings, we have lots of food and a large variety.
>>786390
I don't think that happiness is something that is related with technological advances.
Plus we don't know our ancestors.
>>786447
For now.
When it comes crashing down we'll be far worse off than we would be if we'd never had those things. The higher we build the tower the more it's going to hurt when it collapses.
Besides, I think there is something to be said for living closer to the earth and having less time for luxury. I'll admit that I am attached to my modern conveniences and easy life, but I think it would have been better if I never knew them. I think you can enjoy luxury and recreation more if it's less frequent.
>>786390
I'm pretty happy with my comfy western life.
>>786447
We, yes, but what of the other 80%? Who suffer, sometimes from our benefit at their expense.
Way happier
Astronomically happier
Life was utterly miserable for pre modern people
War, slavery, rape, disease, the savage elements, casual violence, starvation, etc were just seen as "life"
If you pulled anybody from that age to this one they'd believe this is heaven
>>786781
I guess its time to volunteer for the peace corps.
>>786781
I'd argue whether or not that 80% of the world's population is suffering for the benefit of the first world. Regardless though, the people are probably much better off than 500 or so years ago when 99% of people labored in brutal conditions for the other 1% of the population. Even if 80% is correct, it's a marked improvement.
>>786844
That's relative. Subhuman, brutal, cruel and unjust conditions aren't the same for their times as they are for our times.
>>786390
no, our ancestors were more happy than ours.
Happiness levels are going to be the exact same. Human biology hasn't changed.
We have more liability now, but life in general is better.
Our ancestors were basically Indians. The fact that India has a thriving middle class doesn't change the fact that most Indians are malnourished and covered in shit, and the fact that the middle ages had beautiful cathedrals and chivalrous kings doesn't change the fact that most peasants were malnourished and covered in shit.
The only difference now is that you have a much higher standard of living and you can network with others to realize how miserable you are.
So much happier. You couldn't even imagine how happier we are.
Shit, pre-modern cultures didn't even have a fucking CONCEPT of happiness, and if they did, it was at the expense of the utterly miserable people who make up the masses.
We're living in an age where we can afford to cherish other people, instead of scrunging for whatever's left for your own family and nobody else. We actually have empathy and friendship. Shit that hardly ever existed in a plague- starvation- and war-infested wasteland.
This is paradise.
>tfw the best we've ever had isn't enough for someone like me
>>786390
No one will ever be completely happy, we could live in the most technologically advanced society and humans will still be unsatisfied with something
>>786797
>war, slavery, rape
>implying these still aren't common today
>shits just got more subtle
For some years now there are still wars on the globe, never ending.
About slavery, if you don't fit into a certain model in order to spend your whole life oiling the gears of a machine so big that people can't even see it anymore, then you're a dead man.
And about rape, well ya just gotta be unlucky to get the ol' jazz in the middle of the city you were born in.
And about diseases ? We don't have cures anymore, just product to make things tolerable and maintain you just sick enough so that you have to buy more of those.
What a time to be alive. Now be thankfull for everything, eat your soup ( kindly delivered by people who want your well-being) and go to bed, you wouldn't like to be too tired at work tomorrow.
>>786390
My ancestors were happier.
All anyone needs is to fuck, eat and have friends.
>>789044
What a huge fucking retard are you?
What's next, jet fuel can't melt steel beams?
Happiness doesn't come from material conditions.
A very powerful monarch once said:
>I have now reigned above fifty years in victory or peace; beloved by my subjects, dreaded by my enemies, and respected by my allies. Riches and honours, power and pleasure, have waited on my call, nor does any earthly blessing appear to have been wanting to my felicity. In this situation, I have diligently numbered the days of pure and genuine happiness which have fallen to my lot: they amount to Fourteen: - O man! place not thy confidence in this present world!
>>787391
>So much happier. You couldn't even imagine how happier we are.
>Shit, pre-modern cultures didn't even have a fucking CONCEPT of happiness, and if they did, it was at the expense of the utterly miserable people who make up the masses.
>We're living in an age where we can afford to cherish other people, instead of scrunging for whatever's left for your own family and nobody else. We actually have empathy and friendship. Shit that hardly ever existed in a plague- starvation- and war-infested wasteland.
>This is paradise.
This is the most ignorant thing I have ever read on 4chan. And I go to /sp/.
Simple example: what was Epicurus writing about and what was his idea of a good life?
>>789536
I don't think you know what material conditions are.
Why was Charlie Sheen, the super rich and famous guy, that had access to everything he wanted and to all the pleasure someone can get so miserable?
>>789558
Ask him yourself, your retarded quotes and examples don't mean anything. Why is the rich guy living down the road so fucking happy? Why was the patricians in Rome so happy? You see where this is going?
Go get an MR of your brain when you are happy and then when you are sad, if you have one of course.
>>786390
Yes, we of the first world live as Gods compared to what once was
>>789582
You didn't answer the question.
And I repeat, your first post is completely ignorant. Do you really think people didn't have a knowledge of the concept of happiness in pre-modern cultures? Ever heard of that Buddha lad? Epicurus?
>>786390
>we can watch forms of entertainment that would've been considered witchcraft not but 100 years ago
which forms of entertainment would have been considered witchcraft in 1916?
>>789622
Free 1080p porn
Drugs = happiness
therefore today > back then
>>789614
>Buddha and Epicurus
Yeah as if people can't come up with imaginary shit right?
Oh I didn't answer your question because it was retarded as fuck. How the hell am I supposed to know why the guy is not happy you little shit? And you ask that question as if everyone who is rich is motherfucking sad! What the fuck are you?
I think I'd be happy if I were doing what I am now aside from a few technological advancements. Blacksmithing and just enjoying life with my dog when I'm not working.
Well, I say happy but I mean content. Can't be happy all the time.
>>786390
I don't think so we are too spiled to be happy we are used to have so much that more of it doesn't bring happiness anymore but losing a bit of that much does make us miserable.
>>786781
>>786802 is right, if you aren't actively doing something for a change (and i mean giving the 100% not half-assed "muh confort zone" shit), then you should simply STFO.
If you are actively doing something then you should keep it to yourself, society is not one keen of taking brownie points as a measure of a man's value.
>>789336
Is that the ritual you do every morning before your mirror ?
>>789536
I wanna discuss philosophy but I don't know jack shits about subjects even teenage stoners can comprehend
>>791732
Adding that to make it clear.
>
>>791732
u just won da internetz m8.
Respect.
>>786390
Happiness is a state of saying you're happy with the way things are going. It's not pleasure, and it's completely relative. It's how you judge your own life as good or bad.
>>786390
I feel like there is a charm in living your entire life and dieing in the same village you were born in, knowing the same people your entire life. Also, waking up early to work on the fields and then enjoying sundown with your family who will always live around you. Maybe i have a romanticized view of pre-industrial life though
>>788942
Communist kike spotted.
>>786390
Who cares about happiness, only stupid monkeys care about being happy all the time oh wait thats most of humanitty my bad fucking primitive apes.
>>792165
>>789582
>happiness is an MRI scan
hahahahahahaha ahahaha god fuck the redditors infesting this board
>>792152
>I feel like there is a charm in living your entire life and dieing in the same village you were born in, knowing the same people your entire life. Also, waking up early to work on the fields and then enjoying sundown with your family who will always live around you
there is literally nothing stopping you from moving into a rural area and joining the amish.
>>792195
Oy monkey happiness is a cocktail of various chemicals in your noggin dumbass.
>>792152
this is partially the best way to live.
and this is the main reason why the most empty, sad and pathetic people there are travel so much around the globe, looking for a peace they will never find, no matter how rich or successful to the eyes of society they are
>>792209
ahahaahahahaha ok m8, get that 'tism checked
Why not just ask them
>>792217
https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-athletes-way/201211/the-neurochemicals-happiness
Stupid primtive ape its nothing but brain chemicals fucktard and stop using autism in the wrong context.
We are forced to grow up in a certain environment but once we are adults we are free to change that environment, barring barriers like money, disability, etc. But the average person can drastically change their lifestyle to fit closer to any culture or time period they want.
Westerners have more freedom, technically than anyone ever before.
I'd say a middle ground between pre rampant technology and current level would be best.
>>792351
>if they call me autist is da wrongz context
Ffs, if you can't deal with philosophy and you just repeat whatever you learned in high school then tits or GTFO.
>>792577
>calling people autistic and just saying "philosophy" as if philosophy is a thing with an opinion that agrees with your personal opinions
What shit tier argumentation.
This thread makes me want to fucking kill some of you. Read a fucking book or get the fuck off my board. You underage faggot /vg/ /int/ /pol/ cucks dont know shit about the past
>>786390
We are as happy as our ancestors are, and our descendants will be as happy as we are.
>https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hedonic_treadmill
>>786390
Smallpox is dead and gone.
Mosquitoes who alone have killed more humans than all the wars and crimes of all human history put together invoke worldwide action to stem the tide in real aid and real money.
Yes, I am happier now.
>>792613
Y-y-you got the wrong idea, senpai!
>>792656
So do fucking I. They've learned everything they know by watching TV and browsing da Webz.
>>786425
>industrial revolution
>mistake
>literally the entire reason you're able to type out this meaningless prattle in the first place
wew
>>793204
>this retarded argument
>if you use anything created by x system than you can't criticize x system
I wonder more if we are happier than people from 1950.
>>793225
yeah, you should go and live the pure life, off the grid.
walk the walk, as they say.
>>793225
>it shatters my views so i'll call it retarded
Well, we know women have become unhappier in the last 35 years, (http://www.nber.org/papers/w14969) despite being given equal rights.
Similar to what >>786425 said, there seems to be negative side effects from modernist values.
I'd say probably not.
Ignorance is bliss, knowledge brings only despair.
