TED Talks: The Surprising Science Of Happiness

The “American Dream” is based on the fundamental idea that one’s social status, and ultimately their happiness, is deeply rooted in their financial success and the material items they possess. It is often believed that mass consumerism has become an indicator of one’s ability to participate as an elite member of society and ultimately complete the pursuit of happiness. However, groups also object these views of happiness and suggest that happiness is based on far more than material items. One’s perception on the correlation of materialism and the pursuit of happiness is dependent on an individual's experience as a consumer.

The human characteristics of greed and materialism are a disguise that provide an ephemeral distraction, which over time, creates dissatisfaction. If asked what a person’s overarching life’s objective is, most would answer to be happy and loved. Yet, the misconception that happiness and money are interchangeable is still widely felt.

“Money has never made man happy, nor will it, there is nothing in its nature to produce happiness. The more of it one has, the more one wants,” quoted by Benjamin Franklin. Money can’t buy happiness because materials are short lived, human connection is more important, and wealth undermines people’s ability to savor positive events from the sheer abundance. Money will accumulate but it is easy to chase more and more until you realize you’re not actually living. Happiness that is based off of product is fugitive.

"Money has never made man happy, nor will it, there is nothing in its nature to produce happiness. The more of it one has, the more one wants." (Benjamin Franklin). We are never satisfied when we are focused on objects as opposed to fulfillment in life. People are constantly striving for fulfillment, we always want the next big thing, the latest and greatest, life has become a competition for who “seems” the most fulfilled. True fulfillment comes from within. It’s not always material things or luxurious lifestyles that money can buy, it’s more deep than that its pure happiness and satisfaction for attaining your own personal goals and achievements.

Psychological Effects of Materialism and Work on Happiness by Matt Brundage talks about how happiness for many is the elusive butterfly. However the phrase Wealth does not ensure happiness is deptively simple but is unfortunately not heeded by many in our society. What makes one happy is hard to define because it is transient and differs from person to person. Unhappiness unfortunately generates a need for material possessions and more wealth. For this reason, unhappiness and materialism reinforce each other; materialism breeds unhappiness and vice versa. However Business and the consumerism mindset have helped to shift the source of true happiness from intangible entities such as relationships, faith, and security to material goods. Furthermore,

Money and happiness are linked positivity in the psychology of many cultures and in the economy as well, yet money can be observed playing a sociological role in the ebb and flow of happiness in society. When contrasting the benefits of a dream career against a path to a more attainable means to financial safety, often individuals cognitively associate happiness with money. Does money create happiness or does it at least create a path to happiness? In the book, “Happiness around the World: The Paradox of Happy Peasants and Miserable Millionaires,” Carol Graham confronts this issue. She admits:

The issue is people put their happiness into materials and to get them. Regardless of whether that new car, precious diamonds or charming outfit fulfills a man, it will be brief and will abandon them aching for the following high. The new car blurs. The diamonds will collect dust. The outfits end up obsolete. Genuine dependable happiness originates from positive connections, educational encounters and sentiments of reason. Positive and cherishing relations with family and friends fill me with a feeling of happiness and fulfillment. Investing energy with them gives me more happiness than being materialistic. These individuals can bring solace, support and consolation when we require it most. They are there for us when times are great, and there for us when difficulties are out

Ultimately happiness is something everyone wants to maintain, however some ways are only temporary or don't work at all. For example, people who treasure materialistic things such as clothes, cars and money will only be happy with it for a fleeting time. Materialism has become a substantial problem in society and is one of the reasons people struggle to be constantly happy. This is because people have been taught that success is measured in the amount of money you have and the worth and collection of the things you own. We live

“Does Money Really Make People Happier?”, an article by Jessica Krampe, discusses the idea that money cannot completely buy one happiness. She states that it is, however, true that one can buy some happiness using money as a tool, but that this won’t be a sustainable amount of happiness. Krampe argues that money does not just buy one happiness automatically, but instead that it requires much effort and scrutiny in spending to get any of this happiness. She lays special emphasis on her point that money should not be spent primarily on luxuries for oneself, but instead should be spent on others. Ultimately, she suggests that one must figure out what they already enjoy about life and who supports them, and use the money they have to help them

The phrase everyone knows, “money doesn’t buy happiness” I always thought it was cliche, and frankly I still do, but I started to notice everything I take for granted. Yes, you need money to live and the more you have it seems the more enjoyable life gets. Even if you don’t live in a mansion made out of diamonds you can go outside and go for a walk, enjoy the

In today’s materialistic world, the phrase that ‘money can’t buy happiness’ is tending to be proved hence otherwise. Social research and surveys have shown results based on an individuals income, health and the political scenario which is dominant in his or her region. It is quite obvious that the gap between the privileged and the not so is growing into a great divide giving rise to different class and status, thus defining ones social circle. It should therefore be understood how an individuals economic status affects their personal happiness throughout all aspects of life. Many tend to refer to this age-old quote especially when they tend to belong to sector of people who can’t afford the modern day luxuries of life. What they do not

Whoever said money can’t buy happiness? Today, the argument can be made that happiness and consumerism are directly linked. It is fair to say that happiness is a relative term for different people. However, the obtaining of new and shiny things has become such a part of everyday life, that it provides happiness when people are purchasing something new, and causes sadness when no buying is taking place. For many, it seems to be a protective coating against the harsh realities of everyday stresses from a job, or family life.

We all have heard the phrase “money can’t buy you happiness.” That phrase is a lie because mostly everything in today’s society revolves around money. The things people like revolve around money too. What a coincidence? Let’s say a person is upset so they go buy their favorite ice cream because they know it will make them happy. That person had the money to invest in something that made them happy. Or on an even bigger let’s say someone has been fantasizing about a car and they finally get enough money to purchase their dream car. This person is likely to be very happy. If it was not for the money, they would not have gotten that dream car, so basically the money made them happy. The truth is money makes people happy.

Money is underrated. This statement could come off to be absurd, in a society of constant consumption of materialistic objects. In an era where a person hardly has to be considered to belong to the upper class to drive a nice car or truck, pamper oneself with weekly pedicures or getting your hair blown out weekly because one does not want to did their selves, go out to eat on a frequent basis, have a housekeeper clean the house, or having someone do the yard work. This was all once reserved for only the upper class, and this was all unimaginable a few decades ago. With the advancement of technology, conveniences like these have been made possible through being able to just charge everything—this has become a national addiction. There is still a magnitude of people who would say money couldn’t buy happiness but the truth is a lot more in depth than that; money does in fact play an essential role in everyone’s overall life gratification.

When you hear the word happiness, what is the first thing that comes to mind? Do you think of material possessions like designer clothes and accessories, the newest iPhone with the highest possible storage capacity, or a shiny red supercar? Do you think the amount of money you have or your current financial status has an effect on how happy you are? Plenty of college students, myself included, would associate happiness with possessing items like these or just having a lot of money in general. In today’s society, one common belief about social class is that the richer and more money or things that one has, the happier this will make them. This belief is reinforced by countless advertisements we see and hear everywhere, whether that be on