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Are you ever happy?

Are you ever happy? (explain by posting a reply too!)

  • I'm happy >90% of the time

    Votes: 18 32.1%
  • I'm UNhappy >90% of the time.

    Votes: 7 12.5%
  • I can't be happy for longer than an hour, rarely.

    Votes: 28 50.0%
  • I've never been happy.

    Votes: 3 5.4%

  • Total voters
    56

intpz

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The suicide thread has given this thought - are INTPs ever happy?

Would appreciate explanations too.

Something to get this thread going:

I don't think about suicide, I have never thought about it, and probably (hopefully?) never will. I think suicide is idiotic as a concept, it's pointless. When the teachers were telling some story about some student who has committed suicide, while others were feeling sorry, I was thinking "what a weakling" or "what an idiot." By that said, while I'm unhappy most of the time, I don't do bullshit like this.

I'm unhappy because I do not have a huge bank account that I could use to buy various stuff, starting with a house, med-care and quality food. I was happy for a short while, that's when I had money and could buy something I want. It didn't last long, but I was happy. Therefore, I conclude that I'm unhappy only when I do not have money.
 

contextblues

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I think the poll needs another button: "What is happy?"
 

Etheri

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We're all idiots. Life is a game, you cannot ever win. You can temporarily win, but it is followed by unevitable loss afterwards... Which doesn't feel much like winning at all. Bypass the rules? Stop playing the games? Well, those too mean that you lose. I'm sorry, this is the game, and other than small temporary victories, you can only lose.

You're unhappy because you're stupidly materialistic. Other people are unhappy for other, equally stupid reasons. Some people are unhappy for good reasons, these people are rare. Most people, who could be unhappy for good reasons, don't get the chance to be unhappy. Things can always get worse. While this doesn't take away your right to bawwww about your puny first world problems, it does give them perspective.

I used to be in a neutral / happy state over 90% of the time. With my feelings being induced / revoked / fucking up my mind and in a way (slightly ignorant yet happy) view on life... This has changed. I guess it's fair to say i got to a point where i'd be sad atleast twice a day, tho I still have not managed to cry for emotional reasons for years. This is going up again, to something between sad for one evening every 3 to 5 days. I'll get back to my 90%+. Then i'll fuck it up again. But whenever i'm in my 90%, I won't give a fuck. And whenever i'm in my emo phase, i'll be fucked regardless.

The situation you're in doesn't mean shit about how you feel. It would be ignorant to say it did. It's all about how you feel about it, it's all about perception, about the observer, the point of view. From that point of view, happiness is a choice... The problem is that it's just not that theory is simpler than practise.
 

EyeSeeCold

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intpz

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I think the poll needs another button: "What is happy?"

The thread says "ARE you happy," not "WHAT is happy," therefore I decline your philosophical question. If you want (and that'd be cool), post what IN YOUR OPINION is "happy." Happiness is simply a good feeling, often derived from the things you do when you enjoy what you do.

To be honest, I really don't get the trend to ask such philosophical questions instead of answering the directly. But hell, maybe I'm not an INTP. :eek:

We're all idiots. Life is a game, you cannot ever win. You can temporarily win, but it is followed by unevitable loss afterwards... Which doesn't feel much like winning at all. Bypass the rules? Stop playing the games? Well, those too mean that you lose. I'm sorry, this is the game, and other than small temporary victories, you can only lose.

I don't see an option saying "I'm always happy," which for me would mean "mostly," however I know you and possibly others would say what you just said.

Eh... :slashnew:

You're unhappy because you're stupidly materialistic. Other people are unhappy for other, equally stupid reasons. Some people are unhappy for good reasons, these people are rare. Most people, who could be unhappy for good reasons, don't get the chance to be unhappy. Things can always get worse. While this doesn't take away your right to bawwww about your puny first world problems, it does give them perspective.

You mean because I have more needs than a man from 10000 years ago? Or because I have "not right" interests?

You're dwelling into "nobody should want anything and be okay with whatever happens," which is utterly stupid logic that is often present in an IxFPs. And so you wouldn't accuse me of something, I'm not saying you're one, I'm merely stating my observations.

After reading the rest of the sentences, I've no idea what you are talking about.

I used to be in a neutral / happy state over 90% of the time. With my feelings being induced / revoked / fucking up my mind and in a way (slightly ignorant yet happy) view on life... This has changed. I guess it's fair to say i got to a point where i'd be sad atleast twice a day, tho I still have not managed to cry for emotional reasons for years. This is going up again, to something between sad for one evening every 3 to 5 days. I'll get back to my 90%+. Then i'll fuck it up again. But whenever i'm in my 90%, I won't give a fuck. And whenever i'm in my emo phase, i'll be fucked regardless.

You must've had a lot of wine today. :confused::D

The situation you're in doesn't mean shit about how you feel. It would be ignorant to say it did. It's all about how you feel about it, it's all about perception, about the observer, the point of view. From that point of view, happiness is a choice... The problem is that it's just not that theory is simpler than practise.

Practice is easy if you're okay with being an ignorant hypocrite who doesn't mind getting used to anything. I've my opinion, a strong opinion about things, therefore I decline to get used to anything or be an ignorant hypocrite. On the other hand, it wouldn't be hypocrisy when you don't have an opinion, would it be?
 

Jennywocky

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Poll options suck.
 

PhoenixRising

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I agree with @contextblues, how can you say whether or not you're happy if you don't know what happy is? Happiness can feel different to different people.

I would rather sense the mysterious than feel content, but can mysteriousness be considered happiness?
 

intpz

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Poll options suck.

What would you have used?

I agree with @contextblues, how can you say whether or not you're happy if you don't know what happy is? Happiness can feel different to different people.

I would rather sense the mysterious than feel content, but can mysteriousness be considered happiness?

With this kind of point of view, you cannot answer any questions, as you don't know how to answer due to not having an opinion or complying to what others are thinking. In the latter case, you will never be able to answer such questions, as there won't be a time where everybody will agree on everything. In the former scenario, you can make your own opinion, however chances are that you won't, as you still don't have one.

I've an opinion about everything - I hear a something, I have an opinion about it. I can answer any questions, anytime. +1 for me not being an INTP. :D

Oh, and I agree on feeling mysterious being more interested (better?) than content.
 

skip

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I'm happy most of the time although perhaps it's more accurately described as general amusement.
 

Cheeseumpuffs

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I agree with Jenny and Triflin.

I'd never really say I'm happy (to me, happy means better than ordinary, so if I were to become a "happier" person, my very definition of happy would become more exclusive and specific) but I'd never really say I'm unhappy (much like happy, unhappy means worse than usual) so ordinarily I feel ordinary - content, even - and if something good happens, I'll be happy about it and vice verse for bad things.
 

Etheri

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To be honest, I really don't get the trend to ask such philosophical questions instead of answering the directly. But hell, maybe I'm not an INTP. :eek:
Both are related... philosophic questions. Tho the options are indeed very limited. What if i'm, like now, happy ... 70% of the time? Hmh. I'm just okay, but not near my maximum 'happiness potential'

I don't see an option saying "I'm always happy," which for me would mean "mostly," however I know you and possibly others would say what you just said.

Eh... :slashnew:
You're still playing. You can't win. You have no answer. Neither do I. It's just a vision,there is no solution. It's useless, because it doesn't change anything but perception (or is it, changing perception can be useful...). I don't think you like non-practical ideas. I feel you seem to not value them... I find them interesting, even when they're less useful.

You mean because I have more needs than a man from 10000 years ago? Or because I have "not right" interests?

You're dwelling into "nobody should want anything and be okay with whatever happens," which is utterly stupid logic that is often present in an IxFPs. And so you wouldn't accuse me of something, I'm not saying you're one, I'm merely stating my observations.

After reading the rest of the sentences, I've no idea what you are talking about.
Yes. But I do realise that my argument is blehr, but... the reason you're sad is still pathetic. But from that point of view, everyone's reason to be sad is pathetic. Actually, that's a pesimistic point of view. I'd rather look at it optimistically. Everyone's ideas which let them be happy, are valuable, even if the value is purely personally. See what I did there? Oh snap. I love how you made it IxFP behaviour. I assure you no feeler will ever work this through as far as I have. They're FEELERS. I'd be suprised if they rationally overwrote their perceptions to influence their emotions to their own rational schemes... That sounds too cold and calculated if you ask me.

You must've had a lot of wine today. :confused::D
You know nothing. I'm sober. Simply because i'm stating my emotions and seriously answer your thread, does not mean i'm drunk... If i was drunk, i'd add 2 paragraphs of entirely unrelated rant about feelings and stuff... That being said, why on earth am I not drunk?

Practice is easy if you're okay with being an ignorant hypocrite who doesn't mind getting used to anything. I've my opinion, a strong opinion about things, therefore I decline to get used to anything or be an ignorant hypocrite. On the other hand, it wouldn't be hypocrisy when you don't have an opinion, would it be?
So you're saying you're not an ignorant hypocrite because that that porsche, rolex and macbook air pro are totally needed to be happy. It's not your fault you have more needs than a kid 10 years ago, or just anyone in any non spoiled civilisation. It's not your fault you're spoiled. Pretending you're not would be ignorant and hypocritical.

You're right. I'm spoiled, and I simply want a million times more than anyone in any third world country. I shouldn't try be happy with what I have, I should strive for more!, because that is our nature.
 

intpz

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Both are related... philosophic questions. Tho the options are indeed very limited. What if i'm, like now, happy ... 70% of the time? Hmh. I'm just okay, but not near my maximum 'happiness potential'

Then pick 90%, I find such questions odd, it's overly-detailed for my taste.

You're still playing. You can't win. You have no answer. Neither do I. It's just a vision,there is no solution. It's useless, because it doesn't change anything but perception (or is it, changing perception can be useful...). I don't think you like non-practical ideas. I feel you seem to not value them... I find them interesting, even when they're less useful.

I don't value them. It's enjoyable to sometimes think about various possibilities and shoot a shitload of ideas that are worth nothing just for the sake of it, especially in an argument or an elaborate discussion (last time that was me rambling about apocalypse :D), but in general, I do not value them, especially ideas like this one.

Yes. But I do realise that my argument is blehr, but... the reason you're sad is still pathetic. But from that point of view, everyone's reason to be sad is pathetic. Actually, that's a pesimistic point of view. I'd rather look at it optimistically. Everyone's ideas which let them be happy, are valuable, even if the value is purely personally. See what I did there? Oh snap. I love how you made it IxFP behaviour. I assure you no feeler will ever work this through as far as I have. They're FEELERS. I'd be suprised if they rationally overwrote their perceptions to influence their emotions to their own rational schemes... That sounds too cold and calculated if you ask me.

They would do it without knowing that they're doing it.

You know nothing. I'm sober. Simply because i'm stating my emotions and seriously answer your thread, does not mean i'm drunk... If i was drunk, i'd add 2 paragraphs of entirely unrelated rant about feelings and stuff... That being said, why on earth am I not drunk?

I've no idea.

So you're saying you're not an ignorant hypocrite because that that porsche, rolex and macbook air pro are totally needed to be happy. It's not your fault you have more needs than a kid 10 years ago, or just anyone in any non spoiled civilisation. It's not your fault you're spoiled. Pretending you're not would be ignorant and hypocritical.

I don't want a Rolex, a Macbook Air Pro and possibly a Porche car; no, I wasn't saying that, but now I am.

It is my fault, however I wouldn't call it a "fault." I'm also not spoiled, I can't be - I've never had much. Unless spoiled to you means wanting more than nothing, then everybody is spoiled, which would be a pointless argument.

You're right. I'm spoiled, and I simply want a million times more than anyone in any third world country. I shouldn't try be happy with what I have, I should strive for more!, because that is our nature.

Trying to be happy with what you have is irrational - it's stagnation and dissatisfaction due to hypocrisy and the reasons behind it; unless of course you really are okay with it, in which case you wouldn't need to try to be - you just would be.
 

Duxwing

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Humor can make me happy, especially the kind on xkcd. Recently, I've rediscovered the sensation of being a happy INTP: it's like biting into a crisp apple with your feelings. It just feels... right.

-Duxwing
 

eagor

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Etheri

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It is my fault, however I wouldn't call it a "fault." I'm also not spoiled, I can't be - I've never had much. Unless spoiled to you means wanting more than nothing, then everybody is spoiled, which would be a pointless argument.
Hey, just when you got away with not being hypocritical and ignorant, you claimed not being spoiled. Sorry, you're back to being atleast hypocritical or ignorant. Perhaps both. Mind if I ask where you live? It matters because, unless you live on the street, honestly any of us living in a western country are spoiled by probably every single standard. Especially those whom find the time to post and think as much about these kind of things as we both do (even if we think diffrently). If you had genuinely serious worries and weren't spoiled your entire life, perhaps you'd understand. I'm not claiming i'm any less spoiled, hypocritical AND ignorant all together. I just find it funny you don't see it.

Maslow's pyramid of needs. The needs we're all trying to satisfy simply by being on this forum proves me we're doing atleast okay in all underlying needs. Spoiled. Your life is easy. Get on with it. (Purely materialistic point of view, but that's where you started...)

Trying to be happy with what you have is irrational - it's stagnation and dissatisfaction due to hypocrisy and the reasons behind it; unless of course you really are okay with it, in which case you wouldn't need to try to be - you just would be.
'unless ofcourse you're really okay with it'... Well, that's the fucking point, yeah.
So you say it's rational to constantly want more, and as soon as you get it be unhappy again cause you must always want more. Yeah, that makes perfect sense.

What's wrong with stagnation, as long as you stagnate once you found happiness? Must you find MORE happiness? Only from that perspective is it required in the first place.

dissatisfaction due to hypocrisy and the reasons behind it? As if you can ever be satisfied, as if there's ANYTHING that can not be dissatisfaction when you just stated you must always want more?
 

intpz

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I wanted to look up a quote, and bam! You've edited your post. *damns Etheri*

Hey, just when you got away with not being hypocritical and ignorant, you claimed not being spoiled. Sorry, you're back to being atleast hypocritical or ignorant. Perhaps both. Mind if I ask where you live? It matters because, unless you live on the street, honestly any of us living in a western country are spoiled by probably every single standard. Especially those whom find the time to post and think as much about these kind of things as we both do (even if we think diffrently). If you had genuinely serious worries and weren't spoiled your entire life, perhaps you'd understand. I'm not claiming i'm any less spoiled, hypocritical AND ignorant all together. I just find it funny you don't see it.

Seems that you have missed the second half of the column you've quoted.

Yes, I do mind.

Apparently I don't. You don't have to be spoiled to want more: responding to what exterior factors bring to your life by changing your mindset isn't something I do; I see such behaviors as extremely moronic, it consumes independent thought, just like religion or parental values, regulations, rules and authority.

Your definition of spoiled seems to mean "having more than nothing." That is an idiotic definition.

Finding the time to post here and moreover to THINK is a poorly thought-out excuse for your argument, often used by those "manly" types, who think that military "straightens you out." I think the same goes for the column linked with color as well.

Maslow's pyramid of needs. The needs we're all trying to satisfy simply by being on this forum proves me we're doing atleast okay in all underlying needs. Spoiled. Your life is easy. Get on with it. (Purely materialistic point of view, but that's where you started...)

And the fact that you're grabbing someone else's opinion about what YOU NEED, proves me that you have no opinion and/or it is distorted by external sources like that pyramid.

You don't know my life, therefore you can't know if it's easy; which is not. Get on with it.

'unless ofcourse you're really okay with it'... Well, that's the fucking point, yeah.
So you say it's rational to constantly want more, and as soon as you get it be unhappy again cause you must always want more. Yeah, that makes perfect sense.

It's rational to want more and enjoy the "more." You seem to see it either in black or white: either you want more and that is the life goal of yours, or you don't want anything at all, which is total stagnation.

What's wrong with stagnation, as long as you stagnate once you found happiness? Must you find MORE happiness? Only from that perspective is it required in the first place.

For starters, boredom. You can't be happy if you're bored, you have to have stimuli, which is the opposite of boredom. To me - stagnation is bored, advancement and improvement is stimuli.

dissatisfaction due to hypocrisy and the reasons behind it? As if you can ever be satisfied, as if there's ANYTHING that can not be dissatisfaction when you just stated you must always want more?

You see wanting more entirely blacked out. Try grey.
 

snafupants

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Yeah I'm happy. The feeling usually is the unhealthy product of mockery, drugs, novelty, learning, work, and absurdism.

Some months ago I was unhappy because I kept wanting to mold the world into this schema I had in my mind. Since that was impossible and didn't lead to happiness, I ditched that idea.

Well money is ephemeral and unpredictable so you shouldn't predicate your happiness on it.
 

Irishpenguin

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Don't know if anybody else went this specific with it. But the poll options suck because of how broad they are. I don't care about the whole "Define what happiness is". Yes people have different definitions of happiness, but then they should just go off of their own personal definition then. It's not like this is study that is gonna be published in a magazine needing a strong constant definition of what you are measure (OR IS IT!?!??!! :eek:)

...okay but seriously. I don't like those options because you use 90%, either happy or UNhappy, but what if I am happy 80% of the time? I mean, that'd make me 20% unhappy and 80% happy, Neither of witch greater than 90%!!!...and so you what I think? I think it looks like your poll just flipped it's shit is what. Like... there was some shit in the pan gettin' all burnt on one side and he had to rush over to flip it and it ended up just flying all over the kitchen. LOOK WHAT YOU'VE DONE NOW! :eek:

...ummm *ahem* but for a vague answer I would say that I am definitely mostly happy, definitely never seriously considered suicide at least, I mean, I've theorized about it and what it would do, weighed the pro's and con's. The pro's have severely and consistently outweighed the con's every time. But then again I have a relatively nice life, haven't been abused and have always had support in some way.
 

Coolydudey

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a) Although I am not frequently happy in the traditional sense of the word, I often feel contented or very satisfied and occasionally over the moon.

b)the poll options suck
 

Etheri

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I wanted to look up a quote, and bam! You've edited your post. *damns Etheri*
Yo, psh, let me make things clear atleast. D; Wasn't like i was editing an hour later >;

Apparently I don't. You don't have to be spoiled to want more: responding to what exterior factors bring to your life by changing your mindset isn't something I do; I see such behaviors as extremely moronic, it consumes independent thought, just like religion or parental values, regulations, rules and authority.
Independant thought is fine. Just realise you'll always have opinions, there's no way to bypass them. Might aswell keep your views rational and to the point. I realise I honestly don't need that rolex, far too heavy anyways. So I won't care nor want it, perfectly happy without. The diffrence between the examples you gave and what I try to do is that I have more control over these factors and my opinions, unlike people influenced by religion / parental values / etc.

Your definition of spoiled seems to mean "having more than nothing." That is an idiotic definition.

Finding the time to post here and moreover to THINK is a poorly thought-out excuse for your argument, often used by those "manly" types, who think that military "straightens you out." I think the same goes for the column linked with color as well.

And the fact that you're grabbing someone else's opinion about what YOU NEED, proves me that you have no opinion and/or it is distorted by external sources like that pyramid.

You don't know my life, therefore you can't know if it's easy; which is not. Get on with it.
I know more about you simply by the things you're posting than you'd expect. Ofcourse, claiming to actually know you would be arrogant, but you're the one seeing things in black and white thus far. :p Let me try explain it -again-.

You have food. Every single day. You probably never even had to question if you'd get fed the next day or week. You have a home, shelter. Hell, you'll even inherit enough money to keep you alive for the next 10 years if it had to. Comfortable to western standards? No. But you'll never have to worry about genuinly primal instincts. You've got everything we truly need to stay alive. Food, shelter... The reason you're on here is that you're fine on physical needs. They're satisfied. What you're trying to satisfy is your mind, just as I am. I'm sorry but in essence, you have everything you need. The rest only helps out in comfort, and you've got alot of that aswell probably (tho I cannot tell that with enough certainty.) If you have an internet connection and the time to waste all this time doing this, then your primal and genuine needs are already taken care of. I'm not saying this is a bad thing, it isn't. It's simply saying that you already have all those things which a few billion people struggle with every day. You have always had things which billions of people try to achieve every single day. Sounds pretty spoiled to me. You don't know what nothing is.

I don't need the steps of maslow for this, if you struggle to get fed and live in the dust, but spend your remainder of your time writing on here, by all means enlighten me for I misjudged you all along. Cooking is not a struggle, sorry.

It's rational to want more and enjoy the "more." You seem to see it either in black or white: either you want more and that is the life goal of yours, or you don't want anything at all, which is total stagnation.
We all want more, but I keep it in control and don't have the illusion that it is required in order to be happy. I realise you're happy, for short periods of time. I'm happy with equally much for longer periods of time. It doesn't bore me, I don't mind it. More happy, longer happy, while you need less for it... Are you sure i'm the irrational one?

For starters, boredom. You can't be happy if you're bored, you have to have stimuli, which is the opposite of boredom. To me - stagnation is bored, advancement and improvement is stimuli.

You see wanting more entirely blacked out. Try grey.
No, I don't. I too want more, I always will, too. But I realise that it's a lame excuse to be unhappy. I ALWAYS want more, why would that have to make me unhappy? Why can't I be happy while striving for the next big thing, be happy when I get it? It's just rescaling your axes. It takes time, it's not easy... But it works. In the end, it's nothing more than manipulating your emotions, is that so bad for a rational to do? I can't handle them either way.

Besides, most of the time, to me it goes like : Be happy while striving for something, be happy when you get it, then realise wanting it to begin with was stupid all along and be sad about it. Especially materialistic things... They change nothing much. "Do I really need these things?" vs "Do I really want them?" (Answers are No and Yes respectively.)
Illusions of my mind, constantly telling me to get more, telling me I need it. Why did I get these speakers if I prefer my headphones as they draw out the noise of the world around me? Perhaps I didn't know that before I bought them... But I kinda did.
 

Architect

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Defining happy is problematic.

I think for a given cultural group, say a person in the Western world, a person in China, or a person in Pakistan, you'll find they they all generally fall into a norm where they're more or less 'satisfied' - happy if you like, with some people perennially unhappy (they've got some ongoing problems in their lives). A steep bell curve if you like.

Of happiness studies I've seen, one type that sticks out is that we've found that when it comes to monetary satisfaction, what matters is how much you have relative to peer groups. In other words, people are happy when they have just a bit more money than their peers.
 

Solitaire U.

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I don't believe in happy. I'm a content worshiper.

That said, I'll probably content myself into an early grave.
 

Bhagavat

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Being an INTP certainly does not preclude happiness. The sensation of "happiness" is ultimately subjective and definitely ineffable. That said, you should know it when you feel it, and if you've never felt it...:smoker:

I'd say I'm happy most of the time, but I tend to lapse into bouts of depression.
 

Bhagavat

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The feeling usually is the unhealthy product of mockery, drugs, novelty, learning, work, and absurdism.


These are my primary sources of happiness as well.
 

intpz

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Independant thought is fine. Just realise you'll always have opinions, there's no way to bypass them. Might aswell keep your views rational and to the point. I realise I honestly don't need that rolex, far too heavy anyways. So I won't care nor want it, perfectly happy without. The diffrence between the examples you gave and what I try to do is that I have more control over these factors and my opinions, unlike people influenced by religion / parental values / etc.

I don't see how this is related to the quote and previous conversation.

You have food. Every single day. You probably never even had to question if you'd get fed the next day or week. You have a home, shelter. Hell, you'll even inherit enough money to keep you alive for the next 10 years if it had to. Comfortable to western standards? No. But you'll never have to worry about genuinly primal instincts. You've got everything we truly need to stay alive. Food, shelter... The reason you're on here is that you're fine on physical needs. They're satisfied. What you're trying to satisfy is your mind, just as I am. I'm sorry but in essence, you have everything you need. The rest only helps out in comfort, and you've got alot of that aswell probably (tho I cannot tell that with enough certainty.) If you have an internet connection and the time to waste all this time doing this, then your primal and genuine needs are already taken care of. I'm not saying this is a bad thing, it isn't. It's simply saying that you already have all those things which a few billion people struggle with every day. You have always had things which billions of people try to achieve every single day. Sounds pretty spoiled to me. You don't know what nothing is.

I don't. I had. I do. I won't inherit any money, I will, however, inherit one room that badly needs restoration. You mean eat, fuck and kill? I will, I do and I have. Staying alive isn't living. I don't always have food, and don't forget that you need vitamins, which you can only get from varied food. I'm not. They're not. Which is happiness. I'm not sorry, but I don't. I don't. I've already commented on this thought earlier; conclusion was that it's idiotic. Struggle equals have, and why am I not one of those few billion then? This is utter bullshit, or your your definition of "a few billion" is bullshit. Sounds not spoiled to me. Are we dwelling into some philosophical interpretation again?

There. Sentence by sentence. :D

I don't need the steps of maslow for this, if you struggle to get fed and live in the dust, but spend your remainder of your time writing on here, by all means enlighten me for I misjudged you all along. Cooking is not a struggle, sorry.

You do, otherwise you wouldn't have mentioned it, unless you think that I respect a concept like that, which I've mentioned repeatedly that i don't all over the forums. What does cooking have to do with anything, I don't know.

We all want more, but I keep it in control and don't have the illusion that it is required in order to be happy. I realise you're happy, for short periods of time. I'm happy with equally much for longer periods of time. It doesn't bore me, I don't mind it. More happy, longer happy, while you need less for it... Are you sure i'm the irrational one?

By illusion you mean opinion, interests, likes, hobbies, wants? Interesting definition of illusion.

No, I don't. I too want more, I always will, too. But I realise that it's a lame excuse to be unhappy. I ALWAYS want more, why would that have to make me unhappy? Why can't I be happy while striving for the next big thing, be happy when I get it? It's just rescaling your axes. It takes time, it's not easy... But it works. In the end, it's nothing more than manipulating your emotions, is that so bad for a rational to do? I can't handle them either way.

Seems like you've missed my point, and as most of your post, you're repeating what you've said in other words, on which I've already commented, which means you're skipping my comments and ignorantly keep posting the same shit.

Besides, most of the time, to me it goes like : Be happy while striving for something, be happy when you get it, then realise wanting it to begin with was stupid all along and be sad about it. Especially materialistic things... They change nothing much. "Do I really need these things?" vs "Do I really want them?" (Answers are No and Yes respectively.)
Illusions of my mind, constantly telling me to get more, telling me I need it. Why did I get these speakers if I prefer my headphones as they draw out the noise of the world around me? Perhaps I didn't know that before I bought them... But I kinda did.

Sounds like we operate very differently. My process of after getting the item is very different from yours, and the process of buying is as well. To me, you sound absolutely irrational, too simplistic, impractical and making poorly thought-out decisions, possibly with little self-control and self-awareness.

I believe this kind of decisions fall under the personality, which can be boxed into MBTI, so I say either of us isn't an INTP. (once again, this is a side-note, not related to my arguments, so those who want to see something wrong with everything, especially if they don't like it, wouldn't shout about it :elephant:)

Of happiness studies I've seen, one type that sticks out is that we've found that when it comes to monetary satisfaction, what matters is how much you have relative to peer groups. In other words, people are happy when they have just a bit more money than their peers.

Personalizing this in regards to the previous posts: I don't care how much money I or others have, I care about things I want and therefore can do. :cool: But yea, I agree that generally people do seek to be better than others.
 

Etheri

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So you're saying you're fighting actual real poverty, struggling to get food on the table, yet you spend hours a day online typing, reading and arguing with people you'll never meet. Well, I guess that beats my arguments and means they were irrational. (And from my point of view, you should really get your priorities straight!) but if this is actually true, I was wrong and apologise. :p
 

intpz

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So you're saying you're fighting actual real poverty, struggling to get food on the table, yet you spend hours a day online typing, reading and arguing with people you'll never meet. Well, I guess that beats my arguments and means they were irrational. (And from my point of view, you should really get your priorities straight!) but if this is actually true, I was wrong and apologise. :p

Seems like you're getting interested. :confused: You should read another topic, I don't know the title, but it was about me getting a job. :D
:smiley_emoticons_mr:smiley_emoticons_mr:smiley_emoticons_mr:smiley_emoticons_mr:smiley_emoticons_mr:smiley_emoticons_mr
 

contextblues

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I'm more content than I am happy.

I think this is probably what the poll is getting at..

I didn't mean to start a fiery debate, but I think my emotions boil down to a different spectrum, something like, hyper-awareness on the left, and excited distraction on the right (I think this is generally the peak of happiness... as others probably experience it, anyway).

These are the reflections of someone who has been overly isolated for a few months though.

Then again, when I reflect on a time I thought of myself as generally content, and more specifically on an instance when I was forced to write a paper on my experiences with "stress" for a lame "Adult Journey" class, my professor's written comments on my thoughtful self-reflection actually included the words, "sad life."

Welp, I guess some people just cannot relate to lines like:

"Sometimes I think the permanent stress will build up my feelings of uneasiness like sinus pressure, an incurable migraine to be tolerated forever."


Especially not a "sexologist" turned professor who probably has never encountered someone like me in her super-spiritual, in-tune, in-the-moment, "I break my diet for single-serve containers of Edy's ice cream because people shouldn't deny themselves the simple pleasures" life.

Tell me someone can relate... I'm starting to doubt my coherency....
 

Duxwing

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Easy, easy, easy. Just relax and take it easy. You're getting existential, and that's OK; just don't make me get the Super Soaker. I too realize that the stress will never leave, but I think I've figured a way out of nihilism (and hence a way to reroute the stress), I just need a little more time for Ne to contemplate the significance of meaninglessness. I'll send help when I've gotten out!

-Duxwing
 

Etheri

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but it was about me getting a job. :D

getting a job =/= struggling. Not sure if serious or trolling. And that's leaving out a third but mean option ;)
 

contextblues

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Etheri

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@Etheri seems like you're picking out what you want out of my replies to your posts all the way, while ignoring the rest, significantly more related to the discussion between us, parts. :borg::borg::borg::borg::borg::borg::borg::borg::borg::borg::borg::borg::borg::borg::borg::borg::borg::borg::borg:

Seems like I already told you that, while I do not see the rationality in your decisions, if you're truly struggling to get food onto the table, you've won the entire discussion in regards to me. I surrendered. Do you so desperately need attention?
 

SLushhYYY

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Having a girlfriend brings out Fe, so yes.

In terms of Fi im extremely content/happy, I view feeling bad about life as a tremendous weakness.
 

PmjPmj

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Poll options suck.

I concur.

Typically, I am 'fair-middling' most days. Not unhappy, not particularly happy - just muddling through, vaguely contented.

[EDIT] Totally not an INTP, mind. I would list my type if I knew what it were.

*toddles off*
 

intpz

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Having a girlfriend brings out Fe, so yes.

In terms of Fi im extremely content/happy, I view feeling bad about life as a tremendous weakness.

Not necessarily. If the girlfriend's an F type, then sure.

I concur.

Typically, I am 'fair-middling' most days. Not unhappy, not particularly happy - just muddling through, vaguely contented.

[EDIT] Totally not an INTP, mind. I would list my type if I knew what it were.

*toddles off*

IT's in INTP section, since you're not an INTP, you shouldn't have posted here.
 

jaetwee

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The poll options are too black and white, pretty much leaving you on either almost always to always unhappy or almost always happy.

Frankly, I'm on more of a middle ground, drifting towards no emotion to horrible sadness. Though I like to be happy. It makes me feel good.
 

Bucca

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"I can't be happy for longer than an hour, rarely."

For personal reasons really.
And I have always been over-analyzing in a bad way. I feel like there is no reason to be happy or not happy, or even that I feel no reason to be. I could have a heart attack at this moment and die, a friend of mine could be dead right now and I wouldn't know. At this moment in my life I see no reason to live other than the fact that it would affect those around me if I died.
 

Affinity

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At this present time I would say I'm in a stable state of contentment, which was a lot better than several months ago for the past few years of floating between misery and pseudo-contentment.
I can't recall being happy recently though.
 
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The freaking moon, idiot. (Just kidding. Massachus
I'm pretty much always happy, because I don't see a logical reason not to be happy. I think I will always continue to be happy unless there is some really devastating circumstances that make me unhappy (I get a terminal illness, become paralyzed, lose a child, something horrible like that.) Unhappiness has no purpose. Maybe dissatisfaction or anger have a purpose--they excite people to act--but unhappiness has never accomplished much of anything besides more unhappiness. Life is meaningless--so what? We're all going to die eventually--so what? Happiness is more enjoyable than unhappiness. It seems like the most ridiculous kind of idiocy to spend the little time we have on Earth wallowing in unhappiness. People should do what makes them happy at the expense of everything else. If sex and drugs makes you happy, then do sex and drugs. If raising a family makes you happy, raise a family. If writing a novel makes you happy, write a novel. If you're unhappy, make a change. Life can't always be perfect--in fact, life most often sucks--but there's no reason to be unhappy about it.
:rip:
 
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@Pilot the Cannibal

That's pretty flimsy logic because it presupposes all moods are volitional.

Moods might not be volitional, but your outlook on life certainly is. I think moodiness is quite different from general contentedness or discontentedness.

:storks:

That being said, I'm not talking about optimism vs. pessimism. It's very possible to be a happy cynic (as one should always try to take in information in the most unbiased manner possible, which often tends to lend itself to cynicism.) What matters is whether or not you let this cynicism (about the world around you) affect your own, personal happiness. The way I see it is this: you can't control other people, so why let their actions make you unhappy? You can be happy and cynical about the world--you can't be happy if you're cynical about yourself. So although you might be put in a bad mood by the state of the world or the actions of another, this should not factor into your view of yourself or your outlook on life.

:rip:

(I compulsively post emoticons. Don't worry about it.)
 
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