Q :: 2006 :: January

Firstly, I’d like to say that all ideologies are equally valid. Believing that money is the route to all happiness is as valid as believing sex, or a loving relationship, or God, are routes to happiness.

Secondly, it’s not fair to assume people’s reasoning behind their philosophy. Some people may well be deluding themselves that money isn’t the most important thing to them, but in many cases it genuinely isn’t the most important thing. If it isn’t, that doesn’t mean they’re being pious, as there are plenty of non-pious life philosophies that don’t involve money, e.g. drugs make you happy, sex makes you happy, hurting people makes you happy, etc. (this may depend upon your definition of pious)

Thirdly I think it’s unwise to categorise people as having one thing that makes them happy, since for most people it’s a balance of things. A lot of these things can be purchased, but some cannot. I don’t believe that money can buy absolutely everything.

I believe there’s more of a sweet spot to money, when you are living comfortably but still aware of money enough to appreciate receiving it. Having infinite money would make quite a lot of life boring. In that sense I do agree that earning money is enjoyable, but I think it only would be if you were aware of limits surrounding it. Pushing boundaries is often fun. In fact, I would guess that the key to most people’s happiness is in pushing the limitations that surround them, in some sense or other.

I’m personally motivated by “things that are interesting”. I can’t define it quite so categorically as “X is the only thing that makes me happy”, but if I find something interesting I like it and enjoy spending time with it. Dan is constantly interesting. Programming is interesting. Philosophy is interesting. Most people are interesting actually, if you look at them in a certain way. If I can use money to get access to interesting things, then yes, money is useful. But, because other people aren’t always motivated by money, I can’t be either, because logically to get near interesting people who don’t like money I have to do other things than pay them. And I’d like to experience being rich, and being poor, and being somewhere in between, because I think it would be interesting.

I see money as a tool rather than an aim. I don’t see happiness as a goal either. It’s how I am most of the time, it’s just a balance of chemicals, I have the balance good most of the time so I am happy most of the time. It’s about maintenance, not completion.

I’m not suggesting my philosophy is any better, or any less selfish, than a “Cash Ideology”, but there it is. I fuel my curiosity, you fuel your wallet. It’s all good.

2006 01 20

Thoughts

Comments (4)

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For abnib again…

You see, said girl made a mistake when she ate a tasty pringle. It was not what was required at Troma Night. So, that spunky womble decided to eat pizza like everyone else.

CNPS: 39