Re:Release yourself to the church, to the state, to Apple Co...
by enjo on Friday June 25, 2010 @11:08AM
(#1460940)
Or, alternatively, folks just like the damn phone?
These discussions almost always begin with a (unsubstantiated) assumption that material things are bad. That wanting material wealth is bad. It's the same sort of argument used against hedonists. That satisfaction is only temporary (which I would agree with), and therefore the pursuit of temporary satisfaction is futile and eventually leaves you unfulfilled (which I don't agree with). After all, the true hedonists I've known in my life rank as some of the happiest folks I've met.
My point is simple. There are a lot of ways to be happy and a lot of ways to be miserable. Standing in line for an iPhone may be one way that folks enjoy life. They just really like the phone.
These discussions almost always begin with a (unsubstantiated) assumption that material things are bad. That wanting material wealth is bad. It's the same sort of argument used against hedonists. That satisfaction is only temporary (which I would agree with), and therefore the pursuit of temporary satisfaction is futile and eventually leaves you unfulfilled (which I don't agree with). After all, the true hedonists I've known in my life rank as some of the happiest folks I've met.
My point is simple. There are a lot of ways to be happy and a lot of ways to be miserable. Standing in line for an iPhone may be one way that folks enjoy life. They just really like the phone.
*note: I did not wait in line for an iPhone.