Time for some necroing. People who suffer from depression are trying to achieve levels of happiness corresponding with reality (maybe not with the express purpose of clearer perception of reality, but still...)
I can imagine a condition causing someone to experience excessive happiness—such person could conceivably want to lower his level of happiness, so he could grieve for the loss of a loved one.
As Carlin said in one of his routines, self-confidence (in relation to achievement) is like the fuel gauge in a car. Turns out, messing with it doesn’t actually let you go further (he claimed to base this assertion on studies, so I am sure it’s true). Happiness may be similar, serving better as a motivator rather than a terminal value in itself.
In any case, I suspect most people here would not climb in a tub filled with orgasmium.
But if you want to mess with the gauge regardless, I know a stupid method that works: stand with your back straight, shoulders wide, head held high. Smile broadly (showing teeth). Hold this pose for 5 minutes (by an actual clock).
Thinking happy/funny thoughts is optional. Being grateful for the state of (at least relatively) good health and trying to enjoy each breath (you might have a finite amount, after all) are also optional.
With this method, I could be happy during my own funeral. And yet, I am not maintaining MAXIMUM HAPPINESS 24⁄7. Why? Turns out, constant happiness can be quite boring. Still, the method is not at all useless—sometimes the gauges actually need calibration and I do enjoy the option very much indeed. (And to think some people pay for drugs… What a waste.)
Seems like the only use for accurately perceiving reality is maximizing happiness, to me. See Bruce’s post below:
“Anyone can easily imagine wanting to maximize perceiving reality correctly IN ORDER TO maximize one’s happiness.
But one can’t imagine wanting to maximize one’s happiness IN ORDER TO maximize perceiving reality correctly.”
Time for some necroing. People who suffer from depression are trying to achieve levels of happiness corresponding with reality (maybe not with the express purpose of clearer perception of reality, but still...)
I can imagine a condition causing someone to experience excessive happiness—such person could conceivably want to lower his level of happiness, so he could grieve for the loss of a loved one.
Feelings should be rational—https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/SqF8cHjJv43mvJJzx/feeling-rational
As Carlin said in one of his routines, self-confidence (in relation to achievement) is like the fuel gauge in a car. Turns out, messing with it doesn’t actually let you go further (he claimed to base this assertion on studies, so I am sure it’s true). Happiness may be similar, serving better as a motivator rather than a terminal value in itself.
In any case, I suspect most people here would not climb in a tub filled with orgasmium.
But if you want to mess with the gauge regardless, I know a stupid method that works: stand with your back straight, shoulders wide, head held high. Smile broadly (showing teeth). Hold this pose for 5 minutes (by an actual clock).
Thinking happy/funny thoughts is optional. Being grateful for the state of (at least relatively) good health and trying to enjoy each breath (you might have a finite amount, after all) are also optional.
With this method, I could be happy during my own funeral. And yet, I am not maintaining MAXIMUM HAPPINESS 24⁄7. Why? Turns out, constant happiness can be quite boring. Still, the method is not at all useless—sometimes the gauges actually need calibration and I do enjoy the option very much indeed. (And to think some people pay for drugs… What a waste.)
Saturday Morning Breakfast Cereal – Happy
Thank you, that was both funny and relevant.
Very good comic, thank you for the share!