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Overcoming Bias Commenter's avatar

The picture one develops reading this website is that most dissatisfaction is bred into us: our ancestors who were more satisfied were less motivated to excel and, on balance, did not contribute as much to our current gene pool.

Of course as an individual, especially one who has had all the kids he is going to, we have no great reason to be carried on the tide of Darwin. Why not learn how to be "spiritual," how to take enjoyment in less- or non-status enhancing ways? The skills we have may have gotten there by helping our ancestors compete and survive, but that is no reason we shouldn't use them just for fun.

My atheist church (Centers for Spiritual Living, Seaside Church in Encinitas CA in particular) certainly move one towards enjoying every moment, "grokkiing" it I would say (as an aging sci fi child). I think a lot of religion may be devoted to helping people enjoy life as an alternative to seeking status.

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Overcoming Bias Commenter's avatar

I don't know what weight you put on self-reported happiness surveys, but Justin Wolfers discusses the issue with Robert Frank here.

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