2 ms·

I think oftentimes people find meaning in what they can have, because simply put, you have too, otherwise your life would be meaningless. So I wonder if that m

I think oftentimes people find meaning in what they can have, because simply put, you have too, otherwise your life would be meaningless. So I wonder if that means a lot of countries still see that material wellbeing, health, hobbies, nature, travel, new experiences, romantic partners, friends, etc. are all too hard to have or keep or sustain, where-as family is all you end up with, and thus what you have to find meaning in of itself? That would mean from a different lens, seeing family as number one would be indicative of issues in that country in acquiring anything more? And if you were to see family rank low, it be a good sign, which means that you don't have to find meaning in family, because while you have family, you also have other avenues you can rely on to find meaning.

zwkrt 5y ago
if it’s worked for 10000 years I wouldn’t be so quick to knock it.
- didibus 5y ago
  That just reinforces my statement. For 10000 years, most people only had family, because they couldn't afford the cost/time for friends, material wellbeing, good health, nature, travel, new experiences, etc. Thus you had to find meaning in family. My thesis is that you will always find meaning in what you have. If your whole family is dead, you might find meaning in your pet dog for example, or in your friends. Similarly, if you only have family, you will find meaning in them. Family tends to be the only thing you are given for free at birth, so it makes sense that it ends up what most people find meaning in. All the other stuff require work/chance on your part to acquire. And are thus much harder to lean on to find meaning, since they can be easily taken away, or simply be unaccessible to you. Which means maybe in a country that shows other things beyond family as what they find meaning in is actually a sign that in that country people are easily able to have a lot more than just family, and can thus find meaning in more things.
  - pertymcpert 5y ago
    That doesn't seem to be what the article is suggesting.
iforgotpassword 5y ago
I don't think this is true. I feel like we started to realize that money isn't buying you happiness. The previous generations were proud to work hard so they can buy big houses and big cars and be really proud of that and show it to all their friends and neighbors. The next generation wondered if maybe not getting the biggest car possible, but in return having to work a little bit less and actually spend time with your kids while they grow up etc isn't such a bad idea at all.

zwkrt 5y ago

if it’s worked for 10000 years I wouldn’t be so quick to knock it.

didibus 5y ago
That just reinforces my statement. For 10000 years, most people only had family, because they couldn't afford the cost/time for friends, material wellbeing, good health, nature, travel, new experiences, etc. Thus you had to find meaning in family. My thesis is that you will always find meaning in what you have. If your whole family is dead, you might find meaning in your pet dog for example, or in your friends. Similarly, if you only have family, you will find meaning in them. Family tends to be the only thing you are given for free at birth, so it makes sense that it ends up what most people find meaning in. All the other stuff require work/chance on your part to acquire. And are thus much harder to lean on to find meaning, since they can be easily taken away, or simply be unaccessible to you. Which means maybe in a country that shows other things beyond family as what they find meaning in is actually a sign that in that country people are easily able to have a lot more than just family, and can thus find meaning in more things.
- pertymcpert 5y ago
  That doesn't seem to be what the article is suggesting.

iforgotpassword 5y ago

I don't think this is true. I feel like we started to realize that money isn't buying you happiness. The previous generations were proud to work hard so they can buy big houses and big cars and be really proud of that and show it to all their friends and neighbors. The next generation wondered if maybe not getting the biggest car possible, but in return having to work a little bit less and actually spend time with your kids while they grow up etc isn't such a bad idea at all.