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This is the age-old debate of maximizers vs satisficers: http://happiness-project.com/happiness_project/2006/06/are_you_a_satis/ http://happiness-project.com/h

by oz 14y ago

This is the age-old debate of maximizers vs satisficers: http://happiness-project.com/happiness_project/2006/06/are_you_a_satis/ http://happiness-project.com/happiness_project/2006/06/are_y... In a nutshell, Dustin is a maximizer. Regarding flatware, my views have changed as I've grown older (I'm 26). A few years ago, I didn't care. Now, for some reason, I always reach for a specific knife/fork combo: I like the weight (most are too light for me), the balance between the handle and the blade/tines and the industrial design. Eating with them just feels better.

jessriedel 14y ago
That is a good blog post.
mahyarm 14y ago
I've learned long ago that being a satisficer is the maximal life strategy. The entire battle between a perfectionist and so on.
RockyMcNuts 14y ago
You have to pick the things you maximize vs. the things you satisfice. If you're a foodie, you might maximize food, while economizing on other areas. Steve Jobs lived in a fairly modest home, but maximized the beauty and utility of the everyday objects around him, while Bill Gates built a technology showcase.
gammarator 14y ago
The linked blog post discusses it, but I want to highly recommend "The Paradox of Choice" by Barry Schwartz [1]. He discusses psychological research showing why maximizing--attempting to have the best of everything--actually leads us to be less happy with our choices, not more. Seek quality, sure--but decide what's "good enough," and stop looking when you find it. [1] http://www.amazon.com/Paradox-Choice-Why-More-Less/dp/0060005696/ http://www.amazon.com/Paradox-Choice-Why-More-Less/dp/006000...
- ctdonath 14y ago
  That's why I follow sites like uncrate.com & Minimalissimo.com and buy my furniture from Stickley, etc. - find a few sources recommending high quality stuff and choose from there; I know it may not be "perfect" and know it will be expensive, but it will be good and I'll be happy with it.

by oz 14y ago

jessriedel 14y ago

That is a good blog post.

mahyarm 14y ago

I've learned long ago that being a satisficer is the maximal life strategy. The entire battle between a perfectionist and so on.

RockyMcNuts 14y ago

You have to pick the things you maximize vs. the things you satisfice. If you're a foodie, you might maximize food, while economizing on other areas. Steve Jobs lived in a fairly modest home, but maximized the beauty and utility of the everyday objects around him, while Bill Gates built a technology showcase.

gammarator 14y ago

The linked blog post discusses it, but I want to highly recommend "The Paradox of Choice" by Barry Schwartz [1]. He discusses psychological research showing why maximizing--attempting to have the best of everything--actually leads us to be less happy with our choices, not more. Seek quality, sure--but decide what's "good enough," and stop looking when you find it. [1] http://www.amazon.com/Paradox-Choice-Why-More-Less/dp/0060005696/ http://www.amazon.com/Paradox-Choice-Why-More-Less/dp/006000...

ctdonath 14y ago
That's why I follow sites like uncrate.com & Minimalissimo.com and buy my furniture from Stickley, etc. - find a few sources recommending high quality stuff and choose from there; I know it may not be "perfect" and know it will be expensive, but it will be good and I'll be happy with it.