4 ms·
Yeah, I'm a bit confused as well. It seems that the author doesn't believe that there's an "overall satisfaction" level made up of smaller bits of satisfaction
by russelluresti 13y ago
Yeah, I'm a bit confused as well. It seems that the author doesn't believe that there's an "overall satisfaction" level made up of smaller bits of satisfaction pieces.
Yes, the long commute lowers your satisfaction in one area, but the increased salary raises your satisfaction in another area - these areas then average out.
Sure, you're less happy about your commute, but you're more happy about your salary, and that averages your level of happiness back to equilibrium. It's not just about tolerating unhappiness from your commute, it's actually about balancing/averaging your overall happiness.
- mcv 13y agoIt seems the author is unwilling to acknowledge the impact money has on satisfaction or happiness. But utility and happiness are two different things. I don't doubt that walking to work makes you happier, but you can't go to a shop and exchange that walk for a bigger house or a nice vacation. Money can do that. If you're unhappy with the communte, you can spend the extra money on getting more happiness out of other aspects of your life. That is utility. It's silly to argue that money doesn't provide utility; nothing provides such flexible, universal and measurable utility as money does. But does it buy you happiness? Only if you're poor, other research has shown. Once you have comfortable wealth, money stops providing additional happiness. So overpaid CEOs should take a pay cut to be able to walk to the office. (Would he accept an hour-long communte for $500 extra per month? Of course not! That's pocket change to him. But for 40% on top of his already excessive salary? Probably.)