Wanting more
March 12th, 2005
In today’s society, is there such a thing as too much? In the March issue of Elle, Susanna Sonnenberg looks into the science behind desire in the article “As Good As It Gets?”
Once upon a time, the marketplace was a neccessity - something that provided people with their basic needs. But we grew past the point where getting food, drink, and shelter was a pressing concern, and now we feel the “need” for more. More clothes, more technology, more luxury. However, getting what we desire doesn’t actually make us happy - instead we end up on a constant quest for happiness through acquisition, thinking that once we get everything we want, we’ll be content. Unfortunately, getting what we want only ends up making us want something else.
I’m certainly guilty of this. How many times have I thought, “If I can just find the perfect pair of black pants, my wardrobe will be complete”? But, I find the pants, and realize that I need a new shirt to go with it. And then the shoes that I thought I’d wear with the outfit aren’t quite right, so off I go to the mall. Three hours and hundreds of dollars later, I have a new wardrobe. Except I can’t seem to find the perfect white sweater…
I thought that if I just got an iPod, I’d be set - but then I realized that I had to fill it with all the songs that I might, someday, want to hear. Someday, when I really want to hear Ricky Nelson, I’ll be set. Plus, now that I have an iPod, I’m convinced that I need Apple’s new 12″ G4 Powerbook. It only makes sense, right? I’m saving up for it now… but is it really necessary? This Thinkpad is perfectly functional (well, except for the missing soundcard)… but a Powerbook is so much cooler.
Sigh.
P.S. I just told my boyfriend about this, and he said, “Yeah. We’re like squirrels, and these are all our nuts.” Speaking of which, I think I could use one of those cute little trays that hold nuts. You know, in case I have a party.
