| Humans as collectors, obsessive people - Click HERE for Original Thread |
| ehos |
I have this pet theory that people are basically very obsessive. Very obsessed by things that 'go up', or progress, go forward, accumulate etc.
For example, in games you can get people very VERY addicted to simple things. Back in the day it was things like Pac Man (collect points, that's it). Now it's super complex, and thus more addictive, like World of Warcraft. Basically, you gain nothing in real life, but in a game you collect stuff (things, levels, money etc). Turns people in to zombies because it's easy and fun and it's in the nature of humans.
But, the ultimate 'addiction' is money. It's the reason why rich people keep working. What possible reason would Bill Gates/Buffet have to get up and 'go to work'? (Oh yes, it's personal satisfaction of course).
I know tons of people that said, hey, if I get this magic number of money, I'm gonna quit. But then they get it, and keep on going (the number always going up).
And if you 'stand' still, ie you keep what you have (same house, same basic amount of money) you're somehow actually regressing! (Ie if everyone is collecting and moving ahead, you are automatically falilng behind because you're not).
How long can we actually keep collecting and 'moving forward'? We're built on 3% growth, but if you add 3%+3%+3%, how long can we go on?
We're taught this very early on. Go to Grade 1, then 2 etc to 12. Then University. Get a job, make some small starting amount of money and keep going. Buy a small starter house, then a bigger house and bigger until we hit some magic 'retirement' at 65 (game over). |
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| Tech2 |
| People are evolutionarily developed to be hunter/gatherers. Obsessive collecting is the gathering part. |
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| STiPWR |
| I think it has more to do with having something to live for. If you have all the money or cars or whatever material you are dreaming for, you have nothing to strive towards. People need progression to give meaning to life. |
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| Bluestreak |
There are those however, who don't strive towards anything, they simply let whatever happen to them. I know a few people like that and mind you they struggle every day to find meaning into their everyday lives. No goals, no planning, etc.
Personally I don't have much respect for people like that.
But back on topic, having something to strive for, some form of progression, I agree, gives meaning to your life. |
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| Inzane |
| I fail to see what the problem is. :dunno: |
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| Graphicdude |
Good observation. Sure makes you take a second look at your life. And then you head back to work :D But seriously, you look back on the history and evolution of man and it's always the same thing reoccurring. We collect/gather things. Whether it's people, money, land, objects, etc. we have been ingrained to do so. It's natural and unfortunate. Because with that comes greed, selfishness, violence and on and on.
We suck as a species. Probably the biggest most destructive parasite on the planet. |
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| Inzane |
I definitely have that collector gene.
If I start reading a book from a series, i have to get all the books. Same with DVDs... if a movie has sequels and I like them in general I have to get all of them. Magazines. CDs (all the albums of favorite artists). Etc.
As a kid I "collected" comics, trading cards and action figures.
There's never been a time in my life when I wasn't collecting... something. |
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| JustinL |
Interesting way to think about things, but I fail to see an alternative. You could say that a minimalist way of life is superior. Only work enough to eat and then lay in a hammock for the rest of your time. I agree with Bluestreak that I just consider these people lazy.
The obvious argument that would follow is that people should better themselves with their spare time, but again this is just another form of collecting. Get another degree, collect knowledge, learn new skills, emotional satisfaction from interacting with people. Unless you are staring at the ceiling not thinking, you are collecting something.
Acquiring something is the definition of motivation-- what that something is, is different for every person be it tangible or intangible. |
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| ehos |
Well, it's just an incomplete observation, not a overarching theory to explain all life :)
BTW, it works great to motivate young people!
But to counterpoint, there are parts of the world where this behavior is frowned/looked down. Even places in the USA! |
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| EDISKRAD EHT |
Human's need for growth is like Cancer for the planet Earth. It just keeps growing and growing, until eventually it WILL kill it.
It's sad, but it's inevitable. |
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| Inzane |
quote:
Originally posted by ehos
there are parts of the world where this behavior is frowned/looked down.
So.... ? |
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| sixsixii |
quote:
Originally posted by Inzane
So.... ?
Ha ha. Some people have an augmented superiority complex which really shines in the internet conversations. i.e. who cares what they do/think, we do it this way, and it's better our way attitude. |
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| Inzane |
quote:
Originally posted by sixsixii
Ha ha. Some people have an augmented superiority complex which really shines in the internet conversations. i.e. who cares what they do/think, we do it this way, and it's better our way attitude.
My response had nothing to do with any superiority/better our way thinking.
Seriously, why should we care if others "disapprove" of our way of life? :dunno:
Besides, if these other places "look down" (as ehos put it) on our ways, doesn't that suggest THEY are the ones with the superiority complex? |
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| sixsixii |
quote:
Originally posted by Inzane
My response had nothing to do with any superiority/better our way thinking.
Seriously, why should we care if others "disapprove" of our way of life? :dunno:
Besides, if these other places "look down" (as ehos put it) on our ways, doesn't that suggest THEY are the ones with the superiority complex?
Yes, it does.
Off topic a bit, but if you read the news we apparently DO have to care if other "disapprove" of our way of life. |
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| JustinL |
quote:
Originally posted by sixsixii
Ha ha. Some people have an augmented superiority complex which really shines in the internet conversations. i.e. who cares what they do/think, we do it this way, and it's better our way attitude.
Does telling someone they have a superiority complex make you feel... better than them? |
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| kevito_ |
| 3% + 3% + 3% + ... etc will go on until we hit peak oil. Then we're fucked =) |
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| Inzane |
quote:
Originally posted by sixsixii
Yes, it does.
Off topic a bit, but if you read the news we apparently DO have to care if other "disapprove" of our way of life.
All the same, I'm just going to continue to accumulate money and material possessions. Thanks. :wavey:
Anyone who doesn't like that is free to leave the continent. |
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| Tech2 |
quote:
Originally posted by EDISKRAD EHT
Human's need for growth is like Cancer for the planet Earth. It just keeps growing and growing, until eventually it WILL kill it.
It's sad, but it's inevitable.
Not like ants or bunnies or salmon or lemmings or pigions or grass or dandelions or any other living thing on earth keeps increasing in numbers until something happens that drops the numbers back down. It's just nature, and people are part of it. I'm sure if you could ask non-flowering plants from 65 million years ago what they think of grasses (you know, the new and more successful organism that wiped the planet clean of thousands of plant species) you might get some "they're the worst parasite on planet earth!" argument too.
Anyways, pre homo-sapien species left piles of hundreds of almost identical stone tools. I'm pretty sure it wasn't because they were finding meaning in their lives, it's just what they did. Same with us, we just get cooler collections (of porn). |
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