NationStates Jolt Archive

i want to find out whats wrong with society - there must be something really fucking up somewhere. i mean, i'm depressed, most of the ppl i know are depressed, many ppl on this forum are depressed. whats wrong with the world if so many people are unhappy?

any ideas? i have none.


edit: this site rocks (http://www.a1b2c3.com/suilodge/metfor1.htm)

Life can be confusing, overwhelming and occassionally, unsatisfying.

BUT I am a firm believer that unless you are clinically depressed, everything eventually works out. In the end, you are responsible for your own happiness.

but why are so many people unhappy?

I blame it on the water and our foods. Seriously, those chemicals can do a lot to a person.

i'm happy

BUT I am a firm believer that unless you are clinically depressed, everything eventually works out. In the end, you are responsible for your own happiness.Unfortunately for me, I am clinically depressed. Nonetheless, it's under control and I am doing my best to take responsibility for my own life, happiness and fate.

However, I have to agree with Pure Metal that a lot of things in modern society don't bode well with keeping people happy. Many - not all - people that one encounters on a day to day basis aren't friendly or respectful, whether they know you are not. I mean, come on, it doesn't cost anything to be nice! Furthermore, there are wider world issues like poverty and war - but to be fair, this is nothing new. One can argue they don't directly affect me or my peers, and that is somewhat true, but they're still a sad indictment upon the world.

I'm unhappy. Welcome to life, this sort of thing happens.

We live in a CNN world, with horrific images fed to us on a daily basis. Couple that with television, which also serves up regular doses of darkness, and it will eventually depress anyone.

Why would you post that kind of response:
"I'm happy."
"Welcome to life"

Obviously, he's talking about truly depressed people. They do exist and in masses. :rolleyes:

Because unhappy people are silly or silly people are unhappy.....or..... what.... damn.... lost my point

We live in a CNN world, with horrific images fed to us on a daily basis. Couple that with television, which also serves up regular doses of darkness, and it will eventually depress anyone.

From that site:

"Happiness in intelligent people is the rarest thing I know."

Hemmingway

I'm unhappy. Welcome to life, this sort of thing happens.
life doesn't have to be a pathetically short, depressing existance involving little more than being born, working and dying, surely? there can be more to it than that? sorry going off topic...

surely there can be some form of society where the majority of people are actually happy? nobody's happy with the system we have now - i agree with Kazcaper - people are generally pissed off to be stuck in the same dead-end job doing the same shit every day, paying the bills, the mortgage, etc...

the only people who truly have the freedom to be happy are rich people.

is capitalism the thing that makes people unhappy? is that how it works - some win in the system, get rich and are happy, and most loose and become miserable, just to support the few?

i mean the core arguement of the communist 'class warfare' arguement is that some (the rich) pay the rest of us what we need to survive. we are slaves. instead of directly supplying us with shelter and food - like actual slaves - we are supplied with enough money to trade for those things. yes we have the freedom to choose how we use that money, but we are still slaves, in a way. does this lead to large numbers of people being unhappy?

i don't know any of this, i'm just very confused and asking a lot of questions. sorry if i sound like a whiney attention seeking whore :(

i want to find out whats wrong with society - there must be something really fucking up somewhere. i mean, i'm depressed, most of the ppl i know are depressed, many ppl on this forum are depressed. whats wrong with the world if so many people are unhappy?

any ideas? i have none.


edit: this site rocks (http://www.a1b2c3.com/suilodge/metfor1.htm)


That site is pretty good :D

My personal take on it is that depression and unhappiness are wired into us to make us strive towards better things. If you're too content, not much gets done and you don't move forward... ooops :eek: , sorry I'll stop taking thing so seriously again in a minute...

the only people who truly have the freedom to be happy are rich people.




I've got a few friends who fit into the "so comfortably well off that they'll never have to lift a finger" bracket of society (complete opposite to me) and they, at least the ones who don't distract themselves with working or throwing themselves full on into projects, actually seem to suffer more with depression etc. It seems to me that they actually have more time and freedom to run their brains into the ground dwelling on whether their life/health/themselves is worthwhile.

Their riches give them the freedom to become even more self obsessed and self destructive than the rest of us.

I've got a few friends who fit into the "so comfortably well off that they'll never have to lift a finger" bracket of society (complete opposite to me) and they, at least the ones who don't distract themselves with working or throwing themselves full on into projects, actually seem to suffer more with depression etc. It seems to me that they actually have more time and freedom to run their brains into the ground dwelling on whether their life/health/themselves is worthwhile.

Their riches give them the freedom to become even more self obsessed and self destructive than the rest of us.
they do say 'its lonely at the top'

ok so rich people are miserable cos they have too much time and not enough they have to do, and poor people are miserable cos they have too much to do, too many bills to pay, are sick of doing the same thing every day, etc...

so nobody's happy. what a great system we have :rolleyes:

What do you mean by "happy"?

I blame emo and all the other shitty rock/rap that being played on right now.

What the hell happened to rock n' roll? Where's the power? The angst? The good times attitude? I'm not against the sad song or the love song, but damn... I want to rock! I want my metal. Maybe something this summer will come out, that's when the good music comes in. Like F.F. and the Vines. FF came out last summer and the Vines released the second album I know of last summer.

What do you mean by "happy"?
i'm not sure... happy, as in to feel happiness.

What do you mean by "happy"?

I think it's getting all our 'wants' fulfilled. Although not exactly... but lots of happiness seem to revolve around our wants. Not necessarily in material goods either.

Because unhappy people are silly or silly people are unhappy.....or..... what.... damn.... lost my point

Nah. Most silly people are unreasonably happy. If my life sucked half as much as the lives of the people too silly to realize how much they're screwing themselves up I'd give up right there. I guess that's why people smarter than me can never seem to tell me where I'm going wrong.

I think it's getting all our 'wants' fulfilled. Although not exactly... but lots of happiness seem to revolve around our wants. Not necessarily in material goods either.

Well, a huge part of happiness consists of the prospect of accomplishment. If you stand to never get anything you want, you're going to be depressed. It's called 'learned helplessness.' Although the term is usually applied to students who think they'll never succeed rather than adults who think they'll never "get." But the way people live their lives these days "succeeding" and "getting" are pretty much the same thing.

i want to find out whats wrong with society - there must be something really fucking up somewhere. i mean, i'm depressed, most of the ppl i know are depressed, many ppl on this forum are depressed. whats wrong with the world if so many people are unhappy?

any ideas? i have none.


edit: this site rocks (http://www.a1b2c3.com/suilodge/metfor1.htm)
I'm poor as a church mouse and I'm not depressed. :)

I'm poor as a church mouse and I'm not depressed. :)

Why aren't you? Just to play devils advocate... Come share with us your experience and views of life. :)

the secreat to a good life is good health and bad memory

I'm poor as a church mouse and I'm not depressed. :)

You are a liar.

Some blame MTV and the rich celebrity lifestyle for Youth's depression nowadays, they potray in our heads what success and what a purposeful life we are supposed to be having and that we are at the peak, the best time of our life where we are supposed to be enjoying to the fullest.

Plus the world seems to be going to hell from our point of view (but honestly I cannot imagine the teens growing up during the Cold War Era in US). And the growing worry of uncertainty of the future that we are depressed. Like someone says just now, CNN telling about all the despair and suffering the world is all about. Ignorance is bliss perhaps?

My dad used to say, that last time, we had fewer wants, hence life was simpler and people were happier. Now kids talk about the latest handphone, and if you don't have one without a colour screen, your a poor bastard loser. :p

--


Well, I'm not depressed per se, but I sometimes do have my bouts of sadness, especially when the bills come in, and my dad Sighs at them. Or the bank calls that their going to take the house and the car unless we pay them soon. That kind of stuff.

but why are so many people unhappy?
Our brains evolved to fit a hunter/gatherer who lived in a small tight knit community. The jump to civilization has come recently. Our brains haven't had time to evolve to the different stimuli.

You are a liar.

He's not a liar. He is just content and the realisation of the fact that there's more to life than just money. Plus Entrusca has lived a very long and fruitful life, with both very bad and good experiences that we'll never probably see in our lifetime.

And when you lived the life he kinda lived, I guess, you'll see things differently, that things that mattered much to you, doesn't matter at all. Your still breathing, have a healthy body, and people that love and care for you. :)

Why aren't you? Just to play devils advocate... Come share with us your experience and views of life. :)
For one thing, I seem to have inherited a predisposition toward a sunny disposition. For another, I've been able to cultivate an attitude that says, "as long as I've got a roof over my head, clothes to wear, food to eat, some way to occupy my mind, and no one's shooting at me, I'm miles ahead of the game!" :D

i want to find out whats wrong with society - there must be something really fucking up somewhere. i mean, i'm depressed, most of the ppl i know are depressed, many ppl on this forum are depressed. whats wrong with the world if so many people are unhappy?

any ideas? i have none.


edit: this site rocks (http://www.a1b2c3.com/suilodge/metfor1.htm)

I blame George W... but then again I blame him for everything wrong today.

TREKKIES AGAINST BUSH!

I've been able to cultivate an attitude that says, "as long as I've got a roof over my head, clothes to wear, food to eat, some way to occupy my mind, and no one's shooting at me, I'm miles ahead of the game!" :D
I'd guess spending a couple years trekking through the jungle and getting shot at helped with that one.

He's not a liar. He is just content and the realisation of the fact that there's more to life than just money. Plus Entrusca has lived a very long and fruitful life, with both very bad and good experiences that we'll never probably see in our lifetime.

And when you lived the life he kinda lived, I guess, you'll see things differently, that things that mattered much to you, doesn't matter at all. Your still breathing, have a healthy body, and people that love and care for you. :)
Pretty close, actually. I have five children and seven grandchildren, all of whom dispair of me, but who also love me. True, it would be nice to have more money, primarily so I could help them, but that's coming too.

What? Me worry? I'm mad! :D

and people that love and care for you. :)

Not true.

I'd guess spending a couple years trekking through the jungle and getting shot at helped with that one.
Kinda gives a whole new meaning to the term "happy!" :D

Seriously, guys ( and gals ), you can indeed decide to be happy! Honest!

He's not a liar. He is just content and the realisation of the fact that there's more to life than just money. Plus Entrusca has lived a very long and fruitful life, with both very bad and good experiences that we'll never probably see in our lifetime.

And when you lived the life he kinda lived, I guess, you'll see things differently, that things that mattered much to you, doesn't matter at all. Your still breathing, have a healthy body, and people that love and care for you. :)
i think there's some truth in everything everyone has said so far. i'm thinking that happiness boils down to experiences - the greater the number and wider the range of experience, the happier the person (cetimus paribus).
the majority of people go to the same job, sit at the same desk, do the same stuff, talk to the same people, etc, every day - there's almost no range of experience... nothing 'exciting'. in essence, most people's lives become, in a simple word, 'boring'.
the meida constantly shows us things that most of us will never see or experience, be they good or bad. ignorance is bliss, and with the world at our fingertips (the net) and being beamed into our living rooms on tv, the world is ever smaller and smaller, but with more and more things to do and see - to experience - but little of what we see matches our real lives. the news is just depressing full stop (i don't even like to watch it anymore...), to see the shit that other people have to go through.
in short, we are shown, by some medium, every single day what life can be like, when it's not for most people. this gets some people down, some people depressed, and some people don't care (they may have other things in their life such as a family that compensate or something, i dunno)

well thats my latest thought anyhow

i want to find out whats wrong with society - there must be something really fucking up somewhere. i mean, i'm depressed, most of the ppl i know are depressed, many ppl on this forum are depressed. whats wrong with the world if so many people are unhappy?

any ideas? i have none.


edit: this site rocks (http://www.a1b2c3.com/suilodge/metfor1.htm)

You only get so depressed if you let yourself. My g/f recently left me, and I just bounced back. Sure, I'm unhappy about it, but shit happens! Just move on, let it go

For one thing, I seem to have inherited a predisposition toward a sunny disposition. For another, I've been able to cultivate an attitude that says, "as long as I've got a roof over my head, clothes to wear, food to eat, some way to occupy my mind, and no one's shooting at me, I'm miles ahead of the game!" :D

My view of life is much the same, but requires the additional clause "...and I've got Broadband Internet"

the reason everybody is unhappy is because most people are soft-hearted chicken shit faggots

o yeah...

"Only if you've been in the deepest valley, will you ever know, how truely magnificent it is, to be on the highest mountain."

-Richard Nixon
resignation speach

the reason everybody is unhappy is because most people are soft-hearted chicken shit faggots
Do you know your nation is named after a microbrew that uses too much hopps and comes out tasting too bitter to drink?

1) We are more aware of how crappy the world is at the moment than at any other point in time. Literacy ratings are the highest in recorded history, and the media is everywhere.

2) Most humans aren't challenged anymore. You get up, go to work, write some stuff, go home, watch TV, go to bed. A hundred years ago you'd have been lucky to survive your job, and you'd have to work 60-70 hours a week just to make enough money to buy food. While our standard of living is undoubtedly healthier from a physical point of view, I very seriously doubt that it is healthy from a mental point of view.

3) Most humans have no goal in life anymore other than the acquisition of 'things'. The Victorian workers I just mentioned would have a very clear goal in life -- survival. They worked hard to keep themselves and their families alive and healthy. Their goal meant something to them. Our goal is hollow and meaningless; it doesn't matter how big your TV is, it won't fill the vacuum within -- the vacuum that used to hold some kind of reason to live.

4) Manners are no longer existent. A hundred years ago you could smile at a person in the street, and they would smile back, and you'd maybe get into a conversation. Smile at somebody now and one of the following things may happen:
- If a member of the opposite sex, they may likely think you are hitting on them.
- If a member of the same sex, they may assume you are a homosexual and thus run away, because homosexuals don't think about anything but raping other people[/sarcasm]
- If a man, they may assume you are trying to start a fight with them. Some think this if you so much as look at them.
- With any gender, most people will either be too suspicious or too busy to bother with you.
- With any gender, they may give you a sneering look and say something along the lines of 'What the f**k are you looking at?'
And if they were to smile back, you'd probably end up thinking they were a weirdo and quickly hurry on...

Hopdevil says: "the reason everybody is unhappy is because most people are soft-hearted chicken shit faggots"

This is exactly the sort of person I am talking about. Was there any need for that? No. Was there any need for that sort of language? No. Why did he do it, then? Because he doesn't care whether he offends anyone or not, because he has no respect for other people. These sorts of people are alarmingly common.

5) Possible contents of food having a negative psychological impact.

Do you know your nation is named after a microbrew that uses too much hopps and comes out tasting too bitter to drink?

you should check my flag....but yes i know, i named it that on purpose because it is a fine quality beer that tastes great. If you dont like hoppy beer of course you aren't going to like it. Also, it is not classified a "microbrew" according to pennsylvania law.

1) We are more aware of how crappy the world is at the moment than at any other point in time. Literacy ratings are the highest in recorded history, and the media is everywhere.

2) Most humans aren't challenged anymore. You get up, go to work, write some stuff, go home, watch TV, go to bed. A hundred years ago you'd have been lucky to survive your job, and you'd have to work 60-70 hours a week just to make enough money to buy food. While our standard of living is undoubtedly healthier from a physical point of view, I very seriously doubt that it is healthy from a mental point of view.

3) Most humans have no goal in life anymore other than the acquisition of 'things'. The Victorian workers I just mentioned would have a very clear goal in life -- survival. They worked hard to keep themselves and their families alive and healthy. Their goal meant something to them. Our goal is hollow and meaningless; it doesn't matter how big your TV is, it won't fill the vacuum within -- the vacuum that used to hold some kind of reason to live.

4) Manners are no longer existent. A hundred years ago you could smile at a person in the street, and they would smile back, and you'd maybe get into a conversation. Smile at somebody now and one of the following things may happen:
- If a member of the opposite sex, they may likely think you are hitting on them.
- If a member of the same sex, they may assume you are a homosexual and thus run away, because homosexuals don't think about anything but raping other people[/sarcasm]
- If a man, they may assume you are trying to start a fight with them. Some think this if you so much as look at them.
- With any gender, most people will either be too suspicious or too busy to bother with you.
And if they were to smile back, you'd probably end up thinking they were a weirdo and quickly hurry on...

Hopdevil says: "the reason everybody is unhappy is because most people are soft-hearted chicken shit faggots"

This is exactly the sort of person I am talking about. Was there any need for that? No. Was there any need for that sort of language? No. Why did he do it, then? Because he doesn't care whether he offends anyone or not, because he has no respect for other people. These sorts of people are alarmingly common.

5) Possible contents of food having a negative psychological impact.
smart post, especially #3. not sure about #5 tho...

the aquisition of 'things' is a shallow and meaningless point to life, but it seems to suit most people fine (ignorance is bliss after all). the reason why i've started quite a few "what is the point to life"/"what enriches your life" threads recently is because i realised how pointless material aquisition is as a life goal, but have nothing to replace it with. i am, quite literally, lost and can see nothing ahead :(

Happiness depends on many things, but there are a few main ones. I would post them, but would you want to hear them? They might not be what your looking for. Just tell me if you want me to. :) Some of the poorest people I know have more joy in one day than many people have in a lifetime.

the aquisition of 'things' is a shallow and meaningless point to life, but it seems to suit most people fine (ignorance is bliss after all).

Quite so. My sister is one of the mindless automatons of modern commercial society; the only literature she ever reads involves finding out which celebrities slept with who, and the only reason she wakes up is so that she can wear a new set of clothes. She does what companies tell her to do, in a sense. It makes her happy, though, so I don't complain.
Such things have the opposite effect on me, though; and I know some people who feel the same way.

Happiness depends on many things, but there are a few main ones. I would post them, but would you want to hear them? They might not be what your looking for. Just tell me if you want me to. :) Some of the poorest people I know have more joy in one day than many people have in a lifetime.
sure, please do
and welcome to NS by the way :)



Such things have the opposite effect on me, though; and I know some people who feel the same way.
hmm i can't say it upsets me, just that when you realise how pointless and meaningless it all is, it simply doesn't factor any more

Quite so. My sister is one of the mindless automatons of modern commercial society; the only literature she ever reads involves finding out which celebrities slept with who, and the only reason she wakes up is so that she can wear a new set of clothes. She does what companies tell her to do, in a sense. It makes her happy, though, so I don't complain.
Such things have the opposite effect on me, though; and I know some people who feel the same way.
"I've found you can find happiness in slavery." -Nine Inch Nails, Happiness in Slavery

"Be thankful its all the same, it's the highest scoring looser's game" - Hidden Agenda by Pitchshifter :D

i want to find out whats wrong with society - there must be something really fucking up somewhere. i mean, i'm depressed, most of the ppl i know are depressed, many ppl on this forum are depressed. whats wrong with the world if so many people are unhappy?

any ideas? i have none.


edit: this site rocks (http://www.a1b2c3.com/suilodge/metfor1.htm)

society was fine till you got here.

It's because people are so isolated from each other.

life doesn't have to be a pathetically short, depressing existance involving little more than being born, working and dying, surely? there can be more to it than that? sorry going off topic...

surely there can be some form of society where the majority of people are actually happy? nobody's happy with the system we have now - i agree with Kazcaper - people are generally pissed off to be stuck in the same dead-end job doing the same shit every day, paying the bills, the mortgage, etc...

the only people who truly have the freedom to be happy are rich people.

is capitalism the thing that makes people unhappy? is that how it works - some win in the system, get rich and are happy, and most loose and become miserable, just to support the few?

i mean the core arguement of the communist 'class warfare' arguement is that some (the rich) pay the rest of us what we need to survive. we are slaves. instead of directly supplying us with shelter and food - like actual slaves - we are supplied with enough money to trade for those things. yes we have the freedom to choose how we use that money, but we are still slaves, in a way. does this lead to large numbers of people being unhappy?

i don't know any of this, i'm just very confused and asking a lot of questions. sorry if i sound like a whiney attention seeking whore :(
darling, you ARE RICH

take a look at the rest of the world, the way the majority of humans live, and you will see that you are privileged way beyond what they could dream of attaining.

happy has nothing to do with money. NOTHING. it is all in how you live your life.

if you want to be happy, live a better life.

if you have no idea how to do that, start by volunteering at the senior citizens center in your town.

im serious. just go do it. in a month, you will understand SO much more about life. yes it is that simple. no im not saying that in a month you will be happy, but you will understand things that now you have no clue about.

darling, you ARE RICH

take a look at the rest of the world, the way the majority of humans live, and you will see that you are privileged way beyond what they could dream of attaining.

first off the mark, i know i am rich. rationally, i know i got it great. does neurochemical imbalance mean nothing??


happy has nothing to do with money. NOTHING. it is all in how you live your life.

if you want to be happy, live a better life.
now that i agree with

if you have no idea how to do that, start by volunteering at the senior citizens center in your town.

im serious. just go do it. in a month, you will understand SO much more about life. yes it is that simple. no im not saying that in a month you will be happy, but you will understand things that now you have no clue about.
a lot of people have said 'volunteer somewhere'. i guess this is what i'm gonna have to do


anyway, this is me - an individual. i'm saying that there must be a problem in society, somewhere, because of the large number of people who are depressed/upset/pissed off with life.

I told you it's the water and the food! Household chemicals, other chemicals, etc.

I told you it's the water and the food! Household chemicals, other chemicals, etc.
i'm not convinced... any evidence?

Well, there's cancer leaking out of American food. That's what they tell us anyway. People weren't quite as depressed in the past, from what I undrestand anyway. This may also explain the amount of infertility in society.

Here is a list of chemicals that may be linked to suicide, depression, and migraines. I'll add to it as I know more. Maybe other people can add their input:

hydrogen sulfide
organophosphate
toxic mold
bleach
household cleaning products
pesticides

Well, there's cancer leaking out of American food. That's what they tell us anyway. People weren't quite as depressed in the past, from what I undrestand anyway. This may also explain the amount of infertility in society.
mmmm i have heard similar stories, and i'm sure that its a factor, but i don't think its the only thing. i honestly think there is a problem in our system (ie. capitalism, at the risk of sounding 'commie' ;) )

The rat race is what happened, consumerism took over this nation. Marketeers know the human mind better than our psychiatrists. They manage to manipulate our needs and wants until we think that we need to work harder to get that SUV instead of spending more time with our children.

I agree with those that say it's a decision.

I had a rough time a year ago and was down, but hadn't noticed.

A friend was doing a life coaching course, and asked if I would be a guinie Pig for her.

She asked me to list things I did and didn't like about my life, thats when I thought about it and decided to enjoy life again.

I'm happy because the only people I respect enough to bring me down love me enough not to. The rest, well why stress about what people who can't tell themselves the truth, are saying about me.

So to all Happy or otherwise :fluffle: :fluffle: :D :fluffle: :fluffle:

Well what if you're a manic?

i'm not convinced... any evidence?
Many of the chemicals we're exposed to have the effect of blocking testosterone. Testosterone and other anabolic steroids natural and synthetic have been shown to alleviate depression. Maybe the depression people are feeling is linked to lower testosterone levels.

despite some screwed up crap that happens in my life, i still wake up every morning, look under the sheet, and get super fucking happy i havent had any limbs amputated.
if everyone did this- we could change the world.

Thank you Drunk Commies. Now we just need to get Aerou in here so she can give her bit on Endometriosis and the Endocrine system.

but why are so many people unhappy?

They are most likely lacking in faith. If I didn't have a relationship with God, I'm sure I would be unhappy too.

They most likely are lacking in faith. If I didn't have a relationship with God, I'm sure I would be unhappy too.
I don't think that has anything to do with it. I'm an atheist and I feel fine.

Education and prosperity happened.

Now we aren't required to go out scavanging for food and we know better than to put our faith in fairy tales and magical rewards after death we can look at the world objectively.

And it's shit.

Humans are shit.

Full of hate.


The only way to escape it is to find the love. Go out and find the good people, they are there. Like after the tsunami, the British people gave millions - more than the government. People do care, just get hardened sometimes.

They are most likely lacking in faith. If I didn't have a relationship with God, I'm sure I would be unhappy too.
Well, I'm an Atheist and I am clinically depressed, although I'm mostly OK on a day-to-day basis. Firstly, though, the depression partly stems from pretty shite things that occurred when I did believe in, and worship/respect/etc, God (they allowed me to start questioning his existence, and when I did so, I realised there was virtually no evidence for it - so it was emotional and rational reasons that led me to Atheism). Secondly, I know plenty of Atheists that are very happy, and plenty of genuine Christians who very definitely are not. So, for me, faith is not the best explanation at all.

Education and prosperity happened.

Now we aren't required to go out scavanging for food and we know better than to put our faith in fairy tales and magical rewards after death we can look at the world objectively.

And it's shit.

Humans are shit.

.



We are the all-singing all-dancing crap of the world.

Eh, things aren't too bad. I've got clinical depression, but it's fortunately not very severe so most of the time I'm feeling just a bit detached, rather than out-and-out unhappy.

I'm lucky, though, because I have found things that make me happy. My girlfriend. My friends. Videogames. A box of donuts. Writing. Just look for it in the little things, and the big things tend to be easier to deal with, because there's always going to be some small but wonderful shard of happiness to look forward to when you're done.

And if people believe what the TV says about how you can be happy - it's their own fault, frankly. You're strong and intelligent enough to find your own sources of joy.

i want to find out whats wrong with society - there must be something really fucking up somewhere. i mean, i'm depressed, most of the ppl i know are depressed, many ppl on this forum are depressed. whats wrong with the world if so many people are unhappy?

any ideas? i have none.



Society has always been about as screwed up as it is now.

Really.

We are the all-singing all-dancing crap of the world.

Get a grip. THere that feels better doesn't it. :D

We can be anything that we want to be. If you don't believe then I feel for you.
Humans got to the top by being able to do whatever was nessersary.

So lets be happy, and stop crapping up the planet. And of course a few more :fluffle: :fluffle: :fluffle: :fluffle: always goes down well.
:fluffle: :fluffle: :fluffle: :fluffle: :fluffle:

i'm not sure... happy, as in to feel happiness.

Well...yeah. I was wondering what it "happy" means for you personally. Is it being in healthy relationships? Is it a feeling of accomplishment? Something else entirely? A combination of things?

Quite honestly, I think you need to work out exactly what "happy" would be in the context of your own life and work towards it.

have you all heard the penguin joke?

1. Get professional help.
2. Prozac works for me (your doctor may prescribe something else).
3. Change your life - move away from where you live, make different friends, do something else for a living - because something you're doing or not doing is not helping matters.

Well...yeah. I was wondering what it "happy" means for you personally. Is it being in healthy relationships? Is it a feeling of accomplishment? Something else entirely? A combination of things?

Quite honestly, I think you need to work out exactly what "happy" would be in the context of your own life and work towards it.
quite right. i don't know what happiness is for me, once i find out what it is i can work towards it. i think family makes me happy, but i live around 300 miles away from my parents and don't think i have a chance in hell of finding a girl :(

have you all heard the penguin joke?
:confused: do tell


edit:
1. Get professional help.
2. Prozac works for me (your doctor may prescribe something else).
3. Change your life - move away from where you live, make different friends, do something else for a living - because something you're doing or not doing is not helping matters.
problem is i'm in uni and i need a degree. i'm not that smart really and everybody knows a degree helps in life. hence i can't move away or do anything different for a few years...

A delivery driver was on his way to the zoo with a van load of penguins when his van broke down. Stranded at the side of the road with a delivery schedule to keep, he didn't know what to do.

All of a sudden along came a bus. The van driver flagged it down and the bus driver got out.
"I'll give you £100 to take these penguins to the zoo for me" says the van driver.

The bus driver looks over at the penguins and says "ok, your on"

So they load the penguins into the bus and off it drives.

A while later the van driver finally gets his van started, and heads off towards the zoo. Round a bend he suddenly sees the bus, still full of penguins, coming back towards him!

He chases it down and ways at the bus driver to pull over. he does, and both me get out.

"Hey!" says the van driver "I gave you £100 to take those penguins to the zoo!"

"Calm down" replies the bus driver "I took them to the zoo. We had change left over so now I am taking them to the cinema"

i want to find out whats wrong with society - there must be something really fucking up somewhere. i mean, i'm depressed, most of the ppl i know are depressed, many ppl on this forum are depressed. whats wrong with the world if so many people are unhappy?

any ideas? i have none.


My theory is that depression isn't a cause of society it's the evolutionary method by which intelligent creatures can continue to evolve. Once you get intelligence, you can evolve yourself faster, but if you get too content you might wonder why you need to bother improving yourself. As such, it is in human nature to be depressed, so that we have a desire to make things better. My theory has no evidence, but I quite like it. Does anyone else agree with this idea?

Why don't you just go ahead and become a socialist, some of the nicest people i know are socialists ;)

...Well, including myself :D

Sometime i also feels depressed, but it seemes the best cure has always been spending time with my friends and doing something to push the world in the right direction.

Like I said PM, you need to get bloody drunk one of these nights so you can relieve yourself from reality for at least a littl while. Then, in the morning it may help you put some things into perspective. At least it helped me. :)

Like I said PM, you need to get bloody drunk one of these nights so you can relieve yourself from reality for at least a littl while. Then, in the morning it may help you put some things into perspective. At least it helped me. :)
sorry, im only half on this forum at the mo - got to work on some essays too...

usually when i wake up the morning after getting plastered i just feel awful :p
the only perspective i want is the one without the hangover...

i do smoke weed a fair bit, that helps as far as i'm concerned - i stop thinking about crap for a while and can just enjoy myself :)


Why don't you just go ahead and become a socialist, some of the nicest people i know are socialists ;)

...Well, including myself :D

Sometime i also feels depressed, but it seemes the best cure has always been spending time with my friends and doing something to push the world in the right direction.
hehe good thinking - i am socialist :D ... kinda. i dunno what i am but socialist would be one of the categories i could fall into


edit: welcome to NS by the way :) (i seem to say that ten times a day lol)

i want to find out whats wrong with society - there must be something really fucking up somewhere. i mean, i'm depressed, most of the ppl i know are depressed, many ppl on this forum are depressed. whats wrong with the world if so many people are unhappy?

any ideas? i have none.


edit: this site rocks (http://www.a1b2c3.com/suilodge/metfor1.htm)


(1) EVERYTHING is wrong with society. That is why we I refuse to become a functioning member.
(2) People suck and have for generations. We must live in order to unsuck the world.
(3) Find some happy friends, or at least some funny ones.
(4) You're right, that site does rock. Scary part? Almost all those suicide risk factors apply to me.
(5) You need to get into the arts. It's like drugs, only, like... safe...er.
(6) Here are some sites that I like to go to, they're kinda funny and always cheer me up in some weird way:

Remember Furbies? (http://www.jelloboy.com/stomp_furby/FURBY.HTM)

Goth Humor (http://www.shanmonster.com/jesus/index.html)

More Goth Humor (http://www.deadlounge.com/offramp/index.html)

I believe the impersonalness of todays society is a huge factor. People don't have the sense of community and closeness they used to. We live in an increasingly mobile, fast paced, impersonal and crowded society. Plus, not being in constant danger denies us certain outlets.

Serotonin not only controls moods such as depression, it contributes to risk taking behavior. Many people who suffer from recurrent depression are also into taking a lot of risks. This was probably a survival mechanism earlier in our evolution. Enjoying taking risks would make a dangerous life seem more bearable. Of course it's not desirable for everyone to engage in this behavior, but to have a certain segment of a society enjoy this behavior would be very helpful.

Well, then don't get that drunk. You could laid. Sometimes when you just let yourself go, it can help you deal with some of your problems. Anything yu can do to let yourself go.

We are unhappy because of anomy. As society grows we become less tied to the community and lose the sense of purpose that community provided. Families break down and family ties are broken down as people move to new areas away from family.

Society also teaches independence which isolates us from eachother.

As people become more mobile we lose ties to others. Neighbors become strangers and people become little more than objects from which someone can gain something from.

People become less and less personal and more and more withdrawn from social life.

This anomy leads to depression as people struggle to find purpose as their social ties are broken down.

Society has changed. The most important thing in society is now money.

Well, then don't get that drunk. You could laid. Sometimes when you just let yourself go, it can help you deal with some of your problems. Anything yu can do to let yourself go.
gah its not as easy as that :(


edit: i wish it was

I'm sorry. How about just a hug then?

Perhaps depression is diagnosed more.

I'm sorry. How about just a hug then?
*hugs*

thats much better :)

Not true.

You have a point there... perhaps lack of love or people that truly care is one of the reasons why you are depressed? Or people are depressed?

cant think, too depressed :(

I am rarely unhappy

I am rarely unhappy :(

Like I said PM, you need to get bloody drunk one of these nights so you can relieve yourself from reality for at least a littl while. Then, in the morning it may help you put some things into perspective. At least it helped me. :)

Escapism!!

Well, for me, It's going to church. At least I don't get shitfaced in the morning. :D

i want to find out whats wrong with society - there must be something really fucking up somewhere. i mean, i'm depressed, most of the ppl i know are depressed, many ppl on this forum are depressed. whats wrong with the world if so many people are unhappy?

any ideas? i have none.

there's actually some interesting evidence linking fitness to depression. apparently, people who are in good physical condition have far lower rates of depression than people in poor physical condition, and there are physiological/neurological data to support that it's not just a matter of reporting or anything like that.

i bring this up because it's possible that the declining fitness rates in developed countries might, possibly, be related to the increase in depression rates. it's only one theory, and i'm not saying all out-of-shape people are depressed or all fit people are happy, just throwing it out there.

i want to find out whats wrong with society - there must be something really fucking up somewhere. i mean, i'm depressed, most of the ppl i know are depressed, many ppl on this forum are depressed. whats wrong with the world if so many people are unhappy?

any ideas? i have none.


edit: this site rocks (http://www.a1b2c3.com/suilodge/metfor1.htm)

I can't be everywhere at once. Don't worry. Human cloning will soon change that. :D

there's actually some interesting evidence linking fitness to depression. apparently, people who are in good physical condition have far lower rates of depression than people in poor physical condition, and there are physiological/neurological data to support that it's not just a matter of reporting or anything like that.

i bring this up because it's possible that the declining fitness rates in developed countries might, possibly, be related to the increase in depression rates. it's only one theory, and i'm not saying all out-of-shape people are depressed or all fit people are happy, just throwing it out there.
makes sense. being constantly self-concious is gonna wear you down over time

there's actually some interesting evidence linking fitness to depression. apparently, people who are in good physical condition have far lower rates of depression than people in poor physical condition, and there are physiological/neurological data to support that it's not just a matter of reporting or anything like that.

i bring this up because it's possible that the declining fitness rates in developed countries might, possibly, be related to the increase in depression rates. it's only one theory, and i'm not saying all out-of-shape people are depressed or all fit people are happy, just throwing it out there.

People who are physicaly fit do exercise. Exercise produces endorphins, They feel good. There is a direct causal link between fitness and the bochemistry of the brain. This may explain the increasing leves of depression, but I would like to make the case that it is much more complex.
Factors that are involved from my point of view:
Information overload
Loss of community
Chemical contamination
Passivity
Increased performance demand
Overcrowding
Genetics

Of these the individual can do things about the first four and maybe about the fifth. The last two are beyond the reach of the individual.

Information Overload.
Be selective in what you think about. It may sound callous and heartless, but an event in Australia is generally of very little importance to you if you live in
The USA or Europe so ignore it. What does it matter waht Silvio Berlusconni is doing if you live in New Zealand. Restrict your concerns to those things that are of personal interest or that will affect your life directly.

Loss of community
Get out of the house and meet people, do things in the community. Campaign for what you want etc. Community is made up of people and unless you are active in this you will not be part of the community.

Chemical contamination
Learn to cook. Eat fresh veg, fruit and cook your own meat and fish etc. It will not eliminate the chemicals completely but it will reduce them considerably. For candy avoid coloured stuff. Chocolate, toffees etc are just as good.

Passivity
Get off your backside. Walk instead of driving. Buy a bicycle. Find a hobby such as golf or swimming or trekking. Go to the gym. Do not over do it, as being injured is depressing, but do something.

Of course there is no obligation to do any of this, but I believe it will help people to stop being so miserable.

People who are physicaly fit do exercise. Exercise produces endorphins, They feel good. There is a direct causal link between fitness and the bochemistry of the brain. This may explain the increasing leves of depression, but I would like to make the case that it is much more complex.
Factors that are involved from my point of view:
Information overload
Loss of community
Chemical contamination
Passivity
Increased performance demand
Overcrowding
Genetics

Of these the individual can do things about the first four and maybe about the fifth. The last two are beyond the reach of the individual.

Information Overload.
Be selective in what you think about. It may sound callous and heartless, but an event in Australia is generally of very little importance to you if you live in
The USA or Europe so ignore it. What does it matter waht Silvio Berlusconni is doing if you live in New Zealand. Restrict your concerns to those things that are of personal interest or that will affect your life directly.

Loss of community
Get out of the house and meet people, do things in the community. Campaign for what you want etc. Community is made up of people and unless you are active in this you will not be part of the community.

Chemical contamination
Learn to cook. Eat fresh veg, fruit and cook your own meat and fish etc. It will not eliminate the chemicals completely but it will reduce them considerably. For candy avoid coloured stuff. Chocolate, toffees etc are just as good.

Passivity
Get off your backside. Walk instead of driving. Buy a bicycle. Find a hobby such as golf or swimming or trekking. Go to the gym. Do not over do it, as being injured is depressing, but do something.

Of course there is no obligation to do any of this, but I believe it will help people to stop being so miserable.
yeah, you basically expanded what i was getting at. it's not like working out is going to magically solve the problem of clinical depression, but lack of exercise is one of the major factors that contribute to depression. there is even a recent study showing that increasing physical activity can be more effective than drug therapy for some people who have clinical depression.

of course human psychology is NEVER that simple, but at least it's one possible way we could approach problems of depression. i particularly think about young people when i read up on things like this, since i think it is best to avoid drug therapy whenever possible when it comes to kids...if adding exercise might reduce a child's need for antidepressent drugs then i'm all for it.

My theory is that depression isn't a cause of society it's the evolutionary method by which intelligent creatures can continue to evolve. Once you get intelligence, you can evolve yourself faster, but if you get too content you might wonder why you need to bother improving yourself. As such, it is in human nature to be depressed, so that we have a desire to make things better. My theory has no evidence, but I quite like it. Does anyone else agree with this idea?

The problem with your theory is that depression (contrary to what people who haven't had it think) doesn't motivate people to do anything. You feel like crap and want to die more than anything. The prospect of "getting better" isn't appealing at all for various reasons, not the least of which is that it requires effort and expenditure of energy.

Rather, I agree with Bitchkitten, Dark Kanatia, and those who have been arguing the role of community. I totally agree. Pure Metal, have you ever taken any Anthropology courses? Perhaps through your university? I took one where we read Cows, Pigs, Wars, and Witches by Marvin Harris. If you get the chance to take a course, or read this book, I think you'll find the beginning of a real answer to your questions.

I can elaborate a bit on the things I've personally found about depression over the last five years or so if you like.

The problem with your theory is that depression (contrary to what people who haven't had it think) doesn't motivate people to do anything. You feel like crap and want to die more than anything. The prospect of "getting better" isn't appealing at all for various reasons, not the least of which is that it requires effort and expenditure of energy.

you are making a blatantly false generalization. as somebody who has suffered from clinical depression for almost 7 years, i can tell you that "getting better" was amazingly appealing for me, even though i did have trouble with motivation and energy. i have several friends with depression, and all of them have been very interested in getting better.

some people with depression want to die. others desperately want to live, but cannot see how they will ever be able to continue in their condition; that is, in fact, how the MAJORITY of depressed individuals live. they are NOT suicidal, and most of them very much want to find a way to deal with their condition and be able to live in a healthy and happy manner. there certainly are individuals with depression who are suicidal, but the majority of clinically depressed persons would rather get better than die.

you are making a blatantly false generalization. as somebody who has suffered from clinical depression for almost 7 years, i can tell you that "getting better" was amazingly appealing for me, even though i did have trouble with motivation and energy. i have several friends with depression, and all of them have been very interested in getting better.

some people with depression want to die. others desperately want to live, but cannot see how they will ever be able to continue in their condition; that is, in fact, how the MAJORITY of depressed individuals live. they are NOT suicidal, and most of them very much want to find a way to deal with their condition and be able to live in a healthy and happy manner. there certainly are individuals with depression who are suicidal, but the majority of clinically depressed persons would rather get better than die.

*sigh* I can't get away with anything in this forum, can I? I was trying to be poetic to make a point. As Picasso once said, "Art is the lie that helps us see the truth". The trouble you were having with motivation and energy is exactly what I was trying to emphasize. The more depressed you are, generally, the worse that gets. That's why I don't think depression is likely to be an advantage that evolution brought to our species. It doesn't motivate us to live any more than we already do. It just tends to phase out the desire to live over time.

yeah, you basically expanded what i was getting at. it's not like working out is going to magically solve the problem of clinical depression, but lack of exercise is one of the major factors that contribute to depression. there is even a recent study showing that increasing physical activity can be more effective than drug therapy for some people who have clinical depression.

of course human psychology is NEVER that simple, but at least it's one possible way we could approach problems of depression. i particularly think about young people when i read up on things like this, since i think it is best to avoid drug therapy whenever possible when it comes to kids...if adding exercise might reduce a child's need for antidepressent drugs then i'm all for it.

Be careful though. There are people who are depressed due to inherited factors. My wife has a seratonin deficiency and she has to take medication (clomipramine) and will have to take it for the rest of her life. She does exercise, we do cook our own food, she is a university lecturer and heavily involved in the community. Information overload is a problem, but she like me is an info junkie so it is not depressive. None of this will "cure" her depression as it is a physicalmisfunction of the endocrine system in her case. Treated and rebalanced there is no problem however.
No one needs to be depressed, even if they suffer from clinical depression, there are treatments available. It is a little like diabetes in that when controlled it is just an inconvenience, not a crippling disease.

All your happyness are belong to us.

I think one of the wisest sayings in the universe is not written by any mystic or anything but it is the rather popular saying "get a life". Get some more friends. Real friends, not just people you work with. People who share interests with you and care about you. Obviously like most simple solutions, it isnt the be all and end all to depression but I think its one of the better methods.