Happiness for Dummies

Advertising does another important thing. Advertising makes us unhappy. Folks who study such things call it “cognitive dissonance.” A completely happy person is not in the market for anything. But advertising saturates today’s world. Many people today overdose on dissatisfaction to the point it becomes unfocused rage, depression or fear.

try to craft a life that satisfies you, even if it wouldn’t satisfy anyone else

Unhappiness isn’t always bad. Intelligence breeds dissatisfaction, and dissatisfaction motivates growth. But we’re alive in an age when there’s enormous pressure to buy. It’s mostly artificial pressure.