The fundamentals of our existence can generally be defined as: The Human Condition (need-> desire -> scarcity -> economics) and the Hedonic Treadmill.

We all have needs and this creates a market around them to fulfill our function within the given system (survival and reproduction). Our lived understanding of this is experienced through the dopamine cycle (food, drugs, sex, comfort, talking to people, motivation to repeat).

However, after basic needs are met (food, shelter, survival, human interaction) there are diminishing returns of long term well being experienced by continuing the cycle of seeking out more/greater highs (i.e. hedonic treadmill). Even if we attain what we desire, we adapt back to our base level of contentment within a relatively short time frame. Studies have backed this up and come to conclusions that no matter what we do, we can’t effect lasting change on our levels of well-being and life satisfaction due to a fixed emotional set point that is often genetic (AFTER basic needs are met).

Our ancestors 100s & 1,000s of years ago couldn’t have imagined the safety and luxury we live in today, but are we any happier than them? I do not think so. In part due to our feelings of inadequacy and the incessant urge to constantly improve our lives when they are already so luxurious.

You may be content for a period of time after purchasing a new toy. But before long, now you need a bigger/better/more expensive thing to feel the same amount of satisfaction (rinse and repeat). When an aspect of one’s life improves they feel happy, but soon adapt to this change and become unsatisfied with their life once again. Despite what consumerist culture and advertisements would have you believe otherwise.

No pleasure can last, it would stop us from striving and fulfilling our basic function altogether. There is no such thing as happily ever after.

Essentially, it is wiser to seek basic needs and minimize tragedy as a strategy for life as opposed to seeking out a continual stream of bigger and more frequent highs like a heroin addict. This only makes sense looking at the facts.