13/06/2022
My curiosity was sparked by this paragraph about the economy from the "Reasons to Stay Alive". Let me know what you think in the comments!
THE WORLD IS increasingly designed to depress us. Happiness isn't very good for the economy.
▶ If we were happy with what we had, why would we need more?
▶ How do you sell an anti-aging moisturizer? You make someone worry about aging.
▶ How do you get people to vote for a political party? You make them worry about immigration.
▶ How do you get them to buy insurance? By making them worry about everything.
▶ How do you get them to have plastic surgery? By highlighting their physical flaws.
▶ How do you get them to watch a TV show? By making them worry about missing out.
▶ How do you get them to buy a new smartphone? By making them feel like they are being left behind.
To be calm becomes a kind of revolutionary act. To be happy with your own non-upgraded existence. To be comfortable with our messy, human selves, would not be good for business.
