"Money buys Freedom but not always happiness?"

[Tez3]

Now I feel like I need to go read Mansfield Park again.

The Buccaneers by Edith Wharton.
Cranford by Elizabeth Gaskell is especially good.

 

[donald1]

Money buys my happiness. I pay bills and have loved the air conditioner throughout summer so far. The hole in my wallet leaves a sour taste in my mouth but the pros outweigh the cons.

Money covers monthly martial arts fees. Happy times indeed.

Buying weapons for martial arts never fails to put a smile on my face.

Every Saturday I rent redbox movies and it's always a blast!

 

[Argus]

Money buys my happiness. I pay bills and have loved the air conditioner throughout summer so far. The hole in my wallet leaves a sour taste in my mouth but the pros outweigh the cons.

Money covers monthly martial arts fees. Happy times indeed.

Buying weapons for martial arts never fails to put a smile on my face.

Every Saturday I rent redbox movies and it's always a blast!

Money buys what you use it for.

You happen to be using it productively, and that enables a happy life.

You can also use it to make your life miserable. Many people do.

Like anything, it's what you do with it that matters.

 

[Argus]

Interesting that money defines what class you are in the US, elsewhere it doesn't ,where changing your class because your financial situation changes doesn't really happen, you can be rich working class or poor middle class even upper class (the theme for many an English novel). It's an interesting subject.

I saw an interesting quote the other day, "you are only rich when you have something money can't buy"

I'm not so sure this is true at all.

I think what you're observing is more manufactured perception than reality.

I grew up in America, and I currently live overseas. I know quite a lot about other cultures. And I would say that, in my experience, America is one of the least class based, and most meritocratic societies. Not quite as much as it used to be, but more so than most places even to this day. Not to say that it's perfect by a long shot, but the very vast majority of people, wealthy or otherwise, could really, really care less about class or how much money you make. They don't even talk about it. They care about what you have to bring to the table.

The impression that in America you are defined by money/class, and race, certainly is strong, and this is mostly pedaled by a certain political faction which has a strong interest in such divides existing, because they're really good divides by which to divide and conquer politically. At least, that's my conclusion having studied many, many political upheavals, ethnic conflicts, civil wars, and genocides. Everyone is welcome to differ of course, but I'm just suggesting that people treat the media, especially the U.S. media, for what it is: political propaganda, the goal of which is to push a specific narrative, not to actually convey factual information. Do your own critical thinking and research and come to your own conclusions, rather than just taking things at face value, and I think you'll eventually agree with me.

I currently live in a country which is in stark contrast to the United States, and it's hugely refreshing to be around people who haven't become ideologues and extremists on *both* sides of the isle.

Anyway, I'm not trying to get political here -- I just want to warn that perceptions may not be reality, and that there are a lot of dishonest entities hard at work trying to divide us by outwards appearances and superficial / fleeting circumstances. We're all actually on the same side, and in the same boat. The more we respect and hear one another, and question divisive narratives, the more we might actually discover that.

 

[Tez3]

I'm not so sure this is true at all.

I think what you're observing is more manufactured perception than reality.

I grew up in America, and I currently live overseas. I know quite a lot about other cultures. And I would say that, in my experience, America is one of the least class based, and most meritocratic societies. Not quite as much as it used to be, but more so than most places even to this day. Not to say that it's perfect by a long shot, but the very vast majority of people, wealthy or otherwise, could really, really care less about class or how much money you make. They don't even talk about it. They care about what you have to bring to the table.

The impression that in America you are defined by money/class, and race, certainly is strong, and this is mostly pedaled by a certain political faction which has a strong interest in such divides existing, because they're really good divides by which to divide and conquer politically. At least, that's my conclusion having studied many, many political upheavals, ethnic conflicts, civil wars, and genocides. Everyone is welcome to differ of course, but I'm just suggesting that people treat the media, especially the U.S. media, for what it is: political propaganda, the goal of which is to push a specific narrative, not to actually convey factual information. Do your own critical thinking and research and come to your own conclusions, rather than just taking things at face value, and I think you'll eventually agree with me.

I currently live in a country which is in stark contrast to the United States, and it's hugely refreshing to be around people who haven't become ideologues and extremists on *both* sides of the isle.

Anyway, I'm not trying to get political here -- I just want to warn that perceptions may not be reality, and that there are a lot of dishonest entities hard at work trying to divide us by outwards appearances and superficial / fleeting circumstances. We're all actually on the same side, and in the same boat. The more we respect and hear one another, and question divisive narratives, the more we might actually discover that.

Well, it wasn't my perception, I was commenting on what an American poster has said about being middle class now they had some money. It was America as defined by an American.

I appreciate you think you are giving me good advice but frankly it comes across as patronising. I merely said it was interesting that class is defined by wealth ....... as posted by an American who is obviously defining class by money. Nothing to do with me following media or not thinking critically. It wasn't my perception as I said,however my comments about the UK are certainly true based on my experience of actually being British for nearly 68 years now.

 

[Argus]

Well, it wasn't my perception, I was commenting on what an American poster has said about being middle class now they had some money. It was America as defined by an American.

I appreciate you think you are giving me good advice but frankly it comes across as patronising. I merely said it was interesting that class is defined by wealth ....... as posted by an American who is obviously defining class by money. Nothing to do with me following media or not thinking critically. It wasn't my perception as I said,however my comments about the UK are certainly true based on my experience of actually being British for nearly 68 years now.

Oh, I see. I wasn't sure where your comments were coming from or what gave you that impression.

And, yikes! I owe you an apology. I didn't realize how patronizing that sounded. I especially didn't mean to imply that you weren't thinking critically -- I just thought that perhaps your impression of America was based on a certain sample that I would call into question.

I intend to respect (and learn from!) as many people and their diverse experiences and perspectives as I can. Sometimes I call out things that just don't seem to be accurate, given my experiences and perspective, but I'm always willing to hear and weigh information to the contrary. My aim is always to question, and be questioned.

It may very well be, for example, that I just don't surround myself with the sort of people for whom status is important, or the culture where I grew up just didn't happen to be that way, and so maybe I have, myself, a biased sample on which to base my perceptions.

My suspicion, though, is that it's just an element of human nature, and certain personality types, though -- and that doesn't really change no-matter where you go. The only difference is how much opportunity that people of all classes have to prosper, and that's what I feel much more worthwhile to focus on.

 

[Tez3]

Oh, I see. I wasn't sure where your comments were coming from or what gave you that impression.

And, yikes! I owe you an apology. I didn't realize how patronizing that sounded. I especially didn't mean to imply that you weren't thinking critically -- I just thought that perhaps your impression of America was based on a certain sample that I would call into question.

I intend to respect (and learn from!) as many people and their diverse experiences and perspectives as I can. Sometimes I call out things that just don't seem to be accurate, given my experiences and perspective, but I'm always willing to hear and weigh information to the contrary. My aim is always to question, and be questioned.

It may very well be, for example, that I just don't surround myself with the sort of people for whom status is important, or the culture where I grew up just didn't happen to be that way, and so maybe I have, myself, a biased sample on which to base my perceptions.

My suspicion, though, is that it's just an element of human nature, and certain personality types, though -- and that doesn't really change no-matter where you go. The only difference is how much opportunity that people of all classes have to prosper, and that's what I feel much more worthwhile to focus on.

No worries, often comments are lost if they aren't quoted directly, I could quote anything when I used a desk top but am stuck with a tablet at the moment and seem more limited making my posts less clear when I can't post everything I'm commenting on.

Without getting political the make up of our current government makes class 'a thing' again, the PM and his cronies are Old Etonians, this establishment has taught Kings, Emperors, military and civil leaders since 1440 CE, it reinforces class and the 'superiority ' of the ruling class. If you look up who went there, as well as our other famous Public schools you can see actually how hard it is to shake off our class system, sometimes it does seem to face a bit but it's back again at the moment.

 

[juliapaulson789]

My happiness is purchased with money. I pay bills and have enjoyed the air conditioner system so far this summer. Although the hole in my pocketbook leaves a bitter taste in my mouth, the benefits far outweigh the drawbacks.

Money is used to pay for martial arts lessons on a monthly basis. It's a wonderful time.

Purchasing martial arts weaponry never fails to bring a smile to my face.

Every Saturday, I rent movies from Redbox, and it's always a good time!

Money Buy happiness because those who have money can buy everything to enjoy life. Throughout the summer air conditioner is needed for cooling. For Martial arts, this is really important.

 

[Urban Trekker]

Money Buy happiness because those who have money can buy everything to enjoy life. Throughout the summer air conditioner is needed for cooling. For Martial arts, this is really important.

I think if someone says that "money buys freedom," they're referring to the concept of having "f*** you money."

 

[Kung Fu Wang]

So any thoughts on "Money buys Freedom but not always happiness?"

A: Money buys Freedom but not always happiness.
B: Money won't by you happiness, but without money, you are definitely unhappy.

 

[Steve]

A: Money buys Freedom but not always happiness.
B: Money won't by you happiness, but without money, you are definitely unhappy.

But I thought the best things in life are free.

 

[Kung Fu Wang]

But I thought the best things in life are free.

You can't be free without money. If you have money, women, happiness, freedom, ... will all come to you.

One joke that I Like very much.

A: The saddest thing that can happen to you is the day you die, you haven't spent all your money yet.
B: The saddest thing that can happen to you is before you die, you have spent all your money.

 

[Gyakuto]

There is the expectation that our lives should be filled with exhilarating joy! Screaming, fist-pumping, great music and the absolute certainty of ‘getting a grip‘ with an attractive women at the end of an evening. This seems to be more prevalent amongst the social media-using, younger members of society. In fact, our lives are mainly lived with a lack of sadness. That is the default setting. We have some money, we don’t hate or love our jobs, we can eat and drink without worry, socialise within our own parameters a bit, have a reliable albeit average car, a relatively permanent roof over our heads, a loved one who cares somewhat about us. Life is ‘beige’, drama-less, punctuated occasionally, with something a little more exciting than that, perhaps unadulterated joy, but generally ‘beige‘ and I’m completely happy with that!

I am becoming increasingly selectively-misanthropic as I get older. Money sometimes provides options to avoid mingling with those who irritate me or indeed allows me to associate with like-minded people (like joining a private members, gentleman’s club). That reduces the worry of having to suffer the irritation of inadvertently associating with people I do not like (generally those who don’t like my jokes, my guitar playing or my pearls of diamond-coated wisdom). Yes…I’m a grumpy ‘getting-older‘ man.