Would you trade your life for a happy feeling?

[Zetetic11235]

Here is a twist: The machine hooks you up to a virtual reality that you will not know is virtual once you are hooked up to it. It will determine how you would most prefer to live your life and, more than simply subject you to pleasure(which is what you guys are talking about, not ncessarily happiness. It is drug induced pleasure, get it right), it will model your life in a believable way but with a synthetic boost of good fortune and artificial fulfillment. It will enforce your 'positve' self illusions and eliminate any horrible problems, all will be relatively well in the world, but not too happ sunshine well, and if disaster is what you need, it will create it. Would you live in this machine of maximized preference?

[iconoclast]

See 'better than life video game' - from top UK comedy series Red Dwarf.

[Psychonaut]

Ok guys, don't you think your not exactly looking at this with an open mind? Happiness 24/7...... no catch. Few of you gave a good reason to back up why you wouldn't get in the box, iconoclast, more so than everyone "With respect, I'm done talking about this. Don't do drugs, they're false and destructive. iconoclast." am i the only one here who finds this particular comment to be a bit narrow-minded? Back on topic i wouldn't go in the box only because i have family to think about who i love and care about. If i had no family, yes i would go in the box. Most responses i read are from people who need to get off their high-horse and stop being so self-righteous.

sorry if i didn't really contribute anything to the discussion but i had to get this out, i really expected more people to go in the box.

[iconoclast]

Yeah, psychonaut, you're right. I'm shoddy and narrow minded...hardly a philosopher really, just someone who comes on these sites to spout off!

welcome.

iconoclast.

[Sytar Embassy]

Psychonaut, you are absolutly right.

Think of it this way. Where you are now in life has its ups and downs. but what if all your life was ups? no down side to any deal. What you guys are saying it still true but, as Psychonaut said, "...a bit narrow-minded..."

Try to re-think this.

[Ennui]

Originally Posted by Sytar Embassy

Ok, heres the question.

"Scientists have invented box that you walk in, sit in a chair, and the machine shoots stimulents into your body that makes you feel happy. The box will vary the stimulent so its a new feeling of happy every so often so that you wount get borde of it. After about 10 hours, a life support system turns on to keep you alive. Its free to use for as long as you like. However, everyone that has entered the box has never come back out. Now, your next in line. Would you go into the box knowing you may never come out?"

I said no becuase the real happyness isn't in a metal box. It's in your backyard. I would much rather move and run than sit and feel good. In life, you can't just want to feel good 24/7. You have to feel the full range on emoutions. Anger, sarrow, ect. Thats what makes life so great, the ability to feel this range on emoution.

Input?

That a significant elucidation of you already,Sytar Embassy.

Glee doesn't bestowed from mechanisms,it is a disposition.Albeit there is a unique remedy to be gleeful,being inside the aforementioned machine shoots and stimulated the mind will not last forever and inevitably will cease.

If glee comes from the demeanour,your own demeanour,it will last longer.

[Sytar Embassy]

Originally Posted by Ennui

That a significant elucidation of you already,Sytar Embassy.

Glee doesn't bestowed from mechanisms,it is a disposition.Albeit there is a unique remedy to be gleeful,being inside the aforementioned machine shoots and stimulated the mind will not last forever and inevitably will cease.

If glee comes from the demeanour,your own demeanour,it will last longer.

..... Forgive my stuidity, but you used a lot of words I don't understand. Would it be at all possible to reword that?

Oh, and sorry I haven't been posting lately. You know, school and all, and I was chasing this one chick. I got her and everything is good now. Anyway, thanks for replying.

[Didymos Thomas]

Oh, and sorry I haven't been posting lately. You know, school and all, and I was chasing this one chick. I got her and everything is good now.

Hooray for lovin'!

[Sytar Embassy]

Ya. Great time.

[Khethil]

Originally Posted by Sytar Embassy

Would you go into the box knowing you may never come out?"

This rings a really-loud bell of a movie I saw back in the early/mid 80's. "Brainstorm" or some such.

No I wouldn't.

• I'd be apprehensive: "There's no such thing as a free lunch"-sentiment
• I'd think it would burn itself out: One needs to experience sadness, frustration, consternation, pain, anger; in order to recognize and appreciate happiness. Over time, it'd be self-defeating I'd think
• I'd feel somehow cheapened by the artificial-nature of the notion.
• I really work to try and live my life "as is", with as little external-stimulation as possible.

But oh yea, it'd be tempting. Nice thought to ponder. Thanks

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