Appearances vs Experiences: What Really Makes Us Happy
Farnam Street, 2020-07-27
Fact(s)
The experience of a living space is far more important than its appearance.
People declare they value experiences more than things, but observably do the opposite. (wrong assumption of maximizing utility)
People misjudge their ability to tell how long pleasure of possessing a thing will last.
Overall Feelings
People put far too much weight on obvious differences (location, look) and far too little on intrinsic features (community, relationships, convenience).
All novelty (view from the window, huge backyard) wears off, but inconvenience stays.
It’s a mistake of believing one can put up with inconveniences in order to enjoy overall comfort.
o Long commute to the suburbs and back is bad for physical and mental health.