Never ending happiness

[chemguy]

If there were a machine capable of producing feelings in human, particularly feelings of joy, ecstasy, happiness and contentment, wouldn't life be better off?

We all have experienced those dreadful moments when we need to work hard. The agonizing times when we need to push hard in order to achieve something. Eventually feeling contentment. Science suggests, that all hardwork roots from our desire to feel that eventual contentment - the feeling. Wouldn't it be great, to be able to get the joy of our greatest aspiration without the need of work? Being in control of the rush of joy that follows success. The feeling of winning a competetion, but knowing you aren't going to fail. That you were going to enjoy the success of all endeavours, without any drudgery.


Failed romance, often sets in depression. It gives rise to feelings of inadequacy and inferiority. Most of us experience this, especially in the initial adventures. Wouldn't it be better just to use a machine, capable of producing the exact feelings of joy and comfort that one gets from a romantic endeavour. It would mean feeling giddy in love all the time. A person would be able to sustain these feelings, unlike romantic relationships in which the ecstasy dies down within weeks, or months at most. And, one wouldn't have to put up with the other person - no fights, no compromises, no in-laws, no talking. It will be the holy grail of happiness.


The benefits stretch even more in family and work relationships. One wouldn't need to make unnecessary social contact. In fact, one could avoid social contact all together. Pains of being ill at ease, unable to make small talk or faux paus that happen every now and again. Or being called a gaffe. Or old pals making contact for obviously selfish reasons, and all you could do was go through the tribulation. Or the favours that friends ask everyday. Or the fake grin that you have to put up for the annoying neighbour. The formal handshakes and smiles that you give at work, even though deep inside you want to kill some of them. Or the embarassing relative that creeps in on your online social network, perhaps liking every photo you upload or mentioning you in an awkward status update. Or walking into a so-called friend you have been meaning to avoid. Or waking up to find it was a missed call by a friend, or just a mistaken call. The feeling of envy the you feel at finding out about the succesful life of your old pals. The need to go to family traditions, where you are forced to wearing and looking old school. Or the embarassment of getting a call from parents while you are out with friends. Imagine a machine, that could relieve you of all these problems. The feeling of social adequacy combined with no discomforting feelings. No envy, no putting up with people, just pure bliss.

Picture yourself in this machine. Grinning from ear to ear. Lying there forever, in happiness. Laughing, without knowing, there is nobody to laugh with. Joyous, but having nobody to share it with. Content, even though no aspirations did you achieve. Feeling giddy in love, but nobody who feels the same way. Having everything, yet having nothing. Being happiest in the world, yet being desolate.

How do you feel?


(P.S.: A philosopher once asked this question that if there were a machine capable of producing feelings of joy, for things you like, would you substitute it for actual experience? And I kinda got inspired by it, and wrote this emotional blob as a continuation of my practice. Any comments, suggestions, criticism is welcome)