Too Much Choice Can Make You "depressed".

HUH?

From the foods we eat, to the television channels we watch, to the schools we send our children too and the career we choose to pursue, society has never offered us so much variety.
But while the ability to choose is generally a good thing, too much freedom of choice is crippling us with indecision and making us unhappy, claims the new research.

When I first clicked on this article, I already had rebelious preconceptions regarding it. But if you stop to think about it......it makes sense.

People can become paralysed by too much variety and wracked with uncertainty and regret about whether they have made the right decision.

Did i get the best deal possible? Do I honestly like what I decided upon? Is there something out there thats better than what I have?

Everyone, at some point, wonders these things. Whether it's wondering if the item is on sale somewhere else, or if the shirt is really"me".

The study believes that the problem is that when you have too much choice, you become obsessed about what your decision will say about you.

Then when you have made the choice you worry that it is wrong

Full article-Click here

If you worry about that sort of thing, I guess this matters. People often think about what their choices say about them. Whether it's clothes, your car, your furniture...etc.

But I have to ask you, Readers: Why would that sort of thing matter? I pose another question that this article makes me ask.

Why is it so important, that the things we buy and own are "us"?
Personally, I think it is nonsense. But I would like to ask you, what is the importance of self expression?

Break down that phrase: "Self expression"

SELF: a person or thing referred to with respect to complete individuality
EXPRESSION:the quality or power of expressing an attitude, emotion, etc.

Do you have to dress like Punky Brewster, to show that youre an "artist"?
Do you have to wear a shirt with a guitar on it, to prove you like guitars?
Do you need to buy a retro couch, to show that you like the 50's?

I guess it has been installed into our nature, to be peacocks. To cause attention to oneself. But why, do you think?

Better yet, why do you think it would invoke depression, when we do not accurately depict ourselves outwardly?

What do you think, fellow ATS'ers?

Of course the first thing I thought of was this bit from Moscow on the Hudson when the dude from the Soviet Union needed to get some coffee.

Google Video Link

Fortunately, I tend to know what I want. It's not a problem. Espresso!

I totally agree with this assessment, and I think it is a major problem in educating and developing the youth in the West, especially the US!!

"Specialization" is the key to survival in nature, and it has worked well for thousands of years of humans around the world. The family trade was passed down, or a youngster was sent to study with a master in some area in which they exceled.

Too much choice, leads to fewer and fewer solid decisions, a lot of mind-changing, and little expertise in any area! It affects house-hunting, job-hunting, degree-seeking, mating choices, food we eat, and every other aspect of our modern society in the West!

I am not advocating that we take away any freedoms; I am only saying that children, adolescents, and many adults need some guidance and tenacity at choosing a task and sticking it out through the rough spots until they excel at that task.

A little of this and a little of that leads to a lot of nothing!!

I am a victim of this very thing, and after 36 years of wasted talents and endeavours, I am only now seeing all the mistakes I mades.

reply to post by EnlightenUp


Great clip!

It's true....

reply to post by getreadyalready



Thanks for listing the things I neglected to. Like choosing a mate, a job..etc.

It truly does have an effect, especially when you are younger. Would you say that an over abundance of choices makes us confused about our identities?

Originally posted by InertiaZero
reply to post by EnlightenUp

 

Great clip!

It's true....

I think it's meant to illustrate extremes in the world-- one accustomed to no choices is suddenly presented with a ludicrous cornucopia of them. Naturally mental breakdown is the result of lack of balance.

If you worry about that sort of thing, I guess this matters. People often think about what their choices say about them. Whether it's clothes, your car, your furniture...etc.

But I have to ask you, Readers: Why would that sort of thing matter? I pose another question that this article makes me ask.

Why is it so important, that the things we buy and own are "us"? Personally, I think it is nonsense. But I would like to ask you, what is the importance of self expression? Break down that phrase: "Self expression"

SELF: a person or thing referred to with respect to complete individuality

EXPRESSION:the quality or power of expressing an attitude, emotion, etc. Do you have to dress like Punky Brewster, to show that youre an "artist"?

Do you have to wear a shirt with a guitar on it, to prove you like guitars? Do you need to buy a retro couch, to show that you like the 50's? I guess it has been installed into our nature, to be peacocks. To cause attention to oneself. But why, do you think? Better yet, why do you think it would invoke depression, when we do not accurately depict ourselves outwardly?

In the case of people regretting, people put to much value on materialistic pursues, and this "value" is strengthen because of the need to be accepted. Acceptance is generally a universal state of mind people hold today, which denotes the idea of looking towards self for happiness or being a "individual."

Each individual in their subjective reality hold the mind-set of impressing others, rarely by the means of showing their self expression, but via material possession.

Depression sometimes ensues as a result and this is one of many contribution on why the society is the way it is. Which includes the psuedo "Good Book."

It's rare within a society that people are reminded of their potential and "importance," instead we have a materialism-for-happiness incessant society.

reply to post by GrandKitaro777


I always like your posts, even when I disagree.

But I agree in this case.

It's rare within a society that people are reminded of their potential and "importance," instead we have a materialism-for-happiness incessant society.

So...hypothetically...if each and every one of us did spomething that made us feel important, or something that made us happy on a consistent basis we wouldnt have to "fake" it?

Last year I heard how advertising and marketing specialists found that when confronted by too many choices the consumer will abandon buying that item. Ain't human nature facinating?

reply to post by EnlightenUp

Would you say that an over abundance of choices makes us confused about our identities?

Until reading your post, I had never thought of it that way, but YES. How many people are out there searching for something? Their purpose? Their calling? The meaning of it all? Maybe they are searching for their identity, or where they fit into things, and all the choices create chaos.

I have a lot of admiration for the people that commit themselves to anything and stick to it. From a very young age they work to become something, and the achieve it, and they excel at it, and they are happy.

It reminds me of the difference between a job and a career. "I work at so and so" vs. "I am a so and so"

Do we need 10 different types of coffee at a simple convenience store??? Our local Circle K stores have 10 flavors of coffee, 4 flavors of liquid creamer, and about 10 different little flavored cups you can buy and add in. That is 400 choices for a cup of coffee on my way to work!!! I don't want or need that! I just want an average cup of coffee.

I ordered a Gyro at a little Greek sandwich shop last week. They started asking me what I wanted on it? I said, "I don't know, whatever comes on a gyro I guess." They still went through every ingredient like it was Subway and asked if I wanted lettuce, or tomato, or onion, which sauce, which pita bread? I was thoroughly disgusted and confused, and I told them, "I am not a gyro maker, I don't own a Greek restaurant, nor do I work at one. I don't know what I want, I just want it to look like the picture!"

It is partially our fault though, I know people that constantly go to seafood restaurants and order hamburgers, or they go to a steak house and order spaghetti???

reply to post by getreadyalready


Im glad you could take something from these posts.

My brother, who has little to zero real personal identity, is constantly on a new trend.
When he watched "An Inconvenient Truth" he got a Prius, and started buying earth-friendly products. he decided to wear only recycled clothing, and buy stuff from patagonia, etc.

Now, since we went out on a boat together in florida, he is a 'fisherman". he went one time, and fished once. I dont fish, I dont want to hurt the little guys. But I like to be out on the boat, getting sun.

Point is: alot of people live this way. I love my brother but he's ridiculous.

reply to post by earthdude


Exactly!! - and well - according to Edward Bernays - the father of propaganda - propaganda (a.k.a. marketing) is all about sliming down the choices and/or making the choice for the citizen/consumer so they don't have to!

This is why the sheeple Baa on command - it's much easier than thinking for themselves.

Some people, such as myself, simply have a very high tolerance for ambiguity - and don't mind spending the time to make informed choices.

(we also don't kick ourselves very hard for making the inevitable poor choice either - as long as we used reason - and not just emotion - to come to it)

This is just the nature of man - and the reason why this latest Supreme court decision will accelerate the destruction of Liberty in this Once Great Nation!

Of course - the sheeple could wake up and vote in Constitutionalists - but that would be too much work and make them sad...

MAWRON'S! - The lot of Them!!

(Men and Women Rational On Nothing)

Originally posted by InertiaZero
reply to post by GrandKitaro777

 

I always like your posts, even when I disagree.

But I agree in this case.

It's rare within a society that people are reminded of their potential and "importance," instead we have a materialism-for-happiness incessant society.

So...hypothetically...if each and every one of us did spomething that made us feel important, or something that made us happy on a consistent basis we wouldnt have to "fake" it?

Yes, there's a deeper understanding you can achieve in this.

Helping an elderly woman carry her bags, is what you called being a service to others. (I'm sure you heard of this on this forum) She gives a cheerful thank you and you feel as though you've done something of great importance. You know deep inside your well being you've done something good and you're happy you've done something of importance. Consistent service give you a sense of being important, and others would see your value, and want to be of importance. This example would be set for others, and the others who learn from this example will cyclically set this example for others, and so on.

If everyone act in the intention of being a service to others, then more feelings of importance will stem, and a much lesser need of materialism will be achieved, simply because you're not trying to be accepted by anyone in a virtually non-fearful world

[edit on 22-1-2010 by GrandKitaro777]

[edit on 22-1-2010 by GrandKitaro777]

reply to post by GrandKitaro777


Hmmm...I do all sorts of courtesy stuff like that and never think about it again. Well, I don't really think about it unless the subject is raised. I get no sense of fullfillment, satisfaction or importance from it. It just seems necessary in the moment. I don't seem to sweat it if I don't do it either.

Nearby there is a restaurant that has a large salad bar. Anything is provided from the standards to fruit and pasta. It is sometimes entertaining to watch the people come in and look confused while stumbling around bewildered to get the usual lettuce/tomato based salad. I do not like lettuce or tomato so the choices are good for me. Nice raw spinach, strawberries, peas, . Umm I'm hungry.

Hi, first time poster. Great site! I didn't read the article, but I get the point. I am going through the same thing right now. When I didn't have internet at my house, or T.V (I still don't have T.V). I would clean the house, practice my guitar, and work on writing. Now I have the internet at my house, and I can spend all day on it doing really nothing of value ( present site excluded). The internet gives me too many choices, and if I had to choose from doing something that god forbid, I have to get out of my seat for, or sit at my desk and explore the wonderful world-wide web. Well ask me how my guitar playing is, or how the the next novel I want to write is coming along..it's not.

I think self discipline is also key. Many people don't have it, and I am guilty of that as well. Knowing yourself is important. I question everything I do, and that leads to weak convictions, and purpose. I grew up in a house where insanity was the norm. I grew up doubting myself because of that. I am learning simplifying yourself, and your life seems to make for a happier me (warning- your results may vary).

This post is exactly what I was looking for. I need to limit my choices, and stick to what I am good at, or what I want to get good at. Maybe I need to just get rid of the internet, and do my surfing at a coffee shop.

Originally posted by EnlightenUp
reply to post by GrandKitaro777

 

Hmmm...I do all sorts of courtesy stuff like that and never think about it again. Well, I don't really think about it unless the subject is raised. I get no sense of fullfillment, satisfaction or importance from it. It just seems necessary in the moment. I don't seem to sweat it if I don't do it either.

Consistent service, such as helping the elderly or giving before someone ask usually give a person a sense of satisfaction or importance. If you only be of service once in a while then, the sense of importance does not stem as much. If exemplifying servicing acts such as giving before asked or helping without the person having to ask consistently and people recognize and thank you for being of service, then commonly a sense of importance emerge.

If you don't sweat seeing a elderly lady struggling with groceries, and walk on about your business, then I have to question your personality.

Originally posted by GrandKitaro777
If you don't sweat seeing a elderly lady struggling with groceries, and walk on about your business, then I have to question your personality.

I don't sweat it because it's no huge effort really. It feels natural, like walking, to give some help. They aren't situation where you'd better consider consequences before acting-- like jumping in freezing water to save someone which could make it worse for everyone involved including rescuers which would likely now have two to save. I never think about any sort of reward to myself, recognition or importance. The person may appreciate it or condemn it. I'm also saying that worry of future guilt, having done wrong or other negative does not drive it. When it's done, it's done. There is no personal dwelling on it at all.

You may question my personality if you personally find it appropriate. I'm not certain why you'd be questioning the kind that would help in this case, regardless of their internal style.

Perhaps it's just those moments my personality and personal will are no longer in control and I refuse to take credit for things I didn't do.

[edit on 1/23/2010 by EnlightenUp]

Originally posted by EnlightenUp

Originally posted by GrandKitaro777
If you don't sweat seeing a elderly lady struggling with groceries, and walk on about your business, then I have to question your personality.

I don't sweat it because it's no huge effort really. It feels natural, like walking, to give some help. They aren't situation where you'd better consider consequences before acting-- like jumping in freezing water to save someone which could make it worse for everyone involved including rescuers which would likely now have two to save. I never think about any sort of reward to myself, recognition or importance. The person may appreciate it or condemn it. I'm also saying that worry of future guilt, having done wrong or other negative does not drive it. When it's done, it's done. There is no personal dwelling on it at all.

You may question my personality if you personally find it appropriate. I'm not certain why you'd be questioning the kind that would help in this case, regardless of their internal style.

It's quite different for me.

When I give the poor money, I feel as though I've done something worthwhile. He gave me a thank you, and I know he will enjoy food to eat that night. Hypothetically, if I seen an elderly womanly struggling and I went help this woman, I would feel satisfaction of relieving her of her struggle. If I chose to be a motivational speaker, and enlighten everyone with my words, I would be satisfied and feel important that I'm helping people through their troubles. Helping other to self-sustain give me importance, to others it may vary.

I've enlightened hundreds of people to the reality of their world, and I have satisfied a lot, and they look up to me.

This give me the sense of importance.



[edit on 23-1-2010 by GrandKitaro777]

Originally posted by GrandKitaro777
I've enlightened hundreds of people to the reality of their world, and I have satisfied a lot, and they look up to me.

And perhaps your own choices are working for the greater good. In our exchange, I have considered that anything I do to make the world better could be despite my personality. Hmmm...something to think about.