Spoilt for Choice
We live in an age of freedom and choice. 85 types of cookies, 30 varieties of canned soup, and 60 kinds of shampoos at the supermarket. More than 30 TV channels. Thousands of single Singaporeans who might just be the one with whom to share the rest of our lives. And of course, the internet is a world of endless opportunities.
Some people would say that having more options is a good thing. But is it really? Does it improve the quality of our lives? Or are our lives becoming increasingly complex because of the overload of choices? What about discontentment? Are Singaporeans demanding more, appreciating less, and always seeking the best such that they think their present lot is never good enough?
In the book The Paradox of Choice (2004), Barry Schwartz says:
"Not all choice enhances freedom, increased choice among goods and services may contribute little or nothing to the kind of freedom that counts. Indeed, it may impair freedom by taking time and energy we'd be better off devoting to other matters."
Freedom of choice is a good thing, but we are slowly discovering that it has a limit. There is a point at which it becomes a burden. Excessive choice can set you up to have expectations too high for satisfaction. Is this also happening in our relationships? Can no one live up to our expectations because we're looking for the elusive "ideal" mate?
As the number of choices keeps growing, there is an increase in stress, decision-making dilemmas, anxiety, fears, and disappointments. Schwartz suggests that:
1. We might be better off if we embrace certain voluntary constraints on our freedom of choice instead of rebelling against all constraints.
2. We might be better off seeking what is "good enough" instead of seeking out the best.
3. We might be better off if we lower our expectations about the results of decisions.
4. We would be better off if we paid less attention to what others were doing or what they were acquiring.
So think about your freedom of choice today. Is it making your life better? Or has it become a burden?
Credits: Eugene Loh, 938LIVE, MediaCorp Pte Ltd
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是真的不是吗？当我们拥有着越多选择时，我们就越没有选择的余地。可能真的可以试试那位教授的方法吧。
愿我们都会活得快乐些！
^_^g
Some people would say that having more options is a good thing. But is it really? Does it improve the quality of our lives? Or are our lives becoming increasingly complex because of the overload of choices? What about discontentment? Are Singaporeans demanding more, appreciating less, and always seeking the best such that they think their present lot is never good enough?
In the book The Paradox of Choice (2004), Barry Schwartz says:
"Not all choice enhances freedom, increased choice among goods and services may contribute little or nothing to the kind of freedom that counts. Indeed, it may impair freedom by taking time and energy we'd be better off devoting to other matters."
Freedom of choice is a good thing, but we are slowly discovering that it has a limit. There is a point at which it becomes a burden. Excessive choice can set you up to have expectations too high for satisfaction. Is this also happening in our relationships? Can no one live up to our expectations because we're looking for the elusive "ideal" mate?
As the number of choices keeps growing, there is an increase in stress, decision-making dilemmas, anxiety, fears, and disappointments. Schwartz suggests that:
1. We might be better off if we embrace certain voluntary constraints on our freedom of choice instead of rebelling against all constraints.
2. We might be better off seeking what is "good enough" instead of seeking out the best.
3. We might be better off if we lower our expectations about the results of decisions.
4. We would be better off if we paid less attention to what others were doing or what they were acquiring.
So think about your freedom of choice today. Is it making your life better? Or has it become a burden?
Credits: Eugene Loh, 938LIVE, MediaCorp Pte Ltd
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
是真的不是吗？当我们拥有着越多选择时，我们就越没有选择的余地。可能真的可以试试那位教授的方法吧。
愿我们都会活得快乐些！
^_^g
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