That depends. If one has a richer fantasy life then they have an "actual" life, then the fanatasy brings them more happiness. In contrast, if someone is really happy with their life, then the only things they are likely to fantasize about are either unimportant speculations (which they will probably recognize as such) or bad past memories (which are, obviously, sadder than their current "real life").
Can a persons life be so good that they can't fantasize [good] about anything but
bad things? It is impossible to gain everything, which means there will always be something you will want in the future.
In modern society, with our enlightened perspective on objective reality [I am being a little sarcastic here but this could be true] we find that pharmaceutical companies can’t produce new anti-depressants fast enough. One psychiatrist interviewed actually prescribes Prozac or similar for every patient. Also, as noted earlier in this thread, many people in “third world” cultures – ones lacking our own conveniences, comfort, and security, and which are usually steeped in mysticism or spiritualism - are on the average happier than us post-industrial giants.
I have heard about this, there is even a lawsuit filed against Eli Lilly for orchestrating a free sample mailing of the drug to residents in Florida and California. Much like ritalin being given to almost any child that exhibits "abnormal" behavior.
Are these third world countries HAPPY, per se, or are they just not depressed? It seems logical to me that a country living in poverty could not possibly be genuinely happier than an industrialized country [even if many in the country were suffering from depression].
A very strong logical argument can be made that everything is meaningless, including our own lives. Now don’t misunderstand as I don’t see things this way, but it is not hard to make the argument. I know that no objective evidence exists that life has meaning or purpose. This belief must come from within. Since we don’t have proof of God or an afterlife, or purpose, or meaning, or reasons for all of the pain and suffering in the world, we find ways to believe in these things. I do believe in these things: for one because I have subjective evidence for them, but also I think because I must in order to keep a “sane and healthy” perspective. It seems that for most people, life may be too depressing to face in a completely objective way. It seems to me that a completely objective person would quickly jump off the nearest bridge. Hey, who wasn’t worried the first time Santa’s existence was questioned? Do we really want THE TRUTH?
Something to think about...Let's say a person feels this despair and lack of meaning, and then they "find God" and convert to a religion, this ultimately gives them a meaning to live. But can they break free from their past ideas of no meaning? wouldn't the thought still linger and possible cause depression? In American one can't live very long without hearing of science and evolution, with a little thought you would realize that through evolution, our sole purpose is reproduction and evolving, this appears meaningless to many. I think this could be the cause of much of the depression we find, and are finding more of. My mother believes depression is the 'sickness' of our generation [it appears every generation has a sickness associated with it], and I tend to agree with her, chemical imbalances are becoming more and more widespread.
Santa is an idea entertained by children, a childs life
should be, in my opinion, composed mainly of fantasy, it makes fora happier and more healthy outlook on life. Do we relaly want THE TRUTH? We do as long as it doesn't make us unhappy or interfere with our lives.
