Klevador comments on Be Happier - Less Wrong

108 [deleted] 16 April 2012 01:51AM

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Comment author: b1shop 15 April 2012 09:35:04PM 6 points [-]

Because the linked-to study simply says "conspicuous consumption has negative externalities" and the conclusion given is "Avoid Conspicuous Consumption." I call foul.

Comment author: Klevador 16 April 2012 07:10:09AM *  5 points [-]

‘positional goods’ which, by definition, cannot be augmented, because they rely solely on not being available to others.

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... the production of positional goods in the form of luxuries, such as exceedingly expensive watches or yachts, is a waste of productive resources, as overall happiness is thereby decreased rather than increased.

^ This is specific to wealth and cannot (necessarily) be said of other forms of status, such as fitness.