this post was submitted on 19 Jul 2025
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That's not what hedonism is. Hedonism is the pursuit of physical pleasure as the primary purpose in life. The problem with that is our brains are very good at moving our emotional goalposts to adapt to our circumstances, so we end up chasing greater and greater pleasures in a process called the "hedonic treadmill."
Billionaires are a good example of this. They get their kicks from watching their bank account go up and acquiring new things. But their brains quickly adapt to the new "normal", and then they need a higher number or newer thing. It's never enough.
Notwithstanding this reasoning, many uber-wealthy people consistently say that at some point money itself ceases to be a motivating factor. Once their net worth becomes a meaninglessly large number ir's more about the thrill of seeing large-scale plans come true, overcoming huge obstacles, changing the world, feeling superhuman, etc.
Billionaires and politicians say a lot of things. As long as they continue to hoard wealth like dragons while millions starve, I'm gonna think money continues to be a motivating factor.
I don't think we mean the same thing by "motivating" but whatever, yeah billionaires are bad and it would be better if we capped wealth.
You forgot to throw Epstein and child fucking into this hedonistic treadmill that billionaires get on
That's my definition as well. I've drawn different conclusions, though. Hedonism, nihmism, etc... they've all gotten a bad name because of Edge lords who burn out. You don't have to be over consumeristic or do copious amounts of drugs. That would go AGAINST hedonism because you'll be unable to pursue pleasure in the future. It doesn't have to be an immediate payoff.
You're upset with people who are short-sighted, not hedonists. Those things aren't exclusive, but I think you catch my drift.
That's a very narrow interpretation of one out of many types of hedonism
That's like saying "religion is when you like Easter" 🙄
No they're not. Billionaires are pathological money hoarders. Hoarding ≠ hedonism.
That's addiction you're describing. Another thing that doesn't equal hedonism.
No it's the hedonic treadmill
It doesn't have to be physical pleasure, one can be hedonistic in their pursuit of love or learning, or anything that brings pleasures.
But the key is to challenge the restraints that a society which walks through life miserable in all regards impose upon us. It is the breaking of those restraints where hedonism is found.
I've known quite a few hedonists and have a great deal of love and respect for them. In part because I never had the bravery required to truly go that path. And the other part where they find themselves broken, hollowed out, unemployed, or addicted. Or even worse deeply cynical. I've lost many friends to the tail end of a life of extremes.
Every hedonists thinks there is some trick to the life that they alone get right, and each of them is wrong and right in their own way.