Are humans the unhappiest species?

[sundizz]

I have two guinea pigs. They both are so ridiculously different from each personality wise. However, both seem content with their life. They don't try to work toward some ideal of behavior.

This seems to be the case with most of the animal kingdom. Animals have different personalities, or traits, and find their "role" and settle into it. In a wolfpack there is always one alpha. The other members just fit in how they should.

With humans we are way too smart. We can't just accept our personalities and EVERYONE thinks they should be unique, rich, good looking, smart, athletic etc. It's clearly not possible for most people. Instead of maximizing our innate tendencies humans seem to suffer emotionally and mentally because they try to work toward some general ideal.

[-p.tiddy-]

Having such strong emotions is what makes us human and yes that is mostly due to our intelligence


I would say yes, we are the unhappiest species simply because we are the most capable of being unhappy... I don't think the majority of animals feel happy or sad for the most part although I am sure small amounts of those emotions can be found in animals that are on the more intelligent side, dogs, dolphins, primates, etc

[Done_And_Done]

I have two guinea pigs. They both are so ridiculously different from each personality wise. However, both seem content with their life. They don't try to work toward some ideal of behavior.

This seems to be the case with most of the animal kingdom. Animals have different personalities, or traits, and find their "role" and settle into it. In a wolfpack there is always one alpha. The other members just fit in how they should.

With humans we are way too smart. We can't just accept our personalities and EVERYONE thinks they should be unique, rich, good looking, smart, athletic etc. It's clearly not possible for most people. Instead of maximizing our innate tendencies humans seem to suffer emotionally and mentally because they try to work toward some general ideal.

Pretty much.

Intelligence is certainly a determinant. Explains the difference between mankind and your average pet dog who is perpetually elated when its owner walks through the front door every evening.

Further, we live in a world where the playing field isn't flush or level. It makes it difficult to remain optimistic when you're constantly scratching to get by and you know others face a lesser amount of impediments.

I could literally go off on this topic for hours upon hours...

[Done_And_Done]

Having such strong emotions is what makes us human and yes that is mostly due to our intelligence


I would say yes, we are the unhappiest species simply because we are the most capable of being unhappy... I don't think the majority of animals feel happy or sad for the most part although I am sure small amounts of those emotions can be found in animals that are on the more intelligent side, dogs, dolphins, primates, etc

Bingo

[JEFFERSON MONEY]

No.

Donkey and clownfish are sadder.

Ever heard of Eeyore?

or

Tears of a clown?

And I don't see cows smiling very often.

And a lot of unhappiness stems from lack of freedom.

[Done_And_Done]

No.

Donkey and clownfish are sadder.

Ever heard of Eeyore?

or

Tears of a clown?

And I don't see cows smiling very often.

And a lot of unhappiness stems from lack of freedom.

:oldlol:

[iamgine]

I have two guinea pigs. They both are so ridiculously different from each personality wise. However, both seem content with their life. They don't try to work toward some ideal of behavior.

This seems to be the case with most of the animal kingdom. Animals have different personalities, or traits, and find their "role" and settle into it. In a wolfpack there is always one alpha. The other members just fit in how they should.

With humans we are way too smart. We can't just accept our personalities and EVERYONE thinks they should be unique, rich, good looking, smart, athletic etc. It's clearly not possible for most people. Instead of maximizing our innate tendencies humans seem to suffer emotionally and mentally because they try to work toward some general ideal.
One of our innate tendency is to f*ck anything that moves. Maximizing it would mean:

- women need to be content as sex slave
- rape is okay and encouraged

... come to think of it this sounds like a great idea :rockon:

[Swaggin916]

There is a direct correlation between intelligence and depression... but most of the depression in our world is socially driven. Unlike other animals in social systems though, we are intelligent enough to understand what is happening. Those other animals might be stressed out, but like a young child, mostly everything is automatic and long term memory is too limited.

There are other things that cause us to be unhappy, but I think that's where most of it comes from... and a feeling of being powerless to make changes.

[oarabbus]

No.

Donkey and clownfish are sadder.

Ever heard of Eeyore?

or

Tears of a clown?

And I don't see cows smiling very often.

And a lot of unhappiness stems from lack of freedom.
:lol

Seriously though, yes humans are the unhappiest species. By far.

[tmacattack33]

Not really.

Animals only "care" about what's right in front of them. Some animals might have food and good weather in front of them.

Some might be starving though and might be somewhere where the climate isn't comfortable to them.