http://slate.msn.com/id/2072079/entry/2072402/

evolution designed us primarily to persist, and so we are here to reproduce. But there is more to that, we are also here to ensure that our kids will reproduce and their kids' kids will do so as well. In a class-based society such as America which minimally means having an underclass...

...and where the underclass has a risk of death before reproductive age--poor health care, lack of viable mates, poor education, etc..

gangs, etc..

then the materialist instinct kicks in so that we can build economic wealth for our kids and grandkids... high-class college education ain't free kids.

but anyway, that's all in human evolutionary psychology stuff... and it's all hypotheses yada yada.

The important point is, we weren't designed for happiness.

Happiness was designed for SOMETHING. I'm about to read and find out.

but what I'm wondering is, can we take all the evolutionary things and make them depend on our happiness?

i.e. what if I set a rule, I won't ever be with a girl unless she makes me happy...

(this sounds obvious, but you'd be surprised how many people go into marriages not because they are happy but because they are compelled otherwise)

in other words, you make a deal with your DNA

you are like, "wassup DNA, you want me to get pregnant/inseminate? well guess what, you're gonna have to make me first. no sex and no boyfriend/girlfriend unless I'm happy"

and then your DNA will respond, "fine, dammit. Okay, I'll make you happy, but you got to perpetuate me many times over, mmn kay?" "okay, deal"

something like that.

Seligman, the godfatha of "Positive Psychology" is proposing something like taking your best traits and using them to their full benefit... that's the key to happiness.

I think that may be a good idea... because we are probably coded to enjoy our best traits... and so bringing that out will make us happy.

whatever, to be continued... have just begun reading Seligman's book, Aunthetic Happiness.