(Shortform note: The causes and effects of the hedonic treadmill go beyond mere emotional satisfaction. Soon you’re bored, you desire something else, and the cycle starts all over again. Whatever it was you desired loses luster, and the temporary joy of receiving it fades. You do the work and/or spend the money to achieve the object of your desire, and you’re happy. It begins like this: You see something you want, whether it be a person, an achievement, or a shiny new toy. Brown explains the nature of what psychologists call the “hedonic treadmill,” while also elaborating on the problems brought on by the search for wealth and fame.Īccording to Brown and many others, the hedonic treadmill is a self-repeating emotional cycle of desire, pleasure, and disillusionment. Nearly every choice we make in life is to fulfill some desire, whether big or small, but the pleasure desire brings is always short-lived. Happy author Derren Brown identifies desire as one of the most detracting emotion from happiness. Read on to learn how Brown explains the dangers of the hedonic treadmill and how to end the cycle. Author Derren Brown argues that this struggle in modern society has trapped many of us in a destructive emotional cycle called the hedonic treadmill. Much of life is a tug-of-war between various aspects of existence-we’re caught in the struggle between what we desire and life’s obstacles. ![]() What is the “hedonic treadmill”? Why are so many of us stuck in this emotional cycle? How can you get out of it? ![]() Like this article? Sign up for a free trial here. Shortform has the world's best summaries and analyses of books you should be reading. ![]() This article is an excerpt from the Shortform book guide to "Happy" by Derren Brown.
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