Experiences > Material Things?

[TiG]

Please place this in the context of coming back from a holiday, where my usual stressful work driven life was replaced with contented relaxation where i had nothing to do but enjoy myself.

So I was thinking about my house before i left, i thought yeah maybe i need a bigger tv. I've come back and started to question the whole point of it. A holiday with time to do nothing but enjoy myself seems so much more important than watching TV.

It seems stupid to even question it but, it seems that our lives today are driven entirely by material desires, rather than the experiences that deeply enrich and benefit us much more whole heartedly?

Comments, thoughts, questions?

TiG

[TeePee]

1 week back at work and you'll be back to materialism

[Alex]

Experiences are far greater than material things imo, like I was thinking of what I could have done with £200 odd that I could have got for selling my U2 tickets on eBay, but the concert was easily better than anything £200 could have bought me. Experiences have a lot more value for me if I have someone to share them with though.

[Twigman]

Yup...especially after rmy first year at uni...
Experiences great, even if the money/things arent flowing.
Do I want an Ipod? Not really...
Now Im home do I watch TV? Nope...lived without and now I hardly watch it.
Experiences are great.

[oralpain]

To a certain extent material things and experiences are interchangeable. To me everything, every event, has a value.

[G4Z]

Well, I dont know because I have had a lot of experiences some of them a lot of fun, but once its over the memory fades and after a while its just that. A memory. Material things are nice to have especialy if they can make your life easier and some way (e.g a car or bike so you can save time on getting the bus or walking).

I think its important to have a balance, why work hard all week and then have nothing to show for it because you went to a U2 concert and spent every evening doing somthing? sometimes its nice to have somthing relatively permanent to show for it all.
At the same time whats the point in having the biggest TV in the world when you still just watch crap on it? I think its better to do a bit of both.

[oralpain]

If it came right down to it, I would sacrifice every material possesion I own before I sacrificed any memory/experience. My memories, good, bad, and in between, litterally define who I am. If I lose them, I lose myself. If I lose my house, my money, my clothes, whatever, it's a setback, but it won't unmake me.

[pgudge]

I think i have to confess I must like the material life. I bought a 44" widescreen about 2 years back, and I feel it was the best purchase I have ever bought.

I get a sense of wellbeing when friends and family comment on the size of it (TV)

The part about work and time off. In my job I dont have the set days off, were I have to take 21 days a year, if I go away I go away, otherwise i'm working. But when i'm ill, I tend to head for the duvet and the sofa, and just flick through all the rubbish on the sky box and enjoy watching it all on a big tv. I would go as far to say it picks me up and gets me back to work.

I envy the people who sit at home all day, although I probably wouldn't have the readies to get a 44" TV.

I recently returned from 2 weeks holiday, and even though I had a house sitter for the duration of my holiday, I was only interested in seeing if the TV was still there. sad? or material?

In the words of Roger Walker:~ Life is good.

[tiggerai]

Experiences and company, hands down.

I occasionally buy me material things for a bit of a boost (why not? i've worked hard for it), but i would sacrifice it all for my partner, family and friends.

[pgudge]

Totally agree, I would get shut of everything for the wife and child, not just for serious things, if they said "its a problem" then they all go.

Although I DONT think you can totaly seperate the two Material or Experiences.

The most memorable experience I have was when I was in Wolverhampton at college. I was skint, bread and water story. I was in a house sharing with 3 strangers, at first, but made good friends. one night they 'dragged' me out. I had no money, and they took me to see a band called 'Chemical Brothers'.

I had heard of them possibly once, but now they have changed my live (so to speak) I cannot believe the experience. And all for free. I now have loud speakers, loud amplifier, and proud to play their CD's so thats is both together.

Don you think.

[Clingy]

A person I know was working and earning and had the material things (or some of them) and was as miserable as sin. This person then decided to pack it all in and go to college.

Now he is pennyless and broke and not a clue how things are going to pan out, but I dont think I know a happier person!

Me....well I have always tried to have 4 holidays a year, and as you know Tig, my house and possessions are far less than others in my income bracket. I spend silly money on Fine dining, going to concerts, holidays, weekends away etc. £160 on an Opera ticket is stupid money, but I dont regret a penny of it. For me TV is a total waste of the licence fee and the cost of the electricity and kit.

Each to their own, I guess.

[bujinkan-ka]

Experiences always hold a higher value than material objects as far as I am concerned. For example, when I did a rally driving course a few days ago I had the opportunity to hurl a Ford Sierra Sapphire around a track. Driving like a madman and being able to just cut loose was a fantastic experience, well worth the £130. If you see a Metallic Blue peugeot 406 screeching round a sharp corner, it's me !

[Spud1]

They go together tbh..

I mean, the best 2 weeks of my life have been download2005 and then my amsterdam holiday the week after - but without material things (such as the car getting us there, CDs to listen to, CD player,various intoxicants) it wouldnt have been the same.

Still if the question was 'Would you like to have those 2 weeks again or have £1million'..I would in all honesty go for the 2 weeks. No matter how much fun the money could give me it couldnt replace those 2 weeks. The company > the money