Is Too Much Choice a Bad Thing? I've Forgotten How to Appreciate Things. Please Help

Tech and cars on 15/11/2016 - 14:57

I'm interested to hear what people’s thoughts are.

My Story: I have Spotify, Netflix and access to Apple TV/Google Play Store, PS4 & PC, Unlimited calls & text on phone. If I reflect upon my life, when I was younger (12-18 Years Old) – I feel like I had much more appreciation for things. As an example, the green day American idiot album was one of my favourite CD’s. I would listen to the songs over and over. These days, with access to Spotify – there are too many choices and I don’t end up ‘having a favourite cd’.

For gaming, I had a playstation 1 – with gran turismo 2 on it. That was the only game I had. Now I have access to hundreds of games, the cost is not a factor, it’s more having the time. While I have a few games in my library, I just don’t end up playing on the console anymore and have the same enjoyment I did when I was younger.

For movies – I would always go with the family and buy the 2 new release & 2 old movies special for $12.00. This forced you to look up classics/enjoy old movies etc. With access to Netflix, Apple Store/Google Play store – you don’t really end up watching that terrible movie anymore.
For my phone: I now have access to unlimited calls and text – but back when I was younger, I felt like this held so much more value than it does today. The $30 credit that would have to last 2 months.. Each text was 25c each and calls were $1.50ish per minute. Using the mobile phone was a big deal.

This brings me to my random thought – having too much choice and access to so many ‘unlimited’ services. Has this reduced our appreciation for things, and how do you get it back? I feel spoilt and I honestly wish I could appreciate things again.

Entertainment

Comments

  • retiredfeline on 15/11/2016 - 15:08
    +10

    Yes, having too much choice can be overwhelming. Especially when we are now so connected and suffer FOMO if we are away from our technology.

    Try taking up some non-tech activities like sports or hobbies or socialising (F2F). Also read about decluttering and whittling down choices to those that truly please us, rather than due to FOMO.

    • fruit on 15/11/2016 - 21:29

      Back in my day we didn't abbreviated terms like face-to-face or fear of missing out.
      We didn't abbreviated things that we only used once in a text.
      And we certainly used the full unabbreviated version followed by the abbreviated version in brackets first.

      • retiredfeline on 15/11/2016 - 21:46

        Sorry, I'm not giving you any choice. You'll be happier, trust me. 😋

        PS: When you use "did" or "didn't" then the verb that follows should be in the indicative, i.e. present tense. E.g. we didn't eat, not we didn't ate.

    • Tech and cars on 21/11/2016 - 12:41

      I did a bit of googling to keep up with this post!

      FOMO is definitely a thing… do have a lot of hobbies - I think the other side to this is the lack of time with our busy lives - definitely doesn't help.

  • altomic on 15/11/2016 - 15:13
    +2

    Mild adjustment disorder.

    Don't forget that you also don't have to worry about contracting polio.

  • Savas on 15/11/2016 - 15:29

    I don't have any of those things and it sucks

    • mskeggs on 15/11/2016 - 15:55
      +8

      But you have plenty of time to comment on OzB!

  • esq on 15/11/2016 - 15:37
    +4

    It certainly is but the choices will only keep increasing as time and technological progress marches on.

    The only solution is improving your mental conditioning and discipline. Let's be honest I haven't achieved this very well myself.

  • inconspicuous on 15/11/2016 - 15:51

    I'll have to agree as well. With so much choice it definitely has decreased my attention span. I often browse Reddit on my phone while watching a TV show for example. It also seems to make it harder to decide on something to watch. Although even with all the choice, I gravitate to rewatching my favourites series or watching a Youtuber I've been subscribed to for ages vs. looking at a lot of new stuff.

  • mooney on 15/11/2016 - 15:58
    +3

    I hear you. For me the lack of physical media is what I find I miss. I was proud of my old CD collection, its now under my house gathering dust. I loved my old DVD collection, I binned the lot. I loved buying them as gifts for people- some obscure band that I could introduce people to. That's all gone. I honestly find I listen to music less than I ever have done.. I also don't persevere with music that's not easily accessible so I miss out on more challenging (and more rewarding music) quite often.

    That said I do love picking a movie, sitting back, and it automatically starts streaming in flawless HD in seconds. That still feels like the future to me.

    • Tech and cars on 21/11/2016 - 12:42

      Agree with you here! Movies in HD in seconds…

      That being said - I guess for me the key to it is moderation. I tend to binge watch shows and end up sleepy for the next day, and that results in me wasting the precious mornings on a weekend!

  • [Deactivated] on 15/11/2016 - 16:03
    +3

    I honestly think a lot of modern games, tv and movies are just shit. With movies, theres only one original movie to every 73 remakes. Reality TV was so profitable it took over our TVs for years and it seems like good quality scripted shows were rare for quite some time. People like netflix have actually turned this around a bit as of late. As far as gaming goes, people have focused way too much on what a game looks like over how it plays. I remember when I got my original xbox, that I spent more time playing super nintendo games on it than xbox games.

    • Ryanek on 15/11/2016 - 16:51
      +1

      Check out Black Mirror on Netflix. That show is phenomenal.

      • [Deactivated] on 15/11/2016 - 16:56

        i've downloaded it already, just need to fit it into my tv schedule somwhere

  • bezza on 15/11/2016 - 17:44
    +2

    When I was a kid, I miss turning the knob on my analog TV and fiddling with the antenna (sometimes made from a clothes hanger) to see what was on the 5 channels (ABC, TEN, NINE, SEVEN and SBS). After not finding anything interesting, I would just read a book and fall asleep.

  • xyron on 15/11/2016 - 17:47

    the increased choice is also a function of increased affluence. if you had the money you have now, as an adult, that you did as a child, you'd likely have bought a lot more games for your PSone.

    i do find my attention span is lacking these days, though. its a real struggle to shut down and focus on something for a decent period of time (hour+), like reading and preparing for a uni course.

  • Diji1 on 15/11/2016 - 18:32
    +4

    Multiple studies have found choice reduces people's happiness.

    • ozbjunkie on 16/11/2016 - 12:15
      +2

      Indeed.

      If I recall correctly there was a study regarding choosing 1 of 4 or 1 of 20 ice cream flavours.

      1) opportunity cost. People think little about what they get, and much about all those options they didn't get.

      2) having a great deal of choice makes you expect to really like what you chose. Your expectations of liking are higher.

      3) actually making mental comparisons is taxing and somewhat unpleasant. Having less choice is easier and therefore more pleasant.

  • fruit on 15/11/2016 - 21:30
    +1

    Freedom of choice
    Freedom from choice

  • garetz on 15/11/2016 - 21:43
    +3

    Cut yourself off from all those services for 12 months, then when you do use them again, watch how your appreciation increases exponentially.

  • scupper on 15/11/2016 - 21:43
    +1

    Where's the part where you grew up and the lack of choice just didn't cut it anymore. Where spaghetti and ice cream was enough as a child, you now crave dishes from exotic lands.

    As they say, enjoy the present. This is what you had as a child, and what enabled you to be happy with what you have. There is nothing stopping you from that feeling whether you had more choice or less.

    Edit: yeah, my second statement contradicts the first. :)

  • bluesky on 15/11/2016 - 23:55
    +1

    Too much choice can be a bad thing - quite apart from your issue, which is reduced appreciation of things. Choice overload can lead to anxiety and paralysis in choosing. Consequently, it lowers happiness and satisfaction.

    Here is an interesting talk on the subject by psychologist Barry Schwartz - The Paradox of Choice.

    In order not to succumb to this, the satisficing strategy ("satisfy and suffice") - concept introduced by psychologist Herbert A. Simon - will help, instead of the "maximising" strategy.

    A maximiser has to consider all or most alternatives, and this gets more daunting as the number of options increases. A satisficer, on the other hand, selects the first option that meets a given need, or select the option that seems to meet most needs rather than the "optimal" solution.

    Ironically, the satisficing strategy might in fact be the maximizing strategy in many circumstances. At least in terms of happiness and satisfaction levels. This is what I am working towards in my daily life, although easier said than done, of course :-)

    As for how to appreciate things more, this article has something to say about it, although it is a bit long.

  • Gershom on 16/11/2016 - 09:04

    There is no such thing as too much choice. Choice is good. What you are experiencing is partly growing up and partly the ongoing reduction in the cost of technology. You are feeling lost because you are like the dog that chases the car, and then finally catches it. Now you've got it you don't know what to do with it.

    • Big Trev on 16/11/2016 - 10:20
      +1

      As a couple of people have mentioned, it's been demonstrated that for humans there is such a thing as too much choice.

      • Gershom on 16/11/2016 - 11:31

        And I am expressing a different view. Isn't it nice to live in a country with free speech?

        • ozbjunkie on 16/11/2016 - 12:17
          +1

          It is nice to live in a relatively free country, and I'm glad to be free to say that you might be incorrect in your speech.

          As a side note - I don't believe freedom of speech is enshrined in law within Australia (cf American Constitution). Of course, perhaps I am wrong here. Please correct me as necessary.

        • Gershom on 16/11/2016 - 12:22

          @ozbjunkie: By all means say that I might be incorrect. You'd be wrong, but you're welcome to say it.😀

        • ozbjunkie on 16/11/2016 - 12:23

          @Gershom:

          "There is no such thing as too much choice."

          What makes you think the above is true?

        • Gershom on 16/11/2016 - 12:38

          @ozbjunkie: It's a philosophy. When my wife and I returned to Oz after living for years in the USA, we were immediately struck by the narrow range of choices in supermarkets and elsewhere. The same week, a new acquaintance had just arrived as a migrant from Germany, and was complaining that there was too much choice in supermarkets.

          I think that it's a case of what you get used to. When I first got USA cable I had hundreds of channels, and every time I watched something I felt like I must be missing something better. I soon got used to it though, and now I'm constantly disappointed at the meagre offerings on my Foxtel Platinum service.

          I do admit that some people find their heads exploding in the modern world. I think that if I was a genuine refugee from an African village then I would probably freak out. For people born and raised into a technological world however, my view is that there is no such thing as too much choice.

        • ozbjunkie on 16/11/2016 - 12:41

          @Gershom:

          I can meet you in agreement that one can adapt to the amount of choice (within limits).

          Thanks for the answer.

  • ozbjunkie on 16/11/2016 - 12:20

    I feel the same way about gaming lately, so have been binge watching documentaries, and it's a little better.

    But overall, remember these forms of entertainment can only supplement what is an otherwise enjoyable life.

    See a friend, drink a beer, have a dance, exercise… And once you are a little tired of all that, whack on the Netflix and I'm sure you'll feel some satisfaction.

  • kaos on 16/11/2016 - 13:34
    +2

    yeah I've developed a term 'positive deprivation'
    It came about when I went and ran the Larapinta trail outside Alice Springs. After only a week away I came back and was gobsmacked at how nice it was to sit on a chair, or have a hot shower. I sat in a car where it's so comfortable and you have access to a whole bunch of technology at your fingertips.
    It made me appreciate things much more.

  • Member 0230 on 16/11/2016 - 15:02
    +4

    I think you miss simpler times. In some ways I do too. As others have said, choice is generally a good thing, but not when it results in overwhelm and makes life less enjoyable.

    I'd like to recommend Becoming Minimalist to you — it has some profound things to say on how to enjoy life more by owning less and being less distracted.

    I have a LOT of stuff, and a lot more I have access to, so I have a long way to go, but at least I'm moving in that direction.

    But in keeping with OzB, just make sure that the stuff you choose to buy and keep is a bargain : )

  • Faithgrrl on 18/11/2016 - 19:28

    wow. Turns out ozbargainers are a bunch of tight arse philosophers after all.

    Have bookmarked some of the links, they are going to be awesome reading on my new (bargain at $556) mate 8.

  • outlander on 21/11/2016 - 09:54

    You're not moving fast enough, not taking enough risks or experiencing new things and it's making you long for the past, which in your case was apparently quite lame.

    Pickup a new hobby. I suggest wingsuit flying

  • Tech and cars on 21/11/2016 - 12:39

    Thanks all for the comments - I've been reading through them. Some great suggestions!

  • SirFlibbled on 22/11/2016 - 15:00
    +1

    Sometimes you need to limit yourself. For example with console games, I have a 'don't buy a game unless I've finished the last one' policy. It means that I still cherish what I buy. I don't buy games which I'll never play just because it's on sale.

    Mind you if I buy a game and end up hating it, then I consider it finished lol.

    • Tech and cars on 22/11/2016 - 15:11

      "I don't buy games which I'll never play just because it's on sale." Lol, it's so hard to resist on OzB though.. but yes! good suggestion :)

      • SirFlibbled on 22/11/2016 - 15:13
        +1

        I know. The reason I implemented the rule is when I had over 100 games on Steam which I never intended on playing.

        It takes a bit of will power. Also means you try to finish games a bit quicker and your pile of shame is limited.

Login or Join to leave a comment
Login Join