Certain highly successful and influential persons of our time (who may or may not be narcissists):
"It's all quite simple, really: I want what I want what I want. And I also happen to be extremely good at getting it."
But that's just it: Why would you?
Why on earth would you have such confidence in the judgment of your own will as to believe you'd actually be happier, or better off, by getting everything (or even most of what) you want? Or even by getting most everything you've rationally determined that you should want? Why would you ever have such overarching confidence in the judgment and powers of your own mind, as to believe that getting what you think you want will make you happier?
Or if you like, never mind about being happier. Especially since - as I think by now our more globally-minded rulers have amply demonstrated - this Great Global World is not about happiness, whether their own or anyone else's. So here's a suggestion: Let's do our best to leave behind, once and for all, the unedifying, unproductive, hedonistic 1960s, '70s and '80s. At least as I recall them here in America. (par. 3) And then let us proceed to be as primly, austerely altruistic as we 21st-centurily can. So - to rephrase my question: Why would you imagine that getting even what you most rationally want would somehow make you "better," or wiser? Or more righteous, or productive? Or nobler or grander or more heroic? Or even more superior?
Alright, I take that last part back. Because the truth is, getting more or less exactly what we think everyone should want has been known to make some of us vastly superior, in certain altogether measurable and quantifiable ways (wealth, votes, grants and subsidies, promotions, both occupational and sexual opportunities) over all other visible creatures of this earth. Including sometimes our fellow humans. Even if for this earthly life only.
My final question, then, is why anyone in his right mind and will would ever want that "dream come true"? That degree of, let us say, overweening advantage over practically everything else in the visible creation. Yes, that may be your dream. But in that case, perhaps you might want to take a lesson or two from the invisible creation. I mean, consider the wonderful job Satan has made of his utterly unprecedented - and unrepeatable - creaturely superiority over everything the Lord God had made. Can you honestly say you're pleased with the results? More to the point, do you honestly think you could go him one better?
