Ok, I knew choice has a cost. And also that we’ve got too many choices these days. But this was a very interesting video about the Paradox of Choice from Barry Schwartz at TED.
I showed this video in our Monthly Review Meetings today, and was present to the plethora of choices you and I have everyday. Was thinking about the choices I have in making the bedroom furniture. Bed, Wardrobe, Dresser, Flooring, Color, Accessories – and so many choices in all of them. It’s like 20 years ago, you either took a Godrej iron cupboard or got simple shelves and shutters done using wood. Today, I reviewed designs from Ikea catalog and various other online sources, I checked with 4 carpenters, saw more furniture catalogs before coming up with a design. And I still want to get things perfected.
Expectations have increased. Satisfaction has decreased.
It was much better, back when it was worse!
Less is more. The secret to happiness according to Barry are low expectations!