Question of the Day

[ayoub]

Do people always desire the unattainable over the available?

Comments

[sirenity.livejournal.com]

Who says it's unattainable, huh?

Gotta have goals! How else would I spend my time? =)

[katamphigorical.livejournal.com]

I believe that's why illegal drugs are such a problem. >.>

On another string of thought, desiring the unattainable forces most of us to strive for goals we otherwise wouldn't think to set for ourselves.

[delphaicdragon.livejournal.com]

Not always, I don't think. But for sure there are times when you desire the unattainable more just because you get into the whole "I wish" mode.

[the-ravyn.livejournal.com]

Define "unattainable"

[shamrocks-13.livejournal.com]

If you are motivated, then for sure. To try and acheive the unattainable it means you are either a comlete idiot, or extremely hungry.

I think I am both.

[photodiva02.livejournal.com]

I think it depends on the situation. You can always work hard towards your goal and make lots of money, so you can make your dreams come true monetarily if you work hard enough. However, love is much different. Many people seek out the one they put on a pedestal because they are so beautiful, popular, or whatnot. However, they may or may not be the most beautiful person on the indside or they may be a complete jerk. I know that in the dating arena, and I am being honest, I would rather date a good looking guy than some schlep who would want to go out with me and would bug the hell out of me to go out with them. I wouldn't want to date a slob and have people think, what in the fuck is she thinking dating him. After awhile I got tired of that and dated someone available, and look wher it got me. I settled. I failed in so many ways.

Now, you probably think I am REALLY superficial.

[donnickcottage.livejournal.com]

It depends on what it is. Job? Certainly. Sex? Nah.

[chiropteraclan.livejournal.com]

I think it comes down to expectations and lack of fulfillment. Expectations can be the devil. Rarely can/does anything live up to them, because they are constructs of "what if's" and things you do not have a lot of control over (like other people, their feelings, their choices, their reactions, etc.). I also believe that when people are searching for something to fill emptiness in their own lives, they are buying into expectations for unattainables as well. There is something about chasing after things you will never get that camouflages taking responsibility for one's self and finding gratitude for what is in one's life. It also keeps people from changing...most people do not like or desire change when it comes down to it.

Now, I am all about goals. But I am also about setting attainable goals. Sure, stretch and push myself. I do that a lot, maybe even too much. But I make sure they are things that I really want and can achieve with work.

[spacedlaw.livejournal.com]

It seems to be a vice that we have. Rather than settle for what we have (or that we can have) we always reach further, living in a constant state of frustration.
We strain to live in conformity with our wishes instead of with our needs.

[mighty-rontor.livejournal.com]

It depends on how lazy they're feeling in the given moment.

[ayoub.livejournal.com]

Unattainable... Like... Becoming Royalty :)

[dolorinterno.livejournal.com]

Not necessarily. Depends on the item!

[ccupguy.livejournal.com]

There's a Dutch song by Trockner Kecks (Dry Cookies) which says "De jacht is mooier dan de vangst" (The hunt is more beautiful than the catch). There's your explanation: Humans are hunters.
:)
ccup

[smwright.livejournal.com]

How very Lewinian of you. Thanks, N. Now I don't have to answer. :)

[laurel714.livejournal.com]

Oh hells yes.

[uawildcatgrl.livejournal.com]

I think some people do...

[childeofloki.livejournal.com]

Yes. Why else do we strive, then blame others when we fail?

[eternalxwhisper.livejournal.com]

I think it all comes down to the "what ifs" and "I wish"

People will always desire what they can't have. If they are told it's unattainable then they are going to try and attain it.

[ayoub.livejournal.com]

Very true... :D