Gadgets Make People Happy -- Are You Happy?
Gadgets make people happy. Anyone who reads Tom's Hardware probably knows that already, but a study that says it's true is always better than anecdotal evidence, right?
A recent global study by the British Computer Society found that people with access to IT were more satisfied than those who did not have any access.
"Our analysis of global datasets shows that IT has a positive impact on life satisfaction even when controlling for income and other factors known to be important in determining well-being," the study found.
The study also found that IT was capable of "empowering the disempowered."
"We also discovered that IT appears to empower the disempowered. In fact much of the improvement in life satisfaction that arises from information technology flows to those who are less well-placed in society. Those on lower incomes or with fewer educational qualifications appear to benefit more from access to IT than those on higher incomes or with higher educational backgrounds."
The study, based on responses from more than 35,000 people worldwide, found that the same was true around the world.
BCS also discovered that along with the less-educated and those on lower-incomes, women benefited more from IT, especially ICT. BCS speculates that this is because women, with their more central familial role, are more drawn to methods of communication or devices that can aid communication.
"The general view is that women are more communal, and indeed research has shown, for example, that many of the intergenerational contacts within families are managed and driven by women. As such, this may explain theimportance of ICT for women as a social and family network support tool."
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I am more happy if that gadgets play porn
Depend on what kind of gadgets it is.
I am happy when I first get the gadget, but then it becomes outdated and obsolete forcing me into gadget envy and then I worry about how am I going to budget for the new gadget so I can be happy again. Pretty vicious circle.
Must... have... more... gadgets...
Gadgets also make people extremely angry. Has anybody ever read any of the flame wars that frequently go on here?
I tried to watch the video on the BCS site, but the old British lady was just waay too boring. I ended up watching a trailer on that new Alan Wake game instead. It made me happy for about 30 seconds. Now, I need to find a skateboarding kitten to occupy my next couple minutes here.
F N CONTROLLER!!!!!
I am more happy when i know the person who is happily buying the happy gadget. Especially when the gadget fails which in turn makes me happy because I can happily point the finger at the former happy person who bought said happy gadget and witness his happiness turn into non-happiness all the while laughing out loud in happiness.
If my 4870 counts as a gadget, sure.
I like toys.
New toys (ie: electronic if you like electronic) increases happiness. Don't need no research team to know that.
I'm not happy, I NEED MORE GADGETS!!!
I'm not happy, I NEED MORE GADGETS!!!
^ what he said... MORE GADGETS!!!
Of course you're more content if you have a phone that can do anything, as well as an itouch you can watch movies on and play all your music. You're all-powerful. What would the human race be if we weren't able to do all the things we do on a daily basis? How do you feel if you lose your car and have to walk, or (gasp) ask someone for a ride? How about when your phone bill accidentally gets unpaid? What then is your highest priority? Are you able to go a day without checking your facebook if your laptop breaks, or do you just HAVE to use your friend's computer, or phone? The further this race goes, the more dependent we become, and the sadder our situation becomes.
I can think of a gadget that makes a lot of women happy.
I can think of a gadget that makes a lot of women happy.
Its called a credit card.
i am happy, gmail, web and image search, translation, google earth and street view, and much more.
Did anyone buy that blanket that absorbs farts that Tom's posted a while ago?
I wonder if that person's happy with his/her purchase.
if only i can find better ways maybe with new gadgets to sell my old gadgets that dont make me happy
They make me happy for about 3-4 weeks of owning them. Then i want a newer, slightly better, more flashier one >: D
women are gadgets too
I don't know exactly how they concluded their analysis, I suppose I need to read more, however I think this is a very positive sign, because if the study indicates that people who buy and use gadgets feel happier it may tell that in general they find a positive use for it and not just get addicted to it.
I feel happier to participate on todays technology bonanza when my budget allows me or when I force my budget to satisfy my need or curiosity. But as manny here mentioned you know that you suffer a bit when a new generation of devices appears or when a new toy arrives. Soon it becomes obvious you don't have enough money to buy all the gadgets you want and even if you had the money you cant just buy every interesting new technology out there because it requires some time and dedication. You choose from the options and commit to your new device. Some get addicted and some others hate it.
In the end we all need to learn how to deal with the use of new possibilities provided by some exiting new technologies. We need to use technology as a medium to solve a real personal or social need and not as the gold that limit us in our personal and social life.
I have a thing for imported phones and it makes me happy!
I am more happy if that gadgets play porn
Don't buy an iPhone then. Steve Jobs doesn't like porn.
gadgets are fun in bed.
Does a fleshlight count?
Ok you will find my comment the most stupid yet, but i'll be more happier with a woman who loves me. I have enought gadgets in my life, i just want a person to share them, that's happiness, buying gadgets only makes you happy for a short time.
I need a gadget that makes more gadgets!
There are things that would make me a lot happier than gadgets.
We're bored.Instead of filling our lives with better things like taking new exams, bettering ourselves, we fill that time with gadgets and tinkering. We literally have nervous energy and 'must' do something.Relax, put the tech away for awhile and actually rest
I... What? "New exams"? You're joking right? Exams induce stress, worry, anxiety, and generally aren't even a good test for knowledge anyway.
And you just said we have nervous energy but we're supposed to relax? Why not dissipate that nervous energy, as 'relaxing' if a person really has that sort of nervous energy, is only going to let it build up.
Yeah, basically... What?
I figured that long ago for myself, thanks.