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I once went to what I thought was going to be an educational stargazing event, which actually turned out to be an "impress rich people using fancy telescopes and cameras" fundraiser.
Having done real stargazing before, and also having gone to many actually educational events in my life, I starkly recognized the difference. There was no actual gazing at the stars, only talking about all the capabilities of the equipment; the presenter was hilariously misinformed at best and in some spots actively lying; and if anyone actually learned anything it was purely incidental. I've had a better time just standing outside at night listening to space nerds go on about constellations.
It really clarified the "bored, depressed rich person" phenomenon for me, and why people with money tell you that money can't buy happiness. If every experience is about showing off your money, and every interaction is an attempt to get some money out of you, then there's no opportunity for learning, creativity, or social engagement - three things that are critical to human happiness. And thus money, the thing that brought you here in the first place, becomes the very thing standing in your way.
Having done real stargazing before, and also having gone to many actually educational events in my life, I starkly recognized the difference. There was no actual gazing at the stars, only talking about all the capabilities of the equipment; the presenter was hilariously misinformed at best and in some spots actively lying; and if anyone actually learned anything it was purely incidental. I've had a better time just standing outside at night listening to space nerds go on about constellations.
It really clarified the "bored, depressed rich person" phenomenon for me, and why people with money tell you that money can't buy happiness. If every experience is about showing off your money, and every interaction is an attempt to get some money out of you, then there's no opportunity for learning, creativity, or social engagement - three things that are critical to human happiness. And thus money, the thing that brought you here in the first place, becomes the very thing standing in your way.
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