Are we happier? From "Contact" (Jesus, God, science)

[Scorn]

I have to ask though. How have we created these voids to be filled? And what is their true nature? Not all voids are created equal after all.

I have a sieve and a large pile of sand. My pile of sand fits perfectly inside the sieve and the holes are small enough to keep the sand from slipping through. I feel satisfied with it. I like my sieve. On the way over here I found another sieve just sitting there. I wasn't looking for another sieve but there it was. It's a beautiful sieve that will surely come in handy one day. I can easily carry two sieves so I think I'll keep it. But this sieve has much larger holes. It will never hold my sand. I think I need to go find a pile of rocks for it. Rocks are good.

[Mercury]

truer words were never spoken. moderntechnology is just a tool, it has made life more comfortable and easier - but life is empty and meaningless . . . and then you have kids. life after that has more meaning than a web has sites.

[michel]

I must be incredibly lucky; apart from those thing I believe I NEED ( and yes, I suppose that is debatable - ie do I NEED a computer? -yes, otherwise I would'nt be talking to all of you) I am happy with my 'lot'. The only goal I have always had in mind (From a money point of view) is to make sure my Wife and Kids want for nothing (Essentials, obviously). Fashion (Heh - as you can see by the 'photo of me) means nothing to me; all I want from a car is that it gets me from A to B in reasonable comfort (and hopefully does'nt break down). I do have one extravagance - music; but again, most of that I've bought from charity shops and second hand shops. I don't need to 'go out' often; maybe Marie and I have one meal out each month; neither of us smoke. I am happy; I'm easily satisfied.