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Identity trumps economics. Idealism is a political position; it's just not an economically rewarding one. It can feed the ego, though, and taking the other road - sacrificing principles for money - may lead to more net unhappiness.

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My friend the idealist is way less happy than I am. I submit that he would be happier if he had more say, more money, and more flexibility at his job, but he threw that all away in the name of idealism. I agree, identity trumps economics, but there is such a thing as having more principles than sense.

For many, Happiness is not a goal of life. Rightful living is. See Buddha, Gandhi, MLK etc. Sure, You might be happier than them but that hardly means anything

These people you are holding up as paragons were way more political than you probably remember reading about. Particularly Gandhi. The only difference between their politics and your politics is that they actually accomplished things.

Not being willing to get political dooms you to a life of both mediocrity and misery.

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