hello strong social ties nice to meet you

An awesome story in the NY Times about people moving away from conspicuous consumption and gravitating towards experiences. I've been saying this for awhile but its nice to be reassured by the Times that its not just my imagination. There's been actual studies done, and not surprising they've found that pair of shoes you've lusted for, that happiness fades fast.
An experience meanwhile slowly fades, and with rose colored glasses, that experience may take on more meaning and generate more happiness over a long period of time.
And the advantage of living downtown?
The ease in surrounding oneself with other experience centric people.
For example, the Cincinnati Nomerati's cheese party.

Jennifer Black, president of the retailing research company Jennifer Black & Associates and a member of the Governor’s Council of Economic Advisors in Oregon says “I think people are realizing they don’t need what they had. They’re more interested in creating memories.”
The most positive aspect of creating these experiences is strengthening social bonds, which already show ample evidence in amplifying happiness.





The real manifestation of all this is of course more and more friends moving to CBD/OTR to be even closer to these experiences. If going to Final Friday or an event on the Square is awesome, going with a bunch of friends is awesome².




Kitty, cat-tering the fire alarm.
A group of friends turns a fire alarm from a situation to endure into a serendipitous opportunity to have a good time in an unexpected way.



Family aside all this social media has given me an embarrassment of riches, more strong friendships, casual acquaintances and weak ties than I ever could have wished for and I'm happier than probably at any other point in my life.[where: 45202]best place to learn how to live downtown cincinnati ohio the ethos of Cincinnati
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