Meaning: The quote "Happiness is obsolete: uneconomic" is attributed to the German philosopher Theodor Adorno, who was a prominent figure in the Frankfurt School of critical theory. This quote reflects Adorno's critical perspective on the concept of happiness within a capitalist society and the economic forces that shape human experiences.

Adorno was deeply concerned with the effects of modern capitalism on human life and culture, and much of his work centered on the alienating and dehumanizing aspects of a society dominated by the pursuit of profit and efficiency. In this context, the quote can be understood as a critique of the commodification of happiness and the ways in which capitalism distorts and devalues genuine human experiences.

To Adorno, the pursuit of happiness within a capitalist framework is "uneconomic" because it is often reduced to a product to be bought and sold, rather than a fundamental aspect of human well-being. In a society driven by consumerism and the relentless pursuit of economic growth, genuine happiness and fulfillment can become marginalized or even subsumed by the imperatives of the market. Adorno's use of the term "obsolete" suggests that the pursuit of happiness has become outdated or superseded by the imperatives of capitalism, further emphasizing the ways in which economic forces shape and constrain human experiences.

Adorno's perspective on happiness can be understood in the context of his broader critique of the culture industry, which he saw as a mechanism for the mass production and dissemination of standardized cultural products that served to perpetuate the status quo and inhibit genuine individual expression and critical thought. In this context, the pursuit of happiness within a capitalist society can be seen as a product of the culture industry, in which the dominant narratives and images serve to perpetuate a narrow and ultimately unsatisfying vision of what it means to be happy.

It's important to note that Adorno's perspective on happiness should not be taken as a categorical rejection of the pursuit of well-being and fulfillment. Instead, it should be understood as a critique of the ways in which capitalism can distort and undermine genuine human experiences, including the pursuit of happiness. Adorno sought to challenge the prevailing norms and values of a society dominated by capitalist logic, and his work continues to be influential in critical theory and the broader critique of modern capitalism.

Overall, the quote "Happiness is obsolete: uneconomic" reflects Theodor Adorno's critical perspective on the pursuit of happiness within a capitalist society and the ways in which economic forces can shape and constrain human experiences. It invites us to question the commodification of happiness and to consider the broader social and economic forces that influence our understanding of well-being and fulfillment.