In the science of psychology, numerous tests have shown that there is no physical moment in life where a subject can obtain pure enlightenment, fulfillment or complete satisfaction of mind and body. This supports the statement that money cannot buy happiness. Although this idea is very popular, could it turn out to be wrong? It seems only natural that happiness comes from having more money. Could material possessions really increase a person's happiness? In his essay “On Dumpster Diving,” Lars Eighner talks about his experience of being homeless and having to rely on other people's unwanted possessions to survive. “Certain material things are white elephants that devour the substance of their owner” (Eighner 263). It is true that a person cannot physically go and buy happiness, he must obtain it. “How” would a subject achieve happiness or “pure happiness” is the ultimate unanswered question. If a person were to go out and buy a bunch of objects, furniture, jewelry, cars, would that make them even more satisfied with themselves? Maybe it would, maybe not. One of the questions this essay addresses is: Over time, all the items a person buys, takes, or consumes to supposedly make them "happy", over time, if this experiment doesn't work not as expected, wouldn't a person start with time? being consumed and overwhelmed by all these material things. “..but mental things certainly last longer than other material things” (264). Although these statements by Lars Eighner agree that certain material possessions would consume a person in a negative way and therefore possess them, it is almost ironic because Eighner lived on the streets and it was almost impossible for him to shape our lives. In conclusion, whether material possessions bring happiness or not depends on each individual. Some people are content simply to save up to buy a new car, and others are just as content putting their ideas and dreams into an empty book, or simply showcasing their favorite car. Work cited Adler, Mortimer. “How to Mark a Book.” The Mercury Reader. Ed. Janice Neuleib, Keathleen S Cain, Stephen Ruffus and Maurice Scharton. Boston: Pearson Custom Pub., 2005. 211-16.Eighner, Lars (1992) “On Dumpster Diving”, New England Journal of Public Policy: Vol. 8: Iss. 1, article 7. Web. June 27, 2015.http://scholarworks.umb.edu/nejpp/vol8/iss1/7Boven, Leaf Van and Gilovich, Thomas. “To do or to have? That is the question.” Journal of Personality and Social Psychology. American Psychological Association, Inc.., 2003. 1193.