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The problem with happiness as an objective in itself is that it is only really a by-product of our search for happiness. It is what sloughs off from the work that is invested in realising the object that we assume to 'make us whole'. Think of the sportscar - the real pleasure is in desiring it, rather than possessing it. Once you have it, suddenly it doesn't seem as perfect as it did before and you are left desiring another. Before long, you're a sportscar collector. I think you're right to have an intuitive issue with a 'happiness machine' that could satisfy our every whim, because it is our unhappiness/unsatisfaction that forms the bedrock of social interaction. After all, if we were to be completely satiated why would we even bother to interact with anyone else?
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