Humans have a tendency to understand and appreciate matters only in relative terms and not in absolutes. This can be seen in the simple example of driving forward, where the perception of movement is derived from the relative motion of other objects, such as trees, moving backwards. This perception of relative motion is not limited to physical experiences, but is also applicable to psychological and social experiences.
People often derive happiness or sadness, feelings of being lucky or unlucky, only when they compare themselves to others around them or those they grew up with. The sense of satisfaction or dissatisfaction is not based on absolute measures of success or failure, but rather on the relative standing in comparison to others. This is demonstrated in real-life experiences where individuals who are financially comfortable may still feel unhappy if they perceive others around them to be more successful. On the other hand, individuals who are financially disadvantaged may still feel content and happy if they perceive themselves to be better off than those around them.
This phenomenon can be explained through the concept of social comparison theory, which proposes that individuals evaluate themselves by comparing their abilities, skills, and opinions with those of others. This comparison allows them to evaluate their standing in society, and can influence their self-esteem and sense of well-being. The relative comparison of one's situation with others' creates a sense of context and meaning that is essential for individuals to derive value and purpose from their experiences.