"When Donald Duck traded his wings for arms, was he trading up or trading down?"

This quote by Doug Coupland is an amusing way of asking whether a change in life is helpful or not. Donald Duck trading his wings for arms is a metaphor for making a change in life, such as changing jobs, transferring to a brand-new city, or beginning a new relationship. The concern of whether this change is an upgrade or a downgrade is a hard one to respond to. It depends upon the individual's viewpoint and the context of the situation. For example, if Donald Duck was unhappy with his wings and wanted arms to be able to do more, then trading his wings for arms could be viewed as an upgrade. On the other hand, if Donald Duck was content with his wings and trading them for arms was a choice constructed of requirement, then it could be viewed as a downgrade. Eventually, the response to this question is subjective and depends upon the person's situations.