Are you a happy person? What makes us happy? Everyone from poets to marketing directors have wondered about this question. Here’s Dan Gilbert with a TED Talk with some surprising findings. As always, watch the talk without subtitles first.
0:57 What does the prefrontal cortex do? Why is that important?
3:20 What is impact bias?
4:07 Why does impact bias happen?
5:20 He gives three examples of people who have synthesized happiness. Can you think of an example of when you’ve done the same thing?
8:30 What is the difference between natural and synthetic happiness? Which do we believe is better and why?
9:19 What is Gilbert’s main thesis? How does he prove it?
14:57 When does the psychological immune system work best? What is the proof?
Writing/discussion question: Do you agree that you can be equally happy getting what you want as when you don’t? How would this change decisions you’ve made in the past? Will it impact any decisions you have to make now?
