Happiness - The Surprising Science

Here is a partial transcript that summarizes Professor Gilbert's findings on happiness and strategies to achieve it:

"... in other words, 'yes,' somethings are better than others.  

We should have preferences that lead us into one future over another.  But, when those preference drive us too hard, and too fast because we have overrated the difference between these futures, we are at risk.  

When our ambition is bounded, it leads us to work joyfully.  When our ambition is unbounded, it leads us to lie, cheat, to steal, to hurt others, to sacrifice things of real value.  

When our fears are bounded, we're prudent, we're cautious, we're thoughtful.  When our fears are unbounded, and overblown, we're reckless and we're cowardly.  

The lesson I want to leave you with from these data is that our longings and our worries are both, to some degree, overblown because we have within us, the capacity to manufacture the very commodity we are constantly chasing when we choose experience."

Dan Gilbert PhD
Professor of Psychology - Harvard University

Some things to ponder:  

What is the lesson you take away regarding happiness and short-term decisions?

• How does this apply to your 'pursuit' of happiness?
• Is it plausible that, when the potential rewards are immediate, we tend to lose sight of how a quick decision affects a long-term outcome?
• Can this explain why we tend ignore the potential damage because a short term reward eclipses long-term goals?  
• Being aware of this reality, are we better armed to handle quick decisions?
• Are quick decisions bad?  Why do you suppose humans are wired to make quick decisions?
• Os there an evolutionary benefit for quick decision makers?
• Is making a decision to decide and sticking with it really that simple?  
• Would you be willing to try it for a short period and see how it works out for you?
• Does deciding to decide seem like settling for second best to you?  Why or why not?
• What does this tell us about cheating?  Choosing the best answer on a test?  Saying the wrong thing because we are inclined to respond quickly rather than thoughtfully? 

Note: This video qualifies as a 5 point maximum extra credit paper for your semester's final Science grade - that's a half a grade added to your final grade.  

However, it must meet the following criteria:  1500 word minimum (to 10,000 words maximum) to include a summary of the video and an exposition that discusses a topic of your choice mentioned in the video.  Make sure it is copy edited, spell checked and set-up in a word document.  

Should you elect to take this challenge, your essay on this post ought to be fun, and rewarding for you.  If you take any other approach to it, or if it ceases to be fun, then you are doing something wrong.