TED Talks: What Makes us Happy?

TED gets a lot of neat people to talk about the neat things that they do. Lucky for us they post these talks online once the conference is done for the rest of us to enjoy. TED has compiled some themes, and one of them seems made for this site! Find out what makes us happy.

“The Pursuit of Happiness” was 2004’s conference theme, but TED speakers over many years have found themselves driven to understand the nature of happiness.

Daniel Gilbert’s astonishing talk shows how we humans are poor predictors of what will make us happy. Stefan Sagmeister shares how great design contributed to his happiest moments, suggesting that the secret may be attention to detail. And Malcolm Gladwell, tongue in cheek, explores what we might learn about the pursuit of happiness through one man’s quest to make the perfect pasta sauce.

But suppose we understand happiness. How, then, do we find it? Carl Honore says the key is, simply, to slow down. Pastor Rick Warren appeals for a life of spiritual purpose. And Barry Schwartz thinks a little less choice might do us all a lot of good.

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