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The Happiness Equation: The Surprising Economics of Our Most Valuable Asset
"This intelligent and entertaining book shows how the scientific study of happiness is changing the field of economics—and the world!"—Daniel Gilbert, professor of psychology, Harvard University, and author of Stumbling on Happiness
"An adventure to one of the new frontiers of knowledge, this book is a masterful blend of personal experience, contemporary culture, and social...more
"An adventure to one of the new frontiers of knowledge, this book is a masterful blend of personal experience, contemporary culture, and social...more
Paperback, 256 pages
Published
August 23rd 2011
by Icon Books
(first published August 5th 2010)
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An interesting read which describes quantiative research into what actually makes people happy. The results are surprising in some ways and completely unsurprising in others.
For example, it's not absolute wealth that makes people happy, but it's relative wealth, i.e. where you lie status-wise within your peer group. And that making everyone wealthier hasn't or won't make everyone happier because jockying for position will still continue, making some people feel bad and others good.
Another eye-o...more
For example, it's not absolute wealth that makes people happy, but it's relative wealth, i.e. where you lie status-wise within your peer group. And that making everyone wealthier hasn't or won't make everyone happier because jockying for position will still continue, making some people feel bad and others good.
Another eye-o...more
In the The Happiness Equation by Nick Powdthavee we learn some interesting things. For example that the well educated are slimmer and enjoy sex more than their counterparts, that misery really does love company (unemployment is not as painful if your partner and friends are also unemployed), that children don't really bring happiness, that it does not take us as long as we thought to get over a divorce or loss of a loved one, that a divorce is more painful than a bereavement.
The approach taken i...more
The approach taken i...more
This book starts in a boring fashion. Particularly, if you are not into economics, you might not find the first few chapters interesting at all. The idea that the author is trying to put a price tag on human emotions feels a little bit weird initially.
But as you go along, you get immersed in the author's quest for understanding Happiness as a pure psychological phenomenon. And the last few chapters are the best.
Overall a decent book, worth one reading. It refers to lot of other good books and...more
But as you go along, you get immersed in the author's quest for understanding Happiness as a pure psychological phenomenon. And the last few chapters are the best.
Overall a decent book, worth one reading. It refers to lot of other good books and...more
Quite interesting, although felt a little futile because the conclusions were pretty thin. The book is mainly an intellectual curiosity, and lacks substantial practical ramifications. His conclusion is basically that we should become Buddhist. Ick.
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Oct 09, 2012 05:49am