Dan Gilbert: The surprising science of happiness

[The Midnight]

Interesting. Just like I think the Jazz are actually better than they are.

Does this argue money buys happiness? Since they have synthesized happiness by owning the painting (even tho they didn't purchase it) it seems to make them enjoy it even more. Or does synthesized happiness not count?

Well it's a given that they get a free painting (i.e., either it's #3 or #4) so that's a mute point. It's how they feel about the painting they received (#3) and the painting they discarded (#4) afterwards that matters.


This links back to his earlier data between the lottery winner vs the paraplegics, their happiness 1 year after the event are the same, i.e., the paraplegics had somehow found "synthesised happiness" within his own conditions/environment/situation.

 

[LogGrad98]

Nice summary.

Also another quick example he gave was when you go on a date and the guy picks his nose - you're never gonna go out with him again. But if you're married and your husband picks his nose - well he has a heart of gold.

Yep, gotta suppress that until you get married, then have at it!

 

[Duck Rodgers]

This reminds us of Barry Schwarz paradox of #choice, in which you are less happy when you have a lot of choices to make.

aka the online dating paradox.

 

[The Midnight]

aka the online dating paradox.

What's that? I'm not really familiar with it.

 

[LogGrad98]

I see this anecdotally in my kids. If we are trying to grab a quick bite to eat, and stop some place like In-n-out burger or somewhere else with a fairly limited menu they make up their minds much faster and are happier with the meal. If we go to a jack in the box (one of their favorites, btw), or some place with a large and varied menu, then it takes forever to decide and they complain more about the meal, even down to how the coke doesn't have enough fizz or whatever.