Happiness and Its Surprises

Explore cognitive researcher Nancy Etcoff's TED Talk on the complexities of happiness, examining our attempts to achieve and increase it, its disconnect from actual circumstances, and its surprising physiological effects. Delve into topics such as the rising rates of depression and anxiety, Freudian pessimism, the positivity offset, reward and pleasure pathways, and universal signals of enjoyable emotions. Discover the concepts of biophilia, emotional contagion, and the progression from imitation to empathy to compassion. Investigate the role of social status, materialism, and the potential for money to influence happiness. Learn about value shifts in men and women after experiencing "Quantum Change" and gain insights into navigating a post-material world. Conclude with practical advice on cultivating happiness in your life.

Intro
We try to be happier
So far, not much success
Depression and Anxiety Rising
Happiness same as ever
Freudian Pessimism
Good Bad/Approach Avoidance
The new science of happiness
Positivity Offset
Reward and Pleasure Pathways
Universal Signal of Enjoyable Emotions
Biophilia
Emotions are contagious or the "shared manifold of subjectivity"
Imitation to Empathy to Compassion
Forget about yourself
The Sexual Brain and the gene replicator
Social Status: Dominance vs Prestige
Can money buy happiness?
Materialism
Men's Value Shifts after "Quantum Change" Miller and deBaca
Women's Value Shifts after "Quantum Change"
Post Material World
To be happy...
In the end