How to pronounce "mailed"

[Music]

when you have 21 minutes to speak two

when you have 21 minutes to speak two

when you have 21 minutes to speak two million years seems like a really long

million years seems like a really long

million years seems like a really long time but evolutionarily two million

time but evolutionarily two million

time but evolutionarily two million years is nothing and yet in two million

years is nothing and yet in two million

years is nothing and yet in two million years the human brain has nearly tripled

years the human brain has nearly tripled

years the human brain has nearly tripled in mass going from the one and a quarter

in mass going from the one and a quarter

in mass going from the one and a quarter pound brain of our ancestor here habilis

pound brain of our ancestor here habilis

pound brain of our ancestor here habilis to the almost three pound meatloaf that

to the almost three pound meatloaf that

to the almost three pound meatloaf that everybody here has between their ears

everybody here has between their ears

everybody here has between their ears what is it about a big brain that nature

what is it about a big brain that nature

what is it about a big brain that nature was so eager for Everyone us to have one

was so eager for Everyone us to have one

was so eager for Everyone us to have one well it turns out when brings triple in

well it turns out when brings triple in

well it turns out when brings triple in size they don't just get three times

size they don't just get three times

size they don't just get three times bigger they gain new structures and one

bigger they gain new structures and one

bigger they gain new structures and one of the main reasons that our brain got

of the main reasons that our brain got

of the main reasons that our brain got so big is because it got a new part

so big is because it got a new part

so big is because it got a new part called the frontal lobe and particularly

called the frontal lobe and particularly

called the frontal lobe and particularly a part called the prefrontal cortex now

a part called the prefrontal cortex now

a part called the prefrontal cortex now what does the prefrontal cortex do for

what does the prefrontal cortex do for

what does the prefrontal cortex do for you that should justify the entire

you that should justify the entire

you that should justify the entire architectural overhaul of the human

architectural overhaul of the human

architectural overhaul of the human skull in the blink of evolutionary time

skull in the blink of evolutionary time

skull in the blink of evolutionary time well turns out the prefrontal cortex

well turns out the prefrontal cortex

well turns out the prefrontal cortex does lots of things but one of the most

does lots of things but one of the most

does lots of things but one of the most important things it does is it is an

important things it does is it is an

important things it does is it is an experience simulator

experience simulator

experience simulator you know flight pilots practice in

you know flight pilots practice in

you know flight pilots practice in flight simulators so that they don't

flight simulators so that they don't

flight simulators so that they don't make real mistakes and planes human

make real mistakes and planes human

make real mistakes and planes human beings have this marvelous adaptation

beings have this marvelous adaptation

beings have this marvelous adaptation that they can actually have experiences

that they can actually have experiences

that they can actually have experiences in their heads before they try them out

in their heads before they try them out

in their heads before they try them out in real life this is a trick that none

in real life this is a trick that none

in real life this is a trick that none of our ancestors could do that no other

of our ancestors could do that no other

of our ancestors could do that no other animal can do quite like we can it's a

animal can do quite like we can it's a

animal can do quite like we can it's a marvellous adaptation it's up there with

marvellous adaptation it's up there with

marvellous adaptation it's up there with opposable thumbs and standing upright

opposable thumbs and standing upright

opposable thumbs and standing upright and language as one of the things that

and language as one of the things that

and language as one of the things that got our species out of the trees and

got our species out of the trees and

got our species out of the trees and into the shopping mall now all of you

into the shopping mall now all of you

into the shopping mall now all of you have done this I mean you know Ben and

have done this I mean you know Ben and

have done this I mean you know Ben and Jerry's doesn't have liver in onion ice

Jerry's doesn't have liver in onion ice

Jerry's doesn't have liver in onion ice cream and it's not because they whipped

cream and it's not because they whipped

cream and it's not because they whipped some up tried it and went yuck

some up tried it and went yuck

some up tried it and went yuck it's because from without leaving your

it's because from without leaving your

it's because from without leaving your armchair you can simulate that flavor

armchair you can simulate that flavor

armchair you can simulate that flavor and say yuck before you make it let's

and say yuck before you make it let's

and say yuck before you make it let's see how your experience simulators are

see how your experience simulators are

see how your experience simulators are working let's just run a quick

working let's just run a quick

working let's just run a quick diagnostic before I proceed with the

diagnostic before I proceed with the

diagnostic before I proceed with the rest of the talk here's two different

rest of the talk here's two different

rest of the talk here's two different futures that I invite you to contemplate

futures that I invite you to contemplate

futures that I invite you to contemplate and you can try to simulate them and

and you can try to simulate them and

and you can try to simulate them and tell me which one you think you

tell me which one you think you

tell me which one you think you might prefer one of them is winning the

might prefer one of them is winning the

might prefer one of them is winning the lottery this is about 314 million

lottery this is about 314 million

lottery this is about 314 million dollars and the other is becoming

dollars and the other is becoming

dollars and the other is becoming paraplegic

paraplegic

paraplegic so just given a moment of thought you

so just given a moment of thought you

so just given a moment of thought you probably don't feel like you need a

probably don't feel like you need a

probably don't feel like you need a moment of thought and interestingly

moment of thought and interestingly

moment of thought and interestingly there are data on these two groups of

there are data on these two groups of

there are data on these two groups of people data on how happy they are and

people data on how happy they are and

people data on how happy they are and this is exactly what you expected isn't

this is exactly what you expected isn't

this is exactly what you expected isn't it but these aren't the data

it but these aren't the data

it but these aren't the data I made these up these are the data you

I made these up these are the data you

I made these up these are the data you failed the pop quiz in your hardly five

failed the pop quiz in your hardly five

failed the pop quiz in your hardly five minutes into the lecture because the

minutes into the lecture because the

minutes into the lecture because the fact is that a year after losing the use

fact is that a year after losing the use

fact is that a year after losing the use of their legs and a year after winning

of their legs and a year after winning

of their legs and a year after winning the lotto lottery winners and

the lotto lottery winners and

the lotto lottery winners and paraplegics are equally happy with their

paraplegics are equally happy with their

paraplegics are equally happy with their lives now don't feel too bad about

lives now don't feel too bad about

lives now don't feel too bad about failing the first pop quiz because

failing the first pop quiz because

failing the first pop quiz because everybody fails all of the pop quizzes

everybody fails all of the pop quizzes

everybody fails all of the pop quizzes all of the time the research that my

all of the time the research that my

all of the time the research that my laboratory has been doing that

laboratory has been doing that

laboratory has been doing that economists and psychologists around the

economists and psychologists around the

economists and psychologists around the country have been doing have revealed

country have been doing have revealed

country have been doing have revealed something really quite startling to us

something really quite startling to us

something really quite startling to us something we call the impact bias which

something we call the impact bias which

something we call the impact bias which is the tendency for the simulator to

is the tendency for the simulator to

is the tendency for the simulator to work badly for the simulator to make you

work badly for the simulator to make you

work badly for the simulator to make you believe that different outcomes are more

believe that different outcomes are more

believe that different outcomes are more different than in fact they really are

different than in fact they really are

different than in fact they really are from field studies to laboratory studies

from field studies to laboratory studies

from field studies to laboratory studies we see that winning or losing an

we see that winning or losing an

we see that winning or losing an election gaining or losing a romantic

election gaining or losing a romantic

election gaining or losing a romantic partner getting or not getting a

partner getting or not getting a

partner getting or not getting a promotion passing or not passing a

promotion passing or not passing a

promotion passing or not passing a college test on and on have far less

college test on and on have far less

college test on and on have far less impact less intensity and much less

impact less intensity and much less

impact less intensity and much less duration that people expect them to have

duration that people expect them to have

duration that people expect them to have effect a recent study this almost fleurs

effect a recent study this almost fleurs

effect a recent study this almost fleurs me a recent study showing how major life

me a recent study showing how major life

me a recent study showing how major life traumas affect people suggests that if

traumas affect people suggests that if

traumas affect people suggests that if it happened over three months ago with

it happened over three months ago with

it happened over three months ago with only a few exceptions it has no impact

only a few exceptions it has no impact

only a few exceptions it has no impact whatsoever on your happiness why because

whatsoever on your happiness why because

whatsoever on your happiness why because happiness can be synthesized

happiness can be synthesized

happiness can be synthesized Sir Thomas Brown wrote in 1642 I am the

Sir Thomas Brown wrote in 1642 I am the

Sir Thomas Brown wrote in 1642 I am the happiest man alive I have that in me

happiest man alive I have that in me

happiest man alive I have that in me that can convert poverty to riches

that can convert poverty to riches

that can convert poverty to riches adversity to prosperity I am more in

adversity to prosperity I am more in

adversity to prosperity I am more in vulnerable than Achilles fortune hath

vulnerable than Achilles fortune hath

vulnerable than Achilles fortune hath not one place to hit me kind of

not one place to hit me kind of

not one place to hit me kind of remarkable machinery does this guy have

remarkable machinery does this guy have

remarkable machinery does this guy have in his head well it turns out it's

in his head well it turns out it's

in his head well it turns out it's precisely the same remarkable motion

precisely the same remarkable motion

precisely the same remarkable motion that all of us have human beings have

that all of us have human beings have

that all of us have human beings have something that we might think of as a

something that we might think of as a

something that we might think of as a psychological immune system a system of

psychological immune system a system of

psychological immune system a system of cognitive processes largely non

cognitive processes largely non

cognitive processes largely non conscious cognitive processes that help

conscious cognitive processes that help

conscious cognitive processes that help them change their views of the world so

them change their views of the world so

them change their views of the world so that they can feel better about the

that they can feel better about the

that they can feel better about the worlds in which they find themselves

worlds in which they find themselves

worlds in which they find themselves like Sir Thomas you have this machine on

like Sir Thomas you have this machine on

like Sir Thomas you have this machine on like Sir Thomas you seem not to know it

like Sir Thomas you seem not to know it

like Sir Thomas you seem not to know it we synthesize happiness but we think

we synthesize happiness but we think

we synthesize happiness but we think happiness is a thing to be found now you

happiness is a thing to be found now you

happiness is a thing to be found now you don't need me to tell you give you too

don't need me to tell you give you too

don't need me to tell you give you too many examples of people synthesizing

many examples of people synthesizing

many examples of people synthesizing happiness I suspect though I'm gonna

happiness I suspect though I'm gonna

happiness I suspect though I'm gonna show you some experimental evidence you

show you some experimental evidence you

show you some experimental evidence you don't have to look very far for evidence

don't have to look very far for evidence

don't have to look very far for evidence I as a challenge to myself since I say

I as a challenge to myself since I say

I as a challenge to myself since I say this once in a while in lectures I took

this once in a while in lectures I took

this once in a while in lectures I took a copy of the New York Times and tried

a copy of the New York Times and tried

a copy of the New York Times and tried to find some instances of people

to find some instances of people

to find some instances of people synthesizing happiness and here are

synthesizing happiness and here are

synthesizing happiness and here are three guys synthesizing happiness I'm so

three guys synthesizing happiness I'm so

three guys synthesizing happiness I'm so much better off physically financially

much better off physically financially

much better off physically financially emotionally in almost every other way

emotionally in almost every other way

emotionally in almost every other way mentally almost every other way and I'm

mentally almost every other way and I'm

mentally almost every other way and I'm a 1 minutes regret it was a glorious

a 1 minutes regret it was a glorious

a 1 minutes regret it was a glorious experience I believe it turned out for

experience I believe it turned out for

experience I believe it turned out for the best who are these characters who

the best who are these characters who

the best who are these characters who are so damn happy well the first one is

are so damn happy well the first one is

are so damn happy well the first one is Jim Wright some of you are old enough to

Jim Wright some of you are old enough to

Jim Wright some of you are old enough to remember he was the chairman of the

remember he was the chairman of the

remember he was the chairman of the House of Representatives and he resigned

House of Representatives and he resigned

House of Representatives and he resigned in disgrace when this young Republican

in disgrace when this young Republican

in disgrace when this young Republican named Newt Gingrich found out about a

named Newt Gingrich found out about a

named Newt Gingrich found out about a shady book deal he had done he lost

shady book deal he had done he lost

shady book deal he had done he lost everything most powerful Democrat in the

everything most powerful Democrat in the

everything most powerful Democrat in the country lost everything lost his money

country lost everything lost his money

country lost everything lost his money lost his power what does he have to say

lost his power what does he have to say

lost his power what does he have to say all these years later about it I am so

all these years later about it I am so

all these years later about it I am so much better off physically financially

much better off physically financially

much better off physically financially mentally in almost every other way what

mentally in almost every other way what

mentally in almost every other way what other way would there be to be better

other way would there be to be better

other way would there be to be better off vegetable e minerally animal e he's

off vegetable e minerally animal e he's

off vegetable e minerally animal e he's pretty much covered in there

pretty much covered in there

pretty much covered in there Maurice victim is somebody you've never

Maurice victim is somebody you've never

Maurice victim is somebody you've never heard of Maurice victim uttered these

heard of Maurice victim uttered these

heard of Maurice victim uttered these words upon being released he was 78

words upon being released he was 78

words upon being released he was 78 years old he'd spent 37 years in

years old he'd spent 37 years in

years old he'd spent 37 years in Louisiana State Penitentiary for a crime

Louisiana State Penitentiary for a crime

Louisiana State Penitentiary for a crime he didn't commit he was ultimately

he didn't commit he was ultimately

he didn't commit he was ultimately exonerated at the age of 78 through DNA

exonerated at the age of 78 through DNA

exonerated at the age of 78 through DNA evidence and what did he have to say

evidence and what did he have to say

evidence and what did he have to say about his experience I don't have one

about his experience I don't have one

about his experience I don't have one minutes regret it was a glorious

minutes regret it was a glorious

minutes regret it was a glorious experience glorious this guy is not

experience glorious this guy is not

experience glorious this guy is not saying why are some nice guys there too

saying why are some nice guys there too

saying why are some nice guys there too Jim its glorious a word we usually

Jim its glorious a word we usually

Jim its glorious a word we usually reserved for something like a religious

reserved for something like a religious

reserved for something like a religious experience Harriet's Langerman uttered

experience Harriet's Langerman uttered

experience Harriet's Langerman uttered these words and he's somebody you might

these words and he's somebody you might

these words and he's somebody you might have known but

have known but

have known but because in 1949 he read a little article

because in 1949 he read a little article

because in 1949 he read a little article in the paper about a hamburger stand

in the paper about a hamburger stand

in the paper about a hamburger stand owned by these two brothers named

owned by these two brothers named

owned by these two brothers named McDonald's and he thought that's a

McDonald's and he thought that's a

McDonald's and he thought that's a really neat idea so he went to find them

really neat idea so he went to find them

really neat idea so he went to find them they said we'd give you a franchise on

they said we'd give you a franchise on

they said we'd give you a franchise on this for three thousand bucks Harry went

this for three thousand bucks Harry went

this for three thousand bucks Harry went back to New York asked his brother who

back to New York asked his brother who

back to New York asked his brother who was an investment banker to loan him the

was an investment banker to loan him the

was an investment banker to loan him the three thousand dollars and his brothers

three thousand dollars and his brothers

three thousand dollars and his brothers and mortal words were you idiot nobody

and mortal words were you idiot nobody

and mortal words were you idiot nobody eats hamburgers he wouldn't land in the

eats hamburgers he wouldn't land in the

eats hamburgers he wouldn't land in the money and of course six months later Ray

money and of course six months later Ray

money and of course six months later Ray Kroc had exactly the same idea it turns

Kroc had exactly the same idea it turns

Kroc had exactly the same idea it turns out people do eat hamburgers and Ray

out people do eat hamburgers and Ray

out people do eat hamburgers and Ray Kroc for a while became the richest man

Kroc for a while became the richest man

Kroc for a while became the richest man in America oh and then finally you know

in America oh and then finally you know

in America oh and then finally you know the best of all possible worlds some of

the best of all possible worlds some of

the best of all possible worlds some of you recognize this young photo of Pete

you recognize this young photo of Pete

you recognize this young photo of Pete best who was the original drummer for

best who was the original drummer for

best who was the original drummer for The Beatles until they you know kind of

The Beatles until they you know kind of

The Beatles until they you know kind of like sent him out on an errand and snuck

like sent him out on an errand and snuck

like sent him out on an errand and snuck away and picked up Ringo on a tour well

away and picked up Ringo on a tour well

away and picked up Ringo on a tour well in 1994 when Pete best was interviewed

in 1994 when Pete best was interviewed

in 1994 when Pete best was interviewed yes he's still a drummer yes he's a

yes he's still a drummer yes he's a

yes he's still a drummer yes he's a studio musician he this to say I'm

studio musician he this to say I'm

studio musician he this to say I'm happier than I would have been with the

happier than I would have been with the

happier than I would have been with the Beatles okay there's something important

Beatles okay there's something important

Beatles okay there's something important to be learned from these people and it

to be learned from these people and it

to be learned from these people and it is the secret of happiness here it is

is the secret of happiness here it is

is the secret of happiness here it is finally to be revealed

finally to be revealed

finally to be revealed first accrue wealth power and prestige

first accrue wealth power and prestige

first accrue wealth power and prestige than losing second spend as much of your

than losing second spend as much of your

than losing second spend as much of your life in prison

life in prison

life in prison as you possibly can third make somebody

as you possibly can third make somebody

as you possibly can third make somebody else really really rich and finally

else really really rich and finally

else really really rich and finally never ever join the Beatles

never ever join the Beatles

never ever join the Beatles okay no I like zefrank can predict your

okay no I like zefrank can predict your

okay no I like zefrank can predict your next thought which is yeah right because

next thought which is yeah right because

next thought which is yeah right because when people synthesize happiness is

when people synthesize happiness is

when people synthesize happiness is these gentlemen seem to have done we all

these gentlemen seem to have done we all

these gentlemen seem to have done we all smile at them but we kind of roll our

smile at them but we kind of roll our

smile at them but we kind of roll our eyes and say yeah right you never really

eyes and say yeah right you never really

eyes and say yeah right you never really wanted the job oh yeah right

wanted the job oh yeah right

wanted the job oh yeah right she you really didn't have that much in

she you really didn't have that much in

she you really didn't have that much in common with her and you figured that out

common with her and you figured that out

common with her and you figured that out just about the time she threw the

just about the time she threw the

just about the time she threw the engagement ring in your face

engagement ring in your face

engagement ring in your face we smirk because we believe that

we smirk because we believe that

we smirk because we believe that synthetic happiness is not of the same

synthetic happiness is not of the same

synthetic happiness is not of the same quality as what we might call natural

quality as what we might call natural

quality as what we might call natural happiness what are these terms natural

happiness what are these terms natural

happiness what are these terms natural happiness is what we get when we get

happiness is what we get when we get

happiness is what we get when we get what we wanted and synthetic happiness

what we wanted and synthetic happiness

what we wanted and synthetic happiness is what we make when we don't get what

is what we make when we don't get what

is what we make when we don't get what we wanted and in our society we have a

we wanted and in our society we have a

we wanted and in our society we have a strong belief that synthetic happiness

strong belief that synthetic happiness

strong belief that synthetic happiness is of an inferior kind why do we have

is of an inferior kind why do we have

is of an inferior kind why do we have that belief well it's very simple what

that belief well it's very simple what

that belief well it's very simple what kind of economic engine would keep

kind of economic engine would keep

kind of economic engine would keep churning if we believe that not getting

churning if we believe that not getting

churning if we believe that not getting what we want could make us just as happy

what we want could make us just as happy

what we want could make us just as happy as getting it with all apologies to my

as getting it with all apologies to my

as getting it with all apologies to my friend matthieu ricard a shopping mall

friend matthieu ricard a shopping mall

friend matthieu ricard a shopping mall full of Zen monks is not going to be

full of Zen monks is not going to be

full of Zen monks is not going to be particularly profitable because they

particularly profitable because they

particularly profitable because they don't want stuff enough I want to

don't want stuff enough I want to

don't want stuff enough I want to suggest to you that synthetic happiness

suggest to you that synthetic happiness

suggest to you that synthetic happiness is every bit as real and enduring as the

is every bit as real and enduring as the

is every bit as real and enduring as the kind of happiness you stumble upon when

kind of happiness you stumble upon when

kind of happiness you stumble upon when you get exactly what you were aiming for

you get exactly what you were aiming for

you get exactly what you were aiming for now in a scientist so I'm gonna do this

now in a scientist so I'm gonna do this

now in a scientist so I'm gonna do this not with a rhetoric but by marinating

not with a rhetoric but by marinating

not with a rhetoric but by marinating you in a little bit of data let me first

you in a little bit of data let me first

you in a little bit of data let me first show you an experimental paradigm that

show you an experimental paradigm that

show you an experimental paradigm that is used to demonstrate the synthesis of

is used to demonstrate the synthesis of

is used to demonstrate the synthesis of happiness among regular old folks and

happiness among regular old folks and

happiness among regular old folks and this isn't mine there's a 50 year old

this isn't mine there's a 50 year old

this isn't mine there's a 50 year old paradigm called the free choice paradigm

paradigm called the free choice paradigm

paradigm called the free choice paradigm it's very simple you bring in say six

it's very simple you bring in say six

it's very simple you bring in say six objects and you ask a subject to rank

objects and you ask a subject to rank

objects and you ask a subject to rank them for the most of the least liked in

them for the most of the least liked in

them for the most of the least liked in this case because the experiment I'm

this case because the experiment I'm

this case because the experiment I'm going to tell you about uses them

going to tell you about uses them

going to tell you about uses them these are Monet prints so everybody can

these are Monet prints so everybody can

these are Monet prints so everybody can rank these Monet prints from the one

rank these Monet prints from the one

rank these Monet prints from the one they liked the most to the one they

they liked the most to the one they

they liked the most to the one they liked the least now we give you a choice

liked the least now we give you a choice

liked the least now we give you a choice we happen to have some extra prints in

we happen to have some extra prints in

we happen to have some extra prints in the closet we're gonna give you one as

the closet we're gonna give you one as

the closet we're gonna give you one as your prize to take home we happen to

your prize to take home we happen to

your prize to take home we happen to have number three and number four we

have number three and number four we

have number three and number four we tell the subject there's a bit of a

tell the subject there's a bit of a

tell the subject there's a bit of a difficult choice because neither one is

difficult choice because neither one is

difficult choice because neither one is preferred strongly to the

preferred strongly to the

preferred strongly to the there but naturally people tend to pick

there but naturally people tend to pick

there but naturally people tend to pick number three because they liked it a

number three because they liked it a

number three because they liked it a little better than number four sometime

little better than number four sometime

little better than number four sometime later it could be 15 minutes it could be

later it could be 15 minutes it could be

later it could be 15 minutes it could be 15 days the same stimuli or put before

15 days the same stimuli or put before

15 days the same stimuli or put before the subject and the subject is asked to

the subject and the subject is asked to

the subject and the subject is asked to rewrite the stimuli

rewrite the stimuli

rewrite the stimuli tell us how much you like them now what

tell us how much you like them now what

tell us how much you like them now what happens watch as happiness is

happens watch as happiness is

happens watch as happiness is synthesized this is the result that has

synthesized this is the result that has

synthesized this is the result that has been replicated over and over again

been replicated over and over again

been replicated over and over again you're watching happiness be synthesized

you're watching happiness be synthesized

you're watching happiness be synthesized would you like to see it again happiness

would you like to see it again happiness

would you like to see it again happiness the one I got is really better than I

the one I got is really better than I

the one I got is really better than I thought that other one I didn't get

thought that other one I didn't get

thought that other one I didn't get sucks

sucks

sucks that's the synthesis of happiness now

that's the synthesis of happiness now

that's the synthesis of happiness now what's the right response to that yeah

what's the right response to that yeah

what's the right response to that yeah right now here's the experiment we did

right now here's the experiment we did

right now here's the experiment we did and I hope this is gonna convince you

and I hope this is gonna convince you

and I hope this is gonna convince you that yeah right was not the right

that yeah right was not the right

that yeah right was not the right response we did this experiment with a

response we did this experiment with a

response we did this experiment with a group of patients who had antara grade

group of patients who had antara grade

group of patients who had antara grade amnesia these are hospitalized patients

amnesia these are hospitalized patients

amnesia these are hospitalized patients most of them have korsakoff's syndrome

most of them have korsakoff's syndrome

most of them have korsakoff's syndrome Paulina attic psychosis that they they

Paulina attic psychosis that they they

Paulina attic psychosis that they they drank way too much and they can't make

drank way too much and they can't make

drank way too much and they can't make new memories okay they remember their

new memories okay they remember their

new memories okay they remember their childhood but if you walk in and

childhood but if you walk in and

childhood but if you walk in and introduce yourself and then leave the

introduce yourself and then leave the

introduce yourself and then leave the room when you come back they don't know

room when you come back they don't know

room when you come back they don't know who you are

who you are

who you are we took our Monet prints to the hospital

we took our Monet prints to the hospital

we took our Monet prints to the hospital and we asked these patients to rank them

and we asked these patients to rank them

and we asked these patients to rank them from the one they liked the most to the

from the one they liked the most to the

from the one they liked the most to the one they liked the least we then gave

one they liked the least we then gave

one they liked the least we then gave them the choice between number three and

them the choice between number three and

them the choice between number three and number four like everybody else they

number four like everybody else they

number four like everybody else they said gee thanks doc that's great I can

said gee thanks doc that's great I can

said gee thanks doc that's great I can use a new print I'll take number three

use a new print I'll take number three

use a new print I'll take number three we explained we would have number three

we explained we would have number three

we explained we would have number three mailed to them we gathered up our

mailed to them we gathered up our

mailed to them we gathered up our materials and we went out of the room

materials and we went out of the room

materials and we went out of the room and counted to a half-hour back into the

and counted to a half-hour back into the

and counted to a half-hour back into the room we say hi we're back the patients

room we say hi we're back the patients

room we say hi we're back the patients bless them say doc I'm sorry I kind of

bless them say doc I'm sorry I kind of

bless them say doc I'm sorry I kind of memory problems one here if I've met you

memory problems one here if I've met you

memory problems one here if I've met you before I don't remember really Jim you

before I don't remember really Jim you

before I don't remember really Jim you don't remember I was just here with the

don't remember I was just here with the

don't remember I was just here with the Monet prints sorry doc I just don't have

Monet prints sorry doc I just don't have

Monet prints sorry doc I just don't have a clue no problem Jim all I want you to

a clue no problem Jim all I want you to

a clue no problem Jim all I want you to do is rank these for me from the one you

do is rank these for me from the one you

do is rank these for me from the one you like the most to the one you like the

like the most to the one you like the

like the most to the one you like the least

least

least what do they do well let's first check

what do they do well let's first check

what do they do well let's first check and make sure they're really amnesiac we

and make sure they're really amnesiac we

and make sure they're really amnesiac we ask these amnesiac patients to tell us

ask these amnesiac patients to tell us

ask these amnesiac patients to tell us which one they own which one they chose

which one they own which one they chose

which one they own which one they chose which one is theirs and what we find is

which one is theirs and what we find is

which one is theirs and what we find is have music patience just guess these are

have music patience just guess these are

have music patience just guess these are normal controls with I did this with you

normal controls with I did this with you

normal controls with I did this with you all of you would know which print you

all of you would know which print you

all of you would know which print you chose but if I do this with amnesia

chose but if I do this with amnesia

chose but if I do this with amnesia patients they don't have a clue they

patients they don't have a clue they

patients they don't have a clue they can't pick their print out of a lineup

can't pick their print out of a lineup

can't pick their print out of a lineup here's what normal controls do they

here's what normal controls do they

here's what normal controls do they synthesize happiness right this is the

synthesize happiness right this is the

synthesize happiness right this is the change in liking score the change for

change in liking score the change for

change in liking score the change for the first time they ranked - the second

the first time they ranked - the second

the first time they ranked - the second time they're ranked normal controls show

time they're ranked normal controls show

time they're ranked normal controls show that was the magic I showed you now I'm

that was the magic I showed you now I'm

that was the magic I showed you now I'm showing it to you in graphical form the

showing it to you in graphical form the

showing it to you in graphical form the one I own is better than I thought the

one I own is better than I thought the

one I own is better than I thought the one I didn't own the one I left behind

one I didn't own the one I left behind

one I didn't own the one I left behind is not as good as I thought and Nix do

is not as good as I thought and Nix do

is not as good as I thought and Nix do exactly the same thing think about this

exactly the same thing think about this

exactly the same thing think about this result these people liked better the one

result these people liked better the one

result these people liked better the one they own but they don't know they own it

they own but they don't know they own it

they own but they don't know they own it Yeah right

Yeah right

Yeah right is not the right response what these

is not the right response what these

is not the right response what these people did when they synthesized

people did when they synthesized

people did when they synthesized happiness is they really truly change

happiness is they really truly change

happiness is they really truly change their affective hedonic aesthetic

their affective hedonic aesthetic

their affective hedonic aesthetic reactions to that poster they're not

reactions to that poster they're not

reactions to that poster they're not just singing it because they own it

just singing it because they own it

just singing it because they own it because they don't know they own it now

because they don't know they own it now

because they don't know they own it now when psychologists show you bars you

when psychologists show you bars you

when psychologists show you bars you know that they are showing you averages

know that they are showing you averages

know that they are showing you averages of lots of people and yet all of us have

of lots of people and yet all of us have

of lots of people and yet all of us have this psychological immune system this

this psychological immune system this

this psychological immune system this capacity to synthesize happiness but

capacity to synthesize happiness but

capacity to synthesize happiness but some of us do this trick better than

some of us do this trick better than

some of us do this trick better than others and some situations allow anybody

others and some situations allow anybody

others and some situations allow anybody to do it more effectively than other

to do it more effectively than other

to do it more effectively than other situations do it turns out that freedom

situations do it turns out that freedom

situations do it turns out that freedom the ability to make up your mind and

the ability to make up your mind and

the ability to make up your mind and change your mind is the friend of

change your mind is the friend of

change your mind is the friend of natural happiness because it allows you

natural happiness because it allows you

natural happiness because it allows you to choose among all those delicious

to choose among all those delicious

to choose among all those delicious futures that and find the one that you

futures that and find the one that you

futures that and find the one that you would most enjoy but freedom to choose

would most enjoy but freedom to choose

would most enjoy but freedom to choose to change and make up your mind is the

to change and make up your mind is the

to change and make up your mind is the enemy of synthetic happiness and I'm

enemy of synthetic happiness and I'm

enemy of synthetic happiness and I'm gonna show you why

gonna show you why

gonna show you why Dilbert already knows of course you're

Dilbert already knows of course you're

Dilbert already knows of course you're reading the cartoon as I'm talking

reading the cartoon as I'm talking

reading the cartoon as I'm talking dogbert's tech-support how come eh I

dogbert's tech-support how come eh I

dogbert's tech-support how come eh I abuse you my printer prints a blank page

abuse you my printer prints a blank page

abuse you my printer prints a blank page after every document why would you

after every document why would you

after every document why would you complain about getting free paper freeze

complain about getting free paper freeze

complain about getting free paper freeze the other users giving my own paper egad

the other users giving my own paper egad

the other users giving my own paper egad man look at the quality of the free

man look at the quality of the free

man look at the quality of the free paper compared to your lousy

paper compared to your lousy

paper compared to your lousy regular paper only fool or a liar would

regular paper only fool or a liar would

regular paper only fool or a liar would say that they look the same now that you

say that they look the same now that you

say that they look the same now that you mention it it does seem a little silkier

mention it it does seem a little silkier

mention it it does seem a little silkier what are you doing I'm helping people

what are you doing I'm helping people

what are you doing I'm helping people accept the things they cannot change

accept the things they cannot change

accept the things they cannot change indeed the psychological immune system

indeed the psychological immune system

indeed the psychological immune system works best when we are totally stuck

works best when we are totally stuck

works best when we are totally stuck when we are trapped this is this is the

when we are trapped this is this is the

when we are trapped this is this is the difference from dating in marriage right

difference from dating in marriage right

difference from dating in marriage right I mean you go out on a date with a guy

I mean you go out on a date with a guy

I mean you go out on a date with a guy and he picks his nose you don't go out

and he picks his nose you don't go out

and he picks his nose you don't go out on another date you're married to a guy

on another date you're married to a guy

on another date you're married to a guy and he picks his nose you know he has a

and he picks his nose you know he has a

and he picks his nose you know he has a heart of gold don't touch the fruitcake

heart of gold don't touch the fruitcake

heart of gold don't touch the fruitcake right you find a way to be happy with

right you find a way to be happy with

right you find a way to be happy with what's happened now what I want to show

what's happened now what I want to show

what's happened now what I want to show you is that people don't know this about

you is that people don't know this about

you is that people don't know this about themselves and not knowing this can work

themselves and not knowing this can work

themselves and not knowing this can work to our supreme disadvantage here's an

to our supreme disadvantage here's an

to our supreme disadvantage here's an experiment we did it Harvard we created

experiment we did it Harvard we created

experiment we did it Harvard we created a photography course a black-and-white

a photography course a black-and-white

a photography course a black-and-white photography course and we allowed

photography course and we allowed

photography course and we allowed students to come in and learn how to use

students to come in and learn how to use

students to come in and learn how to use a darkroom so we gave them cameras they

a darkroom so we gave them cameras they

a darkroom so we gave them cameras they went around campus they took 12 pictures

went around campus they took 12 pictures

went around campus they took 12 pictures of their favorite professors in their

of their favorite professors in their

of their favorite professors in their dorm room and their you know their dog

dorm room and their you know their dog

dorm room and their you know their dog and all the other things they wanted to

and all the other things they wanted to

and all the other things they wanted to have Harvard memories of they bring us

have Harvard memories of they bring us

have Harvard memories of they bring us the camera we make up a contact sheet

the camera we make up a contact sheet

the camera we make up a contact sheet they figure out which are the two best

they figure out which are the two best

they figure out which are the two best pictures and we now spend six hours

pictures and we now spend six hours

pictures and we now spend six hours teaching them about dark rooms and they

teaching them about dark rooms and they

teaching them about dark rooms and they blow two of them up and they have two

blow two of them up and they have two

blow two of them up and they have two gorgeous eight-by-ten glossies of

gorgeous eight-by-ten glossies of

gorgeous eight-by-ten glossies of meaningful things to them and we say

meaningful things to them and we say

meaningful things to them and we say which one would you like to give up I

which one would you like to give up I

which one would you like to give up I have to give one up oh yes we need one

have to give one up oh yes we need one

have to give one up oh yes we need one is evidence of the class project so you

is evidence of the class project so you

is evidence of the class project so you have to give me one you have to make a

have to give me one you have to make a

have to give me one you have to make a choice you get to keep one and I get to

choice you get to keep one and I get to

choice you get to keep one and I get to keep one now there are two conditions in

keep one now there are two conditions in

keep one now there are two conditions in this experiment in one case the students

this experiment in one case the students

this experiment in one case the students are told but you know if you want to

are told but you know if you want to

are told but you know if you want to change your mind I'll always have the

change your mind I'll always have the

change your mind I'll always have the other one here and in the next four days

other one here and in the next four days

other one here and in the next four days before I actually mail it to

before I actually mail it to

before I actually mail it to headquarters I'd be glad to headquarters

headquarters I'd be glad to headquarters

headquarters I'd be glad to headquarters I'll be glad to swap it out with you in

I'll be glad to swap it out with you in

I'll be glad to swap it out with you in fact I'll come to your dorm room and

fact I'll come to your dorm room and

fact I'll come to your dorm room and give just give me an email better yet

give just give me an email better yet

give just give me an email better yet I'll check with you you ever want to

I'll check with you you ever want to

I'll check with you you ever want to change your mind it's totally returnable

change your mind it's totally returnable

change your mind it's totally returnable the other half of the students are told

the other half of the students are told

the other half of the students are told exactly the opposite make your choice

exactly the opposite make your choice

exactly the opposite make your choice and by the way the mail is going out

and by the way the mail is going out

and by the way the mail is going out gosh in two minutes to England your

gosh in two minutes to England your

gosh in two minutes to England your picture will be winging its way over the

picture will be winging its way over the

picture will be winging its way over the Atlantic you will never see it again

Atlantic you will never see it again

Atlantic you will never see it again now half of the students in each of

now half of the students in each of

now half of the students in each of these conditions are asked to make

these conditions are asked to make

these conditions are asked to make predictions about how much they're going

predictions about how much they're going

predictions about how much they're going to come to

to come to

to come to the picture that they keep in the

the picture that they keep in the

the picture that they keep in the picture they leave behind other students

picture they leave behind other students

picture they leave behind other students are just sent back to their little dorm

are just sent back to their little dorm

are just sent back to their little dorm rooms and they are measured over the

rooms and they are measured over the

rooms and they are measured over the next 6 to 3 to 6 days on their liking

next 6 to 3 to 6 days on their liking

next 6 to 3 to 6 days on their liking satisfaction with the pictures and look

satisfaction with the pictures and look

satisfaction with the pictures and look at what we find first of all here's what

at what we find first of all here's what

at what we find first of all here's what students think is going to happen they

students think is going to happen they

students think is going to happen they think they're gonna maybe come to like

think they're gonna maybe come to like

think they're gonna maybe come to like the picture they chose a little more

the picture they chose a little more

the picture they chose a little more than the one they left behind but these

than the one they left behind but these

than the one they left behind but these are not statistically significant

are not statistically significant

are not statistically significant differences it really it's this very

differences it really it's this very

differences it really it's this very small increase and it doesn't much

small increase and it doesn't much

small increase and it doesn't much matter whether they were in the

matter whether they were in the

matter whether they were in the reversible or irreversible condition

reversible or irreversible condition

reversible or irreversible condition wrong Oh bad simulators because here's

wrong Oh bad simulators because here's

wrong Oh bad simulators because here's what's really happening both right

what's really happening both right

what's really happening both right before the swap and five days later

before the swap and five days later

before the swap and five days later people who are stuck with that picture

people who are stuck with that picture

people who are stuck with that picture who have no choice who can never change

who have no choice who can never change

who have no choice who can never change their mind liked it a lot and people who

their mind liked it a lot and people who

their mind liked it a lot and people who are deliberating should I return it have

are deliberating should I return it have

are deliberating should I return it have I gotten the right one maybe this isn't

I gotten the right one maybe this isn't

I gotten the right one maybe this isn't the good one maybe I left the good one

the good one maybe I left the good one

the good one maybe I left the good one have killed themselves they don't like

have killed themselves they don't like

have killed themselves they don't like their picture and in fact even after the

their picture and in fact even after the

their picture and in fact even after the opportunity to swap has expired they

opportunity to swap has expired they

opportunity to swap has expired they still don't like their picture why

still don't like their picture why

still don't like their picture why because the irreversible condition is

because the irreversible condition is

because the irreversible condition is not conducive to the synthesis of

not conducive to the synthesis of

not conducive to the synthesis of happiness so here's the final piece of

happiness so here's the final piece of

happiness so here's the final piece of this experiment we bring in a whole new

this experiment we bring in a whole new

this experiment we bring in a whole new group of naive Harvard students and we

group of naive Harvard students and we

group of naive Harvard students and we say you know we're doing a photography

say you know we're doing a photography

say you know we're doing a photography course and we can do it one of two ways

course and we can do it one of two ways

course and we can do it one of two ways we could do it so that when you take the

we could do it so that when you take the

we could do it so that when you take the two pictures you'd have four days to

two pictures you'd have four days to

two pictures you'd have four days to change your mind oh we're doing another

change your mind oh we're doing another

change your mind oh we're doing another course where you take the two pictures

course where you take the two pictures

course where you take the two pictures and you make up your mind right away and

and you make up your mind right away and

and you make up your mind right away and you can never change it which course

you can never change it which course

you can never change it which course would you like to be in sixty-six

would you like to be in sixty-six

would you like to be in sixty-six percent of the students two-thirds

percent of the students two-thirds

percent of the students two-thirds prefer to be in the course where they

prefer to be in the course where they

prefer to be in the course where they have the opportunity to change their

have the opportunity to change their

have the opportunity to change their mind hello sixty-six percent of the

mind hello sixty-six percent of the

mind hello sixty-six percent of the students choose to be in the course in

students choose to be in the course in

students choose to be in the course in which they will ultimately be deeply

which they will ultimately be deeply

which they will ultimately be deeply dissatisfied with the picture because

dissatisfied with the picture because

dissatisfied with the picture because they do not know the conditions under

they do not know the conditions under

they do not know the conditions under which synthetic happiness grows the Bard

which synthetic happiness grows the Bard

which synthetic happiness grows the Bard said everything best of course and he's

said everything best of course and he's

said everything best of course and he's making my point here but he's making it

making my point here but he's making it

making my point here but he's making it hyperbolically it is nothing good or bad

hyperbolically it is nothing good or bad

hyperbolically it is nothing good or bad but thinking makes it so

but thinking makes it so

but thinking makes it so it's nice poetry but that can't exist

it's nice poetry but that can't exist

it's nice poetry but that can't exist we be right is there really nothing good

we be right is there really nothing good

we be right is there really nothing good or bad is it really the case that

or bad is it really the case that

or bad is it really the case that gallbladder surgery and a trip to Paris

gallbladder surgery and a trip to Paris

gallbladder surgery and a trip to Paris are just the same thing yeah there that

are just the same thing yeah there that

are just the same thing yeah there that seems like a one-question IQ test

seems like a one-question IQ test

seems like a one-question IQ test they can't be exactly the same in more

they can't be exactly the same in more

they can't be exactly the same in more turgid pros but closer to the truth was

turgid pros but closer to the truth was

turgid pros but closer to the truth was the father of modern capitalism Adam

the father of modern capitalism Adam

the father of modern capitalism Adam Smith and he said this this is worth

Smith and he said this this is worth

Smith and he said this this is worth contemplating the great source of both

contemplating the great source of both

contemplating the great source of both the misery and disorders of human life

the misery and disorders of human life

the misery and disorders of human life seems to arise from overrating the

seems to arise from overrating the

seems to arise from overrating the difference between one permanent

difference between one permanent

difference between one permanent situation and another some of these

situation and another some of these

situation and another some of these situations may no doubt deserve to be

situations may no doubt deserve to be

situations may no doubt deserve to be preferred to others but none of them can

preferred to others but none of them can

preferred to others but none of them can be desert none of them can deserve to be

be desert none of them can deserve to be

be desert none of them can deserve to be pursued with that passionate ardor which

pursued with that passionate ardor which

pursued with that passionate ardor which drives us to violate the rules either of

drives us to violate the rules either of

drives us to violate the rules either of prudence or of justice or to corrupt the

prudence or of justice or to corrupt the

prudence or of justice or to corrupt the future tranquillity of our minds either

future tranquillity of our minds either

future tranquillity of our minds either by shame from the remembrance of our own

by shame from the remembrance of our own

by shame from the remembrance of our own folly or by remorse for the horror of

folly or by remorse for the horror of

folly or by remorse for the horror of our own injustice in other words yes

our own injustice in other words yes

our own injustice in other words yes some things are better than others we

some things are better than others we

some things are better than others we should have preferences that lead us

should have preferences that lead us

should have preferences that lead us into one future over another but when

into one future over another but when

into one future over another but when those preferences drive us too hard and

those preferences drive us too hard and

those preferences drive us too hard and too fast because we have overrated the

too fast because we have overrated the

too fast because we have overrated the difference between these futures we are

difference between these futures we are

difference between these futures we are at risk when our ambition is bounded it

at risk when our ambition is bounded it

at risk when our ambition is bounded it leads us to work joyfully when our

leads us to work joyfully when our

leads us to work joyfully when our ambition is unbounded it leads us to lie

ambition is unbounded it leads us to lie

ambition is unbounded it leads us to lie to cheat to steal to hurt others to

to cheat to steal to hurt others to

to cheat to steal to hurt others to sacrifice things of real value when our

sacrifice things of real value when our

sacrifice things of real value when our fears are bounded we're prudent we're

fears are bounded we're prudent we're

fears are bounded we're prudent we're cautious

cautious

cautious we're thoughtful when our fears are

we're thoughtful when our fears are

we're thoughtful when our fears are unbounded and overblown we're reckless

unbounded and overblown we're reckless

unbounded and overblown we're reckless and we're cowardly the lesson I want to

and we're cowardly the lesson I want to

and we're cowardly the lesson I want to leave you with from these data is that

leave you with from these data is that

leave you with from these data is that our longings and our worries are both to

our longings and our worries are both to

our longings and our worries are both to some degree overblown because we have

some degree overblown because we have

some degree overblown because we have within us the capacity to manufacture

within us the capacity to manufacture

within us the capacity to manufacture the very commodity we are constantly

the very commodity we are constantly

the very commodity we are constantly chasing when we choose experience thank

chasing when we choose experience thank

chasing when we choose experience thank you

you

you you