14 October 2009

Life lessons from an ad man: Rory Sutherland on TED.com

Advertising adds value to a product by changing our perception, rather than the product itself. Rory Sutherland makes the daring assertion that a change in perceived value can be just as satisfying as what we consider “real” value -- and his conclusion has interesting consequences for how we look at life. (Recorded at TEDGlobal, July 2009, Oxford, UK. Duration: 16:39)

Twitter URL: http://on.ted.com/40

Watch Rory Sutherland's talk on TED.com, where you can download this TEDTalk, rate it, comment on it and find other talks and performances from our archive of 500+ TEDTalks.

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17 December 2008

Choosing and buying happiness

There's a fascinating conversation going on right now around Dan Gilbert's latest TEDTalk, "Exploring the frontiers of happiness," posted yesterday. In the talk, Gilbert goes into detail on his research into choice, satisfaction and happiness. Several commenters are suggesting the headline is inaccurate, because the talk isn't about happiness, per se, as much as about decisions. TED.com member Eliezer Israel calls it "a cogent exploration of rational decision-making." What do you think -- how are choice and happiness connected?

If you'd like to think further on this, check out today's talk, about the absurd endgame of humanity's search for happiness at any cost: Benjamin Wallace's "Does happiness have a price tag?" In the name of pure research, Wallace looks for the most expensive things in the world and tries them out. I think his small questions -- Does he really look sexier in $800 jeans? Would you let your dog sleep on a $40,000 mattress? -- lead to the same big questions that Dan Gilbert asks.

Posted by Emily McManus | Permalink

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17 December 2008

Does happiness have a price tag? Benjamin Wallace on TED.com

From Taste3 2008: Can happiness be bought? To find out, author Benjamin Wallace sampled the world's most expensive products, including a bottle of 1947 Chateau Cheval Blanc, 8 ounces of Kobe beef and the notorious Kopi Luwak coffee. His critique may surprise you. (Recorded July 2008 in Napa, California. Duration: 14:40.)

Watch Benjamin Wallace's talk from Taste3 on TED.com, where you can download this TEDTalk, rate it, comment on it and find other talks and performances from our archive of 350+ TEDTalks -- including more talks about happiness.

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23 October 2008

Creativity, fulfillment and flow: Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi on TED.com

Social theorist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi asks, "What makes a life worth living?" Noting that money cannot make us happy, he looks to those who find pleasure and lasting satisfaction in activities that bring about a state of "flow." (Recorded February 2004 in Monterey, California. Duration: 18:55.)

Watch Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi's 2004 talk on TED.com, where you can download this TEDTalk, rate it, comment on it and find other talks and performances from our archive of 300+ TEDTalks -- including more talks on happiness.

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27 June 2008

Matthieu Ricard's new humanitarian site: Karuna-Shechen

The "happiest man in the world," Matthieu Ricard balances his Buddhist contemplation of happiness (watch his TEDTalk on the habits of happiness) with an active life as a humanitarian in the Himalayas. Learn more about his projects -- and get involved -- at the new website for his Karuna-Shechen foundation. Karuna-Shechen brings medical help and education to people in Tibet, Nepal, India and Bhutan.

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Posted by Emily McManus | Permalink

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01 November 2007

Habits of happiness: Matthieu Ricard on TED.com

What is happiness, and how can we all get some? Buddhist monk, photographer and author Matthieu Ricard has devoted his life to these questions, and his answer is influenced by his faith as well as by his scientific turn of mind: We can train our minds in habits of happiness. Interwoven with his talk are stunning photographs of the Himalayas and of his spiritual community. (Recorded February 2004 in Monterey, California. Duration: 21:06.)

Watch Matthieu Ricard's talk on TED.com, where you can download it, rate it, comment on it and find other talks and performances.

Read more about Matthieu Ricard on TED.com.

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