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Just in case someone misses this - this is circa 2005.

by ivenkys 16y ago

gaius 16y ago
The rules haven't changed since 2005 BC. 'Cept they didn't have phones or TVs then.
- ivenkys 16y ago
  I was attempting to be snarky - and not being very good at it - this whole idea of having rules for happiness sounds very cargo cult to me and of course the whole definition of happiness is extremely nebulous.
  - gaius 16y ago
    Well, we're all human. Relating to people and doing exercise make us happy because we're programmed that way.
  - crazydiamond 16y ago
    1. I'd take these more as guidelines or suggestions, then. No harm in trying. 2. I totally agree that there's no standard definition to happiness, but is unhappiness not sort of universal -- i mean pretty standard. Call it unhappiness, dis-ease, or malaise, not feeling good, feeling out of sorts/low -- that kind of thing. Some of these points certainly do help in making someone feel a lot less of these things. I find spreading good cheer - smiling and befriending new people really makes me feel much "happier", and these do not have to be strong/lasting relationships. Showing affection to _animals_ really helps too. I have lots of stray dogs in my area, and i try to befriend them, some really respond lovingly, almost humanly. Doing what i enjoy doing, hobbies is another suggestion. Finally, I'd like to suggest some _meditation_. Keeping quiet, being internally silent for a while -- could be while sitting, lying, or walking in the park. Distancing myself from the constant din of thoughts and emotions and playback of the past. Cheers!
Tichy 16y ago
Any idea if it is online somewhere? The actual show, I mean? Also, how did it pan out, did they achieve greater happiness for that village? I liked their "seeding" approach.
- gjm11 16y ago
  According to http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/health/features/article588739.ece http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/health/featu... and http://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2005/12_december/05/slough.shtml http://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2005/... the people directly involved reported being happier, by more than the experimenters expected. There's no information there about (1) whether the happiness gains lasted or (2) whether they had any effect on other people. Slough's population is ~120k, so I'd be surprised if any "seeding" effect produced measurable results on the population as a whole. I don't see any sign that the BBC has either put the episodes online or offered them for sale.
- eliot_sykes 16y ago
  I read, not sure where now, that the author of this book goes back to Slough a few years later to see if it has had a lasting impact: http://www.amazon.com/Geography-Bliss-Grumps-Search-Happiest/dp/0446580260 http://www.amazon.com/Geography-Bliss-Grumps-Search-Happiest...

Just in case someone misses this - this is circa 2005.

by ivenkys 16y ago

Just in case someone misses this - this is circa 2005.

gaius 16y ago

The rules haven't changed since 2005 BC. 'Cept they didn't have phones or TVs then.

ivenkys 16y ago
I was attempting to be snarky - and not being very good at it - this whole idea of having rules for happiness sounds very cargo cult to me and of course the whole definition of happiness is extremely nebulous.
- gaius 16y ago
  Well, we're all human. Relating to people and doing exercise make us happy because we're programmed that way.
- crazydiamond 16y ago
  1. I'd take these more as guidelines or suggestions, then. No harm in trying. 2. I totally agree that there's no standard definition to happiness, but is unhappiness not sort of universal -- i mean pretty standard. Call it unhappiness, dis-ease, or malaise, not feeling good, feeling out of sorts/low -- that kind of thing. Some of these points certainly do help in making someone feel a lot less of these things. I find spreading good cheer - smiling and befriending new people really makes me feel much "happier", and these do not have to be strong/lasting relationships. Showing affection to _animals_ really helps too. I have lots of stray dogs in my area, and i try to befriend them, some really respond lovingly, almost humanly. Doing what i enjoy doing, hobbies is another suggestion. Finally, I'd like to suggest some _meditation_. Keeping quiet, being internally silent for a while -- could be while sitting, lying, or walking in the park. Distancing myself from the constant din of thoughts and emotions and playback of the past. Cheers!

Tichy 16y ago

Any idea if it is online somewhere? The actual show, I mean? Also, how did it pan out, did they achieve greater happiness for that village? I liked their "seeding" approach.

gjm11 16y ago
According to http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/health/features/article588739.ece http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/health/featu... and http://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2005/12_december/05/slough.shtml http://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2005/... the people directly involved reported being happier, by more than the experimenters expected. There's no information there about (1) whether the happiness gains lasted or (2) whether they had any effect on other people. Slough's population is ~120k, so I'd be surprised if any "seeding" effect produced measurable results on the population as a whole. I don't see any sign that the BBC has either put the episodes online or offered them for sale.
eliot_sykes 16y ago
I read, not sure where now, that the author of this book goes back to Slough a few years later to see if it has had a lasting impact: http://www.amazon.com/Geography-Bliss-Grumps-Search-Happiest/dp/0446580260 http://www.amazon.com/Geography-Bliss-Grumps-Search-Happiest...