Nic Marks: The Happy Planet Index

www.ted.com Statistician Nic Marks asks why we measure a nation's success by its productivity -- instead of by the happiness and well-being of its people. He introduces the Happy Planet Index, which tracks national well-being against resource use (because a happy life doesn't have to cost the earth). Which countries rank highest in the HPI? You might be surprised.
TEDTalks is a daily video podcast of the best talks and performances from the TED Conference, where the world's leading thinkers and doers give the talk of their lives in 18 minutes. Featured speakers have included Al Gore on climate change, Philippe Starck on design, Jill Bolte Taylor on observing her own stroke, Nicholas Negroponte on One Laptop per Child, Jane Goodall on chimpanzees, Bill Gates on malaria and mosquitoes, Pattie Maes on the "Sixth Sense" wearable tech, and "Lost" producer JJ Abrams on the allure of mystery. TED stands for Technology, Entertainment, Design, and TEDTalks cover these topics as well as science, business, development and the arts. Closed captions and translated subtitles in a variety of languages are now available on TED.com, at www.ted.com/tra.... Watch a highlight reel of the Top 10 TEDTalks at www.ted.com/ind...

[@adrijamukherjee8147]

10:33, "without an apocalyptic something happening". Corona virus: hold my beer

[@CollinRenaud]

For anyone at NEIT skip to 13:24 for the 5 ingredients to happiness. You're welcome.

[@litpotat5601]

Thanks homie

[@taebak5237]

First online geo class of term 2 and I’m assigned this~

[@kylepetrovic1296]

same lmaoooooo

[@onesy1]

I would have been on my feet for the applause at the end, wow. These are the values that underpin all of humanity, we all need to carry them with us every day of our lives and encourage them in everyone that we meet through what we do and say. Thanks for this great talk, it couldn't have been put better

[@slamdunktiger]

the five tips recommended here are: 1) connect = social relationships! invest the time and energy 2) be active = contributes hugely to a positive mood 3) take notice = be mindful 4) keep learning = curiosity-based, from simple to big things 5) give!

[@PHNM_MNC]

Thanks

[@gabriellaarchive]

I can't believe this didn't get more attention. I watched this today and absolutely loved it! so interesting and the website for it is filled with so much information and is so well done 🙌🏽

[@wadegoodwin6773]

Wow, what a refreshing approach to economics Nic. Thank you so very much for this talk, I shall indeed visit your website for more information. Wade Goodwin, The FAIR Digest, South Africa

[@briansmobile1]

I Love this concept. Happyness comes from emotional awareness. Specifically it comes from thinking in positive terms like he said at the begining. It also comes from reducing drama by reducing assumptions and by being aware instead of taking things personally. Aside from that- always do your best. And that can vary in performance measures, but whatever your best is. Do it.

[@extendetBG]

The best speech i'v heard in weeks! Great inspiration! :) Good work.

[@websnarf]

It does not surprise me one little bit that Costa Ricans are so happy. I have visited there for an extended vacation and those people are the most laid back, yet reasonably economically successful people in the world. (I was not able to study *why* this is the case, I only saw the end product.)

[@노란색국화-j5b]

충주 대원고 1학년을 위한 매일 해야하는 5가지 행동 요약본 1. 너의 인생에서 가장 중요한 사회관계를 지속시켜라 2. 활동적으로 살아라 3. 주변에 주의를 기울어라 4. 항상 배워라 5. 자신이 가진것을 베풀어라 이렇게 쓰면 된다 도움 됬으면 좋아요 눌러줘

[@릴파700]

개추

[@emersome1]

This is excellent - thx Nic! Need more hope for our future and agree that this idea is the direction that gives us that hope.

[@이나경-w9d]

5:25 - 9:58, 12:10 - 12:54, 13:08 - 15:32

[@sinanozer1653]

I live in Bodrum Turkey and it is the best place to live in on the entire planet !

[@JaredWarrenGardner]

@themindminder haha, It would be nice if there was a online picture etc. so you could use as a screen saver :) I love how he giggles when he presents the postcard, haha like he had someone suggest a postcard and just went along with it... lol!

[@ThePremier28]

Hello people from my geo lesson rn

[@TheAlexHMusic]

I think that the production of a village, nation or even the world is proportional to happiness, but there are other factors which help to increase happiness. What Nic is talking about is the fact that materialism is ruling our lives, and this constant need for money and equating money with happiness is causing Humanity to push a self-destruct button. Looking past this need for money, might increase literacy, numeracy, social skills and many other factors, Instead focusing on money and war.

[@thebermudaI]

This was refreshing. I don't understand why so many people are disagreeing with it...

[@4BWVan]

This is great. It blows apart the false paradigm that we either have to punish ourselves to live here past 50 years (most environmentalism) or we have to punish the planet to be happy now (mindless consumption/capitalism). I have long though neither is true and Nic has confirmed we can do better than either of those scenarios.

[@CetraTJ]

Thanks Tedtalks, your video are kickass!

[@Utsusemi]

"Happiness is a lot to ask for." is what somb0dee told me when I said I want happiness, 2 years ago.

[@fatenfarrayeh6270]

what a good preacher, it's very good ideas in it. thank you so much

[@roidroid]

@TurboGC8 maybe you should give a TED talk about it.

[@Rammsteinmaiky1]

I agree with him in general, although what he said actually is not new. It's nothing more than the thinking of so many philosophers, moral and religious leaders from all times, but we have to take into account that in modern times different forces combat to influence the economics, manipulating marketing, using psychology, sociology and even religious and political thinking to indoctrinate people's minds. The key concept to consider, in my opinion, must be Maslow's pyramid of necessities.

[@laviekolchinsky9441]

Yeah, I too think it's important to think of the basic necessities in life. However, if you look at the HPIs (Happiness Planet Indexes) of say African countries, they are some of the lowest. Even though South and Central America may not be as rich (monetarily) as the West, most of their people (I'd say Venezuela in the top 10 is debatable) have their basics checked and have a culture that promotes healthy, happy living. But then, how can you actually "make people happier"? Cultural changes are extremely difficult, and would take decades if not centuries to bring into fruition (changes have occurred before, and these required revolutions such as the Communist Revolution (not promoting communism)).

[@Greedyspectator]

The name 'Happy Planet Index' is misleading. HPI measures not happiness, but ecological efficiency in supporting well being. Also the 'Earth is a scarce resource' argument is bunk, as it doesn't take into account the price mechanism (things get more expensive when they are rarer, thus pushing people onto alternatives) and is Malthusian at best. Otherwise, the main point that growth does not equal to happiness is great! Indeed, growth and happiness has zero correlation.

[@laviekolchinsky9441]

EXACTLY RIGHT! These arguments are extremely Malthusian, and happiness has no proven correlation to ecological footprint. You can't magically make people happier either, and there are cultural, religious or other barriers that you occasionally come upon.

[@ManLikeMatts]

great talk!

[@TZMSocialEvolution]

@LesGomez No, it's called statistical analysis. Everything I've stated serves as true indicators. And I never said 'all', I made it general on purpose, because unless I survey every person on here, I cannot make an exact determination. However, many of the comments themselves are directly telling.

[@LudicrousTachyon]

That's what the environmentalists should do. They should put up ads showing a picture of Costa Rica and saying something like saving the Earth could make your home look like this.

[@jlspszj]

Happiness is definitely something that many of us are seeking after. To connect, be active, take notice, keep learning and give... I do believe that these are the things that keep us happy for most of the time. The only thing is that happy people are less likely to be as successful as others...

[@panpiper]

Actually we do not count what we produce. We calculate what we consume. In a healthy economy, those two things tend to be similar, but it can get seriously skewed in certain circumstances, such as a debt funded 'stimulus' that increases consumption and thereby inflates the GDP measurement.

[@hasanmetinbas55]

Teşekkürler

[@TZMSocialEvolution]

@Aceload I take deep offense to your misreading. I'm sure I used the word "general" in my statement, which is not an all inclusive term, but an observation indicating majority, but not all. I do my best to refrain from absolutes, because they are silly notions, as there are usually exceptions. As for your take on other cultures, you're right! However, in my experience, the American culture in general has grabbed the larger portion of the selfish pie. Thanks for the insults though. Take care.

[@rashivromio7588]

If you want to achieve a goal of happiness around the world then why dont us start a project with a small country. Like nepal:people are not happy and the reason is hidden despite government.

[@ChalleFoV3]

@Geo877 haha. don't worry about it. glad to see that other people are agreeing

[@thewinematcher]

@ChalleFoV3 it could be a competition between countries... it would be a great motivator

[@costarica]

Costa Rica @ 7:54

[@DeSwiss]

Great presentation. However, until and unless we get control of the capitalists who are the driving force behind consumption and waste, then we'll find it almost impossible to achieve any true happiness. Strong control and regulation of greedy capitalists is a must. Because capitalism is predicated upon "scarcity" being used as a tool to create and maintain profits. But your points on how to positively focus our attention towards our goals are definitely headed in the right direction.

[@jarrodyuki7081]

no one should define what happiness or success is for others.

[@roidroid]

The gradual increase in "happy life years" over time is probably ENTIRELY due to the constant increase in average life expectancy, and not due to increases in happiness.

[@edtronic]

COSTARICA COSTARICA!!! TAN BELLA MI TIERRA

[@pubcat5]

I would like to ask a question. Isn't happiness made up of love, health, and wealth?

[@kckrause]

@Great stuff as always!!!

[@Alkoholwioslaidziwki]

@TerhiTheFinn Not about happiness, but happieness index. Efficiency as a measure of happieness, happy planet with equally happy people... If that's not commie enough for you, i don't know what is.

[@asianlaxer]

excellent video!

[@danielsw]

@Films4You It is also them who keep wanting more.

[@eagleeye1975]

@MrCropper I know, right?

[@TurboGC8]

@alanpgoodwin you should not ever be ok with the conclusion that there ever was or will be a "We"

[@qdfhgv9836]

13:35

[@Xenowolf8]

“I hope we can get to 2050 without an apocalyptic threat happening.” Well that aged poorly.

[@diegochavez8752]

Choosing being rich but sad or happy but poor? It does not make sense actually to choose sadness with wealth, because the whole point of wanting and having money is the idea that it will bring us happiness, nobody would desire have money to be unhappy, it's not logical. It's like an illusion that people over and over fall in.

[@bunker537]

@themindminder He was talking about the ideas themselves, not the postcards. He would have been better off not showing them.

[@paulfalconersa]

The Industrial Growth Economy is measured by GDP, and it's grinding to a stop... it's met the limits to growth. But human growth and ingenuity is not going to stop growing, so we need a new measure of that growth. Some form of the Happy Planet Index is going to be the measure of the new [sustainable steady-state] Social Economy.

[@MarioSavioTZM]

@LokiClock Isn't running your mouth in public how we reflect on ourselves, others, and society itself. Isn't that called calling a spade a spade? If you are somehow offended by the statement Loki then it is you who has the broad, national sense of identity is it not? It is accurate to say that it is embeddeded in U.S / U.K culture to care very much for the 'self' - whether its materialism or status -and it's true, it's unsurprising this kind of video is attacked.I see nothing prejudice about it.

[@Zetimenvec]

@SuperiorApostate good and weak are not synonymous.

[@SuperiorApostate]

@HBSchool My country is Nr.2 ! YEAH GO WE PWN.

[@greob]

Great talk. I remember this "happy factor" being mentioned on TED a few months ago.

[@carnut666]

@allenamenbesetzt since when is taking someones property by force something that shouldnt be justified?

[@roidroid]

@Snowflake70 running water, modern medicine. Health is kinda important for happiness.

[@oEDLIo]

@defect530 We are stuck here until something totally amazing gets discovered. It may be tomorrow, after a 100 years or maybe never.

[@eagleeye1975]

@Gameboob Correlation does not equal causation.

[@majinspy]

@HBSchool I'm not surprised. Even his chart showed that the happiest countries were the richest. There were no rich unhappy countries, not one. There were some moderately happy poor countries, and the crazy outlier of Costa Rica. I'm a moderate liberal and this is just too hug-a-tree. There are several of these Ted things where, after about 10 mintues, they finally get to the point: America needs to stop using all these resources and let others use them. It. Won't. Happen. Human greed exists.

[@CognosSquare]

@rafaravioli being able to read makes you sadder? I wouldnt worry about that one.

[@alanpgoodwin]

Basic message: Bin the military industrial complex. Today. Now. This has been known for at least half a century and our parents and grandparents haven't bothered making the noise needed. Are we; collectively; going to make the same lazy, greedy mistake?

[@skellymom]

@SuperiorApostate - perhaps your idea of good people are not strong people that dont put up with bullpucky. They do exist, you know....

[@deserthamster7049]

@GustavKEC i think it has to do with the cold war propaganda's socialism was always seen as the enemy and it hasn't begun to outroot itself. (ps. i'm not saying socialism works but capitalism doesn't either) denmark and other european countries are more eclectic: take whatever works from each system i think... but what do i know =p

[@SuperAtheist]

who gets to decide for you when you have enough?

[@eagleeye1975]

@eagleeye1975 I wrote the above at about 25% in to the video... and sure enough... it's all "hey, let's put a happy spin on collectivist thought".

[@CeBePuH]

1) Happiness is not considered in serious studies because it is hard to define and to quantify, unlike the material goods. Also, happiness indexes are apriori subjective. 2) It seems that it would be a bit easier to be happy with 1/4 of resources on a tropical island (e.g., Costa Rica) rather than on an icy rocky island (e.g., Iceland). TED likes this kind of unscientific dream-talk... Sad that it turns into a refuge for charlatans.

[@flutters.mp4]

HKG ppl, happy

[@oicub2]

Money is just an illusion , albeit a very persistent one

[@hilariofreire]

@pubcat5 happiness is a choice

[@detore]

@minesgtrr34 How is anything he talked about social control?

[@en4ce_]

2 words: Star Trek

[@1966human]

Financial system the great wealth destroyer.

[@Geo877]

@ChalleFoV3 eeep sorry! I didn't mean to vote down I meant up -_- I hate when that happens; Sorry! A great talk :)

[@holdmybeer]

we share the universe not just the planet. this guy talks as if we are stuck on this rock.

@TZMSocialEvolution Nice.

[@eagleeye1975]

@Gameboob 1) The rich can't possibly hoard money without it benefiting the rest of society. Where do you think the money goes when it's in the bank, or invested? 2) You are making a fallacious argument. Look up and learn what the "zero sum fallacy" is. 3) I propose things all the time. Just because you don't see it here, in these comments, doesn't mean I don't have solutions. Click my name, go check my channel.

[@halteocdsnel]

9 years after... I'm sorry to say it, but it's totally legitime to be afraid.. Scientists all agreed, the world is going to fall appart :(

[@岩渕馨]

日本はもっと国民の幸福について考える必要があると思いました。

[@MobiusCoin]

Uuuuhhh... Star Trek!!!

[@stijnisgoed]

he sounds like Ricky Gervais

[@reapfreak]

I don't see the point in doing studies like these. It's not like it means much, either you live by philosophical principles based on rational reasoning or you appeal to emotional zeal.

[@elikuzmic8838]

solutions_people, senses_soul, not given pencil for inside , wrote out

[@roidroid]

@maj1kninja07 what's your favourite colour?

[@lordrazi111693]

costa rica for the win!!!!!!!!!!

[@Aliothemage]

Ohh! I love that little experiment of his with giving 200 dollars to people and see if they are happier at the end of the day after spending it on themselves or on others! Let me get this straight. People don't become happy spending money they DIDN'T EARN on themselves. That is somehow supposed to equate with having to spend your own hard earned money on other people who didn't earn it rather then yourself? This guy needs to think a bit more about the stuff he is saying.

[@Sofiane1975m]

IM FROM ALGERIA IM HAPPY lol

[@minesgtrr34]

@TheBermuda: Because what he wants is gentle manipulation and social control.

[@Alkoholwioslaidziwki]

@Gameboob Well commies done some pretty nasty things to my country, so i guess it's fine for me to hold the grudge, thats the first thing. Second is about happiness index measured with efficiency. Seriously if you don't see connection with commie ideology, then i guess you don't know much about it.

[@lordmetroid]

The guy needs to look beyond Hollywood, those movies are shit. However movies are not all that great indicator of the social atmosphere. Dystopias simple is more entertaining storywise. I for one am very enthusiastic of the future.

[@diegoalejandrobalagueraram4591]

Unico español

[@acamapichtli.raul.suppachok]

y has entendido algo?

[@xxadzchu100]

No

[@SteveSingsThings]

@TZMSocialEvolution This is just weak inductive reasoning that results in a false generalization. Some Americans (we're assuming) made nasty comments. Therefore, we can now draw conclusions about all Americans.

[@carnut666]

@CognosSquare you're kidding right? oh wait, you've never actually thought about the questions you raise. 30 seconds of critical thought would give you your answer.

[@MobiusCoin]

@Nashy119 Really? I love useless pieces of technology. I'm using one right now to watch this video and comment on it. I also love our ugly cities. But I think that's just a personal aesthetic affinity from an urban design enthusiast.

[@allenamenbesetzt]

@eagleeye1975 since when is socialism something that needs to be justified? O.o

[@MrJaiLeeworthy]

@ceresWar so adding up, you've watched this film, apparently solving nothing, you've stated your opinion, solving nothing, and now you start flaming, solving nothing either. Why keep wasting your time (btw, if you want any credibility, don't reply to this)

[@pubcat5]

@hilariofreire and wouldn't love, health, and wealth facilitate that choice?

[@CognitiveImbias]

The entire premise of this talk is demonstrably false. Look at the data--per capita GDP is very clearly correlated with such metrics of human wellbeing as lifespan, education, child mortality, death by infectious disease, malnutrition, access to water, access to sanitation facilities, poverty, and access to technology from cell phones to the internet. I don't think this guy is a liar, but his analysis of the data is utterly erroneous.

[@eagleeye1975]

@allenamenbesetzt Since it is rooted in slavery.