MICHAEL PLANT: insights on happiness

This episode explores the concept of happiness and its measurement, particularly in the context of charitable giving and public policy. Against the backdrop of World Happiness Day and the release of the World Happiness Report, the discussion features Michael Plant, who presents a novel approach to evaluating charities based on their cost-effectiveness in increasing happiness, measured in "Wellbees." More significantly, Plant's research reveals substantial discrepancies in the impact of different charities, with some being hundreds of times more effective than others. For instance, certain charities achieve a significant increase in well-being at a cost comparable to a single meal, while others are far less efficient. The conversation also touches upon the complexities of measuring happiness, contrasting life satisfaction with moment-to-moment experiences, and delves into personal strategies for improving well-being, including the impact of marriage and parenthood. Finally, the discussion highlights the potential of initiatives like Action for Happiness in promoting well-being through online courses and community engagement. What this means for individuals and policymakers is a more data-driven approach to maximizing happiness, both personally and through charitable giving.