Being Happy

Daniel Kahneman, psychologist and Nobel Prize laureate for his groundbreaking work in behavioral economics, gave a thoughtful talk at TED this year. He dealt with the paradox between the experience and memory selves and how it applies to happiness. Kahneman asserts that time is the crucial element that distinguishes the experience and memory selves. He concludes that there is no change in time in the story; the story itself as actually experienced doesn't change. But what about our memory of it? Memory seems to evolve in time even though there is no actual change in the story itself. Our memory of the story often changes. Kahneman asserts that "we choose between memories of the experience." But I wonder about our recreating or reinventing the experience. Does this become memory?


What we think about "the happiness of the experiencing self and the satisfaction of the memory self" are very different, Khaneman posits. There is nothing new here really. I think this relates to our ability to invent stories, even memorable ones, those re-created by memory from the story. The mind seems to have a distinct ability to create stories, to develop pictures. But what is interesting is how these distinct selves relate to our happiness or sense of it. Kahnenman asserts that "happiness is not a substitute for well-being. They are two different notions." He gives stats that unequivocally indicate that money plays a role in how we remember happiness but not how we experience it. Do listen to the 20-minute video. You might find in interesting, even applicable in how we think about happiness.

What are your thoughts?