The Dark Side of Social Comparison and Its Impact on Happiness

#47: Behavioral social scientist Arthur Brooks joins Chris to explore happiness and the different types of intelligence. They also explore the hustle culture, the science of satisfaction, the reverse bucket list, the four good idols (friends, family, faith, and work) and the four to watch out for (money, power, pleasure, and pain)

Arthur C. Brooks (@arthurbrooks) is a Harvard Professor, musician, and columnist for the Atlantic. He is also the bestselling author of 11 books on topics ranging from economic opportunity to human happiness. In February 2022, Arthur released From Strength to Strength, a book on finding meaning, success, and deep purpose in the second half of life. 

Full show notes at: https://allthehacks.com/happiness-arthur-brooks and you can watch this episode on YouTube

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Resources Mentioned

Connect with Arthur: Website | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube

Some of Arthur's Books

• From Strength to Strength: Finding Success, Happiness, and Deep Purpose in the Second Half of Life
• Love Your Enemies: How Decent People Can Save America from the Culture of Contempt
• Who Really Cares: The Surprising Truth About Compassionate Conservatism -- America's Charity Divide -- Who Gives, Who Doesn't, and Why It Matters

Selected Works from the Atlantic

• How to Build a Life - Arthur's Column
• Are you Epicurus or Epictetus Article

Books Referenced

• Happy Money: The Science of Happier Spending by Elizabeth Dunn and Dr Michael Norton 
• The Brothers Karamazov by Fyodor Dostoevsky
• Man's Search for Meaning by Victor Frankl
• Meditations by Marcus Aurelius
• The Miracle of Mindfulness by Thich Nhat Hanh
• The Confessions by Saint Augustine
• The Bible

Podcasts Referenced

• #36: Bucket Lists, Audacious Goals and Living the Life You Want with Ben Nemtin

Barcelona Recommendations

• Roman Ruins
• Sagrada Familia
• Romanesque Churches and Gothic Cathedrals

Full Show Notes

(02:54) Defining Happiness According to Arthur

(03:50) Assessing Happiness through Tests

(04:47) Seven Habits of Happier Aging

(05:42) Navigating the Success Curve

(06:30) Understanding Fluid Intelligence

(07:35) Grasping Crystalized Intelligence

(07:50) Pivotal Importance of the Right Curve

(08:50) Transitioning and Preparing for a Success Curve Jump

(10:44) Darwin and Bach: Lessons from Their Curves

(13:30) Success Addiction, Dopamine, and Balance

(16:30) Hustle Culture and Metacognition

(18:00) Optimal Journaling Frequency for Benefits

(20:30) The Pitfall of Bad Idols

(21:10) Embracing the Good Idols

(24:25) Actionable Steps for Immediate Happiness

(25:15) Unveiling the Happiness Algorithm

(25:25) Faith Beyond Organized Religion

(29:40) Embracing Lectio Divina - Divine Reading

(30:36) Science of Satisfaction Uncovered

(32:00) Hedonic Treadmill and Social Comparison

(33:47) Crafting a More Fulfilling Bucket List

(35:25) Reflecting on the Reverse Bucket List

(37:30) Investing in Happiness: How to Buy It

(40:52) Navigating Technology's Impact on Happiness

(42:40) Transforming Weakness into Strength

(45:36) Hope and the Role of Negative Emotions

(47:00) The Courage to Quit for Happiness

(48:30) Recommendations for Barcelona Exploration

(49:12) The Genesis of Arthur's Recent Book

(52:00) Concluding with Arthur Brooks and Online Connections

Connect with All the Hacks

All the Hacks: Newsletter | Website | Membership | Email

Chris Hutchins: Twitter | Instagram | Website | LinkedIn

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