Risky Business with Nate Silver and Maria Konnikova cover image

Risky Business with Nate Silver and Maria Konnikova

Get Happier, Help Others: Some Good Ideas About Giving

Dec 2, 2024
Dr. Laurie Santos, a Yale psychologist and host of The Happiness Lab, teams up with Elie Hassenfeld, CEO of GiveWell, to explore the joy of giving. They discuss how spending on others boosts happiness and reveal the most impactful charities identified by research. Listeners learn the psychology behind altruism and how acts of kindness not only help communities but also enhance personal well-being. Engaging anecdotes connect poker strategies to generosity, making the conversation both insightful and entertaining.
51:09

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Donating to others significantly boosts personal happiness, contrary to the common belief that self-spending is more fulfilling.
  • Choosing effective charities, like the Against Malaria Foundation, ensures that donations lead to meaningful societal impact and poverty alleviation.

Deep dives

The Happiness in Giving

Research indicates that giving money away can lead to greater personal happiness, a fact that many individuals tend to underestimate. Evidence reveals that spending even small amounts on others can boost happiness levels more than spending that same amount on oneself. Psychological studies, such as those led by Elizabeth Dunn, demonstrate that people often predict they would feel happier if they spent money on themselves rather than on others, which is a misconception. Therefore, understanding and addressing this bias could not only enhance personal well-being but also increase societal benefit through charitable acts.

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