50% of happiness is genetic disposition

50% of our emotional baseline is determined by our genetic disposition. Studies on identical twins separated at birth into different families have shown this genetic influence. The speaker's father and grandfather both had a tendency towards gloominess, which they believed was influenced by their genetic makeup. The speaker was determined to live on the other 50% and not be governed by the genetic predisposition to unhappiness. Their father's lack of fight for life due to his unhappiness served as a motivation for the speaker to learn about happiness and share their findings. The speaker expresses gratitude to their father for the example and the lesson they learned from his unhappiness.

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Arthur C. Brooks (@arthurbrooks) is the Parker Gilbert Montgomery Professor of the Practice of Public and Nonprofit Leadership at the Harvard Kennedy School and Professor of Management Practice at the Harvard Business School, where he teaches courses on leadership and happiness. He is also a columnist at The Atlantic, where he writes the popular “How to Build a Life” column. Brooks is the author of 13 books, including the 2022 #1 New York Times bestseller From Strength to Strength: Finding Success, Happiness, and Deep Purpose in the Second Half of Life and his newest Build the Life You Want: The Art and Science of Getting Happier with co-author Oprah Winfrey. He speaks to audiences all around the world about human happiness and works to raise well-being within private companies, universities, public agencies, and community organizations.

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[07:10] The reverse bucket list.

[13:00] Intention without attachment.

[14:49] Writing Thích Nhất Hạnh’s obituary.

[17:30] Buddhist views through a Catholic lens.

[20:43] Blood occlusion training and physical fitness over 40.

[24:22] Arthur’s semi-mystical teenage experiences in Mexico.

[30:30] Arthur’s academic dad on complex vs. complicated.

[33:35] Happiness hygiene for genetically baseline gloominess.

[36:19] Happiness and unhappiness: hand in hand.

[39:31] Being effective with one’s affects.

[42:53] The three macronutrients of happiness.

[51:21] Identifying (and learning to live with) our idols.