The Power of Giving

The science shows that giving a dollar away can make you feel happier than spending on yourself. Joining forces with GiveDirectly.org, the Happiness Lab is aiming to make a significant impact on an African village in 2024. The money donated will go directly to the people of Kibobo in Rwanda to allow them to decide how best to improve their lives. Even a small donation can have a huge, life-transforming impact, such as fixing houses, buying cows for milk, or seeking medical help for ill relatives. Dr. Laurie Santos and Tim Harford are collaborating on a crossover episode to discuss the science of happiness, and the tendency of our minds to deceive us about what truly makes us happy.