For my research I will be examining happiness and what being happy truly means. We all think we know what happiness is and how to obtain it, but its arguable that we may be perfectly happy getting what we don’t want. Supporters also argue that having choices ultimately may make us less happy. If these things are true, than stepping back and examining the topic could really better our lives. With the development of the frontal lobe we’ve been able to create our own “synthetic” happiness and adapt to different situations. The question is whether or not this happiness is of the same quality as “natural” happiness.

1.) Dan Gilbert: The Surprising Science of Happiness

Background: This video discusses the concept of synthetic happiness. It argues that we make ourselves happy no matter what circumstances we are put it. Dan Gilbert argues that we think getting what we want will make us happy, but that we manipulate ourselves into being happy no matter what.

How I intend to use this article: This is the basis of the counterintuitve argument and my jumping off point. It provides plenty of information to form the foundation of my topic and provides examples to examine and discuss. I will use this information to introduce the topic and bring up different responses to Dan Gilbert’s claim.

2.) A Downside to Manufacturing Our Own Happiness

Background: This article is a response to Gilbert’s idea of synthetic happiness, and focuses on why synthetic happiness can be bad for us. It doesn’t directly dispute his ideas, but argues against the idea that we should just except it and not pursue our “natural” happiness.

How I Intend to use this article: This is a fantastic article that tries to counter some of Gilbert’s points. It also provides examples that I can use for comparison on fleshing out the topic as a whole and coming to a more complete conclusion.

3.) Synthetic Happiness: Sources of Insight

Background: This article breaks a part the video from my first linked source. The author states important things in the video he believes should be taken away. He is clearly in support of the theory.

How I intend to use the article: This article gives me simplified quotes from someone who supports the theory. It would be great to show contrast between my second linked article which is a somewhat negative response to the Gilbert’s theory.

4.) 5 Ways to Get Happier

Background: A Forbes article that examines some of the key points of the TED Talk and turns them into steps for being happy. It is not repeating what Gilbert said in the article, but instead applying the theory in a different way.

How I intend to use the article: It’s easy to see the TED Talk and understand where Dan Gilbert is coming from, but this Forbes article does an excellent job of showing applicable methods to being happier. I will use this article to show how Gilbert’s ideas can be streamlined and applied to everyday life.

5.) What Makes Us Happy?

Background: This is an article that is unrelated to the TED Talk, but related to the topic at hand. It examines the belief that happiness is produced internally and not by external factors.

How I intend to use the article: This is a great article from a Psychology site that is written on the same topic. It gives a different look at the true origin of happiness while providing ideas from many other sources dating back to 1982. I plan to use this article to further strengthen Dan Gilbert’s theory and get a different, but similar, perspective on the matter.