Michael Norton: How to buy happiness

http://www.ted.com At TEDxCambridge, Michael Norton shares fascinating research on how money can, indeed buy happiness -- when you don't spend it on yourself. Listen for surprising data on the many ways pro-social spending can benefit you, your work, and (of course) other people.

TEDTalks is a daily video podcast of the best talks and performances from the TED Conference, where the world's leading thinkers and doers give the talk of their lives in 18 minutes. Featured speakers have included Al Gore on climate change, Philippe Starck on design, Jill Bolte Taylor on observing her own stroke, Nicholas Negroponte on One Laptop per Child, Jane Goodall on chimpanzees, Bill Gates on malaria and mosquitoes, Pattie Maes on the "Sixth Sense" wearable tech, and "Lost" producer JJ Abrams on the allure of mystery. TED stands for Technology, Entertainment, Design, and TEDTalks cover these topics as well as science, business, development and the arts. Closed captions and translated subtitles in a variety of languages are now available on TED.com, at http://www.ted.com/translate

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  People & Blogs

[trey grove]

after watching this video I decided that I should try this and see how it feels for myself, so I went to a buddy's house today and ordered us pizza. when the delivery girl got there I gave her a $10 tip. the look on her face truly made me smile. Earlier tonight while i was a work a man came in and got a small coffee. It cost $1.47 the man gets in his wallet and pulls out a $5 and says put the rest of that in your pocket. I can honestly say this has been one of the best days of the past 3 months.

[696mephisto]

i gave 100 bucks to a prostitude and im super happy now.

[Bill Clinton]

u hear this people?!?! giving money makes you happier then spending it on your self! stop being selfish and please donate me some money! it will make us both happy i swear, i would use it to buy food and clothing!!

[Hannah Rose]

George Huang has been influenced by this principle. He requires a donation to the charity/cause of your choice, as entrance fee for his otherwise free bootcamp training for what he calls Freedompreneurs. What a contrast to the pricey training offers bombarding my inbox! Maybe this will start a MOVEMENT! Hooray for George for testing this out!

[WayToHedaya]

Islam makes me happy :)

[afichter tania]

After watching this I will eat a lot.

[cspj12]

ted talks are fluffy empty pseudo intellectual masturbation

[nzeugner karole]

I think I should try this. Its very inspirational.

[Xander M]

like the song from dirty rotten scoundrels: i just want someone to love me, for my money! it works on so many levels.

[esteiper cammy]

this is interesting.

[ekoprian shelby]

This is inspirational.