David Myers provided links to interviews with Ed Diener, including "What You Need To Be Happy": http://www.youtube.com/user/BaylorAcademics
Given the nebulous nature of what we mean by "happiness", and not knowing anything about Ed Diener's work, I was prepared to be sceptical. Instead I was impressed to hear that he was not formulaic and ranged over a number of factors that tend to promote an individual's happiness. One personal note: Diener says that people who like learning new things tend to be happier, and enjoy life more: "It doesn't have to be learning new things like in school where you're learning calculus or something boring,…" To which I would respond: "boring" is in the mind of the beholder. :-) Perhaps slightly off-topic: Diener finishes by emphasizing the universal importance of spirituality, which he defines as having positive emotions that connect you to things larger than yourself, or having goals and values beyond yourself. I suspect that may be a broader definition of spirituality than many people (both those who profess spiritual values, and those sceptical of the term) subscribe to. But one could argue that for want of another term that encompasses the characteristics that Diener so defines, it is legitimate for him to use the word as defined for the purposes of his research. Thanks for drawing attention to your workshops, David. Allen Esterson Former lecturer, Science Department Southwark College, London allenester...@compuserve.com http://www.esterson.org ------------------------------------------------ From: David Myers <my...@hope.edu> Subject: Ed Diener on YouTube Date: Thu, 9 Dec 2010 21:38:02 -0500 Passed along at the request of, and with thanks to, Michael Frisch: Friends and Colleagues, Two interviews I did with Ed Diener are now posted on YouTube for use in teaching, workshops, etc.. These were well-received at keynote addresses and workshops I just completed in London and Manchester for the British Psychological Society and the London MAPP program: 1. What You Need To Be Happy by Professor Ed Diener.MTS-12 minutes The world authority on happiness and well-being research, Dr. Ed Diener, of the University of Illinois discusses what you need to be happy according to the latest research in a conversation with Professor Michael B. Frisch of Baylor University. Tags: happiness, positive psychology, well-being, science, meaning, joy Category: science and technology 2.The Happiest Place on Earth by Professor Ed Diener.MTS-15 minutes The world authority on happiness and well-being research, Dr. Ed Diener, of the University of Illinois discusses the happiest and unhappiest places on earth according to the latest research in a conversation with Professor Michael B. Frisch of Baylor University. Tags: happiness, positive psychology, well-being, science, meaning, joy Category: science and technology To access these, you can either search "Ed Diener" at YouTube or go directly to this Baylor University site: http://www.youtube.com/user/BaylorAcademics --- You are currently subscribed to tips as: arch...@jab.org. To unsubscribe click here: http://fsulist.frostburg.edu/u?id=13090.68da6e6e5325aa33287ff385b70df5d5&n=T&l=tips&o=7098 or send a blank email to leave-7098-13090.68da6e6e5325aa33287ff385b70df...@fsulist.frostburg.edu
