What I Learned While Making a Movie About Happiness: Roko Belic at TEDxClaremontColleges

Summary

The speaker recounts his journey to understand happiness, prompted by a wealthy friend's discontent. He explores positive psychology, visits Okinawa for insights on longevity and happiness, and discovers that community and compassion are key. He learns that happiness enhances health, creativity, and relationships, and is contagious, benefiting both individuals and society. The film also delves into how prioritizing money and fame can hinder happiness, while valuing compassion and community fosters well-being. The speaker concludes by emphasizing the impact of happiness on future generations, inspired by the birth of his daughter.

Takeaways

• 😀 The United States, despite being a wealthy nation, ranks only 23rd in happiness, indicating that money alone does not equate to happiness.
• 🎬 Filmmaker Tom Shadyac's wealth and association with successful individuals in Hollywood revealed that happiness is not correlated with success or wealth.
• 🔬 Positive psychology is a new science that studies happiness and human flourishing, a departure from traditional Western science that focused on mental illness and pathology.
• 💡 Happiness has been scientifically linked to various benefits, including a boosted immune system, creativity, better relationships, and a longer life.
• 🌴 Okinawa, an island in Japan, is known for its long-lived residents who may hold secrets to happiness, despite a lack of specific research on their happiness levels.
• 👵 The community spirit and intergenerational support in Okinawa, where elderly individuals engage in social activities and children are nurtured by the community, could be a factor in their happiness.
• 🕺 The freestyle dance in Okinawa, where individuals are free to express themselves without strict traditional steps, reflects a culture of personal freedom and happiness.
• 🚗 A small act of kindness, like waving thanks on the road, can prevent negative assumptions and promote a positive interaction, illustrating the contagious nature of happiness.
• 🌍 Happiness is not just a personal benefit; it extends to others, making happy individuals more likely to help, create peace, and contribute positively to society.
• 🧠 The practice of meditation on compassion and loving-kindness can physically alter the brain's structure related to happiness, indicating that happiness can be cultivated.
• 🌎 The interconnectedness of all humans and the impact of individual actions on global happiness is emphasized, suggesting that prioritizing happiness can lead to a better world.

Q & A

What inspired the speaker to create a film about happiness?

The speaker was inspired by a conversation with his friend Tom Shadyac, who had read an article about happiness. Despite his wealth and success, Tom noticed that many wealthy people he knew weren't truly happy, while the people who worked for him seemed happier. This prompted them to explore what truly makes people happy.

What did the speaker learn about the science of happiness?

The speaker learned about a new field of study called positive psychology, which focuses on human flourishing and the benefits of happiness. Happiness is found to boost the immune system, improve creativity, strengthen relationships, and lead to longer life expectancy.

Why did the speaker visit Okinawa, Japan, and what did he discover there?

The speaker visited Okinawa because he remembered that many of the world's oldest people lived there and wondered if happiness contributed to their longevity. He discovered that the elderly in Okinawa had strong community ties, often gathering to laugh, joke, and dance together, showing a high level of social connectedness and happiness.

What surprised the speaker about the traditional dance in Okinawa?

The speaker was surprised to learn that Okinawa's traditional dance does not have fixed steps. Instead, it is freestyle, allowing participants to move however they want, which reflects a sense of freedom and joy in their culture.

What did the speaker observe at the Okinawan preschool's footrace?

At the preschool footrace, the speaker noticed grandmothers cheering for the children, despite not being biologically related to them. This demonstrated the strong community bonds in Okinawa, where people care for each other’s children and share a collective responsibility for nurturing the next generation.

How did a small gesture on the road impact the speaker's perception of others?

The speaker described how a simple wave of thanks after changing lanes on the highway stopped a woman from flipping him off. This small act of kindness shifted both their moods, highlighting how minor positive gestures can have a big impact on people's attitudes.

What was the speaker's emotional experience when his friend Jeffrey was kidnapped?

The speaker felt deep fear and self-doubt when his friend Jeffrey, a New York Times reporter, was kidnapped in Iraq. He began questioning whether he was living his life with as much courage and purpose as Jeffrey.

What scientific findings about happiness had a profound impact on the speaker?

The speaker was deeply affected by the finding that happiness is contagious and that happy people are more likely to help others, resolve conflicts peacefully, and improve the world. This made him realize that prioritizing happiness can have a positive ripple effect on society.

How can compassion meditation physically change the brain?

The speaker learned from research that practicing compassion meditation for just two weeks can increase the size of the part of the brain associated with happiness, much like exercising a muscle.

How does the speaker connect happiness to a broader view of human existence?

The speaker links happiness to a broader understanding of human interconnectedness, comparing it to the famous Earthrise photo. From space, the divisions between people—social, cultural, economic—disappear. He believes that by prioritizing happiness and compassion, we can positively affect ourselves and others, creating a better world.