David Brooks is the latest author to bring the reality of what goes on in the human mind into the public realm and the popular consciousness, with The Social Animal. Here he is talking about it (thanks RSA!) David Brooks video. Good timing as I’m reading Richard Layard‘s Happiness at the moment (in short, hisContinue reading “Stampede of the Social Animals – more BE”
Category Archives: Society
What’s It All For? More Happiness …
Steve Richards: \”Will Cameron\’s Idea of Happiness Last?\” It seems David Cameron was serious about bringing well-being into the heart of government decision-making – he’s still speechifying like a man possessed on the topic. Some interesting musings as ever by Steve Richards of The Independent on the politics of this. Whatever my thoughts about Cameron,Continue reading “What’s It All For? More Happiness …”
Qualitative research and behavioural economics
Looking up at the bookshelf, there is Charles Leadbeater‘s We-Think, Dan Ariely‘s Predictably Irrational and kicking around the house somewhere is Thaler and Sunstein’s Nudge; not forgetting Blink by Malcolm Gladwell. Having been interested in these accessible paperbacks on “behavioural economics” (or, if you prefer, explanations of human behaviour and decision-making) for a while, itContinue reading “Qualitative research and behavioural economics”
The royals: back by popular demand (but not so sure about Charles)
The future of the British monarchy looks brighter after a successful and popular royal wedding. Though less deferential and starry-eyed than 30 years ago, most people enjoyed this wedding for what it was: a big public occasion to celebrate something simple – two nice people getting married: Ipsos MORI monarchy poll. We love a dayContinue reading “The royals: back by popular demand (but not so sure about Charles)”
Edgelands, wastelands and The Fall
Paul Farley and Michael Symmons Roberts‘ book Edgelands – about the aesthetics and psycho-geography of forgotten interzones of “waste” land on the edges of our towns and cities – has been an inspiring and thought-provoking book of the week on Radio 4: Edgelands – R4 Book of the Week Anyone who watched Coast a coupleContinue reading “Edgelands, wastelands and The Fall”
Keef’s Life: how we laugh at our icons
Reading this review of Keith Richards‘ autobiography – Life– enthused me to browse through it again with renewed interest. It reminded me what a good read the book is, but also how well cross-fertilisation can happen between a work and the comments around it. Perhaps it’s me being overly interested in the opinions of others,Continue reading “Keef’s Life: how we laugh at our icons”
Qual’s harder than it looks … no kidding, girlfriend
Interesting discussion on Today this morning about the “alternative census” done by the champion of numerical literacy the More Or Less programme, among their listeners. More or Less on Radio 4 – alternative census. Unusual to hear the nature of qualitative data discussed half-decently in the media, albeit for 30 seconds. As a qual practitionerContinue reading “Qual’s harder than it looks … no kidding, girlfriend”
“Fairness is about how happiness is distributed”
This discussion at the RSA is well worth a listen, for anyone interested in, well, having a good life – but more specifically, it’s about the idea David Cameron seems to have embraced, that government should be focussed on the well-being and “happiness” of its citizens, not just in growing GDP: Richard Layard with AndrewContinue reading ““Fairness is about how happiness is distributed””
Strangers on the Shore 