A delightful proposal

Increasing the happiness of others is one of the most radical things you can do

I’ve been listening to Laurie Santos’ Happiness Lab podcast analysis of the World Happiness Report. (not really a) Spoiler: In the US and Canada, Gen Z is experiencing the lowest happiness scores those countries have ever seen. And, sure, some of that could be attributed to a flattening of the curve of world happiness overall as global income disparity continues to lessen—more resources and money are now available in the Global South, and Eastern Europe, hence their youth happiness scores are increasing (not really a surprise surprise), but there’s something else going on…

The US and Canada are experiencing a unique drop in youth happiness scores. The short hand has been this: traditionally we’ve seen a U shaped curve of happiness, with our happiest times being our youth and old age, with happiness hitting rock bottom for most folks around their 40s. But right now it sure seems like a reverse ⅃ with the youth rating themselves as unhappy as those going through midlife crisis, or even worse. With any luck they’ll be able to climb back out of that at some point, but we have no idea if that’ll happen or not.

And though some of us may consider happiness as a frivolous or unimportant concept it actually matters—by measure of income alone, happier children become richer adults. Beyond that, unhappiness impacts so many other aspects of our lives. We get sicker, we live shorter lives, we become so fixated on safety that we consider facism as a viable political option, we contemplate suicide at much higher rates. Unhappiness doesn’t lead to illness, it is an illness. The US Surgeon General considers lonliness and isolation as an epidemic now. In fact, one analysis concludes that the health risks are comparable with those of smoking up to 15 cigarettes per day.

And now’s the time in the article where I could dive into all the doom and gloom around what’s making the youths so unhappy with everyone’s favorite boogie man, social media, at the forefront, but it goes way deeper than that, with political polarization, massive uncertainties around climate, AI replacing jobs, income disparity between the haves and have nots, etc. etc. etc. It really is a bad time to be young (in the US and Canada.)

But I’m going to try not to do that. I mean, beyond what I’ve already written here. Instead I’m going to propose, if not a solution, at least something we can do about all this unhappiness.

My (not so modest) proposal is this: the most powerful thing you can do to make the world a better, richer, safer, saner, and healthier place is to increase the happiness of those around you. To foster connection and delight.

There are so many ways you can do it. And, even more excitingly, those efforts will probably make you happier too. Giving is one example. When you give to others it directly impacts your own happiness levels. Give. Improve someone else’s life and happiness. Get happier. What could be simpler than that?

How about talking? Interestingly, simply talking to other people can directly boost your (and their) happiness statistically significantly... even just an 8 minute phone call. And if that’s the case, imagine what making them laugh can do?

At our Brooklyn-based gallery and event space, Delight Factory, we’ve been experimenting with producing events that encourage experimentation, exploration, play, and delight since 2021. We host a monthly Ego Free Jam for musicians and non-musicians to come together, connect, and make noise together. Our dear friend and master of delight, Aqila Norris at SoulWork hosts yoga Tuesdays and Fridays. We’ve partnered with Todd Polenberg, Joshue Ott, Ezekiel Honig, and a collective of experimental electronic musicians, makers, and artists for an event called Pataphysics that is as hard to describe as it is surprising and delightful. And we’re constantly looking to support artists, musicians, choreographers, thinkers, and explorers try things out, invite others in to experience them, and harvest and sew delight. Delight (along with gratitude) being one of the paths that leads to increased happiness.

Recently we hosted a night of stand up comedy produced by one of our favorite people, not to mention hilarious comic, Meghan Scibona. Meghan brought 5 of her LA comic friends (pictured above) for a sold out Friday night show, and then celebrated her (big) birthday with more comedy on Saturday night. And it was %#@$*ing delightful. Not just for the audience. Not just for the comics. Not just for Meghan. But for me and my partner, Elke, too. There is little in life that brings such a boost to my mood as watching someone joyfully give their gifts, and then experiencing others receiving those gifts, which then brings them joy in return. It’s like a happiness turducken.

I’m slowly coming to realize that this joyous/virtuous circle is actually a radical and political act. Seeding happiness can actually change the world for the better. And not just one person at a time. Happier people radiate happiness to others. A rising tide of delight lifts all boats! The youth need it. We olds need it. And if we get happier, we can give happiness to each other.

Connection. Meaning. Pleasure. Delight. Gratitude. How can you help someone you know and love, or someone you don’t know, or, radically, someone you don’t even like, experience some of these positive emotions? Are you ready to take on that task? Like me, you might be surprised to find it increases your happiness too. And, even better, you might actually contribute to this world being a better, healthier, calmer, more connected, and loving place.

What could be more radical than that?