For however elusive happiness is to define, there are very specific things people can do each day that are proven to increase happiness: changing your calendar and your approach to […]

In the face of tragedy, lack of success, or plain bad luck, those promoting happiness can be frankly annoying. Tal Ben Shahar told Big Think that true happiness is only […]

Why are corporations paying positive psychologists big fees to repair their cultures? Tal Ben Shahar, an expert in the field, explains how corporations can benefit from a focus on the […]

Sure happiness is great, but what about groundbreaking yet tortured artists and unhappy but principled workaholic reformers? And is the theory of positive psychology fodder for governments to make citizens […]

Facebook and Twitter, by making our lives increasingly public, make avoiding the dangerous drive towards perfectionism difficult—Tal Ben Shahar explains why.

It’s a refreshing thought: a psychologist that doesn’t ask about your problems, but about your successes.

Tal Ben Shahar is widely respected academic, but he is also a proud self-help guru. He told Big Think the problem with most books labeled “self-help” these days, defined what […]

A conversation with the Irish musician.

Gavin Friday wonders why our heroes always let us down.

Gavin Friday’s dream meal would have Oscar Wilde as the guest of honor.

Gavin Friday shows off his funky shoes.

Alcohol keeps Gavin Friday up very late.

Mistakes are fine, says Gavin Friday, as long as you learn from them.

Musician Gavin Friday dissects the legendary relationship between the Irish, alcohol, and creativity.

Gavin Friday tells aspiring musicians not to think about how to get into the music business; instead, they need to join music because it is a part of them.

Sure, the Celtic Tiger has been great for Ireland’s economy–but what has it done for Irish culture? Musician Gavin Friday is not optimistic.

Irish musician Gavin Friday has come a long way since inventing an imaginary world, Lipton Village, as a child with a few artistic friends. He tells Big Think how he […]

A conversation with the New York Bureau Chief of the Economist and Co-Author of Philanthrocapitalism.

Matthew Bishop stays up at night covering late-breaking stories for work.

Matthew Bishop’s biggest career mistake was staying in New York City when he should have pursued an opportunity abroad.

Matthew Bishop’s ethical dilemma involves the journalists’ fine line between hitting interviewees with hard questions and maintaining friendly sources. The demands of news editors often conflict with the feelings of […]

Matthew Bishop of The Economist explains how old journalists are staking a claim in the new media world with the help of philanthrocapitalists.

Can non-profits provide important business lessons to for-profit companies? Matthew Bishop of the Economist thinks so: he refutes the corporate stereotype of bumbling non-profit leadership and provides examples of for-profits […]

The U.S. economy is suffering through its worst unemployment rate in 26 years-and it’s not going to get better any time soon. Luckily, the New York Bureau Chief for the […]

Philanthrocapatilists and small donors are increasingly provide charity independently of governments and large institutions. Is this a good trend?

Depending on whom you talk to, philanthrocapitalism is either a much-needed revolution in the way that charity is delivered, or yet another depressing symptom of our increasingly stratified society. Matthew […]

As China made clear during Obama’s visit, the country has caught up to the West in a big way. But is it ready to take on the role of a […]

Do highly publicized, star-studded events like the Clinton Global Initiative Summit make a real positive impact on the world? Matthew Bishop, co-author of Philanthrocapitalism, thinks so; he tells Big Think […]

Why the Union Square Hospitality CEO is always worried about his extended family.

Danny Meyer has been in the restaurant business for 24 years. He talks about how food television wrongly portrays the industry, and what impact this recession could have on high-end […]