The Formula for Happiness - Happiness = P + (5xE) + (3xH) • Hacker News Board

The Formula for Happiness - Happiness = P + (5xE) + (3xH)

#1

Post by landist » Mon, Sep 28, 2009, 12:41 AM UTC

The Formula for Happiness - Happiness = P + (5xE) + (3xH)
news.bbc.co.uk

Re: The Formula for Happiness - Happiness = P + (5xE) + (3xH)

#2

Post by [deleted] » Mon, Sep 28, 2009, 1:05 AM UTC

[deleted]

Re: The Formula for Happiness - Happiness = P + (5xE) + (3xH)

#3

Post by barrkel » Mon, Sep 28, 2009, 1:19 AM UTC

About the only interesting thing about this link is how narrow BBC web page formatting was in 2003, demonstrating how much bigger and wider monitors and their resolutions have gotten.

The equation itself is a kind of linkbait, a nice PR move from a life coach.

Re: The Formula for Happiness - Happiness = P + (5xE) + (3xH)

#4

Post by adi92 » Mon, Sep 28, 2009, 1:26 AM UTC

Happiness = (Desires Actualized)/(Desires Harboured)

Increasing the numerator tends to cause the denominator to increase as well

Craving for fewer things i.e. working on the denominator is usually more effective

Re: The Formula for Happiness - Happiness = P + (5xE) + (3xH)

#5

Post by barrkel » Mon, Sep 28, 2009, 1:35 AM UTC

adi92 wrote: post #4

Happiness = (Desires Actualized)/(Desires Harboured) Increasing the numerator tends to cause the denominator to increase as well Craving for fewer things i.e. working on the denominator is usually more effective

Don't agree. Happiness is not the absence of desire, and nor is it the memory of good events. Happiness is a process, a becoming, a journey rather than a destination.

Look into how game mechanics create fun, with challenges just difficult enough to be overcome with effort, and constant stream of rewards that reflect the effort expended, and you'll get the idea. From love to careers, the pattern of happiness is the same.

Re: The Formula for Happiness - Happiness = P + (5xE) + (3xH)

#6

Post by anirudh » Mon, Sep 28, 2009, 1:37 AM UTC

Love the comment on the picture :)

Re: The Formula for Happiness - Happiness = P + (5xE) + (3xH)

#7

Post by stanleydrew » Mon, Sep 28, 2009, 1:41 AM UTC

So to maximize happiness I should maximize E (health, financial stability and friendships) and give up on everything else? This is completely useless drivel. Don't read it.