Conversation with Arthur Brooks — The Pillars of Happiness
Arthur Brooks, a professor at Harvard University and the co-author of “Build the Life You Want: The Art and Science of Getting Happier,” joins Scott to discuss the state of happiness in the US, how to improve your own happiness, and the role religion or some other spiritual means play in one’s life.
Scott opens with his thoughts on Elon Musk and his obsession with litigation.
Algebra of Happiness: being the parent.
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a16z Podcast: On Morals and Meaning in Products, Business, and Life
Focusing only on the technical, "crunchy, wonky stuff" behind policies or products sometimes misses the humanity at the center of why we're doing the thing in the first place. Because systems -- whether algorithms and artificial intelligence, or capitalism and other such "operating systems" -- need to work for people, not the other way around. Or so observes economist and author Arthur Brooks, president of the American Enterprise Institute (AEI) -- a public policy think tank focused on free enterprise (and where he recently announced he will be passing on the baton after a decade of leadership).
So how does this philosophy of human dignity and human potential apply to automation and jobs, to education, to entrepreneurship? And not just in the "conventional" entrepreneurial sense of building companies and products -- but in changing one's life? The answer, argues Brooks in this quick, hallway-style episode of the a16z Podcast with Sonal Chokshi (recorded in one of our earlier Washington, D.C. roadshows) -- has to be rooted in the philosophy of human meaning. And that involves truly needing each other... so no one is left behind given technological progress and innovation.
image credit: Maria Eklind/ Flickr
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Please note that the content here is for informational purposes only; should NOT be taken as legal, business, tax, or investment advice or be used to evaluate any investment or security; and is not directed at any investors or potential investors in any a16z fund. a16z and its affiliates may maintain investments in the companies discussed. For more details please see a16z.com/disclosures.
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