The 'Happiness Industry' - The 'Wellness Syndrome'

Thinking Allowed

BBC

Society & Culture, Science

4.4 • 997 Ratings

🗓️ 9 January 2020

⏱️ 28 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

The Happiness Industry: Laurie Taylor talks to Will Davies, Professor in Politics at Goldsmiths, University of London, who asks why policy makers have become increasingly focused on measuring happiness. Also, 'wellness syndrome': Andre Spicer, Professor of Organisational Behaviour at City University, argues that visions of positive social change have been replaced by a focus on individual well-being. They're joined by Laura Hyman, Senior Lecturer in Sociology at the University of Portsmouth. Revised repeat. Producer: Jayne Egerton

Transcript

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0:00.0	Take some time for yourself with soothing classical music from the mindful mix, the Science of
0:07.0	Happiness Podcast.
0:08.0	For the last 20 years I've dedicated my career to exploring the science of living a happier more meaningful life and I want
0:14.4	to share that science with you.
0:16.1	And just one thing, deep calm with Michael Mosley.
0:19.4	I want to help you tap in to your hidden relaxation response system and open the door to that
0:25.4	calmer place within. Listen on BBC Sounds.
0:30.3	BBC Sounds, music radio podcasts.
0:37.0	I'm Laurie Taylor, and this is a podcast for BBC Radio Force thinking aloud.
0:42.0	Are you happy? really, really happy, deep down truly
0:46.6	truly happy? Or did you decide long ago that happiness was an illusory state which
0:52.4	was only of value to the happiness industry.
0:56.5	Find out.
0:57.5	Hello. A male friend told me once that he had a proven party technique for engaging the attention of women.
1:04.8	All you have to do, he told me one day, over coffee and cross-up, is to go over to any young
1:08.8	women who appears to be ever so slightly isolated, introduce yourself, and then say, I'm so sorry to speak so frankly,
1:16.5	but I can't help but notice that you seem a little, well, unhappy.
1:20.9	It works like a charm, he insisted, as he spotted my raised eyebrows.
1:25.7	You see, in an age when we're constantly enjoined to be happy, it's a mark of distinction
1:30.9	to be accused of being even moderately miserable.
1:35.2	It was a conversation I remembered when, back in 2015, thinking aloud addressed the very
1:40.0	idea of happiness.
	...

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