By: Kayla Boland

Dan Gilbert

A Harvard psychologist

He focuses on what makes us happy

and how our brain affects the results

Published Stumbling on Happiness

He explores the perception that

if we don‟t get what we want we

will be miserable.

However, our minds convince

ourselves that even if we second

guess ourselves we eventually

convince ourselves that what we

have is better than the other

option.

Prefrontal

Cortex

He explains that we‟ve developed the

part of our brain, the Frontal Lobe, or

more specifically, the Prefrontal

Cortex.

It does many things but most

importantly, it‟s an “experience

simulator.”

You can experience a situation in your

head before you try it out.

Happiness

Synthetic Happiness

Happiness created when

we do not get what we

want

Natural Happiness

Happiness that comes

when we get what we

want

Synthesize of

Happiness

Example:

You have the option to pick

one of two vehicles. You make

your choice of one and even

though you really liked the other,

minutes to months later, the

vehicle you now have is much

better than the other; the other

one just isn‟t as good. Even

though they could be the same

vehicle, you are ultimately

convinced that the one you have

is better.

Convincing yourself that

what you have is better

than what you don‟t

Freedom to Choose and Decide

“Is the friend of

Natural Happiness”

You don‟t like

it, don‟t get it.

“Is the enemy of

Synthetic Happiness”

If you‟re stuck with

something you find a

way to be happy.

How he Speaks:

Dan Gilbert gives his speech in a

organized manner. He keeps his voice

enthused and walks around the

stage, uses his hands to emphasize

what he‟s talking about.

He utilizes Connecting with People by

making them laugh and relating

himself and others in his stories.

He doesn‟t Read his Talk, but glances

at his laptop before going on to further

explain the small notes on the screen.

Although he executed his speech in the time frame given and spoke fluently and

clearly, there were a couple of times where I spaced out and had to rewind and re-

watch what he had just spoke to understand what he was talking about. He didn‟t

repeat the main importance of his topics for them to be remembered which would

have helped myself better understand.

Dynamism 4/5

Gilbert and Robinson both utilize the basics of given a presentation in

front of an audience. They walk around, use hand motions, keep an

enthusiastic voice and address their topic.

Dan Gilbert and Sir Ken Robinson

Robinson executes his idea in a more interesting manner. The animatic is more

appealing because of the use of drawings, it explains in pictures and words as he

speaks. But in terms of overall speaking, Robinson held a much more powerful

and confident sound in his voice even if he did say „um‟ or pause as he thought.

Gilbert, although he was enthusiastic on what he spoke on, he needed more of a

deeper connection to people.

However . . .

When

Speaking :It is better to make it sound like

the subject you are talking about

is important and that you and

everyone should care about the

subject.

Have the facts and research to

back it up but don‟t bore others

with lists and graphs.

Keep your audience in mind;

relate to them.

http://www.ted.com/talks/dan_gilbert_asks_why_are_we_happy.html