Happiness Initiative
Co-founder of the Happiness Initiative and Executive Director of Take Back Your Time, both in Seattle, Washington; writer and documentary-maker whose books include Take Back Your Time: Fighting Overwork and Time Poverty in America, Affluenza: The All-Consuming Epidemic and What's the Economy for, Anyway?: Why It's Time to Stop Chasing Growth and Start Pursuing Happiness
Bhutan, the United Nations, and Gross National Happiness Forty years ago, the King of Bhutan, a Himalayan country of less than a million people, suggested that "happiness" should replace economic output as a measure of human advancement. Last week, his grandson – the current king – led a UN conference on " Happiness and Wellbeing : Defining a New Economic Paradigm." Which are the "happiest" countries? Who decides? What are the obstacles to reaching the UN's new goal?
Gross National… Happiness? "Happiness" is a right enshrined in the Declaration of Independence. Is it a better measure of human "progress" than "Gross National Product?" The king of the Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan proposed the idea 40 years ago, and last week, his grandson -- the current king -- led a UN conference on " Happiness and Well-Being ." Canada, France and Britain are among the countries agreeing that measuring economics is not enough. But how can "happiness" be measured? Can it be achieved through government policy? Does Bhutan itself offer a good example? What about the United States?
How Much Does Vacation Matter? Members of the Senate and Congress are on summer breaks all over the world, visiting war zones as well as ancient ruins and sunny beaches. President Barack Obama is doing his best to get a much-need break from the burdens of office, taking his family to Martha's Vineyard. But less than half the American workers entitled to vacations are taking their full time. Many say there's just too much to do, or they're afraid of losing their jobs. Whatever happened to “mental health days?” Doesn't time off help prevent burnout and increase productivity? Would requiring vacations be a kind of healthcare reform, in addition to boosting the tourist economy?
White House budget proposal slashes and burns President Trump's first budget request is considered dead on arrival in Congress — a familiar development in Capitol Hill. We hear what it reveals about the priorities of the new administration. What's likely to die… and what might survive?
Trump's new look at civil rights and global warming President Trump is reportedly ready to pull the US out of the Paris Agreement on Climate Change. We look at the possible consequences. On the second half of the program, we hear about cuts in Obama-Era civil rights programs called for by the Trump Administration's first budget plan.
Terrorism and tweets, hate speech and murder Just days before an election, Britain is coping with a rash of deadly terrorism, and Prime Minister Theresa May is on the defensive. And again today, President Trump has tweeted criticism of the Mayor of London. Later, a double murder in Portland, Oregon has revealed the ugly past of a supposedly “progressive” city. One immediate question: is “hate speech” protected by the First Amendment?
Janesville and the American Dream Janesville, Wisconsin is the hometown of Republican House Speaker Paul Ryan. But he couldn’t prevent the closing of the General Motors factory after 100 years. On this Memorial Day rebroadcast of To the Point, we hear what’s happened to what once was a model of American middle-class unity.