We all want to be happy. It is featured in the main promise made to citizens of the United States of America by the founding fathers. Unfortunately, many things that happen are counter-intuitive to this. What if national decisions were made with national well-being in mind, instead of only GDP? What if we were able to utilize data to further glee? What if we could be happier?
Enter the H(app)athon. Founded by John Havens, the H(app)athon operates under the idea that the healthiness of a nation is governed by more than the GDP. It aims to discover what brings people happiness and use that data to increase happiness overall. Concern over happiness is going global and, in fact, the UN has decided that the pursuit of happiness is important enough to name March, 20th International Happiness Day. On this day the H(app)athon will begin in New York and London, during which data will be accumulated to help determine a standard metric of happiness. Don't worry, if you don't happen to live in either of those places, you can still register and participate. So much of our lives are already dictated by data, why not have it work for our happiness?
These guys have it all figured out
I want to make sure that I am stressing exactly how important this is. If this works out right, suddenly happiness becomes a part of the standard with which to measure the success of a country. When decisions are being made about how to run a country, the effect on happiness will have to be considered. So think about what it is that makes you happy, and on March 20th let the H(app)athon know.
Read more about the H(app)athon in this Mashable.com article, get involved and let us know what makes you happy in the comments below.