it might seem that there’s not much in the way of silver linings in these dark economic times, there is at least one: as people learn to make do with less, they are discovering the many benefits of sharing. Car-sharing, babysitting cooperatives, and tool lending are just a few of the many creative ways people are eschewing ownership and learning to share the goods and services they need. But sharing can do more than just save you a buck. New psychological research suggests that sharing fosters trust and cooperation in the community and contributes to personal well-being. Here are some of the ways that sharing can boost your happiness levels and help your community thrive: 1. Sh... posted on May 21 2013 (26,491 reads)

psychology of spaghetti sauce and why too many jams make you lose your appetite. Why are you reading this? How did you decide to click the link, load the page and stay? How do we decide to do anything at all and, out of the myriad choices we face each day, what makes one option more preferable over another? This is one of the most fundamental questions of the social sciences, from consumer psychology to economic theory to behavioral science. Today, at the risk of meta-irony, we look at not one but five fantastic books and talks that explore the subject. Take your pick(s) — if you can, that is.   JONAH LEHRER HOW WE DECIDE Among other things, Jonah Lehrer writes the excell... posted on Oct 10 2011 (36,665 reads)

much as I liked Narasimha, my favorite mode of travel within India was the auto-rickshaw. The word "rickshaw" comes from "jin riki sha" (人力車), which means "human-powered vehicle" in Japanese. The word probably went to China and got picked up by the British, who then applied it to Indian rickshaws. Auto-rickshaws are thus the etymological equivalent of automobiles. Physically, though, they're a different beast. Auto-rickshaws are three-wheeled, covered, scooter-taxis that zip around in cities throughout India.  Elsewhere, they're called "tuk-tuks," "trishaws," or "mototaxis." They're small, light, nimble... posted on Jul 18 2011 (12,922 reads)

of the best-loved American Indian authors, Simon Ortiz of Acoma Pueblo, is called “Howbah Indians.” Howbah means “welcome” in Acoma. The story is about a Pueblo man who manages to purchase a store and then writes on the wall of that store, “Howbah Indians,” to welcome other Indians and let them know the new owner is himself an Indian. It attracts many native customers right away, but none of them pay for the things they get. Soon, the man is forced out of business and the store stands empty. But for many years after, whenever Indians pass by that store they point out those fading words on the wall with pride. It was proof that the man who ran that stor... posted on Aug 16 2011 (36,689 reads)

a concussion and a fractured cheekbone and Zidane received a five-match ban. Zinedine Zidane has always been known for his intensity and the downside of this strength became most evident in the World Cup finals. It is probable that France lost to Italy because they were without their captain and one of the greatest players of the game. As an executive coach interested in exploring what drives people to successes and failures, I have worked with hundreds of ambitious people including business executives, sports legends and Nobel laureates. One key discovery I made repeatedly over the last fifteen years is that there is a common driver to the successes and failures of the people I ... posted on Sep 25 2011 (12,400 reads)

years ago I founded the Webby Awards. I was fascinated by how the Internet was connecting people all over the world in new and unexpected ways. I have also been struck by the many conversations about the problems of our day that view them as separate challenges—whether the environment, women’s rights, poverty, or social justice. It has become increasingly apparent to me that when you perceive everything as connected, it radically shapes your perspective. The concept of interdependence isn’t new; it’s been around since the dawn of humanity. For two-hundred-thousand years, we’ve been connecting through networks both natural and technological. Interde... posted on Oct 3 2011 (21,428 reads)

is not the answer. That's the conclusion I came to after five years in India trying to find ways to apply electronic technologies to international development. I was the co-founder and assistant director of Microsoft Research India, a Bangalore computer-science lab, where one of our objectives was to research ways in which information and communication technologies could support the socio-economic development of poor communities, both rural and urban. (By the way, I'm grateful to Jim Fallows for the opportunity to guest post! It was in Bangalore that I met Jim, thanks to an introduction through a good mutual friend, The Atlantic's deputy editor Scott Stossel.) In&... posted on Oct 15 2011 (17,126 reads)

to spay and neuter the homeless dogs and to provide a steady food supply for the caretakers who are trying to care for them. Volunteers and veterinarians are coming together in a mission to halt the expansion of the population of homeless dogs, and to even microchip them, in order to assume a stronger form of custody. What Began With a Couple Hundred Animals…. Noah’s Ark CARES was founded by Raymund Wee, a former flight stewart and pet groomer who sold his Singapore-based business and used the proceeds to establish the organization’s sanctuary. What began as a place of refuge for a couple hundred animals grew by leaps and bounds after a severe flood a few years b... posted on Oct 11 2011 (14,768 reads)

including a group combating gun violence, another fighting against animal cruelty, organizations to help support young writers, disaster relief after the earthquake and tsunami in Japan, the tornado in Missouri, and Hurricane Irene, as well as the Dream Foundation, Public Radio, Smile Train, Doctors Without Borders, and many more. Reading about how they are inspired by each other to give to certain organizations (a micro-lending agency that helps women in business -a post by Giver Boy, or the National Fatherhood Initiative - a post by Giver Girl) never crosses into being mushy, but remains touching and moving. This insight into the motiv... posted on Oct 25 2011 (15,790 reads)

more, visit the Communication Insight Center.] Last week, I played the piano for my friend Macy Robison's cabaret-style recital Children Will Listen. The 1,400-seat Browning Center auditorium at Weber State University was sold out. The crowd loved her. I played exceptionally well, but the outcome could have been very different. Prior to this event, we had performed the recital for audiences of no more than fifty people. Each time, nerves bedeviled me. I majored in music in college, but over the last two decades I've played only intermittently, and never professionally. A few months ago when I had worked with Macy in the recording studio, I found the circumstan... posted on Nov 4 2011 (16,188 reads)

36th annual conference, at Hillsborough Community College (Tinyurl.com/3avntte). Kleitsch remarks, “I show up, pay attention and listen for opportunities where my connections with policy makers, educators, nonprofits and community activists can help convene people in meaningful conversations that can make a difference in building a resilient community.” In Oklahoma City, Sustainable OKC, a volunteer organization working towards community sustainability at the crossroads of business, environment and social justice, frequently partners with the city’s Office of Sustainability, the CommonWealth Urban Farms project and the Oklahoma Food Cooperative (Sustainableokc.org... posted on Nov 20 2011 (23,697 reads)

at least a couple of years, Zen Habits was one of the top productivity blogs, dispensing productivity tips for a nominal fee (your reading time). I’d like to think I helped people move closer to their dreams, but today I have different advice: Toss productivity advice out the window. Most of it is well-meaning, but the advice is wrong for a simple reason: it’s meant to squeeze the most productivity out of every day, instead of making your days better. Imagine instead of cranking out a lot of widgets, you made space for what’s important. Imagine that you worked slower instead of faster, and enjoyed your work. Imagine a world where people matter more than profits. ... posted on Nov 15 2011 (17,054 reads)

best months of his life…even playing ball at his old age Roadie lived on the farm with me and my other dogs and the horses for seven months happy and full of life .  He played with his favorite ball and slept in my bed every night until that morning I had been dreading came. I awoke that Friday to take Roadie and the other kids out but he couldn’t get up and stand on his feet and I thought well he is just having a bad day, so I helped to his feet and outside to do his business and continued to do so over the weekend.  By Monday, his legs couldn’t support his weight even with my assistance, so just as I had seven months earlier, I carried him into my vet&... posted on Nov 19 2011 (107,533 reads)

are recent signs that a culture shift toward shorter hours has begun. In 1996, when I first surveyed on this issue, 19 percent of the adult population reported having made a voluntary lifestyle change during the previous five years that entailed earning less money. In a 2004 survey by the Center for a New American Dream, 48 percent did. The stagnant economy, difficult as it is, represents an opportunity for expanding the norm of part-time work. In the first year of the recession, many businesses avoided layoffs by reducing hours through furloughs, unpaid vacations, four-day workweeks, and flex-time. By mid-2009, one study of large firms found that 20 percent had reduced hours to fo... posted on Jan 12 2012 (45,542 reads)

he roared above the clacking wheels. “Why the hell should I talk to you?” The drunk now had his back to me. If his elbow moved so much as a millimeter, I’d drop him in his socks. The old man continued to beam at the laborer. There was not a trace of fear or resentment about him. “What’cha been drinkin’?” he asked lightly, with interest. “I been drinkin’ sake,” the laborer bellowed back, “and it’s none of your god d#*& business!” “Oh, that’s wonderful,” the old man said with delight. “Absolutely wonderful! You see, I love sake, too. Every night, me and my wife (she’s seventy-six,... posted on Dec 8 2011 (43,476 reads)

of articles on how to foster generosity in children, institutions, society—and within ourselves. Here are seven top tips, culled from the archives, for encouraging people to give all year round. 1. Communicate the value of giving. As Christine Carter writes in her Raising Happiness blog, “Research suggests that altruistic children have at least one parent … who deliberately communicates altruistic values to their kids.” The same observation applies to political, business, and nonprofit leaders, who can make a difference by talking about the value of giving and sharing. Not all the communication need be verbal. As Jason Marsh reports, researchers at the Max... posted on Dec 25 2011 (12,546 reads)

we expect to be able to feed, shelter, and provide even basic living conditions to our growing population in years to come, we must act now to change.” Hunger, poverty, and climate change are issues that we can all help address. Here are 12 simple steps to go green in 2012: (1) Recycle Recycling programs exist in cities and towns across the United States, helping to save energy and protect the environment. In 2009, San Francisco became the first U.S. city to require all homes and businesses to use recycling and composting collection programs. As a result, more than 75 percent of all material collected is being recycled, diverting 1.6 million tons from the landfills annually&md... posted on Dec 29 2011 (14,232 reads)

van. One father. One son. Thirty-one cities. 30,724 pounds lost among 1,516 participants. 1,255,740 views on YouTube. When Ben Davis makes a promise to his Meemaw, he means business. It was Christmas Eve of 2008 when Ben’s grandmother expressed her concern for him simply by asking whether he was happy.    “I was 360 pounds,” Ben told me. “I was in a deep depression, I had lost a relationship as a direct result of the depression—I was, in no way, happy—and her inquisition that night … it pushed me to really examine my life and spurred me to get it together. To get a grip and get my life back on track.” Inspired, he... posted on Jan 4 2012 (11,966 reads)

closing fast. When I checked in with Tracie some 48 hours later, she reported that all were in foster care and doing well…including the mother dog. “Mom and pups are doing well,’ Tracie explains.  “The foster parents are in love with the mom and want to keep her as long as it takes for us to find a quality home for her ourselves, instead of putting her into the shelter’s program.” No matter how long I’ve been in the rescue business and no matter how many faces I’ve seen, it’s those prize winning moments of individual power that give me goosebumps. Last year, Tracie spent nearly $15,000 caring for rescue... posted on Feb 19 2012 (13,456 reads)

Japanese warrior looked perplexed. He had just offered tea to his Chinese adversary and asked whether his guest fully appreciated its quality, only to be told, “Nature does not make distinctions on tea. We do. I am not interested in the finer distinctions of the tea you have offered me because I have already decided to enjoy it.” The Japanese warrior slowly asked, “By the same logic, I take it then that you don’t consider any martial art as superior or inferior?” The Chinese warrior nodded and said, “Yes. It is the skill of the practitioner that brings out the essence of the art, and some are more skilled than others.” The Japanese warrior ret... posted on Mar 3 2012 (19,896 reads)