May 2009
40 posts
Play
Play
Play
Play
“
Who is the black fellow who is sitting next me?” Brooke Astor had asked former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger at a dinner at her apartment in January 2002.
“He is Kofi Annan,” Mr. Kissinger replied. “Is he a distinguished fellow?” Ms. Astor asked.
” —Henry Kissinger Recalls Long Walks With ‘Close Friend’ Brooke Astor, Kisses Court Officer on Way Out | The New York Observer
Play
“What Makes Us Happy”: According to Liz Phair, US Poet Laureate (1993-1994), what makes you happy is “all that matters.” According to this 72 year long longitudinal study at Harvard—the Liz Phair of graduate-level psychology programs—it’s actually more about how you respond to things as opposed to the terrible, terrible things that inevitably happens to you. (Passive voice here, to make a meta-point!) Harvard selected 268 men, who matriculated during the 30s, and traced the way they responded to things—or “adapted”—during the last 72 years. So let’s skip all this and get to the Secrets To Happiness, which are (spoiler alert!) as follows: “Employing mature adaptations, education, stable marriage, not smoking, not abusing alcohol, some exercise, and healthy weight.” Which, hm, funsy. [What Makes Us Happy]”
—Wonkette : The Atlantic Makes Us Happy On Several Levels Today
