This site is dedicated to the memory of Dr. Alan William Smolowe who gave birth to the creation of this database.
CLEOPATRA: If it be love indeed, tell me how much. ANTONY: There's beggary in the love that can be reckoned. CLEOPATRA: I'll set a bourne how far to be belov'd. ANTONY: Then must thou needs find out new heaven, new earth.
Light |
Besides, you know Prosperity's the very bond of love, Whose fresh complexion and whose heart together Affliction alters. The Winter's Tale (Camillo at IV, iv)
Daniel Gilbert, fully Daniel Todd Gilbert, aka Professor Happiness
The eye and brain are conspirators, and like most conspiracies; theirs is negotiated behind closed doors, in the back room, outside of our awareness.
Doubly porcullis'd with my teeth and lips; and dull, unfeeling, barren ignorance is made my gaoler to attend on me. I am too old to fawn upon a nurse, too far in years to be a pupil now; what is thy sentence then but speechless death which robs my tongue from breathing native breath? Richard II, Act i, Scene III
Gall |
Dar'st thou die? The sense of death is most in apprehension, and the poor beetle that we tread upon In corporal sufferance finds a pang as great as when a giant dies. Measure for Measure, Act iii
Sense |
Daniel Gilbert, fully Daniel Todd Gilbert, aka Professor Happiness
We treat our future selves as though they were our children, spending most of the hours of most of our days constructing tomorrows that we hope will make them happy.
Conspiracy | Looks | Reality |
Daniel Gilbert, fully Daniel Todd Gilbert, aka Professor Happiness
Distorted views of reality are made possible by the fact that experiences are ambiguous, that is, they can be credibly viewed in many ways, some of which are more positive than others. To ensure that our views are credible, our brain accepts what our eye sees. To ensure that our views are positive, our eye looks for what our brain wants. The conspiracy between these two servants allows us to live at the fulcrum of stark reality and comforting illusion. So what does all of this have to do with forecasting our emotional futures? As we are about to see, we may live at the fulcrum of reality and illusion, but most of us don't know our own address.
Daniel Gilbert, fully Daniel Todd Gilbert, aka Professor Happiness
Research suggests that people are typically unaware of the reasons why they are doing what they are doing, but when asked for a reason, they readily supply one.
Looks |
Discretion is the better part of valour. [The better part of valour is discretion.] Henry IV, Part I, Act v, Scene 4
We have got to look very carefully at how we're structured, and how each one of these fisheries is sustainable. The future is very bright for fisheries if we do it right.
Time |
With what a heavy and retarding weight does expectation load the wing of time.
O now, for ever Farewell the tranquil mind farewell content.
Hakuin, fully Hakuin Akaku NULL
Should you desire great tranquility, prepare to sweat white beads.