Measuring “happy” – a presentation by John de Graaf at Griffin Bay Bookstore

John de Graaf's book

Every so often, friends of mine who live off-island ask, What do you have to do on that island anyway? One of the things that I love about living here is the incredible people who pass through here & share their stories, and that we have places for us to collect & them to visit with us. Griffin Bay Books & the Library continue to take care of things, as you can see with this presentation:

What’s the Economy For, Anyway?
Why It’s Time to Stop Chasing Growth and Start Pursuing Happiness
By John de Graaf & David K. Batker

Griffin Bay Bookstore and the San Juan Island Library are proud to co-sponsor a special evening at Griffin Bay Bookstore with John de Graaf, author, documentary filmmaker, and director of Seattle’s Happiness Initiative on Saturday, May 19, 7:00 pm.

If you’re wondering if there are better ways to measure American economic well-being than by today’s primary indicator, the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), then make sure to hear John de Graaf talk about a more stimulating approach to the economy, one that puts people and their needs ahead of money-based indicators of growth and performance.

In their thought-provoking book, What’s the Economy For, Anyway? John de Graaf and co-author David K. Batker tackle thirteen economic issues, asking the reader to consider the ultimate purpose of our economy. Emphasizing powerful American ideals, including teamwork, pragmatism, and equality, de Graaf and Batker set forth a simple goal for any economic system: the greatest good for the greatest number, over the longest run. Drawing from history and current enterprises, the reader can see how the good life is achieved when people and markets work together with an active government to create an economy that works for everyone.

In his review of What’s the Economy For, Anyway? David E. Spiro, Adjunct Associate Professor of International Political Economy, Columbia University, noted that the book “recalibrated” his impatience with “nonsense” when it comes to reading proposals by economists or environmentalists writing about a sustainable economy. This book, he says, is “well-argued and clearly written,” and will appeal to a wide variety of readers.

Spiro refers to a speech that Robert Kennedy made in 1968 when he said: “The Gross National Product (GNP is similar to GDP but it takes imports and exports into account) does not allow for the health of our children, the quality of their education, or the joy of their play. It does not include the beauty of our poetry or the strength of our marriages, the intelligence of our public debate or the integrity of our public officials . . . It measures everything in short, except that which makes life worthwhile.”  Spiro summarizes proposals, arguments, and indicators set forth by de Graaf and Batker that can be used to do just what Kennedy talked about in 1968.  Their book ought to be “required reading,” he concludes.

Don’t miss the opportunity to meet John de Graaf and learn how we might change—and improve—the way we measure our economic well being, how, instead, we could weigh the quality, not just quantity, of our growth, our common good, and the overall well being of Americans.

This book is full of humor, solid evidence, and common sense; never dull, but eminently readable and clear.

About the author

John de Graaf is the co-author of the national bestseller Affluenza: The All-consuming Epidemic. He is also Executive Director of Take Back Your Time, an organization challenging time poverty and overwork in the U.S. and Canada. He is the co-founder and senior partner of the Happiness Initiative. An independent producer of television documentaries, more than 15 of de Graaf’s programs have been broadcast primetime nationally on Public Television.

For information on the Happiness Initiative: Pursuing more of what matters, not merely more, see http://www.happycounts.org/

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