I am not sure Economic thought is to blame, but the pervasive consumerism aimed at satisfying ever changing wants is easy to observe – in fact, perfect timing with Christmas just around the corner. Part of me wants to believe that Economists are simply studying the world as it reveals itself, but another part wonders how much policy-makers influenced by Economic thought have shaped the world to be in line with their ideas. What would christmas shopping look like, if the world’s Ministers of Finance had always been Buddhist?

Some time ago, I spoke with Joi Ito about Happiness as a main driver for volunteerism in online communities like Wikipedia (we made a podcast, google finds it). He used the Dalai Lama’s differentiation between actions that lead to true happiness and those that merely satisfy a “want” to argue that once participants experience the happiness that comes from sharing, they will want to do it again. One realisation I took away from the conversation was that it made more sense for the “open” movement (free culture, etc.) to focus on providing this experience of happiness to those who are interested, rather than try to convince the needs-wanters-satisfiers.

As an Economist yourself, where does this leave you? Should more people study Economics, or should they direct their energy towards other — happier — undertakings