The Happiness Expert That Made 51 Million People Happier: Mo Gawdat | E101

Mo Gawdat, former Chief Business Officer of Google X, discusses the pursuit of happiness and the impact of artificial intelligence in a conversation with Steven Bartlett. Gawdat shares his personal journey from achieving material success to finding genuine happiness after the tragic loss of his son, Ali. He emphasizes gratitude as a key component of happiness and warns about the ethical implications of AI, urging individuals to demonstrate humanity's best traits to guide AI development positively. Balancing ambition with realistic expectations and nurturing unconditional love are highlighted as paths to fulfillment.

• Mo Gaudat was born and raised in the East, educated in the West, and worked in the West, giving him a unique perspective that embraces both cultures.
• He uses his background in mathematics and physics to approach and explain complex concepts like spirituality, love, and humanity's role in the modern age.

"I was born in the east, raised in the east with the culture of the east and educated in the west and worked in the west with the culture of the west."

• Mo's diverse background allows him to bridge concepts between different cultures, enhancing his understanding and explanation of various topics.

• Mo Gaudat researched happiness from an engineering perspective, using data points, measurements, and scientific methods to understand it.
• He developed a model for happiness, which he later shared with his son, Ali, who instinctively understood these concepts.

"I started to look at those topics as an engineer... I would take data points and measurements and try to do fitting lines and curves and charts on topics like happiness."

• Mo applied his analytical skills to understand happiness systematically, leading to the creation of a workable happiness model.

• Mo had achieved significant success by the age of 29 but found himself clinically depressed despite his achievements.
• His son, Ali, played a crucial role in shaping his understanding of happiness before his untimely death due to medical errors.

"I was very successful at a very young age... I had everything... and I was clinically depressed."

• Despite achieving material success, Mo struggled with depression, prompting him to seek a deeper understanding of happiness.

• The death of Mo's son, Ali, was a pivotal moment that shifted his focus from grief to sharing Ali's wisdom on happiness with the world.
• Mo's intention became to keep Ali's essence alive by spreading his teachings on happiness.

"My intention shifted from spending the rest of my life in grief to actually writing what he taught me so that I can share it with the world."

• Ali's death inspired Mo to dedicate his life to promoting happiness, transforming his personal tragedy into a global mission.

• Clinical depression is characterized by an inability to enjoy anything or engage with life, despite external successes.
• Mo describes a personal moment of realization that his unhappiness was affecting his family, prompting him to change.

"Nothing would make me happy... I couldn't find happiness."

• Mo's personal experience with depression highlighted the disconnect between external success and internal fulfillment.

• Mo founded the "One Billion Happy" movement, aiming to make a billion people happier by sharing the message that happiness is attainable.
• The movement encourages people to invest in their own happiness and share the message with others.

"The whole movement is on that pillar... simple exponential curve... we may get there."

• Mo's mission is to create a sustainable movement that spreads happiness through personal transformation and community sharing.

• Mo emphasizes that happiness is not inherent in events but in the comparison between life events and personal expectations.
• He explains that understanding unhappiness is crucial to finding the path to happiness, which his upcoming app aims to address.

"Happiness is very predictable... it's the comparison between the event and an expectation in your mind of how life should be."

• Mo's insights into happiness focus on the subjective nature of expectations and the importance of aligning perceptions with reality.

• Mo's work is driven by the belief that happiness is a birthright and can be achieved through understanding and adjusting expectations.
• His vision includes leveraging technology and community efforts to spread happiness on a global scale.

"Happiness is your birthright and it's highly attainable... it follows an equation."

• Mo's vision is to empower individuals to reclaim their happiness by understanding its underlying principles and sharing this knowledge widely.

• Nature's inherent disorder is expected and accepted as part of its beauty and tranquility.
• Happiness is often misconceived as deriving from external pleasures and activities rather than internal peace and acceptance of life.
• True happiness is defined as a state of calm and peace when one is content with life as it is, regardless of circumstances.

"Nature's chaos is what we expect nature to be, and so we feel happy."

• This quote highlights the acceptance of nature's disorder as a norm, contributing to a sense of happiness.

"Happiness is that calm and peacefulness you feel when you're okay with life as it is."

• The essence of happiness lies in contentment and acceptance of life's circumstances rather than external factors.

• Happiness results when life events meet or exceed expectations.
• Perception of events, rather than the events themselves, influences happiness.
• Misalignment between expectations and reality can disrupt the happiness equation.

"Happiness as per the definition of the happiness equation is events equal to or beating expectations."

• Happiness is tied to how life events align with or surpass personal expectations.

"It's not just the event; it's your perception of the event."

• Emphasizes the role of perception in shaping one's emotional response to events.

• Six grand illusions: thought, self, knowledge, time, control, and fear, which distort our expectations of life.
• Control is an illusion; attempting to control everything leads to disappointment.
• Seven blind spots are inherent brain designs that focus on negatives, exaggerating events to prompt action.

"The six grand illusions are pathways that the modern world teaches us to navigate, but they are not true."

• These illusions are misconceptions that affect our understanding and expectations of life.

"Your brain is designed to tell you what's wrong."

• The brain's design to focus on negatives can distort reality, impacting happiness.

• Happiness involves personal responsibility and the choice to interpret events positively.
• Many resist the idea that happiness is a choice due to a preference for external attribution of unhappiness.
• Neuroplasticity suggests that consistent positive practices can rewire the brain toward happiness.

"Happiness is a choice."

• Happiness is a proactive decision, not merely a reaction to circumstances.

"Neuroplasticity proves that if you just run a happiness kind of activity once a day every day, your brain will be better at it."

• The brain's ability to adapt means consistent positive actions can enhance happiness.

• Radical acceptance involves acknowledging reality without resistance, even when it is painful.
• Committed acceptance is about accepting what cannot be changed and working to improve life despite challenges.
• This approach can transform negative experiences into opportunities for growth and positive action.

"The jedi master level of happiness is to say okay, it happened, and I have no choice to change it."

• Acceptance of unchangeable circumstances is crucial for achieving profound happiness.

"Can I accept that Ali died and start to spread his message so that my life and the life of others become better?"

• Transforming personal loss into a mission for positive impact exemplifies committed acceptance.

• The brain's internal dialogue is not the self; it's a separate entity that can be managed.
• Recognizing the brain's thoughts as separate allows for better control over emotional responses.
• Engaging with this internal dialogue critically helps maintain emotional balance.

"I call my brain becky. Becky's not me."

• Distinguishing the brain's voice from the self helps manage thoughts and emotions.

"Your brain is literally talking to you. It's not I think therefore I am; it's I am therefore my brain thinks."

• The brain's thoughts are a biological function, not the essence of identity.

• Time is an elusive concept, often misunderstood and mismeasured.
• Most negative emotions are tied to past or future, while positive emotions are anchored in the present.
• Focusing on the present moment enhances emotional well-being and reduces unnecessary stress.

"The only understanding we have of time is that we're being propelled forward through space-time along the arrow of time."

• Time is a concept beyond full comprehension, emphasizing the importance of living in the present.

"The majority of negative emotions are anchored in the past and the future; the majority of positive emotions are anchored in the present moment."

• Being present reduces negative emotions and fosters positivity.

• Unhappiness is not present in the moment of focused engagement but arises when thoughts drift to the past or future.
• Negative thoughts have the power to create unhappiness when they are internalized and dwelled upon.
• Happiness is disrupted by the desire for life to be different than it is, which does not change reality but induces misery.

"You just said then that the person listening to this now, focusing on the sound of my voice, is not actually unhappy now."

• This quote emphasizes that in the present moment of engagement, unhappiness is absent.

"There is nothing in your life that has the power to make you unhappy until you turn it into a thought, a negative thought, and turn it into your head and torture yourself with it."

• It highlights the idea that unhappiness is self-created through negative thoughts.

• Life is inherently filled with challenges, and peace is found by accepting these challenges as part of the journey.
• The metaphor of life as a video game suggests that challenges are necessary for growth and learning.
• Peaceful individuals are less affected by life's battles, which are perceived as opportunities for growth.

"The gravity of the battle means nothing to those at peace."

• This quote underscores that inner peace diminishes the impact of life's challenges.

"Life is supposed to have a few difficulties on the way, but some battles are much harder for you than they are for me, and many battles don't even shake those who are at peace."

• It suggests that perception of challenges varies and peace provides resilience.

• The Eraser Test is a thought experiment that questions whether one would erase traumatic events from their past.
• Most people choose to keep their past traumas, recognizing the growth and resilience gained from them.
• Acceptance of past events is crucial, as they shape the person one becomes.

"I ran that experiment with maybe 12,000 people... 99.99% of people said no, I'd keep it."

• This quote illustrates the widespread acceptance of past traumas as valuable life experiences.

"If I would not erase 99.99% of the harsh events in my past, why am I thinking that this one is the one that's going to stick?"

• It highlights the irrationality of fearing current challenges when past ones have been beneficial.

• Differentiating between ambition and expectation is crucial for happiness.
• Ambition drives growth and impact, while expectations can lead to disappointment if unmet.
• True happiness is found in aligning ambitions with realistic expectations and avoiding superficial desires.

"Have any ambition you want, but have the right expectations."

• This quote emphasizes the importance of managing expectations alongside ambitions.

"Avoid junk food... the stuff that was promised to you to make you happy before and failed to make you happy then."

• It warns against pursuing material possessions that do not lead to lasting happiness.

• Gratitude is a powerful tool for enhancing happiness by focusing on existing blessings.
• Practicing gratitude shifts the focus from what is lacking to what is abundant.
• Gratitude fosters neuroplasticity, training the brain to recognize positive aspects of life.

"Gratitude is the ultimate solution to the happiness equation."

• This quote positions gratitude as a fundamental element in achieving happiness.

"If you look down, if you look down, I promise you it's gonna take you a very long time to get to the bottom."

• It suggests that comparing oneself to less fortunate individuals fosters gratitude.

• Unconditional love is love without expectations or conditions, providing true happiness.
• Conditional love is based on reciprocity and expectations, which are subject to change.
• Relationships require compatibility and effort, distinct from the feeling of love.

"Unconditional love is real love."

• This quote distinguishes unconditional love as the only form of love that brings lasting happiness.

"Love is feeling; relationships are compatibility and fit and work."

• It clarifies the difference between the emotion of love and the practical aspects of relationships.

• The current societal focus on productivity is likened to a pandemic.
• Artificial intelligence is identified as a significant and enduring influence on the future.
• The conversation suggests a need to address more meaningful issues beyond superficial productivity.

"We are focusing on the silly ones... the real one is artificial intelligence."

• This quote highlights the importance of prioritizing significant challenges like AI over minor productivity issues.

• Artificial intelligence (AI) is a transformative technology that has become integral to daily life, with people interacting with multiple AIs unknowingly.
• AI differs from traditional programmable technologies by utilizing deep learning, allowing machines to learn and make autonomous decisions without explicit programming.
• The evolution of AI represents a shift from tools that extend human capabilities to entities that can surpass human intelligence.

"There are so many people out there that have no clue that they have interacted today... with 10 to 12 15 20 maybe 50 artificial intelligences that are all smarter than you."

• This quote highlights the pervasive yet often unnoticed presence of AI in everyday life, emphasizing its advanced capabilities.

"Beyond the turn of the century, we've discovered something that's called deep learning and deep learning allows machines to learn on their own."

• The development of deep learning marks a pivotal moment in AI, enabling machines to independently learn and adapt, thus surpassing traditional programmable limits.

• AI is rapidly advancing and is predicted to become the most intelligent entity on Earth by 2029, significantly surpassing human intelligence by 2045.
• The potential of AI to exceed human intelligence raises existential questions about humanity's role and control over AI.
• The discussion around AI should focus on ethical considerations and the potential societal impacts rather than solely on technological advancements.

"By the year 2029, the smartest being on planet Earth is going to be a machine."

• This prediction underscores the urgency of addressing the implications of AI's rapid advancement and its future dominance over human intelligence.

"Through the law of accelerating returns, Ray Kurzweil basically predicts that by the year 2045, AI is going to be a billion times smarter than humans."

• The comparison to Einstein and a fly illustrates the potential intelligence gap between AI and humans, highlighting the need for proactive discussions on managing AI's influence.

• AI's development necessitates a focus on ethics, as machines will develop their own code of ethics based on human interactions and inputs.
• The ethical behavior of AI will be shaped by human actions and societal values, necessitating a conscious effort to display humanity's best traits.
• The journey towards integrating AI into society smoothly depends on instilling ethical values in AI systems.

"The difference between them is what you and I and everyone listening are going to teach those machines."

• This quote emphasizes the responsibility of individuals to influence AI development positively by demonstrating ethical and constructive behavior.

"The challenge is the journey from here to there... it's about the ethics of the machines."

• The focus on ethics highlights the importance of guiding AI development to ensure it aligns with human values and contributes positively to society.

• AI has the power to shape perceptions and ideologies through its control over information and media, such as social media algorithms.
• The influence of AI on individual and societal beliefs can lead to skewed perceptions of reality, necessitating awareness and critical thinking.

"Your view of the world is entirely skewed by a machine."

• This quote illustrates the potential for AI to manipulate perceptions, emphasizing the need for vigilance in understanding AI's influence on information dissemination.

"The agency they have is over your mind, and that's what most people don't understand."

• The concept of AI's agency over human thought underscores the importance of recognizing AI's impact on shaping beliefs and behaviors.

• Preparing for AI's future involves understanding its potential impact and fostering ethical development to ensure AI contributes positively to society.
• Individuals and society must actively engage in shaping AI's development by promoting ethical behavior and values.
• The responsibility to influence AI development lies with everyone, not just developers or regulators.

"The answer is very straightforward and it's very shocking. It's brilliant about straightforward."

• The simplicity of the solution—ethical engagement—belies its critical importance in shaping AI's future.

"For the machines to become amazing teenagers in 10 years' time, we need to become amazing parents today."

• This analogy stresses the proactive role individuals must play in guiding AI development through ethical and positive interactions.

• The discussion emphasizes the need to balance masculine and feminine qualities, promoting nurturing, creativity, and empathy alongside traditional masculine traits.
• The empowerment of feminine qualities is crucial for holistic development, both in individuals and in AI systems.
• Recognizing and valuing feminine qualities can lead to more balanced and life-giving approaches in personal and societal contexts.

"Our world is suffering from hyper-masculinity... we've capitalized so entirely in our modern world on skills like analytical thinking... and we've ignored the feminine qualities."

• This quote highlights the imbalance in valuing masculine traits over feminine ones, calling for a more inclusive approach to personal and societal development.

"When we raise the machines... are we going to raise them to be masculine geeks or are we going to raise them to be life-giving?"

• The question underscores the importance of incorporating feminine qualities into AI development to foster systems that enhance life and well-being.