Michael Plant
@michaeldplant.bsky.social
Moral philosopher and happiness nerd. Founder and Director, Happier Lives Institute. Postdoctoral Fellow, Oxford Unviersity. All views yours, weirdly.
Reposted by Michael Plant
On this #WorldMentalHealthDay, read our blog post about the Global Mental Health Report released by Bloom, with research by us: bit.ly/3WwWnEl
Let’s make #MentalHealth a much higher global priority.
#MentalHealthAwareness #Happiness #HappierLivesInstitute
Let’s make #MentalHealth a much higher global priority.
#MentalHealthAwareness #Happiness #HappierLivesInstitute
October 10, 2025 at 3:06 PM
On this #WorldMentalHealthDay, read our blog post about the Global Mental Health Report released by Bloom, with research by us: bit.ly/3WwWnEl
Let’s make #MentalHealth a much higher global priority.
#MentalHealthAwareness #Happiness #HappierLivesInstitute
Let’s make #MentalHealth a much higher global priority.
#MentalHealthAwareness #Happiness #HappierLivesInstitute
Reposted by Michael Plant
Listen back to @michaeldplant.bsky.social on Spencer Greenberg's 'Clearer Thinking' Podcast where they discuss topics in moral philosophy: podcast.clearerthinking.org/episode/280/...
September 25, 2025 at 8:19 AM
Listen back to @michaeldplant.bsky.social on Spencer Greenberg's 'Clearer Thinking' Podcast where they discuss topics in moral philosophy: podcast.clearerthinking.org/episode/280/...
🚨New podcast out 🚨 @spencrgreenberg.bsky.social and I go wonderfully deep on the big issues about doing good and improving wellbeing.
Link: podcast.clearerthinking.org/episode/280/...
Summary:
Link: podcast.clearerthinking.org/episode/280/...
Summary:
September 18, 2025 at 3:52 PM
🚨New podcast out 🚨 @spencrgreenberg.bsky.social and I go wonderfully deep on the big issues about doing good and improving wellbeing.
Link: podcast.clearerthinking.org/episode/280/...
Summary:
Link: podcast.clearerthinking.org/episode/280/...
Summary:
Academics: you work on 'happiness'? You can't measure that.
Also academics: oh, did you see we went up the rankings?
Out today: www.theguardian.com/education/ng...
Also academics: oh, did you see we went up the rankings?
Out today: www.theguardian.com/education/ng...
September 13, 2025 at 8:25 AM
Academics: you work on 'happiness'? You can't measure that.
Also academics: oh, did you see we went up the rankings?
Out today: www.theguardian.com/education/ng...
Also academics: oh, did you see we went up the rankings?
Out today: www.theguardian.com/education/ng...
🚨New research🚨I've just had a co-authored paper on moral uncertainty come out in Ergo.
We develop a new 'moral marketplace' theory that can, unlike the alternatives, justify donation splitting - and has some other major theoretical advantages too!
journals.publishing.umich.edu/ergo/article...
We develop a new 'moral marketplace' theory that can, unlike the alternatives, justify donation splitting - and has some other major theoretical advantages too!
journals.publishing.umich.edu/ergo/article...
September 4, 2025 at 3:14 PM
🚨New research🚨I've just had a co-authored paper on moral uncertainty come out in Ergo.
We develop a new 'moral marketplace' theory that can, unlike the alternatives, justify donation splitting - and has some other major theoretical advantages too!
journals.publishing.umich.edu/ergo/article...
We develop a new 'moral marketplace' theory that can, unlike the alternatives, justify donation splitting - and has some other major theoretical advantages too!
journals.publishing.umich.edu/ergo/article...
Where do people give money to if you give them info on charity impact *and* wear top hats? We ran an experiment, 'The Happiness Factory', to find out...
www.happierlivesinstitute.org/2025/08/27/r...
www.happierlivesinstitute.org/2025/08/27/r...
The Happiness Factory: An ISQOLS 2025 Story - Happier Lives Institute
Our researcher, Ben, reflects on his time at the ISQOLs and the impact of the Happier Factory exercise that we ran at the event.
www.happierlivesinstitute.org
September 2, 2025 at 9:11 AM
Where do people give money to if you give them info on charity impact *and* wear top hats? We ran an experiment, 'The Happiness Factory', to find out...
www.happierlivesinstitute.org/2025/08/27/r...
www.happierlivesinstitute.org/2025/08/27/r...
I sometimes dress up. I sometimes go to conferences. Today, I'm doing both for @isqols.bsky.social to promote @happierlives.bsky.social's 'Happiness Factory', a giving game where we give people real money and ask them to choose which charity to give to.
July 23, 2025 at 11:42 AM
I sometimes dress up. I sometimes go to conferences. Today, I'm doing both for @isqols.bsky.social to promote @happierlives.bsky.social's 'Happiness Factory', a giving game where we give people real money and ask them to choose which charity to give to.
HLI is hiring a Development Manager! Come work for the best organisation in the world and raise funds for the most impactful organisations in the world!
Info: www.happierlivesinstitute.org/2025/07/15/d...
Apply here: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
Deadline is 27th July, i.e. nex Friday
Info: www.happierlivesinstitute.org/2025/07/15/d...
Apply here: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
Deadline is 27th July, i.e. nex Friday
HLI is recruiting a Development Manager! - Happier Lives Institute
We are hiring a Development Manager to join our team
www.happierlivesinstitute.org
July 16, 2025 at 1:50 PM
HLI is hiring a Development Manager! Come work for the best organisation in the world and raise funds for the most impactful organisations in the world!
Info: www.happierlivesinstitute.org/2025/07/15/d...
Apply here: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
Deadline is 27th July, i.e. nex Friday
Info: www.happierlivesinstitute.org/2025/07/15/d...
Apply here: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
Deadline is 27th July, i.e. nex Friday
Reposted by Michael Plant
Zimbabwe grandmas giving 45 minutes of therapy– among the most effective ways to boost wellbeing, says HLI meta-analysis/review/CEA.
bit.ly/44cvnh0 Both evaluators had ~confidence in main results. Also critiques & suggestions; authors responded in detail. ->
bit.ly/44cvnh0 Both evaluators had ~confidence in main results. Also critiques & suggestions; authors responded in detail. ->
June 20, 2025 at 8:43 PM
Zimbabwe grandmas giving 45 minutes of therapy– among the most effective ways to boost wellbeing, says HLI meta-analysis/review/CEA.
bit.ly/44cvnh0 Both evaluators had ~confidence in main results. Also critiques & suggestions; authors responded in detail. ->
bit.ly/44cvnh0 Both evaluators had ~confidence in main results. Also critiques & suggestions; authors responded in detail. ->
@happierlives.bsky.social turns 6 today! 🥳🎉
All the improving world happiness stuff is cool, but, really, I'd like to thank all those people who made it possible for my parents to finally stop asking me "So, Michael, what are you going to do with a philosophy degree?" 😎
All the improving world happiness stuff is cool, but, really, I'd like to thank all those people who made it possible for my parents to finally stop asking me "So, Michael, what are you going to do with a philosophy degree?" 😎
June 19, 2025 at 8:41 AM
@happierlives.bsky.social turns 6 today! 🥳🎉
All the improving world happiness stuff is cool, but, really, I'd like to thank all those people who made it possible for my parents to finally stop asking me "So, Michael, what are you going to do with a philosophy degree?" 😎
All the improving world happiness stuff is cool, but, really, I'd like to thank all those people who made it possible for my parents to finally stop asking me "So, Michael, what are you going to do with a philosophy degree?" 😎
People often complain that happiness surveys are 'subjective'.
But, happiness is a feeling - we're measuring something subjective.
Yet, subjective =/= arbitrary. People don't make up their scores at random. They base them on how good/bad they feel.
But, happiness is a feeling - we're measuring something subjective.
Yet, subjective =/= arbitrary. People don't make up their scores at random. They base them on how good/bad they feel.
June 17, 2025 at 1:21 PM
People often complain that happiness surveys are 'subjective'.
But, happiness is a feeling - we're measuring something subjective.
Yet, subjective =/= arbitrary. People don't make up their scores at random. They base them on how good/bad they feel.
But, happiness is a feeling - we're measuring something subjective.
Yet, subjective =/= arbitrary. People don't make up their scores at random. They base them on how good/bad they feel.
People substantially underestimate the impact of asking good questions to researchers.
You might think it has no impact, but I've now started multiple projects because people asked me good questions I hadn't thought of and didn't have answers to. I'm sure others are the same.
You might think it has no impact, but I've now started multiple projects because people asked me good questions I hadn't thought of and didn't have answers to. I'm sure others are the same.
June 12, 2025 at 3:42 PM
People substantially underestimate the impact of asking good questions to researchers.
You might think it has no impact, but I've now started multiple projects because people asked me good questions I hadn't thought of and didn't have answers to. I'm sure others are the same.
You might think it has no impact, but I've now started multiple projects because people asked me good questions I hadn't thought of and didn't have answers to. I'm sure others are the same.
Reposted by Michael Plant
Is giving just 1% of your income to effective charities the minimum for being a decent person?
@michaeldplant.bsky.social for @iai.tv:
iai.tv/articles/aim...
@michaeldplant.bsky.social for @iai.tv:
iai.tv/articles/aim...
Aim at decency, not sainthood | Michael Plant
iai.tv
June 10, 2025 at 8:59 AM
Is giving just 1% of your income to effective charities the minimum for being a decent person?
@michaeldplant.bsky.social for @iai.tv:
iai.tv/articles/aim...
@michaeldplant.bsky.social for @iai.tv:
iai.tv/articles/aim...
What's the moral price of decency? Why giving 1% might be enough.
My piece for @iai.tv
iai.tv/articles/aim...
My piece for @iai.tv
iai.tv/articles/aim...
Aim at decency, not sainthood | Michael Plant
iai.tv
June 6, 2025 at 4:07 PM
What's the moral price of decency? Why giving 1% might be enough.
My piece for @iai.tv
iai.tv/articles/aim...
My piece for @iai.tv
iai.tv/articles/aim...
It's summer, so obviously it's time to go into windowless rooms at conferences and discuss how to make the world better.
I'm looking forward to attending the Effective Giving Summit, EAGlobal London, AIM's Unconference, and a @pureearthnow.bsky.social dinner all in the next 7 days!
I'm looking forward to attending the Effective Giving Summit, EAGlobal London, AIM's Unconference, and a @pureearthnow.bsky.social dinner all in the next 7 days!
June 2, 2025 at 2:46 PM
It's summer, so obviously it's time to go into windowless rooms at conferences and discuss how to make the world better.
I'm looking forward to attending the Effective Giving Summit, EAGlobal London, AIM's Unconference, and a @pureearthnow.bsky.social dinner all in the next 7 days!
I'm looking forward to attending the Effective Giving Summit, EAGlobal London, AIM's Unconference, and a @pureearthnow.bsky.social dinner all in the next 7 days!
Reposted by Michael Plant
Converting your cash into a happiness multiplier? We're featured this week in @insidephilanthropy.com
Thanks for the write-up @wendyparis.bsky.social
@michaeldplant.bsky.social
www.insidephilanthropy.com/home/money-c...
Thanks for the write-up @wendyparis.bsky.social
@michaeldplant.bsky.social
www.insidephilanthropy.com/home/money-c...
Money Can Buy Happiness — This Oxford Philosopher Says Charities Should Pay Attention
The world’s first review measuring the wellbeing impact that charities create with donors' money points to a valuable paradigm shift for philanthropy.
www.insidephilanthropy.com
May 26, 2025 at 6:00 AM
Converting your cash into a happiness multiplier? We're featured this week in @insidephilanthropy.com
Thanks for the write-up @wendyparis.bsky.social
@michaeldplant.bsky.social
www.insidephilanthropy.com/home/money-c...
Thanks for the write-up @wendyparis.bsky.social
@michaeldplant.bsky.social
www.insidephilanthropy.com/home/money-c...
Apparently that philosopher is me.
Delighted to have done an interview with Inside Philanthropy about how taking happiness seriously can - and should - shake up giving.
Link 👇
Delighted to have done an interview with Inside Philanthropy about how taking happiness seriously can - and should - shake up giving.
Link 👇
May 22, 2025 at 4:51 PM
Apparently that philosopher is me.
Delighted to have done an interview with Inside Philanthropy about how taking happiness seriously can - and should - shake up giving.
Link 👇
Delighted to have done an interview with Inside Philanthropy about how taking happiness seriously can - and should - shake up giving.
Link 👇
Two months ago, I was so proud that my chapter in the @worldhappiness.report came out.
Why? It's the first global comparison of charities and it provides the strongest evidence yet that best charities are 100x better than the average.
Link👇
Why? It's the first global comparison of charities and it provides the strongest evidence yet that best charities are 100x better than the average.
Link👇
May 21, 2025 at 6:55 PM
Two months ago, I was so proud that my chapter in the @worldhappiness.report came out.
Why? It's the first global comparison of charities and it provides the strongest evidence yet that best charities are 100x better than the average.
Link👇
Why? It's the first global comparison of charities and it provides the strongest evidence yet that best charities are 100x better than the average.
Link👇
This is such zinger. Career advice from @rutgerbregman.com 👏👏👏
May 14, 2025 at 9:44 AM
This is such zinger. Career advice from @rutgerbregman.com 👏👏👏
Just seen this new paper. When Does Charity Effectiveness Matter to Donors? The Role of Ratings and Expectations about Cost-Effectiveness👇
May 9, 2025 at 12:57 PM
Just seen this new paper. When Does Charity Effectiveness Matter to Donors? The Role of Ratings and Expectations about Cost-Effectiveness👇
In other news, I am apparently a 36-year-old happiness researcher who does interviews. My interview with CNBC 👇
www.cnbc.com/amp/2025/04/...
www.cnbc.com/amp/2025/04/...
May 1, 2025 at 11:42 AM
In other news, I am apparently a 36-year-old happiness researcher who does interviews. My interview with CNBC 👇
www.cnbc.com/amp/2025/04/...
www.cnbc.com/amp/2025/04/...
Trump has just celebrated 100 days in office as a "revolution in common sense".
I argue in the Guardian he's creating a selfish, miserable world.
I then set out a 4-step plan to fight back. 👇
I argue in the Guardian he's creating a selfish, miserable world.
I then set out a 4-step plan to fight back. 👇
April 30, 2025 at 12:07 PM
Trump has just celebrated 100 days in office as a "revolution in common sense".
I argue in the Guardian he's creating a selfish, miserable world.
I then set out a 4-step plan to fight back. 👇
I argue in the Guardian he's creating a selfish, miserable world.
I then set out a 4-step plan to fight back. 👇
Do I know anyone else speaking at @isqols.bsky.social? Is it worth sticking around for the Friday night dinner?
April 29, 2025 at 2:45 PM
Do I know anyone else speaking at @isqols.bsky.social? Is it worth sticking around for the Friday night dinner?
Think all charities are more or less the same?
Most people do. But they're wrong - the best are far, far better than people expect.
A thread on new research showing the mind-blowing gap between perception and reality 👇
Most people do. But they're wrong - the best are far, far better than people expect.
A thread on new research showing the mind-blowing gap between perception and reality 👇
April 25, 2025 at 12:38 PM
Think all charities are more or less the same?
Most people do. But they're wrong - the best are far, far better than people expect.
A thread on new research showing the mind-blowing gap between perception and reality 👇
Most people do. But they're wrong - the best are far, far better than people expect.
A thread on new research showing the mind-blowing gap between perception and reality 👇
Reposted by Michael Plant
"Higher trust and happiness make us less susceptible to the politics of fear and resentment"
@michaeldplant.bsky.social @happierlives.bsky.social
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
@michaeldplant.bsky.social @happierlives.bsky.social
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Trump is creating a selfish, miserable world. Here’s what we can do | Michael Plant
The president is both a symptom and a cause of unhappiness and mistrust. But we can respond by rebuilding our social fabric
www.theguardian.com
April 22, 2025 at 8:37 AM
"Higher trust and happiness make us less susceptible to the politics of fear and resentment"
@michaeldplant.bsky.social @happierlives.bsky.social
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
@michaeldplant.bsky.social @happierlives.bsky.social
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...