ABSTRACT: This research investigates the mechanisms and drivers of worldwide happiness. We present a new theory describing two pathways to societal happiness: the individualistic pathway (‘let citizens take care of their own happiness, which will build societal happiness’) and the communitarian pathway (‘society creates a context in which individuals enhance the happiness of those around them’). Using data from 97,220 citizens across 66 countries, this study empirically analyzes over 200 mechanisms and identifies 56 that are significantly associated with happiness. These mechanisms are organized based on their alignment with the individualistic or communitarian pathways, or both. We synthesize these findings by categorizing the 56 mechanisms into five drivers of happiness: ‘society allowing for individual emancipation’, ‘fostering Enlightenment ideas and institutions’, ‘satisfying basic human needs’, ‘providing effective governing and security institutions’, and ‘favoring close in-group ties’. These results demonstrate that the communitarian pathway to societal happiness significantly outperforms the individualistic pathway. ( emphasis added )

Study link

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As Mohenjo-daro prospered, the gap between its richest and poorest households actually shrank. Its shared infrastructure, fair trade systems, and lack of powerful royal elites suggest that equality may have helped fuel the ancient city’s success.

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A new study on workplace monitoring tools found that all nine examined shared worker data with third parties.

The abstract of the study itself:

Abstract

This report investigates the data collection practices of nine widely used workplace monitoring platforms to determine the extent to which they track and analyze employee activity, behavior, or performance during work, including how these platforms transmit worker information and to which third-parties. This report finds that (1) nine out of nine workplace monitoring platforms studied directly shared identifying worker data to third parties, (2) nine out of nine workplace monitoring platforms studied shared information about workers’ online activities with third parties, and (3) three out of nine workplace monitoring platforms studied utilize features to track workers’ precise location. This report contextualizes the practice of workplace monitoring within the broader data policy landscape to argue that workers face similar privacy vulnerabilities and lack of protections already seen in consumer landscapes. This report concludes with recommendations for regulators, policy and lawmakers, and researchers and investigative journalists.

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