Hacking Happiness: Why Your Personal Data Counts and How Tracking it Can Change the World

by John C. Havens

In Hacking Happiness, futurist and contributing Mashable writer John C. Havens introduces you to your quantified self”—your digital identity represented by gigabytes of data produced from tracking your activities on your smartphone and computer.  Harvested by megacorporations such as Google, Facebook, and Amazon, Havens argues that companies gather this data because of its immense economic value, encouraging a culture of sharing” as they hoard the information based on our lives for private monetary gain.

But there's an alternative to this digital dystopia. Emerging technologies will help us reclaim this valuable data for ourselves, so we can directly profit from the insights linked to our quantified selves. At the same time, sensors in smartphones and wearable devices will help us track our emotions to improve our well-being based on the science of positive psychology. Havens proposes that these trends will lead to new economic policies that redefine the meaning of wealth,” allowing governments to create policy focused on purpose rather than productivity.

An issues book highlighting the benefits of an examined life in the digital world, this timely work takes the trepidation out of the technological renaissance and illustrates how the fruits of the Information Age can improve our lives for a happier humanity.

Genres: Self Help, Psychology, Technology, Nonfiction, Startup, Business

304 pages, Hardcover

First published March 20, 2014

About the author

I'm a contributing writer for Mashable and The Guardian, as well as the author of two books: Hacking Happiness and Heartificial Intelligence. The focus of my work for the past three years has been on the intersection of emerging technology and wellbeing. My goal is to encourage people to examine their lives in a purposeful way to increase their sense of worth and joy.

I'm also the founder of the non-profit foundation, The Happathon Project where we've created a free survey to help people identify, track, and live to their Values. The science of positive psychology says if you don't live to your values every day, your happiness decreases.

As a regular keynote speaker, I've done talks for TEDx, SXSW, Cisco, Microsoft, and HP, in places around the world like Milan, Munich, Stockholm, and Dubai. I have been quoted on issues of technology and wellbeing by outlets such as USA Today, US News & World Report, Forbes, FOX News, C-SPAN, NPR, Mashable, and The Guardian.

Before my current work, I was an EVP of Social Media for a top ten PR firm, a VP of business development for a tech start up, and a professional actor for over fifteen years in New York City, with principal roles on Broadway, TV, and film.

Reviews

[Eric · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received the book for free through Goodreads First Reads.

In his introduction, John C. Haven says that "you have to take action regarding what defines your life to truly see what brings you joy." In order to do this, he argues, you have to use hacking (in the philosophical sense of "creative reimagining of a long-held idea") and the world of technology (like apps) for self-examination to figure out what makes you happy. Haven lays out three concepts he seeks to prove in the book:

1. Data is getting personal
2. Happiness can be quantified and increased
3. The happiness economy is redefining wealth

Overall, the book is less of a self-help guide than an exploration of the current state of happiness in our society and a discussion of new technology breakthroughs to measure our satisfaction with life. Through research, interviews, and stories, Haven does a good job of exploring the many facets of his topic. I especially like that he spends a good amount of time discussing the current issues with privacy in many social media sites and free apps.

[wade · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a book about how people can make their lives better through better control over their technological lives. The thesis is that there are many benefits with computers and smart phones if they are used effectively but there are many dangers also. Havens focuses a great deal on how our personal data if being spread to the government and corporations without our knowledge. He suggests that we should control our data and even sell it and he suggests "apps" in which this might be accomplished. One interesting side note. A study he cites indicates that people are losing the ability to use their facial muscles because of the long hours we spend on the internet and texting instead of talking to people face to face. A good read for the "connected".

[Martin · Rating 2 out of 5]

Uninspiring. More a portrait of what is out there currently, less about implications or an outlook about what more sensors in our lives might bring.

One of those books who will get obsoleted by technological progress in few months, and become only interesting to historians.

[Natalie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Too hard to figure the point of this book. The intro was so wordy I nearly gave up before finishing it. I couldn't tell if this was about the future of data, the past, or an argument for something else. It sure didn't relate to my happiness, however.

[Alayna · Rating 3 out of 5]

My review of this book is probably unfair. I am sure it deserves more than 2.5-3 stars, but it simply did not hit for me personally.

For readers newer to these topics, it would likely serve as an empowering introduction and great overview of many topics of ever-increasing pertinence: the importance of data privacy and using/designing technology for happiness. But for those already familiar with the areas of personal data, happiness research, and ethical tech, it may feel more like a well-meaning echo than a new voice in the conversation.

I went into Hacking H(app)iness genuinely wanting to like it. The premise is solid, the intentions are good, and the author clearly did his homework—drawing from psychology, economics, tech ethics, and personal data advocacy to make a cohesive and well-meaning case for using technology to enhance well-being. I appreciate that the book argues for something so important, fresh, and actionable, and I admire its efforts to bring interdisciplinary ideas together into a user-focused framework. But in practice, I found myself largely unmoved. I know I can't fault the book for not reading my mind to find out what I already know, but the book just didn’t add anything I hadn't heard before (admittedly, probably because I have studied the areas it discusses a little more than the intended audience). Many of the examples felt either outdated or not especially compelling. It was repetitive at times, and the core argument could have been delivered with tighter focus and more punch.

My criticism isn’t that the book is wrong (it definitely isn't), just that it didn’t push me to think in new ways. While the ideas were sound, they were presented in a tone that leaned more motivational than analytical. The book simply lacked what I sought, critical engagement with counterarguments or deeper dives into the science and systems at play... something else I can't really fault it for. There’s nothing inherently bad about a hopeful or idealistic take, but I found it leaned a little too far into the inspirational without offering enough complexity or rigor to hold my interest.

[Nada · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hacking H(app)iness: Why Your Personal Data Counts and How Tracking it Can Change the World by John C Havens is about taking charge of the data about ourselves out in the cyber world. It addresses the questions: If the data about any one individual was accumulated, what picture would it draw? Would we recognize ourselves in that picture? What if, we, as individuals, took ownership of our data and used it to further our own goals? An interesting new perspective on happiness research.

Read my complete review at: http://www.memoriesfrombooks.com/2014...

*** Reviewed based on a copy received through a publisher’s giveaway ***

[Blythe Christopher · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book had some great insights on how our personal data can help us navigate our lives. He also added in Augmented Reality and how our data can be considered as "layers". The social equity aspect also intrigued me as much of our lives (data points) will be "tracked" and we will have a score. Much like Klout on steroids— our actions will leave a trail and we will have to manage our digital selves. Will our hidden lives (our decisions/data) hinder us or help us? This book brought up some great questions that the current laws aren't prepared to handle. I really enjoyed the conjectures he made and the cautions he brought up about managing our data and freeing it to the outside world.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting ideas on the "quantified self." I love futurist writings in general and I particularly like Havens's positive, altruistic vision.

[Reader Chard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okay this is clear- it is here and more to come. Fascinating, quick read. Didn't really take me three years