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Michael Plant

@michaeldplant.bsky.social
418 followers 6 following 62 posts

Moral philosopher and happiness nerd. Founder and Director, Happier Lives Institute. Postdoctoral Fellow, Oxford Unviersity. All views yours, weirdly.

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Reposted by Michael Plant
World Happiness Report @worldhappiness.report · 11/12/2025
Listen to Chapter Eight co-author @michaeldplant.bsky.social discuss how to do the most good on the latest episode of Making Sense with Sam Harris 👇 www.samharris.org/podcasts/mak...
samharris.org
Sam Harris | #446 - How to Do the Most Good
Sam Harris speaks with Michael Plant about the philosophy of happiness and effective altruism.
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Michael Plant @michaeldplant.bsky.social · 09/12/2025
My pitch to Sam Harris on how to do the most good. This is the first time in human history where we've had the tools and data to find the best ways to improve happiness. The latest research reveals the top charities have 1,000x the impact as standard ones.
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Reposted by Michael Plant
Happier Lives Institute @happierlives.bsky.social · 10/10/2025
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
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Reposted by Michael Plant
Happier Lives Institute @happierlives.bsky.social · 25/09/2025
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/...
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Michael Plant @michaeldplant.bsky.social · 18/09/2025
🚨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:
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Michael Plant @michaeldplant.bsky.social · 13/09/2025
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...
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Michael Plant @michaeldplant.bsky.social · 04/09/2025
🚨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...
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Michael Plant @michaeldplant.bsky.social · 02/09/2025
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...
happierlivesinstitute.org
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.
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Michael Plant @michaeldplant.bsky.social · 23/07/2025
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.
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Michael Plant @michaeldplant.bsky.social · 16/07/2025
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
happierlivesinstitute.org
HLI is recruiting a Development Manager! - Happier Lives Institute
We are hiring a Development Manager to join our team
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Reposted by Michael Plant
The Unjournal (Unjournal.org) @unjournal.bsky.social · 20/06/2025
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. ->
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Michael Plant @michaeldplant.bsky.social · 19/06/2025
@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?" 😎
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Michael Plant @michaeldplant.bsky.social · 17/06/2025
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.
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Michael Plant @michaeldplant.bsky.social · 12/06/2025
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.
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Reposted by Michael Plant
Happier Lives Institute @happierlives.bsky.social · 10/06/2025
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...
iai.tv
Aim at decency, not sainthood | Michael Plant
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Michael Plant @michaeldplant.bsky.social · 06/06/2025
What's the moral price of decency? Why giving 1% might be enough. My piece for @iai.tv iai.tv/articles/aim...
iai.tv
Aim at decency, not sainthood | Michael Plant
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Michael Plant @michaeldplant.bsky.social · 02/06/2025
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!
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Reposted by Michael Plant
Happier Lives Institute @happierlives.bsky.social · 26/05/2025
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...
insidephilanthropy.com
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.
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Michael Plant @michaeldplant.bsky.social · 22/05/2025
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 👇
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Michael Plant @michaeldplant.bsky.social · 21/05/2025
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👇
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Michael Plant @michaeldplant.bsky.social · 14/05/2025
This is such zinger. Career advice from @rutgerbregman.com 👏👏👏
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Michael Plant @michaeldplant.bsky.social · 09/05/2025
Just seen this new paper. When Does Charity Effectiveness Matter to Donors? The Role of Ratings and Expectations about Cost-Effectiveness👇
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Michael Plant @michaeldplant.bsky.social · 01/05/2025
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/...
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Michael Plant @michaeldplant.bsky.social · 30/04/2025
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. 👇
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Michael Plant @michaeldplant.bsky.social · 29/04/2025
Do I know anyone else speaking at @isqols.bsky.social? Is it worth sticking around for the Friday night dinner?
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Michael Plant @michaeldplant.bsky.social · 25/04/2025
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 👇
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Reposted by Michael Plant
Action for Happiness @actionhappiness.bsky.social · 22/04/2025
"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...
theguardian.com
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
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Michael Plant @michaeldplant.bsky.social · 18/04/2025
In today's @theguardian.com, I argue Trump is a symptom and cause of a less happy, less trusting world - and set out what we can do about it. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
theguardian.com
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
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Reposted by Michael Plant
Happier Lives Institute @happierlives.bsky.social · 15/04/2025
"Which charities should I donate to?" "Will donating to charity make me happy?" "Does giving effectively increase the giver’s happiness more?" and six other common questions you may have had about giving to charity:
happierlivesinstitute.org
9 common questions about giving to charity and doing good - Happier Lives Institute
This article answers the most common questions about donating to charity such as how much to donate, who to donate to and why donate.
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Michael Plant @michaeldplant.bsky.social · 14/04/2025
Should you give to household name charities? Probably not Why? Because they are typically MANGOs - Multi-Armed NGOs But what's the MANGO problem? We explain in a new blogpost: www.happierlivesinstitute.org/2025/04/02/w...
happierlivesinstitute.org
Why household name NGOs are unlikely to offer the best value for money - Happier Lives Institute
This article explains why household name charities like Oxfam (called MANGOs) don't offer the best value for money.
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Michael Plant @michaeldplant.bsky.social · 10/04/2025
Thrilled to have my 🚨new research 🚨 covered in @vox.com www.vox.com/future-perfe...
vox.com
How to buy a year of happiness, explained in one chart
Want to improve someone’s well-being? These are the “best buys” identified so far.
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Michael Plant @michaeldplant.bsky.social · 07/04/2025
It blows my mind there are so many people making millions for no almost work using AI, but want to give away their secrets to me for $100. Some people are so generous.
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Michael Plant @michaeldplant.bsky.social · 03/04/2025
People say that politicians should not be banned from running, if they are found guilty of crimes, in case it embolden their supporters. But, if politicians are not banned from running, it emboldens them to commit crimes. Being a politician should not be a free 'never get into jail' card.
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Reposted by Michael Plant
LSE Department of Psychological & Behavioural Science @lsepbs.bsky.social · 03/04/2025
🦮 Guide dogs or lifeboats? 📊 @michaeldplant.bsky.social & his team at @happierlives.bsky.social evaluate charity donations based on the wellbeing they generate. Michael shared their intriguing insights at our recent Wider World seminar. 🔗 Learn more worldhappiness.report/ed/2025/givi...
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Michael Plant @michaeldplant.bsky.social · 02/04/2025
Loved being back at @lseblogs.bsky.social yesterday to give a talk. I was surprised to realise *how fast* happiness research has grown since. On left: *all* the happiness cost-effectiveness work I knew of last time I presented. On right: what we know today: 20+ comparisons covering the globe. 🌍
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Michael Plant @michaeldplant.bsky.social · 01/04/2025
Chappell Roan ain't wrong. Children do reduce life satisfaction in first couple of years.
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Michael Plant @michaeldplant.bsky.social · 31/03/2025
Le Pen found guilty of embezzlment and barred from public office. It seems "a government of laws, not of men" applies to France, not America. www.theguardian.com/world/2025/m...
theguardian.com
Marine Le Pen barred from running for French presidency in 2027
Far-right leader found guilty of embezzlement of European funds and immediately barred from running for office
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Michael Plant @michaeldplant.bsky.social · 27/03/2025
🚨New research in @worldhappiness.report: worldhappiness.report/ed/2025/givi... - We did the first ever global comparison of how much happiness charities create per $ - Variation was HUGE: the best are 100x - or 1000x - better than others - So, we can have a far bigger impact for no extra cost
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Reposted by Michael Plant
Peter Singer @petersinger.info · 27/03/2025
To mark the release of the 2025 World Happiness Report, @michaeldplant.bsky.social joins Kasia and me on “Lives Well Lived”. (1/3)
youtube.com
Michael Plant on the World Happiness Report
YouTube video by Peter Singer
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Reposted by Michael Plant
Happier Lives Institute @happierlives.bsky.social · 26/03/2025
Happier Lives Institute director @michaeldplant.bsky.social discusses happiness science with @petersinger.info on the Lives Well Lived podcast this week.
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Reposted by Michael Plant
Peter Singer @petersinger.info · 23/03/2025
In the latest episode of “Lives Well Lived”, Kasia and I are joined by @michaeldplant.bsky.social, founder of the Happier Lives Institute, to explore what it really means to improve wellbeing. (1/4)
boldreasoningwithpetersinger.substack.com
New Podcast Release: Michael Plant
In the latest episode of Lives Well Lived, the podcast I co-host with Kasia de Lazari-Radek, we talk to Michael Plant, founder and director of the Happier Lives Institute
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Michael Plant @michaeldplant.bsky.social · 24/03/2025
Can't wait until @economist.com finds out about the Easterlin Paradox*, it will blow their minds.... Richer countries are happier, but no significant relationship between growth and happiness. docs.iza.org/dp13923.pdf www.economist.com/graphic-deta...
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Michael Plant @michaeldplant.bsky.social · 24/03/2025
Delighted to have been on the Lives Well Lives podcast with Peter and Kazia. We may all philosophers sympathetic to Classical Utilitarianism but, as philosophers we, of course, found plenty to disagree about!
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Michael Plant @michaeldplant.bsky.social · 20/03/2025
Happy happiness day! So, how much happiness can money buy? My team and I have a chapter in @worldhappiness.report, out today. In a world-first comparison, we find some charities are hundreds of times better than others. Chapter: whr-2025--worldhappiness.netlify.app/ed/2025/givi...
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Michael Plant @michaeldplant.bsky.social · 18/03/2025
What are the best ways to turn your money into happiness for other people? Here are the 2024 results from the Happier Lives Institute. But ... we've got a major piece of research coming on 20th March, World Happiness Day. Stay tuned for that. www.happierlivesinstitute.org/research/cha...
happierlivesinstitute.org
Charity comparisons - Happier Lives Institute
We find the most effective charities by assessing global problems, evaluating interventions that address those problems, and analysing charities delivering those interventions. Our goal is to identify...
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Michael Plant @michaeldplant.bsky.social · 14/01/2025
So, I've noticed the quality and quantity of engagement I got on X trending towards zero. Is it any better here? Any other guidance on using this platform welcome.
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