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Happiness over ones lifetime has been popularly described as looking like a U-shaped curve: The joys of youth are followed by the challenges of our 20s and 30s before an upswing later in life that reaches a peak after retirement. While that may be trueor notin wealthier countries such as the United States, it doesnt apply to low-income, nonindustrialized societies. That is the main finding of a study I led that examined aging in rural, subsistence-oriented communities in 23 countries across the Global South. And our results have implications for global health amid aging populations and growing economic insecurity. In our study, we found that happiness levels did not consistently follow the U-shaped trajectory commonly observed in industrialized societies. In some cases there was a U-shape. But more often we observed an inverted U-shape, where middle-aged adults reported the highest level of happiness, or no significant age-related trend at all. Overall, well-being often declined after middle age among resource-poor populations lacking social security and other institutionalized forms of protection. This aligns with prior research among low-income countries and even of wealthy nations during economic crises. That being said, age itself was a weak predictor of life satisfaction everywhere. Sickness, disability and loss in productivity do a better job of explaining well-being than age. In fact, the few positive effects of age we did find usually disappeared when including measures of these misfortunes in our analysis. Along with other developments showing lower well-being among adolescents and young adults in recent years, my research challenges the assumption that the U-shaped happiness curve is universal. The trend showing that average well-being improves after middle age might be more typical of urban, affluent societies with formal retirement and strong safety nets for older adults. By examining a broader range of settings, we gain insight into how environmental and socioeconomic factors shape well-being over a lifespan, offering a more nuanced perspective on happiness that could guide policies for different age groups and cultures. I believe understanding well-being across diverse cultures is crucial, especially amid global aging and mental health crises. By reconsidering the determinants of happiness outside the U-shaped model, were all better positioned to improve quality of life for different populations worldwide. Michael Gurven is a professor of anthropology at the University of California, Santa Barbara. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
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E-Commerce
From streamlining administrative tasks to enhancing brainstorming sessions, AI is becoming an essential workplace companion. Yet, despite its transformative promise, its integration isn’t as simple as flipping a switch. We recently conducted research at Lucid Software to uncover AI usage in the workplace. We found that more than a third of workers globally are already using AI for fundamental tasks like generating ideas (39%), creating content (37%), communicating summaries (33%), and finding documentation (31%). When thinking about how weve adopted the technology into our products, our decade-long investment in intelligence has been key to building an AI-ready platform that automates data visualization and enables rapid iteration while aligning seamlessly with how people work. The true potential for AI to continue transforming daily tasks and even larger strategic work will only be possible if AI fits into employees workflows in iterative and practical ways that allow teams to master the technology. Employees feel optimistic about AI The global survey of over 2,500 knowledge workers revealed critical insights about AI’s growing impact on the workplace. Overall, the findings paint an optimistic picture: nearly two-thirds (63%) of employees view AI as the gateway to more fulfilling work and improved work-life balance. When we more deeply explored what’s fueling this positive outlook, three key benefits emerged: 62% of employees highlight productivity gains, 40% value cost savings and tech stack consolidation, and 38% see enhanced communication and decision making. But what really caught my attention is the striking tangible impact on productivity; more than 50% of workers believe AI will save them at least three hours of work per week. Thats time they can plan to redirect and invest in strategic, higher-value initiatives. In fact, 45% of employees are already using AI to effectively advance projects. And while saving three hours per week is meaningful to workers, its likely just the beginning. As AI tools advance and adoption increases, the time saved could grow significantly in the years ahead. Barriers to AI adoption persist In conversations with customers and prospects, weve noticed an interesting sentiment: While theyre excited about what AI can do, theyre overwhelmed by the number of available AI tools. This feedback underscores a key insightAI shouldnt feel like an extra layer of complexity. When AI is seamlessly integrated into the tools people already know and love, it streamlines their everyday workflows without adding another system to learn or manage. When we looked further into the barriers holding back AI adoption, our survey uncovered a large divide between organizational levels. While 83% of executives actively use AI-powered collaboration tools, this drops to just 42% of entry-level workers. Were also seeing a direct correlation between usage and confidence, too. Ninety percent of executives feel confident using AI-powered features, whereas 41% of entry-level employees feel hardly or not at all knowledgeable. AI regulation is top of mind Proper regulation and security are important for companies and employees. AI is a powerful and exciting tool, but there must be guidelines in place to keep company information safe. Our research reveals that 88% of companies are implementing strict guidelines to safeguard their business and employeesbut effective implementation proves to be the larger obstacle at hand. The current disconnect between policy creation and awareness in the workforce is significant: While 70% of executives say their company has established AI policies, only 29% of entry-level employees are confident that these guardrails exist. Executives must spend time communicating and implementing these systems so teams are empowered to use AI with security top of mind. The path to more strategic AI AIs impact extends beyond productivity and efficiencyits about enhancing how we work, improving job satisfaction and cultivating better work-life balance. It must be rolled out strategically and practically through comprehensive employee training and transparent AI integration strategies, bridging knowledge gaps across organizational levels, and addressing security and privacy concerns. AI isnt about replacing people; its about empowering them. The future of work is collaborative and AI is a powerful partner that will amplify human potential. At Lucid, our goal is to make AI feel approachable, trustworthy, and impactfulsomething that genuinely helps teams get things done better and faster. Embracing this technology thoughtfully and inclusively will be key to organizational success and employee empowerment. Dave Grow is CEO of Lucid Software.
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E-Commerce
By Gordon Boggis and Michael DiTullo Imagine sitting in a café where the clatter of a fork hitting a plate across the room drowns out your conversation with the person sitting next to you. Have you ever worked in an open office filled with overlapping video calls, making it almost impossible to focus on the document on your screen? Perhaps you recall discussing sensitive matters in a bank while overhearing equally private conversations from the next office. These everyday examples highlight how disruptive noise pollution can be and how important it is to prioritize acoustics. The reality is that poor acoustics are a pervasive yet solvable problem. Like a pebble in your shoe, the issue might go unnoticed initially but grows increasingly unbearable as its effects compound. Many dont realize the extent of the problem until they experience a well-designed acoustic environment. Moreover, poor acoustics dont just inconveniencethey impact cognitive well-being, productivity, and learning. Studies consistently show that exposure to uncontrolled noise increases stress levels, reduces focus, and impairs performance. In addition, a study by the Journal of Exposure Science & Environmental Epidemiology found that harmful noise impacts the central nervous system, increasing susceptibility to depression, anxiety, suicide, and behavioral problems. Acoustics affect the workplace Poor acoustics is of particular concern in learning and workplace environments. In the education realm, according to the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, poor acoustical design can result in excessive noise that is disruptive to the learning process and may negatively affect speech perception, student behavior, and educational outcomes. Another recent study found similar results in higher education, with poor acoustics negatively impacting college students’ listening, learning, and well-being. Additionally, a recent report by JLL highlights how poor office acoustics and a lack of privacy negatively impact employee focus and productivity, with 58% of workers still preferring their home environments for concentration. These studies illustrate why workplace designers increasingly craft offices with diverse spaces tailored for collaboration and individual tasks, leveraging sound-insulating materials and technologies to create environments that support well-being and efficiency. 3 key acoustic design principles Despite this, businesses often overlook acoustic considerations in favor of aesthetics or cost-saving during design. The good news is that by integrating three fundamental principles into the design process, its possible to create functional spaces that are acoustically comfortable. Effective materialsMaterials with high noise reduction coefficient (NRC) ratings can significantly reduce sound reflection and absorption. Acoustic tiles, baffles, carpets, draperies, and upholstered furniture can work together to manage sound reverberation. Adding acoustic panels from 3 to 7 feet off the floor is particularly effective, as it targets the height where most sound waves from human activity occur. Opting for sustainable optionssuch as those made from recycled PET or reclaimed materialsadds an eco-conscious dimension to the solution. Minimize right anglesRight angles in architecture can amplify echoes, causing delayed and overlapping sounds that disrupt clarity. Breaking up these angles with irregular geometries or introducing acoustic baffles and clouds can disperse sound waves, reducing ambient noise. If structural changes arent feasible, strategically placing furniture, screens, and partitions can achieve similar effects. Optimize the ceilingOften called the “fifth wall,” ceilings are critical in sound management. Open ceilings with exposed ducts and concrete surfaces, while visually appealing, can act as large reflectors that amplify sound. Incorporating baffles, clouds, or other sound-absorbing elements can transform these spaces without compromising the aesthetic. In one example, a domed cafeteria amplified sound across the room until designers introduced acoustic baffles to disrupt the reverberations. While individual elements like acoustic baffles or tiles with high NRC ratings are important, true acoustic success comes from a holistic approach. Its not just about adding a couple of high-performing piecesits about understanding how all components interact to create an effective solution. This is where experts, such as acousticians, play a critical role. Acousticians analyze the space comprehensively, considering factors like room geometry, materials, and usage patterns to recommend tailored solutions. Additionally, many companies with in-house acoustic design teams offer consultation servicesoften at no additional cost. These professionals can assess the entire space to ensure the selected acoustic strategies work cohesively, avoiding the pitfalls of piecemeal fixes that may fail to address the bigger picture. Design spaces that people want to be in Acoustics should be treated as integral to design as lighting or layout. We can create equally functional and enriching environments by thinking of sound as a raw material. Spaces with sculpted and controlled soundscapes promote productivity and focused learning while reinforcing cognitive well-being. Whether its improving educational outcomes, supporting a return to the office, attracting customers to a retail space, or enhancing public venues, sound can be a powerful tool for shaping experience. Gordon Boggis is CEO of Carnegie. Michael DiTullo is head of product innovation at Kirei, a division of Carnegie Acoustic Solutions.
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E-Commerce
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