Are Your Friends More Important Than Your Eyes?

Being social is "the most successful form of higher adaptation known...even more adaptive than having eyes." ---Martin Seligman

Headhouse Books was founded in 2005 in Queen Village, Philadelphia to create a social community where the book buying experience would be a nuanced discovery to enrich, not deaden, the senses:


"No community is complete without the inspiration and idea exchange that only a locally owned, independent bookstore can provide. "  --Richard A. DeWyngaert, Founder Headhouse Books

Seems like Richard was onto something. 
FlourishMartin Seligman's new work (subtitled A Visionary New Understanding of Happiness and Well-being asks (and answers) the big question: "What is it that enables you to cultivate your talents, to build deep, lasting relationships with others, to feel pleasure, and to contribute meaningfully to the world? In a word, what is it that allows you to flourish?"

 Computers can design weapons and tools 'in a thrice' but are no match for our brain when it comes to human connection: 
"The massive prefrontal cortex that we have is continually using its billions of connections to simulate social possibilities and then choose the optimal course of action.  So the big brain is a relationship simulation machine, and it has been selected by evolution for exactly the function of designing and carrying out harmonious but effective human relationships."

Seligman deems positive relationships one of five 'basic elements of well-being'.  What are the other four?  Flex those social-connectedness muscles.  Head on over to Headhouse Books (or your local independent bookstore).  Chat up the clerk or fellow customers.  Pick up a copy of Flourish and find out.



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