1. The document discusses how traditional definitions of well-being are outdated due to silent transformations in society driven by factors like globalization and technology. 2. It argues that people now face a "problem of choice" in everyday life due to increased resources, freedoms, and market pressures that can undermine mental well-being and coherence. 3. Short-term and selfish decisions that seem minor individually can accumulate over time and in large groups to negatively impact society and the environment in ways that compromise overall well-being.

1. Silent transformation of well-beingTimo Hämäläinen, Ph.D., Dos.Glasgow Centre for Population Health Seminar Series, 13th April 2011, Glasgow

2. AgendaOurold definition of well-being is outdated (”silenttransformation”)”Problem of choice” in everyday lifePressures on Sense of coherence and mentalwell-beingAccumulatingimpacts of short-term and selfishdecisionsLaw of requisitevariety & well-beingPolicyimplicationsWell-being and economiccompetitivenessarenotcontradictoryVision of a sustainablewell-beingsociety11/04/2011

3. ICT REVOLUTIONGLOBALIZATION OF MARKETS AND BUSINESS ACTIVITIESSPECIALIZATION OF MARKETS & VALUE-ADDING ACTIVITIESINCREASING KNOWLEDGE INTEN-SITY & NETWORK COOPERATIONBig picture: historical transformationHERE WE ARE!SOCIO-INSTITUTIONAL ADJUSTMENT- Everyday life - Shared cognitive frames- values and norms- laws, regulations- policy regime- public sector organization11.4.20113Source: Freeman & Perez (1988)

4. InstrumentaldiscoursedominatesEconomy(crisis, globalization, com-petitiveness, efficiency, productivity, growth)Welfarestate(publicfinances, reorganizingservices, social security, equality)Everydaywell-being??(welfare?, subjectivewell-being?, happiness?, good life?)Adaptedfrom: Habermas (1987, Vol. 2)Lähde: Habermas (1987, Vol. 2)4

5. Key drivers of well-beinghavechangedENVIRONMENTNaturalenvironment

6. Infrastructure

7. Technologies

8. Organizations

9. Demographics

10. Culture (values & norms, activities)

11. Institutions (laws & regulations)

12. Politics

13. Economy

14. Labormarkets

15. MediaSUBJECTIVE WELL-BEINGMENTAL COHERENCEComprehensibility of life- Manageability of lifeEVERYDAY ACTIVITIES AND ROLES- WorkerConsumer

16. Familymember

17. Relative

18. Friend

19. Hobbyist

20. CitizenMEANINGFULNESSExceedingself-interest

21. Servingothers

22. HigherpurposeMASLOWIAN NEEDSSelf-actualization

23. Self- and social-esteem

24. Love and belonging

25. Security

26. Physiologicalneeds (thirst, hunger,…)RESOURCES AND CAPABILITIES - Income & wealth- Knowledge & skills - Physical & mentalhealth - Social capital - Information- Time- Politicalpower- Naturalresources

27. Fromdeprivation to ”Problem of choice”Increased:resources & capabilities (income, wealth, health, info, knowledge)

28. satisfaction of basic (material) needs

29. freedoms (deregulation & normlessness)

30. personal & resourcemobility