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“Clinical depression has exploded in the industrial world in the last generation. I believe a significant – not the only – contributor to this explosion of depression and also suicide is that people have experiences that are disappointing because their standards are so high, and then, when they have to explain these experiences to themselves, they think they’re at fault. The net result: we do better objectively, and we feel worse.”– Barry Schwartz, author of The Paradox of ChoiceAbout this talkPsychologist Barry Schwartz takes aim at a central tenet of western societies: freedom of choice. In Schwartz’s estimation, choice has made us not freer but more paralyzed, not happier but more dissatisfied.About Barry SchwartzBarry Schwartz studies the relationship between economics and psychology, delivering startling insights into modern life. His latest field of inquiry: wisdom. About TEDTED (Technology Entertainment Design) is an annual conference previously held in Monterey, California, USA but as of 2009 in Long Beach, California. It defines its mission as “ideas worth spreading”. The lectures, also called TED Talks, cover a broad set of topics including science, arts and design, politics, culture, business, global issues, technology and development, and entertainment. Speakers have included such people as former U.S. President Bill Clinton, Nobel laureates James D. Watson, Murray Gell-Mann, and Al Gore, Wikipedia co-founder Jimmy Wales, and Google co-founders Sergey Brin and Larry Page.In 2006, attendance cost $4,400 and was by invitation only. The membership model was shifted in January of 2007 to an annual membership fee of $6,000, which includes attendance of the conference, club mailings, networking tools and conference DVDs.