Is it possible to make a decision on a whim or say later that you will be happy with your life? According to the article “The Futile Pursuit of Happiness” by Jon Gertner explains how psychologists Daniel Gilbert and George Lowenstein conduct numerous studies on predicting happiness. After reviewing the information presented in this article, it is clear that it is not possible to predict happiness. Although at the time of purchasing a hot new item you may have a big smile on your face, knowing that the same item is unlikely to bring you happiness in the future. Most people make rash decisions when they are in hot and cold states. When people are in a cold state, they are calm and collected, and when they are in a hot state, they are in the heat of the moment or their anxiety level is high. During my teenage years, a girl I knew sneaked out of her house in the middle of the night to meet a boy she thought she liked. They fled to another town called Spring to escape. After a few weeks of marriage, they became unhappy and realized they had made a huge mistake. Another example, in my case, every time I go to Dollywood, I'm determined to ride the roller coaster, but when I'm halfway through the line, I start to panic and jump out of line the most quickly as possible. In his study on hot and cold decision-making, Gertner states: "Among other things, this line of research led Lowenstein to collaborate with health experts to determine why people have unprotected sex when they would never agree to do so in a moment of cold calculation. » (21). While in cold states, it is evident that people are capable of making better choices that they will not regret, whereas in a warm state, people tend to make unwise choices that may have undesirable consequences. People...... middle of paper. ....appy no matter what happens. People can be truly happy, but they have to work for it every day. If people are unhappy, then they have to change everything within themselves to be happy. People who are looking to find happiness, which is most likely everyone, need to be confident and have a calm voice in their head. If people keep these two things in mind, then there's no reason why they can't predict their happiness, even if it's over short periods of time. Even if predictions about happiness aren't always accurate, at least people temporarily experience that sensation of feeling something special. A temporary feeling is better than not feeling special at all. Works CitedGertner, Jon. The vain quest for happiness. New York: The Daily Times, 2003. Print.