In our next installment of The Socrates Exchange we're asking the question: “What is the relationship between money, happiness, and a good life?” Our culture may often tell us the personal wealth equals success, but most of us are suspicious of this. What really is the relationship between money, happiness, and a good life? If money isn't essential for happiness, why are we concerned with poverty? Is money, as some say, the root of all evil?

Guest

• Nick Smith, Assistant Professor of Philosophy at the University of New Hampshire, Advisor to the Socrates Society at UNH and Project Advisor to the Socrates Exchange

He was a two-term Republican congressman representing New Hampshire’s 1st District, but two years ago the Wolfeboro resident was defeated by a somewhat unknown Democrat, Carol Shea Porter. Now Bradley wants to reclaim his seat. We’ll talk to Bradley about his run for Congress, where he stands on issues ranging from the economy to health care to energy and what’s different about his campaign now than when he lost his seat two years ago.

Guest

• Jeb Bradley, former two-term Republican Congressman from Wolfeboro and Republican candidate in New Hampshire’s first Congressional District

The sci-fi movie Minority Report depicts a future where shoppers are bombarded by electronic advertisements as they walk through the store. Machines scan the shoppers’ eyeballs to identify them, then specific ads are targeted directly at each person.

It’s kind of cool, kind of scary, and it may not be that far off. The grocery store of the near future may combine behavioral targeting with WiFi, radio frequency identification chips, robotics, and other new technologies.

We already see some behavioral targeting in stores. If have one of those discount cards (or “loyalty cards”) on your keychain, the store can track your purchases and target promotions toward you. Word of Mouth commentator Garen Daly has been looking into what he calls “sci-fi supermarkets,” and he tells us how stores are planning on taking that to the next level.

Garen is host of the Frugal Yankee website and radio show, which can be heard live on WNTN in Newton, Mass.

(Photo by Andrew Walsh)