Nic Marks: The Happy Planet Index

Important Vocabulary Words From The Video

complicit

A complicit person is someone who is involved in something that they know is wrong or bad. They might be aware of the illegal activities of the organization, but they choose to stay involved anyway.

  • The company is complicit in the illegal activities because they are helping to finance it.
  • The students are complicit in the bullying because they are participating in it.
nightmarish

A nightmarish experience is one that is very unpleasant. It can be a scary experience, or it can be a confusing or frustrating one.

  • The nightmare was so terrifying that she couldn't stop thinking about it, even during the day.
  • The nightmare was so frightening that she couldn't fall asleep for hours after it was over.
peddled

To peddle something is to sell it. When you peddle goods, you walk around and sell them to people.

  • He peddles fruit on the street corner.
  • She peddles her paintings in the art gallery.
fixated

To be fixated on something is to be focused on it to the point where you can't think about anything else. You might be fixated on a problem that you're trying to solve, or you might be fixated on a person or object that you find attractive.

  • She was fixated on the idea of moving to a new city, and she spent hours thinking about it.
  • He was fixated on the wrong target, and he was killed because of it.
brutish

The word brutish is usually used to describe people or animals who are not very polite or who are not very kind. It can also be used to describe the way that these people or animals act.

  • He was brutish to her and he didn't even know her.
  • The animal was brutish in its behavior.
aspirational

The word aspirational is often used to describe things or people that are very desirable or impressive. When people talk about aspirational goals, they are usually referring to goals that are a little bit out of reach, but still possible to achieve.

  • The aspirational athlete is someone who is trying to achieve the impossible.
  • The aspirational lifestyle is one that is very luxurious and comfortable.
deniers

Deniers are people who refuse to believe that climate change is happening. They often argue that the evidence is not clear enough, or that the effects of climate change are not real.

  • The deniers refuse to believe the evidence, and they continue to spread their false beliefs.
  • The deniers are trying to undermine the evidence, and they are trying to prevent the government from doing anything about climate change.
nudges

To nudge someone is to encourage them indirectly. You might nudge someone in the direction that you want them to go, or you might nudge them when they are about to do something that you don't want them to do.

  • The salesperson nudge the customer in the direction of the product.
  • The teacher nudge the students to get out of their seats and start working.
signposts

When you are driving, you will often see signs posted along the road that tell you where to go. These signs are called signposts.

  • The signposts told us to turn left at the next junction.
  • The signposts told us to take the first road on the right.