The Colbert Report Season 3 Episode 87 Tom Blanton, Daniel Gilbert

On The Colbert Report season 3 episode 87, host Stephen Colbert invites two special guests to the show: Tom Blanton and Daniel Gilbert. Tom Blanton is the Director of the National Security Archive, a non-profit organization that collects and publishes declassified government documents. Gilbert, on the other hand, is a Harvard psychology professor who specializes in the study of happiness and the human mind.

Throughout the episode, Colbert engages in a series of humorous and insightful conversations with his guests, touching on a wide range of topics related to politics, government transparency, and the science of happiness. He starts the show off by asking Blanton about his organization's efforts to obtain and publish government documents, including those related to national security and foreign policy.

As they discuss the importance of transparency in government, Colbert interjects with his trademark wit and satire. He suggests that the best way to ensure government transparency is for politicians to simply be honest about their corrupt activities, rather than trying to hide them in classified documents. Blanton laughs along with the audience, but maintains that the work his organization does is vital for holding government officials accountable.

Next, Colbert turns his attention to Gilbert, asking him about his research on happiness and the human mind. Gilbert shares some fascinating insights into the ways our brains process information, and how our beliefs and expectations can shape our emotional responses. He explains that happiness is not a fixed state, but rather something that can be influenced by our thoughts and actions.

Throughout the conversation, Colbert injects his own brand of humor and satire, poking fun at both Gilbert and himself in equal measure. At one point, he jokes that he's never been a particularly happy person, but blames it on the fact that he's from South Carolina. Gilbert laughs along and suggests that perhaps Colbert just needs to reframe his thinking.

As the show comes to a close, Colbert thanks his guests for joining him and for sharing their insights with his audience. He jokes that although he still has no idea how to be happy, he at least has a better understanding of why he's not. The camera fades to black as the audience applauds, leaving viewers to ponder the questions raised by Blanton and Gilbert, and to consider their own paths to happiness and fulfillment.