© 2026 Kansas City Public Radio
NPR in Kansas City
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Less Than Jubilant Genes: Why The Brits Keep Calm

STEVE INSKEEP, HOST:

Good morning. I'm Steve Inskeep. The travel writer Eric Weiner once said British people don't just enjoy misery, they get off on it. There may be a reason. The University of Warwick studied genes of people from different nations. The study found British people have a short form of the gene controlling serotonin, a chemical linked with happiness. The British are more disposed to grumpiness then the Danes or the Dutch; only the French are worse off. Keep calm and carry on. You're listening to MORNING EDITION. Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright NPR.

KCUR is here for Kansas City, because Kansas City is here for KCUR.

Your support makes KCUR's work possible — from reporting that keeps officials accountable, to storytelling that connects our community. You can make sure the future of local journalism is strong.