For a civilisation so fixated on achieving happiness, we seem remarkably incompetent at the task. Few of the many advantages of modern life seem capable of lifting our collective mood. We can't even agree on what 'happiness' means. Oliver Burkeman introduces us to an unusual collection of people who believe that there is an alternative, 'negative path' to happiness and success that involves embracing failure, pessimism, insecurity and uncertainty - the very things we spend our lives trying to avoid.