Has the world gone Quackers?

august 2023

What would make you happier? More money? A bigger house? A family? A sports car? A vacation? That’s the answer for most.

Now we could get into a debate about where true happiness comes from. Whether it’s a mindset or something that happens to you. Why some of the people who rate their happiness highest are those with the least…

But I don’t want to talk about that today… I want to talk about ducks.

Would two giant rubber ducks floating in Honk Kong Harbour make you happy? Yep, you read that right. These 18 metre tall giants, named “Xi” (happiness) and “Peng” (friends) are part of an art installation nicknamed “Double Ducks” by Artist Florentijn Hofman. The giant rubber duckies are meant to help spread joy and happiness to those who see them.

Now, it’s not long since I was in Hong Kong, in fact, I missed the big quacky buddies by just a few days. But I would have certainly popped down to the harbour to have a gander had I been there at the right time. I mean, it’s not every day you see a 63ft duck! Let alone two.

But Hong Kong isn’t the only harbour these feathered friends have visited. They’ve been on a world tour since 2013! Amsterdam, Baku, Lommel, Osaka, Sydney, São Paulo… these ducks are nearly better travelled than I am! I’d have quite liked to be involved in that shipment. A bit of fun. Spreading a bit of joy.

So what do you think? Are the ducks a fun, quirky way to make people happy? Or has the world gone quackers? Let me know your thoughts…