Gary King wants to make people smile and is gaining quite a bit of attention for his acts of kindness. The Florida native places happiness signs all over St. Petersburg and other locations, hoping his visuals will boost the mood and morale. He recently passed the 600-sign mark, and ideally would love to get these signs posted everywhere. Keep reading to learn more about King and why he feels one word can make a difference.
Happiness signs are all over St. Petersburg and more
King has been spreading positivity in St. Petersburg since 2019. His signs — a simple red and white visual displaying the word “happiness” — are displayed in schools, above street signs, by buildings or anywhere he has room to hang them.
His project, The Happiness Experiment, uses subliminal advertising to influence people. “All I’m doing is a subliminal experiment using a word — one word,” said King during Fox News 13’s “Extraordinary Ordinaries” segment with Walter Allen. “This word has been around forever, but where do you see it? You don’t! It’s phenomenal, and it’s based on a word, and it changes life!”
The happiness signs stemmed from King’s own experiences with dark times. In 2012, King’s son, Jason, took his own life. King found himself bereved, and almost considered doing the same. He ended up being The Happiness Experiment’s first test subject, finally able to return to Sunshine Skyway Bridge – where his son’s tragic last moments took place – after hanging 250 signs around the St. Pete area.
Gary King uses 6 sociological effects for his happiness signs
The Happiness Experiment
Interestingly, there is a method to King’s efforts. His experiment uses six different sociological effects, the main one being something that advertisers use regularly. When brands or companies place their product logo everywhere, it’s more likely that the visual will stay in your mind.
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King had the same idea but instead of fast food or other products, he aimed to put a smile on people’s faces. The project is a labor of love, and a lot of research went into the signs as well.
Before the project, King told Fox News 13 that he’d been researching for 35 years. “The more time you see the logo, the more times it’s at the top of your mind,” he said. “It’s not accidental… it’s because you look at the word, and it changes the emotional place you’re in!”
Other Floridians are responding positively
Throughout his time doing The Happiness Experiment, King has received positive messages about the impact the happiness signs have on others.
He shared a few notes during the segment, and one said: “Gary: we are grateful for everything that you do. The happiness experiment has changed our lives and the lives of many. Continue your work of love, we cheer you on.”
“I first saw the happiness experiment TB signs on the day of my miscarriage last year. The signs reminded me that it was all going to be okay, and that I could find happiness during and after this,” another note read.
King added that he’s also gotten letters from people in his own community, sharing that they feel lighter and better after seeing the word plastered around town.
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Gary King would like to make a global difference
The Happiness Experiment
While King has grown The Happiness Experiment in Florida, he wants to incorporate signs globally so everyone can have a touch of happiness when they need it most.
“We are here to live a great life. You have control of what goes on in here,” he said during the segment. “Not what goes on out there. If there was ever a time when we need happiness to be the focus, it’s now.”
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