New York Mills Think-Off Asks: Has Pursuit of Happiness Backfired?

New York Mills Regional Cultural Center announced on Jan. 15 that the 2026 Great American Think-Off will ask: "Has the pursuit of happiness made Americans unhappy?" The annual contest, now in its 33rd year, invites entrants nationwide to submit 750-word essays taking a clear position; essays are due April 1, 2026 and finalists will be announced May 1.

Four finalists will each receive $500 and will be supported to attend the live debate scheduled for June 13, 2026 in New York Mills, where competitors will vie for the title of America’s Greatest Thinker. Submission details are available at think-off.org and kulcher.org/think-off.

The question frames a timely national conversation about rising rates of loneliness, anxiety and depression and asks whether the cultural emphasis on pursuing happiness intensifies stress and social comparison or instead deepens purpose and community bonds. Locally, the Think-Off brings that debate to Otter Tail County, translating abstract national trends into a weekend of civic engagement, cultural programming and modest economic activity.

For a small city like New York Mills, the event is both a civic showcase and a predictable boost to Main Street vendors, restaurants and lodging. The contest’s structure - four finalists receiving $500 each and travel support - guarantees in-person visitors for the June debate, which typically draws family members, regional supporters and curious residents. While prize money totals $2,000, the wider economic impact comes from hotel stays, meals and incidental spending by visitors during the event weekend, along with media attention that helps promote the cultural center as a year-round destination.

The Think-Off’s longevity signals sustained community investment in public discourse and cultural tourism. Now in its 33rd year, the program has become part of New York Mills’ calendar of events, offering residents opportunities to engage in timely national questions on a local stage. The 2026 prompt intersects with public health concerns that have been rising nationwide and may prompt essays from civic leaders, educators, health professionals and students who can connect the topic to Otter Tail County’s own experiences with mental health services, social isolation and community supports.

Beyond immediate economic benefits, the contest provides a low-cost civic platform for residents to examine how pursuit of individual happiness shapes communal life. Residents can submit essays by April 1 at think-off.org or kulcher.org/think-off; finalists will be announced May 1 and the live debate will take place June 13 in New York Mills. The Think-Off will test local opinions against national trends and, for those who attend, offer a weekend where ideas meet the local economy and community conversation.