You may not realize how important continuity is when you assess yourself and the world, but in fact, the ability to count on other people, institutions, and systems are the backbones of successful societies as well as human accomplishments. “We all need to have the sense that things in our lives remain stable through time,” writes Harry Readhead in his essay published on Medium. “Continuity…
Blogger Joanna Nowak considers herself to be “an ethical and responsible” nomad who wouldn’t dream of taking a conventional vacation to a spot that isn’t classified as an off-the-beaten-track destination. She’s rather young to have adopted this style of travel as her mantra, but she quickly learned to step out of her comfort zone to immerse herself in local cultures. Where does the ethical part…
The British Broadcasting System (BBC) tends to feature programs that are classical, educational, and rich in photography, thus readers of the BBC website may have been confused by the headline that shouted, “Shopping a sale gives you the same feeling as getting high.” Reporter Alina Dizik was curious about what goes on in the brain and body when “enticed by a sale.” She cites the…
No matter the ages of your family members, they’re likely familiar with today’s buzziest acronyms. Your teens probably experience FOMO (fear of missing out) regularly, and thrifty grandparents know the value of BOGO (buy one, get one free) when they shop. Let them all know that there’s a new acronym on the scene: JOMO (the joy of missing out). Writes Richard Sima for The Washington…
Have you ever wondered where the concept of the sweepstake originated? We checked with Dan Jahn whose post on the Probability Works website gives browsers a fascinating explanation of what we often think of as a modern marketing strategy. Sweepstakes were first held in Shakespeare’s day when Middle English speakers introduced the “swepe stake” that consisted of games played, after which the winner was invited…
If a beauty contest for crustaceans was held today, odds that a lobster would be named most attractive are very low. Lobsters don’t produce pearls like their oyster cousins, but they do have a distinction that makes them unique, according to the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA): “researchers have discovered that lobsters [aren’t scavengers]. They catch mainly fresh food (except for bait) which includes…
Once upon a time, couples wouldn’t dream of setting wedding dates outside the month of June, but like all trends, things have taken a turn, say Bride’s magazine trend trackers. And given news surrounding odd weather patterns and increases in temperatures, many brides are taking a pass on the months of July and August as well. May remains an extremely popular choice for couples. According…
The word gateway is fraught with symbolism and applies to so many aspects of our lives, it’s a wonder we don’t use it often. The Merriam-Webster Dictionary says that gateways allow us to achieve desired goals, while techies are more likely to refer to a gateway when trying to explain a network node that connects two communications protocols. Those who consider themselves religious point to…
World Travel and Tourism Council researchers know a thing or two about the bonuses and difficulties of taking youngsters abroad when school is out. “The thought of travelling with children in tow may seem daunting at first, but it can be an incredibly rewarding adventure that has real-life benefits for children,” say WTTC researchers. Spring break—and especially Easter—is the ideal time to plan a family-focused,…
How would you fare if you were asked to lay a round of lobster trivia? Browse these facts and victory could be yours: Lobsters have eight walking legs used to crawl forward, but they swim backwards. Each one has a “dominant claw,” just like left- or right-handed people. Lobsters can re-grow body parts in around five years. Lobsters smell with their legs but have poor…