If you were fortunate enough to have your parents introduce you to Shel Silverstein’s classic book Where the Sidewalk Ends, you know that this literary genius’s poems and tales are the stuff of which dreams are made for both kids and adults. But his is not the only sidewalk that enjoys international fame. You probably recognize these: The iconic Abbey Road and Carnaby Street in…
If you keep tabs on travel trends you know that sustainable travel has become a major driver of getaways because people are looking for ways to reduce their carbon footprint, says travel writer Caroline Bologna. “Green travel should really be thought of more holistically as ‘responsible travel,’ taking into account not just the environment but also the local community, the economy, and travel culture,” added…
Kari Owens loves a great Independence Day celebration, and she’s become something of an expert on why these occasions are so important to societies around the world. Her most recent post on the Nonprofit Youth Exchange Organization (ICES) website describes the joy and elation patriots feel, especially those who have had difficult times achieving independence. “Independence days hold profound significance for countries, marking the culmination…
If you find yourself on a perpetual quest for dopamine rushes—and you consider a summer diving and snorkeling getaway as the ultimate thrill—we’ve got news that could make your world a whole lot more enjoyable. Looking for pleasure doesn’t begin with grabbing a tank and heading to the Caribbean. Dopamine spikes the minute we start making plans to leave for a pleasurable escape, notes neuroscientist…
When asked the question, “When did the phrase ‘go with the flow’ originate?” most people refer to the 1960s Hippie movement, when peace signs, tie-dyed shirts, and miniskirts ruled. But historians tell us that these guesses are off by 19 centuries! That’s when Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius said that time is like a river, so we may as well go with the flow since change…
Guidepost blogger Megan Cherkezian makes no apologies for being head-over-heels in love with the month of June—and not just because it’s traditionally the most popular month for weddings. She’s not planning one, so her take on why June is special has less to do with rice, bouquets, and veils than it does with the fact that she’s a romantic and she celebrates ordinary things that…
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…
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…
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…