A Secret Only Your Dog Knows
& stress management
Welcome to the start of another exciting week! We’re kicking things off with a bang, bringing you the most thrilling stories from around the globe. Get ready to dive into the wonders of the world with us!
But first, let’s give you a task for the day
📌 Take a moment today to set a positive intention for the week. What’s one thing you’re excited about?
Starting the week with a positive intention helps shift the mindset from a reactive state to a proactive one. It sets a tone of optimism and readiness for the days ahead. Reflecting on what you’re excited about will help you think about your goals and aspirations. This reflection can foster a sense of purpose and motivation.
Now let’s get started…
Your Dog Knows It…
Ever wondered if your dog can actually tell when you're lying? Turns out, your furry friend might be a lot smarter than you think. There's some solid science behind this too. A study led by Akiko Takaoka at Kyoto University in Japan shows that dogs are pretty good at figuring out whether a human is trustworthy or not.
So, here’s how they tested it: The researchers first pointed at a container filled with hidden food, and naturally, the dogs ran right to it. Then, they pointed at an empty container. The dogs fell for it and ran over, only to find it was empty. But here’s where things get interesting—when the researchers pointed at a container with food again, the dogs refused to go. Why? Because they figured out the person pointing wasn’t reliable. That’s right—your dog can spot a liar!
In fact, all 34 dogs in the experiment refused to trust the human the third time around. It seems dogs don’t just follow commands blindly; they’re paying attention and learning from their experiences. They know when your word isn’t good anymore, and they’ll act accordingly. Takaoka herself was surprised at how quickly the dogs devalued the human’s reliability. She says, "Dogs have more sophisticated social intelligence than we thought." This intelligence likely evolved because dogs have spent so much time with humans throughout history. (More)
Mothers Are Finally Getting Recognized (but the wrong way)
The rise of what’s being called “New MILF” cinema in 2024 is giving middle-aged women a long-overdue spotlight in romantic storylines, but there's more to unpack than meets the eye. This trend, which centers on older women—often mothers but not always—falling in love with younger men, is showing up in romantic comedies and steamy thrillers alike. It feels like Hollywood is finally acknowledging that women over 40 have romantic lives too. After years of being pushed into the background, these women are reclaiming their space on screen, challenging the industry's obsession with youth.
On the surface, this shift seems like a win for representation. For too long, ageism has dominated Hollywood, especially for women. Female actors often find themselves sidelined by the time they hit their thirties, while their male counterparts continue to land leading roles well into their fifties and beyond. Middle-aged men in film are still seen as desirable, but women, according to old Hollywood standards, tend to "age out" of these roles. Enter New MILF cinema, which flips the script, positioning older women as the center of romantic stories.
But here's the catch: while these films may put older women back in the spotlight, they often do so under one major condition—they must look like they haven’t aged. In other words, the version of middle-aged women that’s being celebrated in these films still fits a very narrow mold. These women are youthful, wrinkle-free, and often toned, adhering to a societal ideal of "successful aging."
So, the message is clear: aging is fine as long as you don’t look like you’re aging. (More)
BTW, A Journalist Just Got Replaced By AI
A local newspaper in Kauai, Hawaii, The Garden Island, is making waves for a controversial reason—it’s now using AI-generated newscasters. This development was brought to light by Guthrie Scrimgeour, a former journalist for the paper, in a recent Wired article.
In a bold and frankly unsettling move, The Garden Island has become the first newspaper in the U.S. to adopt AI-generated news anchors from an Israeli company called Caledo. These AI personas, named "James" and "Rose," star in video segments shared on the paper’s website and social media, delivering news just like human reporters—but with a catch. The videos aim to mimic a traditional newscast, but the execution leaves a lot to be desired.
For one thing, the AI anchors are, well, unnerving. Their movements are stiff and robotic, and the monotone delivery is jarring. They cover a wide range of stories, from serious issues like suicide prevention to lighter fare like Labor Day breakfast specials, all in the exact same flat, emotionless tone. Imagine talking about something as sensitive as mental health with the same enthusiasm as discussing a pancake special—it just doesn’t sit well.
What’s even more concerning is that this AI experiment may not stop in Kauai. (More)
The Only Way To Calm Your Stress
Walking labyrinths have become a global sensation for reducing stress and finding balance, and it’s easy to see why. Imagine strolling slowly through a carefully crafted path that spirals inward, guiding you on a journey of mindfulness and contemplation. It’s not about getting lost—unlike mazes, which can be confusing with their dead ends and turns. Instead, labyrinths are all about a single, winding route that always leads you to the center and back out again.
It’s like a reliable path through unpredictable times.
The appeal of labyrinths goes beyond their historical roots. They’ve seen a resurgence in recent years, with World Labyrinth Day celebrated globally every first Saturday in May. Modern labyrinths are popping up in all sorts of places, from vast parks to urban settings.
Take, for example, the massive Earth and Wild Flower Labyrinth in northern England, which spans 130 meters and was built using earth from nearby excavations. Or the temporary snow labyrinths created by American artist Anne Drehfal, which offer a shimmering, ephemeral path through fresh snow. (More)
BTW, if you want to do something productive during your time off, check this out 👉
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So, that’s it for today. Let’s meet again tomorrow 👋 Till then, stay safe!
