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Memories of a Child Refugee
For many, Sharbat Gula was the face of refugee children everywhere, although her identity was unknown for almost two decades. Captured by National Geographic photographer Steve McCurry in 1984, in a refugee camp in Pakistan, the penetrating eyes of the 12-year-old “Afghan girl” grabbed the world’s imagination—and became a symbol of the plight of war-damaged children. Not until 2002 was she finally located and identified, by that time repatriated and living with children of her own, in a country again at war. Sharbat Gula is one of millions of Afghan children who have fled Afghanistan’s seemingly endless war, seeking safety in foreign places.
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Do We Care About Future Generations?
Scientific American: We care about our children and the world they’ll inherit. And we care about their children. But when it comes to the generations we won’t be around to know, the ties tend to be less strong—at least when it comes to dealing with how our current behavior might impact future generations. But researchers have found that reminders of our own mortality may motivate us to make inter-generational trade-offs that benefit future communities. Volunteers were asked to read an article about a fatal airline accident. Then they had to play the role of the head of a company that discovered a new source of cheap, efficient energy.
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In groups, alcohol a social lubricant
United Press International: Moderate amounts of alcohol -- consumed in a social setting -- can serve as a social lubricate, U.S. researchers suggest. Lead author Michael A. Sayette, professor of psychology at the University of Pittsburgh, said it is usually taken for granted that people drink to reduce stress and enhance positive feelings, but many studies have shown that alcohol consumption has an opposite effect. Previous studies tested the impact of alcohol on those who drink alone rather than in groups. "Those studies may have failed to create realistic conditions for studying this highly social drug," Sayette said in a statement.
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Daydreaming At Work Makes Us Better Problem Solvers
Business Insider: Entrepreneurs might be especially focused on productivity, but despite your best efforts to concentrate on your business, you're probably not awfully consistent at it. You are human, after all, and various scientific studies have found most people spend between 30% and 47% of their waking hours daydreaming. Your response may be horror that between a third and a half of you and your employees' workdays are spent gazing out the window or pondering their next vacation. But reserve judgment.
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Respekt und Anerkennung verheißen ein glückliches Leben (Respect and recognition promise a happy life)
bild der wissenschaft: Geld macht nicht glücklich – soziale Anerkennung sehr wohl Dass Glück sich nicht erkaufen lässt, ist eine Binsenweisheit. Jetzt geben Ergebnisse einer amerikanischen Studie Hinweise darauf, was uns tatsächlich glücklich macht: Anerkennung durch unser soziales Umfeld scheint demnach die wichtigste Voraussetzung dafür zu sein, dass wir uns gut fühlen. Wie glücklich wir durch Leben gehen, hängt unter anderem von unserer Stellung in der Gesellschaft ab.
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The Surprising Upside to Your Long Workday
Men's Health: Those long, stressful days at the office may come in handy during happy hour, finds a new study in Psychological Science. Researchers exposed men to either a tough or easy mental task, then monitored the men’s heart rates and amount of cortisol (a stress hormone) in their saliva while playing a series of trust and sharing games. The results: Acute stress from the mental tasks made the men more friendly, generous, and trusting during the games. Being under pressure doesn’t just make you more outgoing. Here are three other surprising ways that stress works in your favor. (But keep in mind, stress isn’t the only thing that can upgrade your day. Read the whole story: Men's Health
