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After Drinking, Risky Odds Become More Appealing
St. Patrick’s Day is often one of the deadliest days of the year on U.S. roads. Accompanying the local parades and green hats, a dramatic spike in alcohol-related driving fatalities is often seen during the holiday, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Alcohol not only affects motor skills and reaction times, but it also impacts people’s judgment. One reason that driving drunk is so dangerous: Alcohol increases people’s predilection for risky behavior. A recent study, published in the journal Frontiers in Psychology, found evidence that as blood alcohol levels spike, people become more likely to indulge in decisions with risky outcomes.
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The Vicious Cycle of Workplace Bullying
Victims of workplace bullying often become stressed and anxious, making them easy targets for additional abuse.
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The Upside of Waiting in Line
The New York Times: Waiting in line got a bad rap as an ever-present part of the Communist Soviet Union. It could turn out to be a big part of America’s urban future, because some lines are actually useful. To better understand this, consider a contrast between locations. Although I live in Northern Virginia, I visit Manhattan frequently, and I notice how often I end up waiting in line. It’s not just for special events. I wait in line to get into the movies, for a jazz concert at the Village Vanguard or to grab a bite at a Midtown Shake Shack.
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Learning The Hard Truth About Lying
NPR: We all lie sometimes. But if you're in the public eye, the lie can take on a life of its own. NBC's Brian Williams became the victim of his own story last month, exaggerating the danger he faced while reporting in Iraq in 2003. It lead to an on-air mea culpa and a temporary suspension from the anchor desk. A couple weeks later, another public figure, Robert McDonald, the head of the Department of Veterans Affairs, told a homeless veteran that he was in the special forces — but he wasn't. Coming back from that kind of mistake can be harrowing and life-changing. Read the whole story: NPR
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I Don’t Have a Job. I Have a Higher Calling.
The Wall Street Journal: Travelzoo Inc. ’s 438 employees spend their days trying to find customers a good deal on flight and hotel packages. To hear managers describe their work in meetings, however, booking a customer on a cheap trip to the Caribbean can serve a higher purpose: helping someone get over the death of a loved one or meet a future spouse. “If we all traveled, there would be significantly more peace on Earth,” Travelzoo Chief Executive Chris Loughlin said he has told employees. Can a job just be a job? Not anymore. ... Plenty of employees are fine with being a cog rather than a cathedral builder.
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Thinking of God Makes People Bolder Risk-Takers
Big Think: When people are reminded of God, they are more ready to engage in risky behavior, but not morally wrongful behavior. Isha Aran from Fusion reports on a recent study published in the journal Psychological Science that sought to find out how far 900 online participants could be pushed toward unsafe activities while God was in their thoughts. How much risky behavior would participants engage in knowing God could possibly protect them from negative outcomes? In order to remind participants of God, researcher gave some of the volunteers a word scramble puzzle that contained God-related references or had them read a paragraph about God.
