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Beware of Joy
The New York Times: If you’re a defensive pessimist (or even just a regular pessimist), you may already be familiar with the phenomenon known as “fear of happiness.” If you’re not, Bettina Chang of Pacific Standard offers a baseball-related example
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How Does That Geometry Problem Make You Feel?
Slate: Human tutors—teachers who work closely with students, one on one—are unrivaled in their ability to promote deep and lasting learning. Education researchers have known this for more than 30 years, but until recently they
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Yes, I’m a Good Person. But Did You Hear About Her?
Pacific Standard: Want to feel a sense of purpose in your life? Do a good deed for someone. On the other hand, if immediate happiness is your priority, let someone else do a good deed
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Why Original Artworks Move Us More Than Reproductions
Pacific Standard: Now that we can view high-definition reproductions of virtually any artwork from our computer screens, why do people visit art museums anyway? Sure, arranging individual pieces into compelling exhibitions enhances our appreciation, but
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Smartphone App Takes Morality Science out of the Lab and into the Real World
Scientific American: Just when it seems there’s a mobile app for just about everything, psychologists have shown there’s room for one more: they are using smartphones to help them better understand the dynamics of moral and immoral
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How Smiling Can Backfire
Scientific American: If you’re reading this at a desk, do me a favor. Grab a pen or pencil and hold the end between your teeth so it doesn’t touch your lips. As you read on
