Category: Mind Space

Goths do Good

BoingBoing has a post about a study that found out that goth subculture helps protect self-harming kids. BoingBoing also looks at how different media outlets deal with the research.

“One common suggestion is they may be copying subcultural icons or peers [when they self-harm], but our study found that more young people reported self-harm before, rather than after, becoming a goth. This suggests that young people with a tendency to self-harm are attracted to the goth subculture,” says Robert Young, who led the study.

“Rather than posing a risk, it’s also possible that by belonging to the goth subculture, young people are gaining valuable social and emotional support from their peers.” But he cautions: “However, the study was based on small numbers and replication is needed to confirm our results.” Only 25 participants felt strongly associated with goth culture.

I never thought that goths would ever be mentioned on this site….

Spot the Fake

Free Press has a web-page dedicated to exposing fake news because it has gotten out of hand. Free Press focuses on American media, but they still provide information for people so anyone can learn how to spot fake news.

What is fake new? Well in this case it refers to “news” that has been supplied by a corporate mouthpiece. The journalist may work for the product being discussed, or the parent company of the news channel influences the report. Fake news is growing and it is up to people to stop it.

Girls Getting Into Gizmos

Below is copied from a Wired article on a website that encourages women to get into electronics and do it yourself projects:

A new web-based show encourages young women to tune in and associate DIY less with bread making and more with breadboard wiring.

Created by Alison Lewis, a web designer and instructor at Parsons School of Design, Switch is a free online show connects young women with technology by guiding them through fashion and design projects.

Lewis said she hopes “to inspire people with design and to get young girls thinking about how electronics are approachable and not so scary.”

Diana Eng of Project Runway fame co-hosted the first episode, which is now available at the Switch site. She instructs viewers on how to make a recordable talking picture frame. Future episodes — Lewis hopes to post two a month — will feature design-slash-tech projects such as electronic pillows.

Expecting an Hilarious Time Boosts Endorphins

Psychologist Lee S. Berk of Loma Linda University has found that even just expecting a laugh can boost endorphins in the brain. We all like to laugh and other researchers have noticed that white blood cells are more prevalent in those who enjoy life; however, what makes this research distinct is that these endorphins are long-lasting. Expecting to have a good time can prolong your life.

The people involved in this study also showed reduced stress levels. Laughter is truly the best medicine I suppose.

Feathers Fly In Vancouver!


Yesturday a giant pillowfight broke out in Vancouver at Robson Square. Over a hundred people gathered as feathers flew and folks beat the living daylights out of each other with pillows. People were laughing hysterically, pummeling strangers and pillows were exploding all over the place causing white fluff to fly absolutely everywhere. By the end of about a 30 minute fiasco there were nearly 2 inches of feathers covering the sidewalk. I heard a bystander ask “Who’s gunna clean up this mess?” to which someone shouted back “thats what we pay taxes for!!” Obviously no-one was taking themselves too seriously at this event.

The details were posted days earlier on a site called flashmob.com which has events like these posted for various locations in North America and beyond. As a spectator of the giant pillowfight I have to declare that random acts of FUN such as these are really quite spectacular. A great way for a city to lighten up a little and just have some ridiculous good times.