Need a Hand, Ask a Baby

Infants are willing to help according to a new study. The CBC is repotting that infants show altruistic behavior to help adults.

“In 84 per cent of cases, infants as young as 18 months, who were not familiar with Warneken, would help retrieve the peg. During the test, he never asked for help. He also did not thank or reward the child, since the study was designed to show if the toddlers could show altruistic behaviour.”

Laughing Clubs Promote Longevity (and Hilarity!)

In 1995, an Indian doctor named Madan Kataria started a club in India which prescribes a healthy dose of humour to prolong and enrich life, and the idea (like the laughter) is contagious.

They begin by limbering up and relaxing their muscles, and then laugh with each other for hours! The club members report, not surprisingly, decreased stress and increased happiness. American researchers corroborate the story with evidence that laughter prolongs life, boosts the immune system and reduces stress.

Over 5000 laughing clubs have sprung up in India, Halifax, Illinois, and around the world. Why not start a laughing club in your area?

Pinball Clemons vs. A History of Violence

With the rapidly mounting history of gun violence in Toronto, there has been a lot of talk of law-and-order solutions to the problem, but that doesn’t come even close to addressing the real issue.

So it’s nice to see that the government of Ontario, along with erstwhile football star “Pinball” Clemons, is launching an initiative to invest $15 million into programs for at-risk youth in marginalized communities throughout the Greater Toronto Area.

“The Youth Challenge Fund — is it a solution? Absolutely not,” Clemons said. “This is a program that builds into tomorrow. This is not something that is going to today eradicate violence.” We’re inclined to agree.