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Japan’s ‘Waste Not, Want Not’ Philosophy Has Deep Religious and Cultural Roots, from Monsters and Meditation to Marie Kondo’s Tidying Up
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Japan’s ‘Waste Not, Want Not’ Philosophy Has Deep Religious and Cultural Roots, from Monsters and Meditation to Marie Kondo’s Tidying Up

The word “waste” is often frightening. People fear not making the most of their time, whether at work or at leisure, and failing to live life to the fullest. Warnings against waste run especially deep in Japanese culture. Many Americans are familiar with the famous decluttering technique of organization guru Marie Kondo, who wrote “The...

In Mexico, Day of the Dead Is Actually a Celebration of Life
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In Mexico, Day of the Dead Is Actually a Celebration of Life

During the Day of the Dead celebrations that take place in late October and early November in Mexico, the living remember and honor their dearly departed, but with celebration — not sorrow. Marigolds decorate the streets as music blares from speakers. Adults and children alike dress as skeletons and take photos, capturing the annual joy-filled festivities. It...

Sacheen Littlefeather and Ethnic Fraud – Why the Truth Is Crucial, Even It It Means Losing an American Indian Hero
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Sacheen Littlefeather and Ethnic Fraud – Why the Truth Is Crucial, Even It It Means Losing an American Indian Hero

When Sacheen Littlefeather died on Oct. 2, 2022, obituaries reflecting on the actress and activist’s life held her up as a Native American trailblazer. But there is serious issue with this assessment: A suspicion among those who knew her – myself included – that her claims to American Indian heritage were not what they seemed...

Romeo and Juliet – Miami City Ballet
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Romeo and Juliet – Miami City Ballet

Few stories are as well-known as the classic Romeo and Juliet, and unless you are the most jaded individual, it touches you in ways familiar and new, if you give it a chance. The play, film versions, the orchestral music score by Prokofiev, the opera, even the original poem; all have their special charms. Add...

Dating Profile Text Perceived as More Original May Spark More Attraction
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Dating Profile Text Perceived as More Original May Spark More Attraction

A new study involving users of online dating sites has revealed a link between the perceived originality of text in dating profiles and better impressions of attractiveness. Tess van der Zanden and colleagues at Tilburg University in The Netherlands present these findings in PLOS ONE  and reveal the features of “original” profiles. Previous research has...

Recruiting Male Allies Boosts Women at Work
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Recruiting Male Allies Boosts Women at Work

When women and men raise their voices together in the workplace, managers are more likely to support gender equity issues, such as equal pay for equal work. That’s the finding of a new paper from a researcher at The University of Texas at Austin. In a recent study, Insiya Hussain, an assistant professor of management at...

Erotophilia and Sexual Sensation–seeking Are Good Predictors of Engagement with Sex Robots
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Erotophilia and Sexual Sensation–seeking Are Good Predictors of Engagement with Sex Robots

Simon Dubé’s study examines the personality traits of people who are more willing to experiment with erobotics Advances in technology, in particular artificial intelligence (AI), are impacting our everyday lives in ever more ways — including our sex lives. Sex robots — life-size, lifelike machines powered by AI and used for sexual purposes — are...

Stop Using ‘Latinx’ If You Really Want to Be Inclusive
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Stop Using ‘Latinx’ If You Really Want to Be Inclusive

Most of the debates on the usage of “Latinx” – pronounced “la-teen-ex” – have taken place in the U.S. But the word has begun to spread into Spanish-speaking countries – where it hasn’t exactly been embraced. In July 2022, Argentina and Spain released public statements banning the use of Latinx, or any gender-neutral variant. Both governments reasoned...