🌞 The Moon is Changing

Daily Upsider - Thursday, April 25th, 2024

AuthorAuthor

James Linder & Julia Mejia
April 25, 2024

Thursday, April 25th 2024

Good Morning! 🌞 

Today marks the annual "Take Your Child to Work Day," an occasion that always brings back fond memories of accompanying my dad to his workplace when I was young.

Those trips not only offered a fascinating glimpse into his professional world but also provided a great bonding experience. If you are a parent, I highly encourage you to take advantage and take your child to work with you today!

Today’s Upside

Science

Why the Moon is Changing

Did you know that the moon is changing colors? In fact, the moon is rusting.

That fact came as quite a surprise to scientist when it was first discovered as water or oxygen would be required for the moon to rust. The moon happens to have neither of those.

However, we now know why this is happening. If this piques your interest, you will want to check out this short video from Sci Show explaining how and why this is happening.

Environment

Nuclear Power on the Rise?

Reactivated for the first time since the 1980s, the Pinyon Plain uranium mine commenced operations in January on Arizona's Kaibab National Forest, merely seven miles from the Grand Canyon. Driven by a resurgence in nuclear energy interest and a robust increase in uranium prices, Pinyon Plain is tapping into some of the highest-grade uranium ore in the United States. This site marks one of the first uranium mines to open in the U.S. in the past eight years.

This revival is not unique to Pinyon Plain. Across the U.S., at least five mining companies are re-opening sites in Texas, Utah, Wyoming, and Arizona, which were previously shut down after the 2011 Fukushima disaster caused uranium prices to crash. Globally, the momentum continues with new mining projects developing in Canada, India, and Mongolia.

This resurgence is largely fueled by global initiatives to combat climate change. At the COP28 U.N. climate conference in Dubai last year, over 20 countries, including the U.S., pledged to triple nuclear energy capacity by 2050 to decrease reliance on fossil fuels. Subsequently, the U.S. House of Representatives passed legislation to accelerate the development of next-generation nuclear power plants.

Despite its economic benefits, uranium mining's environmental impact is profound, historically contaminating groundwater, soil, and surface water with radioactive materials, heavy metals, and acid mine drainage. While some damage has been remediated, much pollution remains due to remediation costs and challenges.

The legacy of uranium mining in the American West, especially near Indigenous lands, has left enduring environmental and health scars, heightening concerns about the new wave of uranium extraction.

However, proponents argue that modern mining techniques, like in-situ leaching, are less invasive and cleaner than traditional open-pit mining. This method involves dissolving underground ore with a chemical solution that is then pumped to the surface for uranium extraction, significantly reducing surface disturbance and water usage.

Scott Melbye, president of Uranium Producers of America and CEO of Uranium Royalty, emphasizes that current U.S. production standards are stringent, advocating for domestic mining over importing uranium from countries with much lower environmental and labor standards.

If the strict environmental standards can be maintained it would go a long way to alleviating most concerns. This combined with advancing nuclear technology could bring a new era of safe and renewable nuclear energy.

Culture

Man's Mouse Village Grows with Pub, Bookshop, and Hobbit Homes

Six years ago, Simon Dell, a British man battling depression, found solace in constructing a miniature mouse village in his garden. It all began when he noticed a vulnerable wild mouse and decided to shield it from nearby cats. Using recycled materials and his creativity, Dell gradually expanded the village, adding charming features like a pub, a bookshop, and Hobbit-style homes.
Documenting the village's daily life on social media, Dell gained a substantial following of over 150,000 people. He credited photography and the village's creation for pulling him out of his depressive state, providing him with purpose and joy.

Reflecting on the village's origins, Dell remembered the moment he saw cats menacing a mouse near his garden fence. Moved by compassion, he built a shelter using logs and wire fencing, attracting more mice seeking refuge.
As the village grew, Dell's craftsmanship flourished, adding intricate details like dining tables and props for various activities. Today, the village boasts around 20 mice, with Dell constantly expanding and refining the space using his imagination and resourcefulness.

Despite his ongoing struggles with depression, insomnia, and anxiety, Dell finds comfort and support in the village and his online community. He aims to spread joy and inspiration through his photos and videos, highlighting the therapeutic power of creativity and connection.
Looking ahead, Dell plans to further develop the village with additions like a train station, cafe, and theater, continuing to share his journey and uplift others along the way.

World News

Hundreds Give Free Rides in Harsh Northern Climate

The South China Morning Post has highlighted a warming trend on Chinese social media, featuring stories from the northernmost regions of China where local drivers are offering free rides to visitors from the semi-tropical south.

As the weather worsens, these volunteer motorists roam the city streets of Harbin, in Heilongjiang province, displaying signs on their windshields that read, "Free rides. Please wave if any small potato fails to get a ride-hailing service, so I can offer you a lift." This nickname, "small potatoes," is affectionately used by the taller, hardier northern residents for their shorter, slimmer southern counterparts.

Harbin, located roughly 1,000 miles from the Arctic Circle, is famed for its Russian architectural flair and the internationally renowned ice sculpture festival. It attracts around 28 million visitors from southern cities like Shenzhen, Nanjing, and Guangzhou during the winter season, offering them a taste of northern chill vastly different from their tropical climates.

The gesture of providing free rides not only helps the southerners navigate the icy conditions but also showcases the warm, welcoming nature of the northeastern Chinese community. Social media posts and videos shared by these visitors often celebrate this generous spirit.

One volunteer driver, Mr. Hu, expressed his joy in assisting the visitors. "We are very happy to offer this help," he said. "We do not go home until we’ve made sure there are no visitors left standing in the street."

Other People Like Us More Than We Think


Do you ever find yourself lying awake at night replaying conversations from the day, perhaps fixating on an awkward moment at a dinner party or wondering if you said the right thing in a Zoom call with a colleague? It's a common habit, often leading to the mistaken belief that others don't like us as much as we hope.

Fortunately, extensive research on this topic suggests that this assumption is usually wrong. Psychologists who spent nearly a decade studying how accurately individuals perceive how others see them have found that we tend to underestimate how much others like us. This bias, termed the "liking gap," has significant implications for our interactions and collaborations.

In their studies conducted in both the U.K. and the U.S., participants engaged in conversations with strangers and then rated how much they liked the other person and how much they believed the other person liked them. Repeatedly, participants left these conversations feeling they were liked less than they actually were, perpetuating the liking gap illusion.

Moreover, this misperception extends beyond initial encounters, affecting various relationships, including those with colleagues. This persistent negativity can hinder teamwork, as those with a larger liking gap are less inclined to seek help, collaborate, or provide honest feedback.

Why do we tend to underestimate others' liking for us? The researchers suggest it's because we already hold negative views about ourselves. Participants in the studies often focused on their perceived shortcomings during conversations, clouding their perception of how others truly felt about them.

But there's good news: We can bridge this liking gap by shifting our focus during interactions. By actively listening and engaging with our conversation partners instead of dwelling on ourselves, we can improve the quality of our conversations and lessen negative self-assumptions. Practicing curiosity and initiating conversations with strangers or acquaintances can also help build confidence in social settings.

So, rather than dwelling on self-doubt, consider reaching out to someone you've been meaning to connect with and shift your attention away from yourself during conversations. Remember, people probably like you more than you think.

Mind Stretchers

⁉️ 

I promise, I offend, I direct, and I fight. What am I?

Yesterday’s Answers to the Mind Stretchers:

Letter, as it is the only one that does not spell another word when it’s written backward. As some of you all pointed out, it is also the only one that has two different vowels. It is also the only one with two syllables.

So any which way it is the odd one out.

Shout out goes to Chris Hostetler who got the correct answer first!

Be the first to send us the correct answer for today’s mind stretcher for a shout-out with the answer tomorrow. Just send us the answer and your name to [email protected] or reply to email.


From the Community

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