There are pretty clear cut guidelines on how much screen time kids should have, but for adults…not so much. And perhaps it’s this lack of clarity that leaves people to go on full blown digital detoxes or get off social media entirely.
And while there is certainly a case to be made for that decision, for many of us, that isn’t quite feasible—especially in certain lines of work.
Luckily, according to neuroscientist Rachelle Summers, there is a way we can still be on social media, without being subjected to its negative side effects.
In a video posted to her TikTok and Instagram, Summers first cited a study which found that limiting social media use to 30 minutes per day lead to a “significant improvement in well-being” among participants.
Over several weeks, the participants felt less loneliness, depression, anxiety and FOMO—common symptoms of social media overuse.
Of course, 30 minutes might seem like an extremely short amount of time to be on social media (never mind if you’re actually posting something). In fact, according to one polling website, average person spends a little over 2 hours each day on social media, which is also drastically low in comparison to some of the comments to Summer’s video.
“Yikes. I’ve been doing 30 minutes every half an hour,” one person wrote.
Another added, “I’m on Instagram around 25 hours a week. Guess that’s a critical amount.”
Summers did however add that the study only measured the effects of limiting social media to 30 minutes, and noted that similar benefits could be found at a little more usage time.
So then, what if we want to spend more than a measly 30 minutes and still see benefits? Summers proposes going through this checklist of questions:
-Establish your baseline. How much time are you currently spending on social media?
-Are you sleeping poorly?
-How’s your attention span?Are you finding it difficult to concentrate on a task?
-How is your Mood? Are you experiencing any anxiety or depression?
-Are you noticing physical discomfort like eye strain or headaches?
-What does your engagement look like? Are you mostly looking at content that puts you in a negative headspace?
-Have you stopped or reduced how much time you’re investing in offline relationships and/or hobbies?
If you answered yes to two or more of these questions, Summers suggests going back to your original baseline and reducing social media consumption by 20% . Then check again in two weeks and continue reducing by 20% until you’ve only got one yes. Or, better yet, zero.
I don’t know about you, but I answered yes to nearly all of these…along with tons of viewers.
“Brain fog is so frustrating and uncomfortable,” one person wrote.
“I spend a lot of time on subreddits that are laden with rage bait,” admitted another.
We all know we need to limit our social media use. But we don’t necessarily have a way of measuring how much we need to cut back. And while a weeklong vacation to a spot with zero internet service might be ideal, some real world, everyday tools can be just as helpful. And perhaps even more sustainable.
And while you’re using that daily allowance of social media, be sure to follow Summers on TikTok and Instagram for more cool tips.
The stereotypical image we get of bachelorparties is a booze-filled evening of depravity and bad choices. Followed of course by a massive hangover…and some regrets.
And granted, there are plenty of viral videos to show that this is sometimes the case. But there are also plenty of grooms who don’t see it as their “last night as a free man.” On the contrary, they see it as an opportunity to simply celebrate the next chapter with close friends.
Case and point: a husband-to-be named Luke, who apparently couldn’t stop “gushing” about his bride, Sam. This, according to a woman also named Sam, who happened to be at the bar Luke was having his bachelor party at.
In Sam’s now-viral TikTok video, she recounts how she had been at a bar in South Carolina over the weekend, where she met Luke and his friends. The way he could not contain his love for his wife compelled Sam to let this woman know how lucky she is.
“If your name is Sam and your fiancé’s name is Luke, and he is currently in Charleston, South Carolina for his bachelor party and he was at a bar on King Street called Uptown Social tonight on Friday, March 22nd, I just want you to know that that man loves you so much,” she said.
“He could not stop gushing about you and how you are the love of his life and the most beautiful person he has ever met, and how he’s the luckiest man in the entire world. He loves you so much, and I wish you two all the happiness in the world.”
Lastly, Sam shared the selfie taken with Luke and her friends—a request made by Luke that night—before giving an enthusiastic congratulations to the couple.
Nearly 12 million people have seen this story so far, and many were surprised that it ended up being so wholesome.
“At the beginning of this video I was like, ‘OMG not another one!’ But thank God I stayed and this turned out to be a great one! So Refreshing! Wishing Sam and Luke and the absolute best!” one person wrote.
Another added, “ The plot twist we DIDN’T expect! This makes us all smile.”
And because TikTok is TikTok, the video nearly immediately made its way to other Sam, the bride. And she made a follow-up video every bit as sweet as the original.
“If you saw that TikTok, I’m Sam. Luke’s on his bachelor party right now and that was literally the best thing to wake up to,” she said, adding “I haven’t stopped smiling since my friend sent it to me when I woke up. He’s the best, I’m very lucky.”
One of the most popular health trends over the last few years has been staying as hydrated as possible, evidenced by the massive popularity of 40-oz Stanely Quencher cups. The theory among those who obsess over hydration is that, when you pee clear, you’ve removed all the waste in your body and are enjoying the incredible benefits of being 100% hydrated. Congratulations.
However, according to Dr. Sermed Mezher, an NHS doctor in the UK, peeing clear isn’t always a sign of being healthy.
“If you’re peeing clear, that means you’re having more than 2.5 liters (85 ounces) of fluid per day, which means your kidneys are working overdrive to keep that water off your brain,” Dr. Mezher said. He goes on to add that when kidneys can’t keep up with their water intake, it can cause water intoxication, which can lead to dangerous, even lethal, brain swelling.
Stop Trying to Get Your Pee Completely Clear #hydration.
Stop Trying to Get Your Pee Completely Clear #hydration. The daily water intake recommendation for adults is crucial for maintaining proper hydration levels, which are essential for overall health and well-being. While there is a common guideline suggesting eight glasses of water per day, equivalent to around 2 liters or 64 ounces, individual hydration needs can vary based on several factors. Age, weight, activity level, and even climate all play roles in determining the appropriate amount of water intake. For instance, someone who exercises regularly or lives in a hot, humid climate may need to consume more water to replenish fluids lost through sweat. Listening to the body’s thirst cues is also important in determining hydration needs. Thirst is the body’s way of signaling that it needs more fluids. However, it’s worth noting that by the time you feel thirsty, you may already be mildly dehydrated. Therefore, it’s beneficial to drink water regularly throughout the day, even when not feeling thirsty, to maintain adequate hydration levels. In addition to water, other beverages such as herbal teas, fruit-infused water, and low-sugar electrolyte drinks can contribute to overall fluid intake. However, it’s essential to be mindful of the sugar and caffeine content in some beverages, as excessive consumption of these substances can have adverse effects on hydration levels and overall health. Certain factors can increase the need for hydration beyond the standard recommendation. For example, individuals who engage in intense physical activity or exercise may lose significant amounts of fluids through sweat and increased respiration. In such cases, it’s essential to drink water before, during, and after exercise to prevent dehydration and maintain performance levels. #kidneys #water
According to Dr. Mezher, it’s all about finding balance when it comes to hydration and the goal shouldn’t be to pee clear all the time. “Of course, like most things in life, too much is not great, and too little isn’t either,” he continued. Two liters (68 ounces) [of water] is good for a healthy adult, and babies under six months shouldn’t be given any water at all.”
The news came as a bit of a shock to some folks in the comments. “One minute it’s not enough water, the next it’s too much… I’m tired,” Tiyana wrote. “I always thought the goal was clear,” Mountain Witch added.
If you have concerns about the color of your urine, please consult a doctor.
At long last, Jhené Aiko is hitting the road. Today (March 26), the alt-R&B star announced The Magic Hour Tour, a headlining tour, during which, she will be supported by Coi Leray, Kiana Ledé, Tink, and UMI. Aiko originally planned to go on tour for her 2020 album, Chilombo, however, the tour was cancelled (for obvious reasons). But now, Aiko is back, with some of the biggest names in R&B and hip-hop, and fans can’t wait to get their hands on tickets.
When do Jhené Aiko’s The Magic Hour Tour tickets go on sale?
There will be an artist presale and a Spotify presale for The Magic Hour Tour beginning Wednesday (March 27), beginning at noon EST. Fans can set reminders for the presale through Aiko’s official website.
General onsale for the tour will take place Friday (March 29) beginning at noon EST, and tickets will also be available for purchase through Aiko’s website.
You can see the list of tour dates below.
Jhené Aiko: The Magic Hour Tour Dates
06/19 — Detroit, MI @ Little Caesars Arena
06/20 — Chicago, IL @ United Center
06/22 — Greensboro, NC @ Greensboro Coliseum
06/23 — Washington, DC @ Capital One Arena
06/25 — Philadelphia, PA @ Wells Fargo Center
06/27 — Boston, MA @ TD Garden
06/29 — Newark, NJ @ Prudential Center
07/01 — Brooklyn, NY @ Barclays Center
07/02 — Toronto, ON @ Scotiabank Arena
07/06 — Orlando, FL @ Kia Center
07/07 — Sunrise, FL @ Amerant Bank Arena
07/10 — Houston, TX @ Toyota Center
07/12 — Ft. Worth, TX @ Dickies Arena
07/13 — Austin, TX @ Moody Center
07/15 — Atlanta, GA @ State Farm Arena
08/01 — Phoenix, AZ @ Footprint Center
08/05 — San Francisco, CA @ Chase Center
08/06 — Sacramento, CA @ Golden 1 Center
08/08 — Portland, OR @ Moda Center
08/10 — Las Vegas, NV @ MGM Grand Garden Arena
08/13 — Seattle, WA @ Climate Pledge Arena
08/14 — Vancouver, BC @ Pacific Coliseum
08/16 — West Valley City, UT @ Maverik Center
08/17 — Denver, CO @ Ball Arena
08/19 — Kansas City, MO @ T-Mobile Center
08/20 — Minneapolis, MN @ Target Center
08/22 — Columbus, OH @ Nationwide Arena
We are just days away from Beyoncé‘s hotly anticipated eighth studio album, Cowboy Carter. And as Bey is known to be protective of her art, the Beyhive is abuzz, as they wait for more details. Ahead of the album, Bey teased that she “collaborated with some brilliant artists,” however, has not revealed which artists, nor has she shared the names of any tracks, other than the previously released “Texas Hold ‘Em” and “16 Carriages.”
But now, fans are theorizing that one of Bey’s previous collaborators may appear on Cowboy Carter.
Will Lady Gaga be on Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter album?
In the days leading up to Cowboy Carter, Little Monsters and members of the Beyhive have taken to X (formerly Twitter) and TikTok to theorize that Lady Gaga and Beyoncé may have recorded another collaboration.
The two previously collaborated on a remix of “Video Phone” from Bey’s 2008 album I Am…Sasha Fierce and “Telephone” from Gaga’s 2009 album The Fame Monster. The video for “Telephone” premiered in March of 2010, and ended with a screen reading “To be continued.”
if we truly get another gaga and beyoncé collab oh call me gal gadot coz i wont know how to act https://t.co/fUZM6UihvV
After Gaga’s stylist posted a screencap from the video, featuring Gaga in the iconic cigarette glasses. This has sparked fans’ excitement, thinking that 14 years later, we may finally be getting a long-awaited conclusion to the “Telephone” saga.
You can see some of the fan theories and breakdowns above.
Cowboy Carter is out 3/29 via Parkwood and Columbia. Find more information here.
The ruckus inside Diddy’s Holmby Hills neighborhood wasn’t limited to Diddy’s property, either. On Monday, law enforcement who descended upon the scene apparently blocked a chunk of the neighborhood, which prevented Napoleon and Alien director Ridley Scott from reaching his nearby home. TMZ has published multiple photos close to where the feds carried out the raid, and Scott is seen standing outside his vehicle and not looking terribly amused (and who could blame him?) by the inconvenience:
As police taped off the neighborhood street near Diddy’s $40 million mansion, the filmmaker was spotted stuck in traffic amid the chaos.
Ridley’s no different from the average looky-loo, though … in one pic he seems to be taking a closer look at the situation, but ya gotta imagine he’s also frustrated he can’t get where he’s trying to go.
Not only does Scott live in the neighborhood, but fellow nearby home owners include Kylie Jenner and Rod Stewart. The absolutely enormous Spelling Manor (of Aaron and Candy Spelling fame, although it has since changed hands) isn’t located too terribly far away, either.
As mentioned above, Diddy was not in Los Angeles at the time that feds conducted their raid of his property. Beyond the apparent legal troubles involved with this development, Diddy is also embroiled in multiple lawsuits that revolve around allegations of sexual assault/sexual harassment — accusations that are potentially connected to the reasons for law enforcement’s raids on his home. Throughout this legal saga, Diddy has maintained his innocence, although it’s clear that ongoing investigations are underway.
Rabbit Hole has carved out quite a niche within the Kentucky bourbon community. Their Kentucky bourbon and rye whiskey has become some of the most beloved stuff sold nationwide. That’s not by accident, either. The whiskey in the bottle is stellar yet approachable and covers a broad range.
Coming off an incredible event thrown in partnership with Rabbit Hole at SXSW, we decided to break down every expression from the distillery. Rabbit Hole has grown massively in the past years, to the point that they’re no longer even one single label — they added “Mary Dowling” along with a flavored whiskey just last year. And while Kentucky bourbon is their focus, they also have a rye whiskey that we love.
Below, we’re ranking all 10 bottles from Rabbit Hole Distillery. The throughline here is simple — taste. While all of these whiskeys are quality products, some go deeper than others. As with any brand, you have to start somewhere on your journey so let’s start ours right now!
Also Read: The Top 5 UPROXX Bourbon Posts Of The Last Six Months
This flavored whiskey is made from a mash of 97% corn and 3% rye whiskeys. Flavors are added to create an essence of s’mores that are still warm from the backyard firepit.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: The nose opens with a deep sense of buttery Graham Cracker with soft marshmallow, milk chocolate, and mild oak.
Palate: The taste is very sweet with a honeyed sense of Graham Crackers next to singed marshmallow with a hint of campfire smoke, vanilla, and caramel over more of that milk chocolate.
Finish: The end leans into the sweetness with a touch of singed oak, toasted marshmallow, and vanilla candy.
Bottom Line:
The butteriness of the Graham Cracker on the nose sells this as a well-made flavored whiskey. It feels real. That all said, this is a very sweet whiskey — your mileage with it may vary depending on your sweet tooth.
This four-grain Kentucky bourbon is made with 70% corn, 10% malted wheat, 10% honey malted barley, and 10% malted barley. That spirit is then aged for three years in toasted and charred barrels before it’s small batched from only 15 barrels, proofed, and bottled.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: This has a lot of apple cobbler on the nose with sweet and bright stewed apples, plenty of dark brown spices, brown sugar, buttery pastry cobbles, and a touch of honey sweetness.
Palate: The honey becomes creamy and spiked with orange zest as the malt shines through as a digestive cookie with a hint of fresh mint and more of that honey with a flake of salt.
Finish: The finish brings about that spice again with a little more of a peppery edge this time as the fade slowly falls off, leaving you with a creamy vanilla tobacco feeling.
Bottom Line:
This is the entry point to the wider world of Rabbit Hole bourbon. This is a nice and very classic fruit-forward Kentucky bourbon with a balance of woody spice. All that makes this your best candidate for mixing cocktails.
This Louisville whiskey is made with a “double malted” mash bill. The recipe calls for 70% corn, 25% malted German rye, and 5% malted barley. The hot juice goes into the barrels at a lower entry proof and rests for just over three years in toasted and charred Kelvin barrels (from the Louisville cooperage that many consider the best in the game). Only 15 of those barrels go into the final batch.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: This nose is classic bourbon with deep and dark cherry, burnt orange, old vanilla pods, and a hint of licorice layered into cream soda with a sprig of fresh mint.
Palate: There’s a sense of fancy Almond Joy next to clove-studded orange candies, vanilla cake with caramel frosting, and a light mint tobacco in a cedar humidor with a twinge of leather.
Finish: The cedar, dark cherry, singe orange, and bold woody spice all pop in the finish and fade slowly away, leaving you with a well-rounded “bourbon” experience.
Bottom Line:
This is an essential “high-rye” bourbon with a nice balance of grassy warmth and caramel bourbon notes. The overall vibe is “easy sipper” which also makes a killer Manhattan or old fashioned.
This crafty distillery makes its rye with 95% rye and malted barley right in Louisville (and via contract distilling). The 95/5 rye hot juice is aged for three years in heavily toasted and charred barrels before batching, proofing, and bottling.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: This has an interesting nose that’s part spicy pork stew (chili, umami, fat) with bright peaches, vanilla, and summer wildflowers as a counterpoint.
Palate: The palate has a hint of old cedar next to cream soda, white pepper, and crusty rye bread with a hint of caraway seed and maybe some dry fennel.
Finish: The finish brings in heavily spiced chewy tobacco packed into an old cedar box with creamy vanilla and a dash more of that powdery white pepper.
Bottom Line:
Rabbit Hole’s rye whiskey is everything that you could ever want from rye whiskey. It’s grassy, herbal, peppery, and deeply fatty with a hint of sweet fruit. In short, a complex rye that works as well as a sipper as it does as a cocktail base.
6. Mary Dowling Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Finished in Tequila Barrels
This new whiskey celebrates Mary Dowling, who helped create and then save the whiskey industry in Kentucky back in the early 20th century. The whiskey in the bottle is a three-year-old bourbon from Rabbit Hole. Those barrels are batched and the whiskey is rested again, this time in reposado tequila barrels, until just right.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: Floral honey and soft black licorice lean toward fresh and real root beer on the nose with a light moment of white pepper and roasted agave that’s accented by bold winter spice barks and berries with a whisper of orange rind.
Palate: That orange drives the bright palate toward a moment of smoked winter spices (smoldering barks if you will) before creamy eggnog and vanilla buttercream drive the palate back toward warming winter spice and a fleeting note of pepper.
Finish: That pepper builds towards sharp black peppercorns on the finish with sharp winter spice, a hint of buttermilk, and softly spoken notes of roasted agave attached to candied orange and vanilla paste.
Bottom Line:
This is a great candidate for citrus-forward cocktails and on-the-rocks pours on a sunny day.
5. Mary Dowling Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Toasted Double Oak Barrel
This is Rabbit Hole’s classic wheated bourbon recipe with a special finish. The whiskey is “Double Oaked” with an initial rest in Kelven barrels with a heavy char and light toast before being re-barreled into a very lightly charred barrel with a heavy toast. Once just right, the barrels are batched and bottled 100% as-is at cask strength.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: There’s a deep sense of mulled wine spices on the nose next to peach pits, warming winter spice cakes, rum raisin, and soft chocolate tobacco with a hint of espresso cream.
Palate: A touch of cherry and nutmeg lead on the taste with deep woody winter spices — clove, anise, cinnamon — before a touch of fresh pipe tobacco and cedar bark merge with smudging sage and a twinge of soft oakiness.
Finish: The smoothes toward vanilla beans, toffee, salted orange peels, and soft cherry with a hint of that tobacco adding a warming buzz on the very end.
Bottom Line:
This is a very nice sipper that works wonders in a cocktail (especially if you’re looking for natural spiciness).
This is a four-year-old single-barrel version of Rabbit Hole’s beloved Heigold expression. That’s the brand’s double malt (malted rye and malted barley) that has a high-rye bourbon mash bill (70/25/5 corn/malted rye/malted barley).
Tasting Notes:
Nose: The nose is lush with deep layers of maple syrup over pecan waffles with a good hit of salted butter (really good butter) next to dark chocolate chips, old boot leather, smudging sage that’s just smoldering, and a fleeting sense of old rickhouses on a crisp fall day.
Palate: The palate follows the nose’s path with caramelized pecans finished with floral honey and dusted with candied orange peels, ground pear chips, and very dark chocolate with a pinch of salt and apple blossom before the sharp and woody winter spice kicks in.
Finish: The end leans into the dryness of the winter spice mix before silky marzipan and maple syrup creamed with butter create a luscious finish that slowly fades from warm to comforting.
Bottom Line:
This is where we blast off into space with Rabbit Hole. Their single barrels tend to be fire. They’re deep, balanced, and offer a nice kick without feeling overwhelming. Overall, pour this over a big rock and sip it slowly. You will be rewarded with a great experience.
This contract-distilled wheated bourbon — 68% corn, 18% wheat, and 14% malted barley — is very reminiscent of wheated bourbons from the iconic Heaven Hill. The whiskey spends an undisclosed amount of years aging before it goes into only 15 Casknolia Pedro Ximenez sherry casks per batch (a truly small batch of bourbon). Those barrels are then blended and touched with that soft Kentucky limestone water before bottling.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: Fruit shines through on the nose with fresh raspberries mingling with strawberry jam, Bing cherries, and dried plums and apricots with a hint of leather and winter spice baking that fruit up.
Palate: The palate really embraces those fruits with a tart and sour vibe to the cherries and red berries while the leather leans raw and the spices lean toward cinnamon and tobacco with a caramel mid-palate.
Finish: The sweetness fades quickly as the finish continues with berries and spice while the cherry attaches to the tobacco and soft cedar on the end.
Bottom Line:
This is the best overall sipper on the list. Buy this one if you want something reliable and very deep and rewarding as a sipper. This is also very approachable with a subtle demeanor that turns dark and warming at the end.
2. Rabbit Hole Mizunara Founder’s Collection Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Finished in Japanese Oak
The latest addition to the Founder’s Collection is a very small batch of 15-year-old whiskey. The bourbon rested for 15 long years in Kentucky in new oak before being transferred to fresh Japanese Mizunara casks from the famed Ariake Snagyo cooperage in Shochu Island. Only 1,403 bottles were filled for this limited release.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: The nose reveals the age in that the profile turned back toward its fruity yeast with bruised banana, tart apple, and soft pear leading to sour salted cherries, a touch of mint, and deep vanilla.
Palate: A deep sense of forest moss and cedar bark leads toward eggnog pudding, cinnamon bark, and honey cut with florals before a tart red berry arrives with a touch of tobacco leaf.
Finish: The end leans into the soft forest moss with a twinge of pipe tobacco dipped in cherry and vanilla before a fleeting sense of fresh rose petals flutters in the background at the very end.
Bottom Line:
This is a complex whiskey and an excellent example of the high-end of Rabbit Hole’s line. This is an educational whiskey — meaning it will expand your palate while giving you deep satisfaction. Pour this one neat and take it slowly, it’ll take you on a journey.
This special release from Rabbit Hole is their Distillery Only release. The whiskey is their classic wheated bourbon mash that’s been finished in an Apera cask (an Australian wine similar to sherry). The whiskey was only in a few barrels and bottled at cask strength for this very limited release.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: A rich sense of winter spice cakes brimming with real vanilla oils, allspice, clove, and rum raisin drives the nose toward hints of mint chocolate cream, Nutella, and candied citrus.
Palate: Salted caramel opens the taste toward soft black licorice, fatty roasting herbs, eggnog creaminess, and a touch of black peppercorn with a faint whisper of cedar kindling.
Finish: Dank wine cellars and cedar barks round out the finish with a deep sense of salted caramel tobacco just kissed with blood orange, holiday cakes, and mince meat pies next to a touch of star anise, mulled wine, and marzipan.
Bottom Line:
This is the deepest and most satisfying pour on the list. It’s heavy on winter nostalgia but goes beyond with a dark sense of old Kentucky bourbon. This is the pour that you save for a special occasion.
HIDDEN BONUS TRACK: Blackened x Rabbit Hole A Blend of Straight Bourbon Whiskeys Distilled in Tennessee & Kentucky Finished in Calvados Casks Cask Strength
This collaboration between Metallica’s Blackened and Rabbit Hole is masterful whiskey. The blend is a 13-year-old Tennessee high-rye bourbon batched with Rabbit Hole Heigold High-Rye Double Malt Bourbon (with malted rye and malted barley). Once batched, the whiskey was re-barreled into Calvados casks (an apple brandy) for a final rest before 100% as-is bottling.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: There’s a nice sense of chili pepper warmth on the nose with a hint of macadamia cookie nuttiness, honey Graham Crackers, light summer florals, and a whisper of darkly stewed apple.
Palate: Cinnamon-infused pear brandy sparks on the palate with a sense of clover honey, walnut loaf, and this thin line of smoked applewood with a good sense of barrel warmth.
Finish: The honey and walnut drive the finish toward a soft warmth that leaves the gentlest of numbness on the senses.
Bottom Line:
This was a great release from 2023. It’s still on the shelves! It’s also a great sipper to have on hand for when you’re spinning some Metallica and in need of a slow sipper with great nuance that’s a little funky and fresh.
Editor’s Note: This story discusses suicide. If you are having thoughts about taking your own life, or know of anyone who is in need of help, the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is a United States-based suicide prevention network of over 200+ crisis centers that provides 24/7 service via a toll-free hotline with the number 9-8-8. It is available to anyone in suicidal crisis or emotional distress.
Being a teenager is hard enough on its own but when you couple it with the rise of social media and sites like Omegle, it becomes even harder. Omegle is a real-time video platform that’s sort of like pulling the lever on a slot machine. You never know who will appear in the little box in front of you, nor do you know what they’ll say or do.
Cyber experts have warned parents of the dangers of websites like Omegle but as long as the site exists, teens will find a way to use it. A recorded video of an Omegle interaction recently went viral when posted on the Instagram page Soul Seeds for All. A young teen named Jesse, who looks uncannily like a young Corey Feldman, appears on the screen of a guy that appears to be early to mid-20s.
As soon as the Omegle video appears, Jesse informs the man, “the last person I talked to immediately told me to kill myself and then left.”
Ashraf, the man listening to the boy responding in such a kind way that it’s bringing people to tears. Instead of closing out the window or dismissing what the teen said, Ashraf says, “don’t do that,” then proceeded to intentionally build him up. He engaged the Jesse in conversation about his interests and enthusiastically told him that he looked like a cool guy, ending the video call by saying, “I hope you have an amazing life.”
You could visibly seen Jesse’s demeanor change the longer her talked to Ashraf. People in the comments were inspired by the man’s interaction with the teen, some were even brought to tears.
“He just saved that boys life! So beautiful! Ash, you’re a beautiful soul,” another writes.
“Well, sh*t, this has me sobbing crying. Beautiful words and a great example of just simply being kind to others,” someone praises.
“I’m crying at how powerful this is. You could see the light come back into his eyes by the end of the conversation,” a commenter writes.
“Ashraf in Arabic means most noble one. I’d say that fits,” one person says.
Sometimes all people need is for someone to show they care. You can watch the entire wholesome exchange below.
In preparation for an upcoming neo-Nazi march in the small Bavarian town of Wunsiedel, local residents decided to fight back in a hilariously perfect way: by sponsoring each of the 250 fascist participants.
According to Heeb Magazine, “For every metre they walked, €10 went to a programme called EXIT Deutschland, which helps people escape extremist groups.”
The anti-semitic walkers didn’t figure out the town’s scheme until they had already started their march, and by that time, it was too late to turn back. The end result? The neo-Nazis raised more than $12,000 to fund programs to put an end to neo-Nazis.
As part of an experiment, a man asks for help translating a Facebook message he has received.
There’s a man in Lithuania who speaks only English. The message is in Lithuanian. He can’t read it, so he asks some locals to translate it for him.
As he asks one person after another to translate the message for him, two things become obvious.
1. He’s received a message full of hate speech.
2. Translating it for him is breaking people’s hearts.
It’s nearly more than these people can bear.
There’s a sudden, powerful connection between the translators and the man they’re translating for. They want to protect him, telling him not to bother with the message.
They apologize for the message.
They look like they want to cry.
Words hurt.
Most of us would never think of saying such horrible things. This video shows people realizing in their gut what it must feel like when those words are pointed at them — it’s all right on their faces. And so is their compassion.
The Facebook message is horrible, but their empathy is beautiful. The video’s emotional power is what makes it unique, and so worth watching and passing around.
Here it is.
The video’s in English, subtitled in Lithuanian. Just watch the faces.
This article originally appeared on 04.10.15
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