Every parent wants to see their kid get good grades in school. But now we know social success is just as important.

From an early age, we’re led to believe our grades and test scores are the key to everything — namely, going to college, getting a job, and finding that glittery path to lifelong happiness and prosperity.

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It can be a little stressful.

But a study showed that when children learn to interact effectively with their peers and control their emotions, it can have an enormous impact on how their adult lives take shape. And according to the study, kids should be spending more time on these skills in school.

Nope, it’s not hippie nonsense. It’s science.

Kindergarten teachers evaluated the kids with a portion of something called the Social Competence Scale by rating statements like “The child is good at understanding other’s feelings” on a handy “Not at all/A little/Moderately well/Well/Very well” scale.

The research team used these responses to give each kid a “social competency score,” which they then stored in what I assume was a manila folder somewhere for 19 years, or until each kid was 25. At that point, they gathered some basic information about the now-grown-ups and did some fancy statistical stuff to see whether their early social skills held any predictive value.

Here’s what they found.

1. Those good test scores we covet? They still matter, but maybe not for the reasons we thought.

Back To School GIF by IFC – Find & Share on GIPHY

Traditional thinking says that if a kid gets good grades and test scores, he or she must be really smart, right? After all, there is a proven correlation between having a better GPA in high school and making more money later in life.

But what that test score doesn’t tell you is how many times a kid worked with a study partner to crack a tough problem, or went to the teacher for extra help, or resisted the urge to watch TV instead of preparing for a test.

The researchers behind this project wrote, “Success in school involves both social-emotional and cognitive skills, because social interactions, attention, and self-control affect readiness for learning.”

That’s a fancy way of saying that while some kids may just be flat-out brilliant, most of them need more than just smarts to succeed. Maybe it wouldn’t hurt spending a little more time in school teaching kids about the social half of the equation.

2. Skills like sharing and cooperating pay off later in life.

Adam Sandler Pee GIF – Find & Share on GIPHY

We know we need to look beyond GPA and state-mandated testing to figure out which kids are on the right path. That’s why the researchers zeroed in so heavily on that social competency score.

What they found probably isn’t too surprising: Kids who related well to their peers, handled their emotions better, and were good at resolving problems went on to have more successful lives.

What’s surprising is just how strong the correlation was.

An increase of a single point in social competency score showed a child would be 54% more likely to earn a high school diploma, twice as likely to graduate with a college degree, and 46% more likely to have a stable, full-time job at age 25.

The kids who were always stealing toys, breaking things, and having meltdowns? More likely to have run-ins with the law and substance abuse problems.

The study couldn’t say for sure that strong or poor social skills directly cause any of these things. But we can say for sure that eating too much glue during arts and crafts definitely doesn’t help.

3. Social behaviors can be learned and unlearned — meaning it’s never too late to change.

The researchers called some of these pro-social behaviors like sharing and cooperating “malleable,” or changeable.

Let’s face it: Some kids are just never going to be rocket scientists. Turns out there are physical differences in our brains that make learning easier for some people than others. But settling disputes with peers? That’s something kids (and adults) can always continue to improve on.

And guess what? For a lot of kids, these behaviors come from their parents. The more you’re able to demonstrate positive social traits like warmth and empathy, the better off your kids will be.

So can we all agree to stop yelling at people when they take the parking spot we wanted?

But what does it all mean?

This study has definite limitations, which its researchers happily admit. While it did its best to control for as many environmental factors as possible, it ultimately leans pretty heavily on whether a teacher thought a kid was just “good” or “very good” at a given trait.

Still, the 19-year study paints a pretty clear picture: Pro-social behavior matters, even at a young age. And because it can be learned, it’s a great “target for prevention or intervention efforts.”

The bottom line? We need to do more than just teach kids information. We need to invest in teaching them how to relate to others and how to handle the things they’re feeling inside.

Ignoring social skills in our curricula could have huge ramifications for our kids down the road.

This article originally appeared on 08.12.15

Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the airline industry has been unpredictable, to say the least. From the glut of canceled flights over the past year to changing travel restrictions, travelers haven’t felt too confident flying the friendly skies.

Amidst the turbulence, there are some changes that travelers should consider when booking their flights. Experidia’s “2024 Air Hacks Report” shows that travelers should reconsider how far out in advance they buy their tickets, on which days to make the purchase and the days they travel.

Airline prices rose 22 percent from March 2022 to March 2023, so travelers have to be savvy to get the best deal. The good news is that Expedia says that ticket prices should be cheaper in 2024, although only by around 3 percent.

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Cheapest day to fly

According to the report, the cheapest day to depart on your flight has changed recently. It used to be that the cheapest day to get a flight would be Tuesday or Wednesday, in the middle of the week. This is because it’s hard for many folks to get away mid-week because of work considerations. Also, companies that send their employees on trips often do so on weekends these days.

So these days, the cheapest day to fly out has been moved up to Thursday, which isn’t too bad for people looking for a weekend getaway. However, you won’t want to return on Sunday, because that is the most expensive day to fly. Travelers who book their flights on a Thursday save around 16 percent over booking on Sunday.

If you’re looking to take a quick trip to Vegas, it might be best to do a Thursday to Monday trip.

Cheapest day to buy your plane tickets

Sunday may be the most expensive day to depart on your dream vacation, but when buying your plane tickets, it is the least expensive day. The most expensive day to book a flight is on Friday. Travelers who book on a Sunday instead of a Friday can save around 8 percent on their flights.

When to book a flight for the best deal

According to Expedia, the best time to book a domestic flight is 28 days before departure. Travelers who booked 28 days before departure saved 24 percent on average compared to those who waited until the last minute.

The best time to book an international flight is farther out. Expedia says the best time to book international travel is 60 days before departure and no earlier than four months out. Travelers who booked 60 days out saved around 10 percent compared to those who booked further out, as average ticket prices peaked around four months from departure.

If you’re looking to book a big international vacation in 2024, Europe and North America are still hotspots. A recent poll published in The New York Post found that the top 5 places that people want to travel to are Mexico, Canada, and France, which are all tied for first place at 42 percent, followed by Spain (40%), Italy (32%) and Greece (21%).

According to Expedia, the most popular tourist destinations in the United States are New York, New York, Los Angeles, California, and Las Vegas, Nevada.

I grew up black in a very white neighborhood in a very white city in a very white state.

As such, I am a lot of people’s only black friend.

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Being the only black friend is a gift and a curse. I am black and I love having friends. But I am also, at any given moment, expected to be a translator, an ambassador, a history teacher, and/or a walking, talking invitation into “I am not racist” territory. It’s a lot to handle. See what I mean about that curse?

So when I saw the animated short-film “Your Black Friend,” I felt so seen. Clearly, I am not alone.

The film, which was written, designed, and narrated by Ben Passmore and is based on his mini-comic of the same name, is a brilliant, refreshing way to examine whiteness and racism. The comic and animated short are an open-letter from “your black friend” to you, their well-meaning white friend, about bias, alienation, and what it means to be a good ally and friend.

It’s funny, honest, and heartbreaking in equal measure. And speaking from personal experience, it captures the experience of being a black friend to white people pretty much perfectly.

So if you’re a “woke” friend and ally, here are some things your black friend wants you to know.

1. You’re going to have to get uncomfortable.

It could be something as obvious and upsetting as a racist joke. Or something as “benign” as your aunt suggesting you cross the street when she sees a group of black kids walking by. But either way, if you want to be a good friend and a real ally, you’re going to have to speak up. You’re going to have to have those tough conversations with people you care about.

It’s not easy to confront strangers or people you love, but if you don’t do it, you are part of the problem. Sitting out isn’t an option. No one said being an ally is easy.

2. “Your black friend would like to say something to the racist lady, but doesn’t want to appear to be that ‘angry black man.'”

“He knows this type of person expects that from him, and he will lose before he begins,” Passmore says.

Black people can’t always react or respond the way we want to. When I am followed in a department store, pulled over for no reason, or stared at while picking up dinner at the fancy grocery store, I can’t stop what I’m doing and yell, “YES, I AM BLACK. NO, I AM NOT A CRIMINAL YOU SMALL-MINDED, BIASED ASSHOLES.” Trust me, I want to. But especially when police are involved, I have to be calm, respectful, and obedient.

That’s where you come in. You, white friend, need to speak up and say something when I can’t. If you are not at risk, nor considered a threat, you have a certain amount of privilege in these situations. Use it to demand answers, speak to supervisors, or if things really get dicey, pull out your phone and hit record.

3. We are constantly monitoring our surroundings and adjusting our clothes, hair, speed, and speech to maintain white comfort.

We don’t like it, but one small choice — like deciding whether or not to wear a hood, or the speed at which we reach into our glove box — can be the difference between life and death.

When I am in a parking garage and walking behind a white woman, I intentionally cough or walk a little louder so she turns and notices me.

Why? Because when I don’t, that same white woman will often clutch her purse and occasionally let out an audible gasp as I pass her. This is something my white friends likely don’t realize I have to do. Some of them may even be the pearl-clutchers in the parking lot.

But to maintain white comfort and to avoid having the cops called on us, we often have to tamp down clothes, modify our speech and volume, even do our hair differently. We have to have “the talk” with our kids about how the world sees them, and how act in order to make sure they come home alive.

No, it’s not fair. No, we don’t like it. But so long as this country and its institutions are built on a solid foundation of white supremacy, it’s a grim reality. You need to know that, and take it up with your fellow white people about how to dismantle it.

4. “Your black friend wishes you’d play more than Beyoncé. There are more black performers than Beyoncé.”

“Lemonade” was awesome. There is no denying it. And yes, I love seeing her iconic looks on Instagram too. But there is more to black music and black art than Beyoncé. Dip a toe outside your comfort zone and try new new artists and genres you may not be familiar with. Go listen, see it, and experience it for yourself.

And while we’re here, you can’t say the n-word when you sing along. Nope. You just can’t.

5. Speaking of which, performative blackness is really uncomfortable.

When you wear that braided wig on Halloween, or use your “blaccent” when you’re around me or other black people, it hurts. It’s not cute or charming, and it definitely doesn’t make you seem cool.

Our culture and heritage are not costumes you can slide on and off at your convenience. We don’t get to be black only when it suits us. Neither do you.

6. “Your black friend feels like a man without a country.”

Having white friends and seeming to “fit in” with the majority can feel really alienating. You can feel too “white” for black people, and too “black” for white people when all you want to do is find people to eat pizza with. As Passmore wrote, “He is lost in this contradiction, and held responsible for it.”

7. We would love it if we could stop talking about our anxiety and frustrations regarding racism. But right now, that’s impossible.

Our concerns are urgent and real. We’re getting subpar health care. We’re disenfranchised. We’re over-policed. We’re thrown in jail. We’re killed by people sworn to protect us. It’s exhausting, but we have to keep talking about it. So do you.

We can’t be expected to dismantle white supremacy on our own.

Our white friends and allies need to step up and gather their people. Have the tough conversations. Speak up when you see racism, discrimination, and microaggressions. The time to talk about it is done. Be about it, or find yourself a new black friend.

Watch “Your Black Friend” in full and check out Passmore’s book, “Your Black Friend And Other Strangers.”

This article was originally published on January 30, 2018.

Around 1 a.m. on April 24, semi-truck drivers in the Oak Park area of Michigan received a distress call from area police: An unidentified man was standing on the edge of a local bridge, apparently ready to jump onto the freeway below.

Those drivers then did something amazing. They raced to the scene to help — and lined up their trucks under the bridge, providing a relatively safe landing space should the man jump.

Fortunately, he didn’t.

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The impressive line-up wasn’t a coincidence — the drivers were prepared for exactly this sort of situation.

Sgt. Jason Brockdorff of the Huntington Woods Police Department told The Detroit News that the response was something local police and truck drivers had actually trained for. But what was unusual was the sheer number of drivers who responded to the call.

“That’s a practice we use if we have a jumper,” Brockdorff said. “We try to do it every time, to lessen the distance someone would travel if they were to jump. Fortunately, that didn’t happen.”

The incident lasted nearly four hours, into the early morning. However, once the trucks were in place, the police were able to more comfortably negotiate with the unidentified man.

Eventually, the man walked off the bridge on his own and is currently receiving medical help.

In a pair of tweets, the local police department called attention to the incident to remind people in similar situations of the importance of seeking mental health services (emphasis mine):

This photo does show the work troopers and local officers do to serve the public. But also in that photo is a man struggling with the decision to take his own life. Please remember help is available through the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255.

You can also call a loved one, member of the clergy or 911. There are so many people that can help you make the choice to get help and live! It is our hope to never see another photo like this again.

Working together, the police and everyday strangers saved a life.

Ordinary people heeded the call of service to help a fellow person who was struggling. It’s a powerful image that’s impossible to ignore, and a reminder of humanity at its best.

This article originally appeared on 04.24.18

The best new hip-hop this week includes albums, videos, and songs from J. Cole, Latto, and Tyga & YG, and more.

This week, Latto dropped the Waka Flocka Flame-inspired “Issa Party” with Baby Drill:

Lil Yachty teamed up with J. Cole for the possible NBA YoungBoy diss “The Secret Recipe.”

Meek Mill and Rick Ross teased their collaborative project with the single “Shaq & Kobe.”

Jack Harlow dipped his toe into K-pop with Jung Kook on “3D.”

And Lil Durk and Kid Cudi made for an unlikely combo on “Guitar In My Room.”

Here is the best of hip-hop this week ending September 29, 2023.

Albums/EPs/Mixtapes

CMG The Label — Gangsta Art 2

The Collective Music Group clique reunites for their second label compilation, continuing to highlight the talents of Yo Gotti signees EST Gee, GloRilla, Moneybagg Yo, Mozzy, and the incarcerated 42 Dugg. The group also makes room to invite some of the hottest street rappers to the party, including Sexyy Red, Big30, Fivio Foreign, and Glo’s ratchet-ass friends, Gloss Up, Slimeroni, and K Carbon. The project constitutes a solid enough intro until GloRilla’s solo debut and a decent placeholder while fans wait out 42 Dugg’s return.

Lil Wayne — Tha Fix Before Tha VI

For those of you who grew up long after schools stopped teaching Roman numerals, Lil Wayne’s sixth edition of his signature album series, Tha Carter, is due sometime in the near future. But, being Lil Wayne, the incorrigible studio rat that he is, he couldn’t just throw away his throwaways. And being Lil Wayne, the best rapper alive since the best rapper retired (does this still stand? Jay came back and has remained semi out of the game since then), the quality of even the editing room clippings is up there.

Maxo — Debbie’s Son

You gotta love a good mom dedication record. Maxo is a fun listen for fans of heady, esoteric rappers like Earl Sweatshirt, MIKE, and their ilk, but a little grounded relatability always balances their dense wordplay and makes them all more accessible for those who aren’t necessarily accustomed to dusty crate digging.

Rome Streetz — Noise Kandy 5

On the flip side of that equation is the rugged, street-bred, Mobb Deep-influenced version of underground rap being kept alive by Rome Streetz and his compatriots in the Griselda family tree. If you like stone-faced narratives of shoot outs at dice games and shady drug plugs, give this a spin.

Tyga & YG — Hit Me When U Leave The Klub

My most anticipated project of the week for obvious reasons, Hit Me When U Leave The Klub offers 14 tracks of all killer no filler. My fellow Hub City natives have remained impressively consistent for what is truly a dog’s age in rap years, but what’s even more awesome is how much sharper each rapper’s pen game has become in recent years (since they both actually, y’know… started writing down their raps). Not too deep, and not particularly thought-provoking, but it doesn’t promise anything it doesn’t deliver and it never outstays its welcome. Truly, a professional rap album from a pair of vets who deserve a lot more credit for their longevity.

Singles/Videos

Benji. — “Terms & Conditions” Feat. Will Jurgens & Cam Chambers

TBH, I had no idea the Spillage Village affiliate even had new music on the way (blame the sheer volume of new stuff dropping every week). Fortunately, Tidal’s algorithms are well-attuned to exactly the lane of soulful, middlebrow hip-hop that gets my attention. This played right after “FMF” and I knew I had to include it.

Diamond Pistols — “FMF” Feat. GoldLink & Audrey Mika

GOLDLINK IS BACK. It was probably only a matter of time before the Maryland rapper shook off whatever maudlin mood had him dissing Mac Miller and making truly miserable tunes under the guise of art rap, but it sure is a relief to hear him actually sounding loose and carefree again. Credit electronic producer Diamond Pistols, who offers up a dancefloor burner perfect for GoldLink’s slickest flows, which return just as the zeitgeist has gotten really into hip-house again.

Lady London & Dreezy — “Yea Yea”

If you were to ask who my favorite rapper was seven years ago, I’d have told you Dreezy. If you ask me today, depending on my mood, the time of day, and the alignment of the planets and stars (joking), I’d probably still say “Dreezy.” She never misses, even if her beat selection over the past few years hasn’t done her many favors. Here, she and another great rap writer, Lady London, split the difference between lyrical wizardry and the relatable relationship raps of their peers. I hope this resonates with a lot of listeners and finally brings both the attention they deserve.

Some artists covered here are Warner Music artists. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.

After a long offseason following a disappointing year, the Dallas Mavericks are back for media day — both the Mavericks and the Minnesota Timberwolves started camp early due to their matchup in Abu Dhabi next week. With so many new faces on the roster, the Mavericks media day felt like the first day of school. Dallas drafted two rookies in the first round, Dereck Lively and Olivier-Maxence Prosper, that could play major minutes and possibly even start, according to Jason Kidd.

The Mavs also acquired several veteran players to surround Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving and bolster their defense. New Maverick Grant Williams batted first during the media day press conference, and the former Boston Celtic couldn’t stop flexing during his 10-minute presser.

Williams loves a bit, like that time when he dressed as Batman for a post game presser in Boston last season while maintaining the iconic Batman voice. In his short career, Williams has been known as an avid talker both on and off the court, and while that may have backfired in the playoff last year, the Maverick defense will certainly appreciate the extra communication.

Both Josh Green and Doncic poked fun at Williams in their media day pressers about how much he’s talked in training camp so far, and the Mavs will certainly hope that his gift of gab will be beneficial on the court this year.

Beyoncé’s Renaissance World Tour is wrapping up this weekend with one final show in Kansas City (at least, for now). So, now is good time to see just how successful the tour actually was. Both Billboard and the New York Times recently posted breakdowns of the tour’s earnings, which are recapped below.

How Much Did Beyoncé Make On The ‘Renaissance Tour?’

So, according to Billboard, in her 11 July shows alone, Beyoncé grossed $127.6 million — the largest one-month sum for any artist since the Boxscore archives began in the mid-1980s. She followed up in August with $179.3 million over 14 shows. She had the leading tour in sales three months in a row, with only Bad Bunny and Elton John leading more consecutive months (she’s in a tie with Ed Sheeran, the Rolling Stones, and Trans-Siberian Orchestra).

Meanwhile, the Times’ Jenna Wortham notes that the Renaissance Tour has been an economy unto itself, generating as much for the US as the 2008 Olympics did for Beijing — nearly $4.5 billion (a lot of that had to be just in silver clothing alone).

With nine shows in September and one in October, she’s already got the highest-grossing tour by a woman in the Boxscore archives with $461.3 million (passing Madonna’s 2008-9 Sweet & Sticky Tour). Although the remaining shows have yet to be tallied, Billboard projects they’ll bring the overall total to well over half-a-billion bucks at $560 million. Beyoncé would officially be the only woman, only Black artist, and only American solo act among the top ten highest grossing tours ever. A queen, indeed.

Disney World in Florida is being sued after a Typhoon Lagoon water slide reportedly gave a woman a “painful wedgie” during her visit in 2019. While that initially sounds humorous, the details are anything but. We’ll take the rogue bear over what happened here any day.

According to the suit filed by Emma and Edward McGuinness, the former was violently injured after going down the Humunga Kowabunga water slide while celebrating her 30th birthday. At 214 feet, the slide propels guests up to 40 mph before they hit the water below. However, Emma claims she was not told by staff members that guest instructions to cross their legs and ankles is a necessary safety precaution. She would soon find out in terrifying fashion.

Warning: Not for the squeamish. Via Entertainment Weekly:

“The impact of The Slide and [Emma’s] impact into the standing water at the bottom of The Slide caused Ms.McGuinness’ clothing to be painfully forced between her legs and for water to be violently forced inside her,” the suit reads, adding that Emma was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment and later had to undergo surgery to repair gynecologic injuries after “she experienced immediate and severe pain internally and, as she stood up, blood began rushing from between her legs.”

The McGuinness’ suit categorizes the experience as a “painful wedgie,” and alleges that she “suffered severe and permanent bodily injury including severe vaginal lacerations, a full thickness laceration causing Plaintiff’s bowel to protrude through her abdominal wall, and damage to her internal organs.”

The couple are reportedly suing the park for $50,000 in damages stemming from Emma’s injuries. Representatives for Disney World did not respond to EW‘s request for comment.

(Via Entertainment Weekly)

I know what you’re thinking: there is a very large elephant in the room and we have to address this. Saw X takes place between Saw and Saw II, but over the last two decades, the saw traps have gotten so complex, how on earth will the latest film make an adequate saw trap without utilizing 2010s technology? This is really what keeps people up at night. Along with the idea that you might wake up in an underground subway system with your tongue stuck in a metal contraption. Luckily, the people behind the movie knew what to do.

For Saw X, the producers wanted to bring it back to the basics that helped Saw become the iconic gruesome series that spawned 10 sequels. “We knew we wanted to make the traps less complicated,” executive producer Mark Burg recently told IndieWire. Surely anything will be less complicated than the Saw timeline.

Burg added, “We wanted to make traps that you could basically put together from Home Depot. At some point our traps got bigger and more complex, and we wanted to bring it back down.” That means no more laser traps, even though those looked pretty cool. Does Home Depot even sell lasers? What aisle were these guys looking in?

Since Saw X takes place sometime in 2004, the original Jigsaw was making these traps, and he wasn’t totally a professional yet. “As far as the traps were concerned, our main objective was to make sure that everybody believes that John Kramer made these traps,” Production designer Anthony Stabley said. “We wanted to make sure that it reflects the early Saw films.” That means MORE creepy clown doll on a tricycle and LESS Chris Rock! It seems like they have delivered.

Saw X is now in theaters.

(Via IndieWire)

Beyoncé’s Renaissance Tour has been a spectacle from day one — from the over-the-top looks that have since become internet legend to Megan Thee Stallion practically bursting with excitement to perform their hit song “Savage” at their Houston hometown show. With just one dates remaining after Wednesday night’s concert in New Orleans (Sunday at Kansas City will be the final stop), it looks like the Renaissance World Tour is all wrapped up… or is it?

It wouldn’t be a WORLD tour if it just did Europe and North America, now would it? Eagle-eyed Beyhive fans spotted a social media post that suggests that the next region due for a Beyoncé takeover is South America.

Is Beyoncé’s ‘Renaissance Tour’ Going To South America Soon?

According to a screenshot from Beyoncé fan account Ticketmaster’s Chile Instagram profile posted a cryptic image of a MacOS document folder titled “Eventos Ticketmaster 2024_Final” with a very purposefully chosen music tag: Beyoncé’s “America Has A Problem” remix with Kendrick Lamar. The song has since been removed but the post remains. Its caption reads, “Let’s start planning for 2024 If you knew the names this folder has ! What would you give to open this file ?”

It’s hard to tell if the fan account’s screenshot is 100 percent legit, but let’s say that it is; it wouldn’t be surprising for Beyoncé to have a couple of stops planned in places like Brazil, where her fanbase is as fervent as anywhere else. Meanwhile, we’re sure the Beyhive would love to get a look inside that folder for confirmation their fave is headed to South America. For now, we’ll just have to speculate while waiting for an official announcement — but I’d be willing to bet one is coming sooner rather than later.