August 23, 2024
Issue #1
A love story, a transatlantic essay, and a lesson about time, walk into a bar.
What France and America Know About Each Other
In honor of the wonderful Olympic games we witnessed this month, it's worth taking a look at the special relationship that America and France share. You’ll never guess who this is about.
They’re arrogant.
They don’t like us very much.
It’s more or less okay to apply preconceived blanket statements to this country.
Perceived Age
It caught me off-guard when I found out that this post was written by a 22-year old. Surya manages to capture the fleeting nature of time, in a reminder of how we should never stop seeking out growth, excitement, and novelty in our lives.
A study asked different age groups to mentally count 120 seconds. People under 30 averaged 115 seconds; those over 50 just 87. That's a 24% reduction in perceived time. This shift in perception isn't just random; it’s rooted in the complex interplay of our brain’s neurotransmitters, primarily dopamine.
100 Small Acts Of Love
NY Times readers sent in the small ways that they show love to their partners, and it's an earnestly beautiful read. Below are a few of my favorites, but they're all worth reading through.
I began writing my wife a daily poem, starting the first time I kissed her a decade and an half ago. I've never missed a day, and she's kept all 5,000-plus of them. Some are silly, others serious. Mostly, they keep us connected day after day, word after word.
I cook breakfast every morning. When we got engaged, he said: "If you cook breakfast, I'll do everything else." I know a good deal when I see one.
When my cancer diagnosis recurred this fall, my husband of 54 years began folding 1,000 origami cranes. Legend says that they will bring good luck and good health. We have installed them in our hallway as a constant reminder of hope and joy. They are beautiful to look at, and they also seem to be working, as I am responding to treatment.
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