East and West think in profoundly different ways

Psychologists are uncovering the surprising influence of geography on our reasoning, behaviour, and sense of self.

From the broad differences between East and West, to subtle variation between States in the US, it is becoming increasingly clear that history, geography and culture can change how we all think in subtle and surprising ways – right down to our visual perception. Our thinking may have even been shaped by the kinds of crops our ancestors used to farm, and a single river may mark the boundaries between two different cognitive styles.


http://www.bbc.com/future/story/20170118-how-east-and-west-think-in-profoundly-different-ways

Namibia's nomads

he Himba people of Namibia can see fine details and ignore distraction much better than most other human beings – a finding that may reflect the many ways that modern life is changing our minds and abilities.

Findings show that even the most basic aspects of our perception – which you may assume to be hardwired in the brain – are shaped by our culture and surroundings.


http://www.bbc.com/future/story/20170306-the-astonishing-focus-of-namibias-nomads

A message of love from two small boys

We tend to lose sight of the human part of the human beings we see around us. These two boys bring us back to our senses...


http://edition.cnn.com/videos/us/2017/03/03/boys-jaxon-reddy-haircut-louisville-kentucky-sfc-orig.cnn

Neighbours put up Christmas lights after elderly man sent 'bullying' letter

People in Homewood, Alabama have put up their Christmas lights very early this year, after one of their neighbours, Mr Frank, received a letter asking him to take his decorations down.

Mr Frank said he kept his lights up to stop traffic from crashing into his tree. There was a danger of someone getting hurt.

When they heard the news, about 30 homeowners took out their Christmas decorations and put them up in their gardens.

"It's been a neat way for the community to slow down, and make it a priority to get to know him.

"It's an opportunity to take time to stop and make sure he knows we're there and we appreciate him."


http://www.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/article/39171894/neighbours-put-up-christmas-lights-after-elderly-man-sent-bullying-letter

The first Vogue Arabia issue

Vogue Arabia launches this month - and Gigi Hadid has been revealed as its first cover star. "Being half-Palestinian, it means the world to me to be on the first-ever cover(s) of Vogue Arabia," the model said.

Two different editions of the magazine's first issue have been produced - one in English and one in Arabic.


http://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-39139170

Great-grandmother cycles 10,000 miles

78-year-old Montana woman, Ethel MacDonald, took up tour cycling at the age of 65. Fourteen years later, the retired French teacher has covered more than 10,000 miles across Europe and North America and she's not stopping yet.

"I like what I like to do without having to wait for someone else to be ready," explains the 78-year-old great-grandmother. The appeal of biking alone on the open road, she says, is "just feeling like I'm my own boss."


http://edition.cnn.com/2017/02/08/travel/ethel-macdonald-cycling/index.html

Devon mud-hut woman 'allergic to modern life'

Kate Burrows and partner Alan built their home in Devon of tree trunks knitted together and covered with mud and straw. She says the move was prompted by a series of illnesses, called Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS), caused by living in her former rented home.


http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-devon-38852842