Jeff Mann 
With over 24 million views on Youtube, the 2013 viral short video ‘It’s not about the nail‘ caught the public imagination with its witty take on communication, gender roles and above all, the importance of listening to each other with empathy and understanding. Despite being less that 2 minutes long, the video, using metaphor, black humor … Read more
If you truly want to learn about philosophy, let’s face it, you’ll have to read some books. That said, there’s nothing wrong with indulging in some screen time to find out more about your favorite philosophers and their ideas, insights and explorations into the human condition. So here’s our pick of the best philosophy documentaries … Read more
If you’re like me you love discovering new words in books, in everyday conversation. Expanding your vocabulary just feels… nice. Like you’ve done something good for your brain. And having new words in your linguistic armory is a useful tool whenever you want to explain concepts that are hard to do in more mundane, common … Read more
Thumbsucking is a common, perfectly normal behaviour in babies and infants which most of us grow out of. But what does it mean when thumbsucking continues into adulthood? We take a dive into the psychology of adult thumbsucking and the causes, consequences and side effects. First off, let’s take a trip back to the womb…. … Read more
This is my highly subjective, opinionated list of the most highly overrated things in 2023. Society and politics 1) A formal education Do you really need a college degree to get on in life these days? Well, if you want to become a surgeon, YouTube videos aren’t going to win over 8 years at med … Read more
Is reading subtitles good for your brain? Short answer, yes. Reading subtitles while you’re watching TV or a movie has multiple cognitive benefits; strengthening reading skills, boosting comprehension and attention to detail, and improving memory. Subtitles are back in fashion Subtitles are experiencing a renaissance. According to a recent survey 80% of 18-25 year olds … Read more
From gaslighting partners to abusive mothers, here are some of the best portrayals of narcissists in the movies: Movie classics about narcissists 1) Citizen Kane (1941) A landmark of movie history, Oscar Welles wrote, directed and stars in the lead role of narcissistic newspaper magnate Charles Foster Kane. Kane embodies every symptom of what modern … Read more
What’s the most important aspect of learning a foreign language? Some say learning grammar is the foundation. Others stress the importance of reading, writing or listening to unfamiliar words and phrases. And of course, speaking the language is fundamental if you want to be fluent in conversation. But arguably, under-pinning all of these elements, focussing … Read more
Film-makers routinely use colour to exploit the emotions of their audiences If you like movies you may have noticed that certain film genres always seem to share the same shades of colour; warm reds for romances, de-saturated tones for apocalyptic dystopias, blue cold-tones for horror movies. The list goes on. This doesn’t happen by accident. Colour … Read more
Here are 3 reasons why people cling to their beliefs, even in the face of overwhelming contradictory evidence What is it that causes people to stick to their guns no matter what you say to them or whatever evidence you present? You would like to think that as intelligent beings, humans would gravitate towards common sense, rather than … Read more
Some of our most common assumptions about body language are just plain wrong Body language reveals all – or so some ‘experts’ would have you believe. The truth is, body language is riddled with ambiguities, exceptions and opportunities for misunderstandings. There are countless studies you can read on the ‘science of non-verbal communication‘. But becoming fluent in body language is … Read more
Maverick philosopher Frederick Nietzsche had some rather unconventional views about love and marriage When it comes to relationship advice, no matter where you look, you’ll find the same tired tips, endlessly recycled by self-help books, lifestyle magazines, friends and relatives. So what do you do when you’ve exhausted all the tried and trusted advice? Where … Read more
