a solid chunk
Americans they don't have enough for retirement, with a solid having no savings at all.
a significant portion or considerable number of people
throw in the towel
It's part of a growing retirement crisis, where many can't afford to throw in the .
to stop trying to do something because you have realized that you cannot succeed or to retire
A big nest egg
Pam Tourangeau said at 68, she doesn't have a big nest egg.
a significant amount of money or savings that someone has accumulated over time
defined contribution plans
As the Congressional Research Service found, defined contribution plans, which are retirement plans like 401(k)s that rely on employee contributions
Retirement plans where employees contribute and the benefits are determine by market performance
have gotten stuck in a generation gap
too young to receive pensions but too old to really be part of the tech boom.
afloat in retirement
Americans surveyed reported having no retirement savings, and over half of them do not think they'll have enough money to keep them afloat in retirement.
to keep oneself financially stable during retirement
a wake up call
the survey "should be a wake-up call for every adult, young or old, as well as policymakers at both federal and state levels
a shocking event that changes the way many people think
grearing up
That new data comes as the country is gearing up for an onslaught of retiring peak boomers.
to prepare for an activity or event
peak boomers
Those are Americans born between 1959 and 1964
In assets
Income Institute found that just over half of the peak boomer population have $250,000 or less in assets
the total value of possessions or resources owned by an individual or organization
run through one's saving
That means that many will likely run through their savings, and have to depend on Social Security to stay afloat
deplete or exhaust one's savings
having enough money to pay what you owe
keep afloat The business had to sell off some of its assets to keep afloat.
stay afloat Many small businesses are struggling to stay afloat.
This profligacy contributes hugely to the three great planetary crises of our time
climate change, biodiversity loss and, of course, waste and pollution
Hardly/barely scratch the surface
Up to now, efforts to clean up our act have barely scratched the surface
the attempts to improve our behavior or situation have made very little progress so far
What can recycled PET be downcycled into?
upholstery, carpets and insulation.
a garbage/hazardous-waste incinerator
Mechanical recycling thus merely postpones the day when the plastic ends up in landfill or an incinerator.
a device for burning things that are no longer wanted
The profit margins are very tight means
the amount of profit earned is minimal or narrow, leaving little room or financial gain
jumbled mess
The company can’t deal with the jumbled mess that is “post-consumer” plastic waste
a disorganized and chaotic situation or state
In principle (C2)
In principle, advanced recycling can do much better because it works not mechanically, but chemically.
If you agree with or believe something in principle, you agree with the idea in general, although you might not support it in reality or in every situation
Pyrolysis
which is the application of heat — upwards of 500°C — in the absence of oxygen to melt down plastics into their component parts.
gasification
which uses even higher temperatures to fully convert waste plastics into syngas
green credentials
Both processes require the application of heat, which dents their green credentials somewhat — but then so does the creation of virgin plastic.
the environmental qualities attributes of a product, process or organization
umbrella terms
The umbrella terms pyrolysis and gasification cover a multitude of different technologies
broad categories that encompass various related concepts or items
beyond the drawing board
Many have gone beyond the drawing board: the continent already has dozens of plants with a combined annual output capacity of 270,000 tonnes
moving from the planning or conceptual stage to actual implementation to execution
in the game
The US is in the game too. Companies there have invested over $7 billion in advanced recycling since 2017
involved or participating in a particular activity or situation
On the horizon
On the horizon is an even more promising method called solvolysis.
likely to happen or exist soon
solvolysis
it essentially involves dissolving plastic in liquid and recovering useful chemicals from it
requires less heat than pyrolysis and gasification, making it greener, and it produces fewer toxic byproducts
bring the gavel down
There is also the expectation that the UN will bring the gavel down on a legally binding treaty on plastic pollution later this year
to make a final decision or judgment, often with authority or force
pile on (phrasal verb)
They will drastically curtail the manufacture of virgin plastic and pile on the pressure to create a circular plastics economy.
to increase quickly
Public pushback
Be prepared for a lot of public pushbacks as residents are fighting to stop a pyrolysis plant that they say will belch out toxic waste.
strong opposition or resistance expressed by members of the public towards a particular issue, decision, or action
in full flow
The pushback is in full flow, with organisations such as Beyond Plastics stepping up their campaigns
happening or progressing at its maximum intensity or activity level
safe in the knowledge that
I look forward to the day when I can just sling all my plastic into the recycling bin, safe in the knowledge that it will have a meaningful afterlife.
feeling confident and assured about something
Slack off
participants were asked whether they would share gossip about someone who was constantly slacking off and leaving others to do the work.
to work less hard or to be less than is usual or necessary
crop up
Among other things, lies cropped up twice as frequently when gossipers were told they were in competition with each other.
to happen or appear unexpectedly
Be drawn to
A related problem is that people are drawn to negative gossip more than positive gossip.
Attracted or inclined towards something/someone
On the basis of
In 2021 the Ontario Superior Court in Canada awarded hefty damages to an employee at a volunteer department who had been fired by the local municipality on the basis of false rumours that she had engaged in inappropriate sexual behaviour with firefighters.
based on, using as a foundation or starting point
Vent about
If people think they are being treated unfairly, then they will want to vent about it to co-workers.
to express one's feelings or frustrations about something, typically in a passionate or emotional manner
To bore someone rigid
If workers have jobs that bore them rigid, they will alleviate the tedium with chit-chat.
Make them extremely bored or uninterested
Churn out
Not much, was the answer it churned out
Produce or generate something quickly and in large quantities
Come into its own
A pioneer of chaos theory and complex systems, he believes that complexity economics has recently come into its own, making reliable predictions about the…
to reach a stage of maturity or fulfillment
to achieve its full potential or recognition
cut someone some slack
argued that austerity had to be imposed on the Greeks – that it was the only cure for their failing economy. Others, like Nobel-prizewinning economist Paul Krugman, argued that, no, you had to actually cut them some slack
to be lenient or forgiving towards someone
to give them a break or some leeway
wartime footing
if we wanted to go on a wartime footing and were willing to make some sacrifices, we could do it all in three years
a state of preparedness and urgency similar to that during a war
take down
She takes down school bullies (verbally)
defeat or overcome (someone or something), typically in a forceful or effective way.
Ace up someone sleeve
It’s another gripping, original read from McNicoll, who always has a moving plot ace up her sleeve.
Having a secret advantage or plan that is kept hidden until it is needed
sub-par footwear
Naturally, jerks like Will’s nemesis Chris home in on sub-par footwear.
shoes or footwear that is of low quality or below average in terms of design, durability, or comfort
In league with
But when Will’s dad turns to the loan shark, a furious Will ends up in league with Chris and out of his depth in this all-too-real tale of stolen footwear – and surprising turnarounds
To be in collaboration or partneship with someone, typicall for a common purpose, often implying involvement in something illicit or morally questionable
Out of one depth
Christ feels like he is out of his depth in this situation, where he has been receiving bombastic questions from interviewers
Being in a situation that is beyond one's understanding
Kid-lit tropes
So many kid-lit tropes are present in this sensational book (grief-stricken father, semi-wicked sort-of stepmother, time travel) but Goldewijk’s magic-cineaste fable makes everything new again
refer to recurring themes or elements commonly found in children's literature
Pixelated goon
The final, emotional twist is like a kick in the solar plexus from a pixelated goon – but in a good way.
Refers to a surprising or unexpected twist that evokes strong emotions, typically in a positive way
optimal lifestyle combination for a longer life was found to be
never smoking, regular physical activity, adequate sleep duration and healthy diet
This new research shows that, despite genetic factors, living a healthy lifestyle, including eating a balanced nutritious diet and keeping active, can help us live longer.
Matt Lambert, a senior health information officer at the World Cancer Research Fund
Public health policies for improving healthy lifestyles
would serve as potent complements to conventional healthcare and mitigate the influence of genetic factors on human lifespan.”
Bake into
The principles of equality and fairness are baked into the foundation of our legal system
Today, these ideas are baked into the standard model of cosmology, our supremely successful explanation of how the cosmos grew and took shape
to be deeply ingrained or incorporated into something
the cosmic microwave background
the amounts of helium and deuterium made in the first few minutes of the universe and the pattern of light left over from the big bang
crop up
we would expect gravity to have pulled matter together into large structures, but only up to a point, given the age of the universe. Oddities within this general evenness may crop up, but they should be rare
to happen or appear unexpectedly
behemoth
For Lopez, the results are interesting because they could potentially also explain the behemoth structures she found. “It’s good science to follow the data,” she says
Something that is extremely large and often extremely powerful
cook up
You could probably cook up some sort of dark matter interaction either with itself or with baryons [the key components of ordinary matter] that would boost structure formation
to create or invent something, especially a story or explanation
The composition of rouge has changed over the centuries, but in Spain’s golden age
it was often made from charred sulfur, mercury, lead, minium (a lead compound), and other substances
part of a history of misogynist literature that condemns women’s beauty rituals as tampering with God’s creation.
The moralist Juan de Zabaleta, in his book El Día de Fiesta por la Mañana y por la Tarde, published in 1654, attacked the use of cosmetics on religious grounds.
María de Zayas, a golden age Spanish writer, today considered a protofeminist .
if women applied themselves “to training with weapons and studying the sciences, instead of growing their hair and shading their faces, they could already have surpassed men in many things.”
With the French Revolution in 1789
a more natural look swept through Europe, and elaborate wigs and makeup were shunned.
In the mid-1800s
Heavy makeup fell out of fashion, associated with actresses and prostitutes
Romantic writers often rebelled against the rationalism and order of the Enlightenment period that preceded it, opting to exaggerate and contradict reality instead
such as African American poet Phillis Wheatley, used her poetry to resonate with themes of freedom and spirituality amid the stark realities of slavery in the late 18th century
grapple with
As the 19th century progressed, writers continued to grapple with existential and societal concerns, delving into themes of death, imperialism, and advancing technology
dealing with difficult or complex issues
cultural baggage
And yet the color carries a lot of cultural baggage. As pink made the jump from nature’s palette to human adornment, it gathered connotations of colonialism, beauty, power, and gender.
the accumulated belief, values, and attitudes that individuals carry based on their cultural background
Symbolism of pink color
As pink made the jump from nature’s palette to human adornment, it gathered connotations of colonialism, beauty, power, and gender.
Mammography
Mammography and prostate-specific antigen screening produce large numbers of frightening false positives, and there is a rich body of evidence that these scares can leave lasting psychological scars
medical screeing technique used to detect breast cancer in women
a rich body of evidence
there is a rich body of evidence that these scares can leave lasting psychological scars.
a substantial collection of research or data that supports a particular claim or conclusion
wire into our biology
We can’t entirely cure cancer – it is wired into our biology – nor can we entirely “cure” cancerphobia, the part of cancer fear that is a natural product of our instinctive risk-perception psychology
means it is an inherent part of our biological makeup and cannot be completely eliminated
run on empty
But while we are rightly concentrating on Earth’s delicate energy balance, we are ignoring the signs that our own bodies are running on empty.
to continue functioning or exerting effort despite having little or no energy or resources remaining
The pandemic sent stress levels skyrocketing and drained people in unique ways
some through emotional exhaustion and burnout, others via loneliness, grief or anxiety.
Mental health conditions
including depression and anxiety, can also lead to feeling exhausted or apathetic
keep something at bay
Current advice to keep fatigue at bay is always to “do more”.
to prevent or avoid something
push through
The idea seems to be that one can push through exhaustion by sheer will without repercussion
to persevere or overcome obstacles in order to achieve a goal
hang over
Though he has never had a life-threatening reaction, the risk of one hangs over him constantly.
a constant threat or source of worry
grow out of something
We always hoped he would grow out of his allergies
to outgrow or overcome a particular condition, habit or behavior
a long tail of
Beyond the “big eight” lies a long tail of allergies to other foods, including many fruits, vegetables and seeds.
a large number of less common or niche items that exist beyond the more popular or mainstream ones
hope on the horizon
But now, finally, there is hope on the horizon, with the arrival of several new therapies that can help people avoid an allergic reaction, not just to food, but other kinds of triggers
a promising or positive outlook for the future
a head-scratcher
Childhood food allergies are also a bit of a head-scratcher.
something that is puzzling or difficult to understand
allergic reaction
swelling, itching, streaming eyes and nose, hives and, in the case of food, vomiting and diarrhoea.
get off the ground
The drug has significantly increased the patient's tolerance threshold for 6 months. Unfortunately, this promising tool didn’t get off the ground
get started or set in motion
oral immunotherapy
n the meantime, however, a different strategy called oral immunotherapy (OIT) was being tested. This involves feeding people with food allergies tiny but escalating doses of their trigger allergen.
medical treatment that involves gradually introducing small amounts of an allergen into the body through the mouth to desensitize the immune system and reduce allergic reactions
never saw the light of the day
The trial was halted due to a legal dispute between Tanox and its industry partners, Novartis and Genentech, over who owned the right to develop the drug. TNX-901 never saw the light of day.
something that never brought into existence or made public
fall by the wayside
Despite the positive result, the approach was considered too risky and OIT fell by the wayside.
no longer be active or successful/ to be abandoned or disregarded
get off to a rocky start
Things got off to a rocky start: the first clinical trial of omalizumab for peanut allergy had to stop recruiting when two of the volunteers had anaphylactic shocks during tests to measure their baseline tolerance to this food
to have a difficult or problematic start
wear off
But it isn’t the final answer, she says. The drug is expensive and its effects wear off, necessitating injections every two to four weeks
to stop having an effect or influence
fine-tune
It is critical for us to understand the biology behind responders and non-responders, but that will enable us to fine-tune our therapeutics and push the needle beyond two-thirds
make small adjustments
in the pipeline
There are also more potent IgE blockers in the pipeline
The new product launch is in the pipeline and will be released next month.
being developed, being planned
a new class of drug
But a new class of drugs called disruptive IgE inhibitors not only stop IgE from binding, but also lever it off target cells once it has bound
a group of medications that belong to a distinct category or type and have unique characteristics or mechanisms of acion
a sense of a new dawn
As a result, after decades of having little to offer people with food allergies, there is suddenly a sense of a new dawn. “It’s a game changer,”
refers to a feeling of hope or optimism about the future
pin down
But in recent decades, we have got ever closer to pinning down the physical structures, mechanisms and neural networks responsible.
to determine or identify with precision or certainty
tease out
Still, Koch needn’t take it too hard: we are inching closer all the time, teasing out fresh insights into everything from what happens in our brains when we sleep and dream to the way that increasingly sophisticated artificial intelligence is challenging what it means to be conscious
to extract or uncover information or insights gradually and carefully
backlash
A backlash is now under way, as many parents seemingly long for the pre-smartphone days.
adverse reaction, resistance
off the hook
None of this means that social media and smartphones are off the hook, but we must follow the evidence – and for now, unfortunately, it is inconclusive
freed from danger or blame or obligation, escaped from a difficult situation
feed into
Today, these observations are fed into computer models to work out the extent to which the risk of fires is increasing due to global heating, and thus how much worse it will get in the future.
to input or enter information into a system or process
as opposed to
We have always known that managed fires, as opposed to wildfires, are responsible for part of the burned area, says Perkins.
rather than, instead of
Managed fires
it means fires are intentionally controlled and supervised by humans
This includes the burning of stubble after harvesting, for instance, or small fires set to reduce the amount of dead vegetation and the risk of bigger fires later on.
Push through
Push through the feelings of: I’m worthless, this sucks’: can anyone learn to be a top songwriterovercome or persevere despite negative emotions or challenges
On a retreat
On a retreat in north Wales, our folk music critic tries to write her first song
to withdraw or take a break from one's usual activities or surroundings for relaxation, reflection, or creative purposes
chop
Imagine you’ve spent the past 20 years writing about songs but never had the chops to write one
ability and technical skill, especially in playing a musical instrument
real-time contact
Real-time contact is available too, with Big Thief’s Adrienne Lenker recently running a Zoom course with US institution School of Song
the act of communicating or interacting with someone instantly or without delay
seep into
Gary Barlow encourages me to listen to lyricists I love, so I mainline Leonard Cohen, Amy Winehouse and CMAT, hoping their genius seeps into me.
to gradually enter or penetrate something, usually in subtle or unnoticed way
leap out
One leaps out at me – “My father and mother, my brother and sister” – suggesting something gothic.
stand out or be noticeable
trickle on
The idea of a murder ballad starts to trickle on to the page, as we’re told to look for moods and energies in our words, and not to worry whether we’re copying anyone
gradually appear or emerge
go off
And as we go off to write, Briggs offers the most unnerving comment of the week: “Whatever you do, your song will always end up sounding like you.”
to happen in a particular way
A flurry of
A flurry of studies published in 2018 demonstrated that the patients’ microbiome may have something to do with this.
A sudden and rapid series or collection of something
did my head in
But it was the next experiment, he says, “that really did my head in.”
to greatly confuse or overwhelm someone
the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI)
A personality test that classifies people into various types based on their scores on trait dimensions including extraversion vs. introversion, feeling vs. thinking, sensing vs. intuiting, and perceiving vs. judging.
“The more you can tell people who they are, the more it gives them a sense of certainty in an uncertain world.”“People are desperate to understand themselves,”
Scott Barry Kaufman, a cognitive scientist at Columbia University in New York and founder of The Center for Human Potential
building rapport
Studies have found that extroverted people are better at building rapport with other people but it’s because they mimic those they’re interacting with more than introverted people do.
the act of establishing a connection or harmonious relationship with others, often by mirroring their behavior or communication style
A study in a 2023 issue of Frontiers in Psychology found that
extraversion and its associated facets of assertiveness and sociability did not directly relate to the effectiveness of workplace leaders’ behavior in responding to various challenges.
“All of us can identify with situations that bring out our wild sides and others where we want to curl up in a ball and be alone,”
says Kaufman. “It’s human nature to have introverted and extroverted capacities within us.”
dial up or down
Regardless of your natural personality inclinations, cultivating a sense of flexibility and adaptability in your behavior—being able to dial up or down certain qualities to meet the demands of different situations, Smillie says—may be the optimal way to go through life.
adjust or modify certain qualities or behaviors to meet specific demands or situations
funnel (v)
Steward has been kept afloat by a deep relationship with its landlord, Medical Properties Trust, which owns 10% of the company and has funneled billions of dollars into Steward and its real estate.
to direct or channel something, usually money or resources, in a specific way
weigh in (pv)
Regulators weigh in on bankruptcies directly, in court filings, but also seek to use their own authority to make demands on restructuring plans for distressed hospitals
to give an opinion or enter a discussion or argument
back out (pv)
The Justice Department appealed the bankruptcy court’s decision, and buyers backed out of the deal.
to withdraw or cancel one's participation or agreement
Pan out (pv)
Even when the opportunity doesn’t pan out exactly as we intended, we learn from it
to develop or be successful
trip up (pv)
I’ve watched many entry-level and early-career employees trip up when their otherwise enviable self-worth manifests as entitlement.
to make a mistake or stumble, especially due to overconfidence or arrogance
land (v)
Whether you are starting out or starting over in your professional life, letting go of workplace clichés and learning a few genuine and underappreciated truths might ultimately land you a dream job well beyond any of your wildest, 20-something fantasies.
to get or achieve something desirable
vivid accounts of something
Survivors of near-death experiences often return with vivid accounts like this one.
Detailed and clear descriptions or narrations
What is the common mechanisms of three classes of transformative ?
Religious or mystical, psychedelic-induced, and near-death experiences—probably have a common underlying neurobiological mechanism
Boundary-pushing fashion
Since it started in 1948, the Met Gala has delivered boundary-pushing fashion modeled by celebrities and cultural icons, from rock stars to activist
Fashion that challenges traditional norms and pushes the limits of creativity and innovation
stoppage (n)
Last week, members of the Communications Workers Union (CWU) voted overwhelmingly to strike after 18 days of action last year. No dates for further stoppages have yet been set.
a time when work is stopped because of a disagreement between workers and employers
over the counter
We are pleased that customers can now buy postage for international export parcels to all destinations in Post Office branches over the counter,
If a drug, gun,etc. is available over the counter, you can buy it in a shop without having to visit a doctor or person in authority first
in dire financial straits
We thought in terms of, what do we want from the experience, and what are the ways we can make it feasible without putting us in dire financial straits
means being in a state of extreme financial difficulty or hardship
cut down on expenses
I need to cut down on expenses by eating out less frequently
The couple found creative ways to cut down on expenses . Instead of hiring a caterer, they prepared the food themselves
to reduce or decrease the amount of money spent on various items or activities
Living out of someone means
Many people struggle with debt because they consistently live out of their means, relying on cr card
At the same time, keeping the charged amount under $5,000 (£4,000) felt manageable and “did not make it like we were living out of our means
refers to spending more money than we can afford or earning less than what is necessary to sustain our lifestyle
go into debt
After losing his job, John had to go into debt to pay his bills
A recent survey from US News found that 56% of newlyweds go into debt for their nuptials
to owe money to someone or something
mark the day
Let's mark the day with a special ceremony
“It was a conscious choice in order to mark the day as important as we felt it to be,” she says of taking on debt for the event
to commemorate or celebrate a specific day or event
forgo a wedding planner
Sarah decided to forgo a wedding planner and plan her own wedding.
means to choose not to have or use a wedding planner
build back up someone savings
After losing their jobs, they had to build back up their savings by cutting expenses and finding new sources of income
Still, they haven’t been able to build back up their savings to pre-wedding levels.
to gradually increase or replenish the amount of money saved after a decrease or depletion
Be about grabbing rare
But over the past decade, as the pace of change in weather patterns has accelerated, the value of that accumulated experience has become increasingly irrelevant
Making the most of rare opportunities or favorable conditions
Farm-gate prices
Farm-gate prices have been driven down to levels which, in a good year, just about cover costs, but leave nothing to cover crops lost to adverse weather.
The prices received by farmers for their agricultural products at the point of sale
Attributable to (adj)
Unfortunately, that’s not how our food system works. Of the 20% food inflation experienced by the public (supposedly attributable to picking labor, fertilizer, and fuel price rises due to the Ukraine war) a minuscule proportion made its way back to the farmer.
Caused by
Out of business
Tesco made a £2.3bn profit last year, while 49% of fruit and veg farmers fear they’ll be out of business before the end of this one.
No longer in operation or functioning, typically due to financial difficulties
On Knees
Most of us love what we do, but that is not enough to make an industry that has been on its knees for decades
In a state of extreme weakness or vulnerability
Take for granted
According to my calculations, to have any chance of a robust green transition and consequent food security, farmers need an average 20% price rise, in addition to being paid for those all too often taken for granted “public goods”.
Not fully appreciated or valued; assumed to be always available or present without acknowledgment or gratitude.
Come into windfall
a suggestion for what to do if you come into a windfall.
means to unexpectedly receive a large amount of money or good fortune
in advance
Now I just check the box and get my subsidy in advance. No ethical considerations required.
earlier, ahead
Things you should avoid when having a small talk
It suggests avoiding making small talk about someone’s physical appearance or religious wear. Never make assumptions about or comment on someone’s background, income level, sexuality, political stance, or other personal identifier.
on-ramp
But casual chat can be the on-ramp to deeper connection. After all, most of us wouldn’t introduce ourselves to a stranger with a question about their biggest fears
a starting point or an entryway that leads to a deeper connection or engagement
Tips for small talk
Instead of questioning your conversation partner, try a statement or observation. Something as simple as " this line is taking forever" or "[Mutual friend name] makes the best cheese boards" or "You have the cutest dog I have ever seen" can be effective entree to small talk
Research has found that making an observation about a product or item another person has chosen to display — like a band T-shirt or a colorful hat — is a better conversation starter than discussing the weather.
To be better at small talk, actually listen
Making the most of small talk — and elevating the conversation to large talk — involves active listening. If someone mentions the city they grew up in, you can use that detail for follow-up questions. What did they like the most about that city? What did they dislike? Why did they move? You can even offer a personal anecdote
“Our job is to find out what makes this person different, interesting. What makes their life unique?”
Roadblocks
Every conversation, including small talk, inevitably encounters roadblocks. Whether you find yourself giving one-word answers or the discussion veers toward potentially contentious territory, there are ways of deftly navigating
obstacles or barriers that hinder or impede progress in conversation
veer on/ off into
For chats that are veering on boring, feel free to direct the conversation to another topic or ask a random question
deviating or straying away from a particular direction or topic
buy-in
This conversation is making me uncomfortable.” Just remember, both people need buy-in for small talk to be productive.
the fact of agreeing with and accepting something that someone suggests
Make the most of Something
She makes the most of her weekends by exploring new places and trying new activities
“It makes the most of the cheaper overnight electricity and can be hung to dry before everyone else gets up.”
To maximize or take full advantage of something
Boss someone around/about (v)
She was able to boss her inbox by organizing and prioritizing her emails.
To take control or manage effectively
Clocking off
Before clocking off, “write down the things you want to nail first thing in the morning,” says Flukes. “It sets you up for a good day.
To finish work or end a shift
Spark (v)
The landscape behind Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa has sparked endless debate, with some art historians suggesting the view was imaginary and idealised, and others claiming various links to specific Italian locations.
Cause, a small event or problem that causes a much worse situation to develop
home run (n)
After finding out that the landscape in the Mona Lisa painting is in Italy, It is the South-western Alps overlooking the area and Lake Gar late. The similarities are undeniable, she said. “I’m so excited about this. I really feel it’s a home run.”
Success story, masterwork, showpiece
Bona fide (adj)
Make sure you are dealing with a bona fide company.
Michael Daley, director of watchdog ArtWatch UK, said of Pizzorusso’s findings: “Because she has bona fide scientific knowledge, when she notices things in Leonardo – the most scientific artist ever – they’re momentous.
real or true, not false authentic and genuine
Pin down
But Pizzorusso has compellingly pinned down the location with proof of Leonardo’s presence in the area, its geology and, of course, a bridge.”
Confirm or establish definitively
An illustration of various academic disciplines' differing viewpoints on the same subject
“Geologists don’t look at paintings and art historians don’t look at geology,” she added. “Art historians said Leonardo always used his imagination, but you can give this picture to any geologist in the world and they’ll say what I’m saying about Lecco ( It is suggested that Leonardo painted several recognizable features of Lecco, on the shores of Lake Como in the Lombardy region of northern Italy.)
Ill afford (v)
Tell us: are you splurging on luxury goods you can ill afford?To be unable to comfortably afford something or have enough money for it
tempting fate
I don’t want to describe luxury as recession proof – it feels like tempting fate – but it is an extremely resilient sector, both at the top end of the market and at the affordable luxury segment
to take a foolish risk because you depend too much on luck
self-styled
the self-styled Deal Maker For The 0.1%, who founded his business as a wrangler for the rich after his Rich Kids of Instagram account became popular.
given a name or title by yourself without any official reason for it
set the tone with
Sotheby’s and other traditional auction houses have set the tone with sales of items such as a Hermès Himalaya Birkin 30 handbag for $226,180 (£190,250) in 2021.
to establish a standard or create an example for others to follow
short a stock
A hedge fund scheme using journalists to short a stock is not only unethical, it may be fraudulent.
to sell borrowed shared with the expectation of buying them back at a lower price in the future
ultimatum (n)
presen sb with: The goverment denied that it had presented the union with an ultimatum
two recent federal-court cases challenging U.W.M.’s ultimatum that have so far been unsuccessful.
Final offer, Warning, demnand
precipitously (adv)
Hunterbrook secured its short position—fell, though not precipitously, and it has since made a slight recovery
brashly, very quickly
What are the tools of journalism?
These tools include cultivating insider sources and conducting off-the-record interviews to learn non-public information—could constitute evidence of insider trading
Annotate (v)
Every detail in a story must be annotated with a source so that Reid can insure its provenance isn’t non-public information
write explanatory notes, explain
Provenance (n)
Birthplace, origin, and source
button-down (adj)
Sam wears Knicks jerseys on calls during the day, Nathaniel’s usually in a button-down
having a traditional or formal style
off the ground
Raisner lived with Koppelman and Horwitz in a Williamsburg apartment while they got Mayday off the ground.
started or launched successfully
vitriol (n)
violent hate and anger expressed through severe criticism
make a mint
onboarding new employees to benefits management and performance reviews “has been making a mint creating misery where painless processes could be”, according to Business Insider titled: “Everyone hates Workday.”
earning a large amount of money or making a substantial profit
low-level drones
The managers assigned to implement products like Workday (and the CRM systems we sell) tend to be lower-level drones who step aside from challenges and avoid the extra effort required to really make products like this work the way they’re supposed to
lower-level employees who lack initiative and avoid taking on challenges
From the outset
From the outset it was obvious the coronavirus pandemic would be brutal on the UK’s young people. Just how brutal has only become apparent over time
from the beginning
furlough (v)
The concentration of young adults working in hospitality meant they were most vulnerable to being furloughed or losing their jobs
fired , laid off
go bust
This was a time when the banks almost went bust, the supply of cr dried up, economies contracted and unemployment rose sharply
It is forced to close because it is financially unsuccessful
hard hit
Incomes of young people have been especially hard hit, so much so that the current generation is likely to be the first for a century to be poorer than their parents, and have levels of home ownership comparable with their grandparents
Severely affected or negatively impacted
There is a growing body of evidence suggesting that the rise in ill-being of the young is associated with the rise in the use of the internet and smartphones
The timing fits almost exactly, both the use of the internet and the declining mental health of the young, and especially for young females, both started climbing from around 2011,” the paper says.
Why don't youth want to go out anymore?
Dating apps and Snapchat flirting mean they don’t have to leave the house to find a partner, while Shopee, Grab, Netflix and TikTok can deliver a night’s entertainment to their doorsteps. Going out to get wasted isn’t the draw it was, either, for a generation less likely than their predecessors to drink or take drugs
Sow wild oats
More broadly, they seem less ready to sow wild oats than previous waves of teenagers. Long before lockdowns curbed their liberty, risk-taking behaviour expressed in teenage pregnancy and youth offending was steadily declining in both the US and the UK
to engage in adventurous or reckless behavior, especially during one's youth
Straitened (adj)
Though teenage working hours have rebounded in Britain post-lockdown, possibly reflecting straitened finances
distress, difficult situation because there is much less money available
betray (v)
Why does my teenager stay in their room all day?” and “Is it normal not to go out?” betray a niggling anxiety that maybe this isn’t what being young ought to look like – or at least, that it isn’t what being young meant in the past.
to show your feelings or thoughts without intending to
Time -honoured fashion
Are teenagers really retreating, missing out on the formative experiences they’ll need in order to become sociable, well-adjusted adults? Or are the middle-aged simply misunderstanding, in time-honoured fashion, the complicated business of being young?
a long-standing and traditional way of thinking or behaving
whet someone appetite
E1 employs a videographer to film its events, producing promotional clips for TikTok and Instagram to whet clubbers’ appetites.
To increase someone's interest in and wish for something, usually by giving them a small experience of it
Nowadays, young people with money to spend seem more inclined to save it up for one memorable moment than be out every night
“It’s about what they’re wearing, what they eat, how many times they go to the gym. Partying every night isn’t seen as healthy.” For the first time last summer, he put a choice of alcohol-free beers on the bar menu at Manchester’s Parklife festival to cater for young non-drinkers who don’t want socialising to revolve around booze.
To make ends meet
To make ends meet, she says, more students are taking part-time jobs.
to have enough money to cover one's expenses or to manage financially
Grind culture
Talking to academics, students and their parents, what many describe is a new kind of grind culture on campus that goes beyond simply being hard up.
a pervasive and intense focus on academic achievement and success, often characterised by excessive studying and workloads
Examples of nations with laws limiting young people's use of phones
Last year, in Britain, then education minister Nick Gibb urged schools to normalise “brick” phones without internet access, while China’s internet watchdog suggested limiting screen time to two hours a day for 16- to 18-year-olds. Yet when South Korea imposed its “Cinderella law” in 2011, effectively barring online access for teenage gamers between midnight and 6am,
lump together
We are, he thinks, lumping together too broad a range of on-screen activities and blaming them for an equally broad range of ills, from poor mental health to delayed adulthood.
to consider or deal with as a group
Scientific muster
Amateur scientific studies and televised “investigations” have confused the issue by relying on experiments that don’t pass scientific muster.
The standards or criteria that experiments or studies must meet in order to be considered scientifically valid or reliable
What is the uncanny valley?
The concept of the uncanny valley was first coined by roboticist Masahiro Mori in 1970. In an essay, Mori proposed that robots become more likable as they gain humanlike qualities (think WALL-E). But when they get too humanlike (i.e. the valley), they start getting creepy. Then, when they get nearly indistinguishable from humans, they get likable again.
Perceptual mismatch the concept may explain why we feel uncanny valley towards the humanoid robot
we become uncomfortable when we pick up on mismatched features, like realistic eyes but unrealistic skin. This particular incongruity is a common problem for stable diffusion-generated AI images.
Cookie cutter (adj)
Conserving a building—and a business—that’s been around for decades, even centuries, presents more financial, structural, and historical challenges than throwing up a cookie cutter motel off the highway
Similar to other things of the same type, especially in a way that shows little imagination
tightrope (n)
You try both to honor a hotel’s history and be relevant to new generations,” says Jenny Kimball, the chairman of the board of Santa Fe’s circa-1922 La Fonda on the Plaza. “It’s a tightrope.”
to consider carefully the decisions or risks that you take in order to deal successfully with a difficult situation
Haggle over/about
It’s been deteriorating ever since while developers and lawyers haggle over its future.
Bargain, bicker, and quarrel
Figuring out what historic means in different perspectives?
It’s grandmother’s wedding dress syndrome: Your mom’s dress looks frumpy to you, but your grandma’s is cool,”
“To some people, things that are too close to us in time, like from the 1960s and 1970s, just look worn out.
To save an older property from the wrecking ball, it usually takes a combination of historic landmark designation
Case in point: the 1956 Statler Dallas, a 20-story 1956 skyscraper in the heart of the Texas city’s downtown. It took three years and $230 million to restore its Mad Men-ish Jack Lubin lobby mural, upgrade its electrical systems, and carve out 159 new hotel rooms and 219 higher-floor condominiums
What is self-objectification?
Internalizing what an outside viewer might think of their appearance instead of prioritizing their own self-image. Self-objectification is associated with body-shame, eating disorders, and mood disorders like depression.
Why does ageism have negative effects?
Workplace discrimination, problems finding romantic partners, and a loss of “social currency” are all associated with looking old. Ageism can even promote elder abuse
How to fight against ageism?
People can advocate for policies that support older adults, get to know their elders, and look for ways to mix generations in their social lives.
The root of the vitamin word
a combination of the Latin word for “life” and “amine,” the name for a compound that contains nitrogen.
Fat-soluble vitamins
Vitamins A, D, E, and K—are considered essential to human growth and health.
Water-soluble vitamins
B1 (thiamine), B2 (riboflavin), B3 (niacin), B5 (pantothenic acid), B6 (pyridoxine), B7 (biotin), B9 (folate), B12 (cobalamin), and C.
What are the benefits of mation?
Mation can help manage stress and anxiety, slow down aging-related cognitive decline, enhance pain coping mechanisms, reduce pain intensity and unpleasantness, and improve emotional control in stressful situations.
A low-hanging fruit
The project manager identified the low hanging fruit and quickly implemented the simple changes to improve efficiency
an easily achievable or readily available opportunity or solution
Heavy-duty
Some topical treatments, such as those containing benzoyl peroxide targeted for acne, can irritate the skin further—requiring an even more heavy-duty moisturizer to restore and strengthen the barrier, says Gohara.
Strong and designed to be used for a long time
zeitgeist (n)
“They’ve been at the forefront of the skin care zeitgeist for a long time because they’re very effective and very well studied
The prevailing trend or spirit of a particular time period
The driving route through Santa Lucia mountains
Since the winding ribbon of Highway 1 opened, in 1937, driving the route—past vistas of the Santa Lucia mountains flanked by redwood groves and moody views of the Pacific—has become a rite of passage for tourists from around the world.
Construction of the highway
which entailed blasting cliffsides, filling canyons, and felling redwoods, along with dumping a massive amount of debris into the ocean, possibly contributing to the extinction of the local abalone population
slip-out
The March 30th slip-out has been named Rocky Creek, in reference to a nearby bridge.
Become known, to become known or be spoken unexpectedly
Foot traffic
The business owners I spoke with estimated the landslide that cut off the highway to the south in 2023 reduced their foot traffic by twenty to fifty percent.
(in a business) The number of people who go into a shop or business in a particular period of time
Dodged the draft
Gafill, who was born in 1961 and grew up in Big Sur, spent his childhood around hippies who washed dishes at the restaurant after having dodged the draft.
Avoided military service, typically by evading or circumventing the draft
Highway turnout
They told me about the time they had spotted an endangered California condor flying over this very highway turnout, and Diesel remembered selling sunglasses to Neil Young
a designated area along a highway where vehicles can safely stop or park
Far from settled science
But despite its many assumed functions, serotonin’s role in the body isn’t well understood and its importance in things like mood is far from settled science.
Not full established or agreed upon by scientific community
What is serotonin?
Serotonin is a neurotransmitter, a chemical in the central nervous system that neurons use to communicate with each other
Outside the brain and spinal cord, it can act as a hormone, carrying messages between non-neuronal cells
How is serotonin made?
Serotonin is mainly produced in the brain and the gut. In the brain stem, a cluster of neurons called the raphe nucleus take up the essential amino acid tryptophan,
What does serotonin have to do with mood?
There’s evidence that neurons in brain areas involved in mood and cognition have serotonin receptors, and some studies show that serotonin influences learning
What does serotonin do in the gut?
serotonin has also been shown to be involved in gut movement, secretion, and nutrient absorption. “Serotonin does a lot of things in the gut, but its primary function is to regulate gut contraction and motility
Studies suggest that serotonin is involved in metabolism, and mainly through controlling blood sugar and fat storage,
What are the natural ways to trigger serotonin release?
Exercise, a balanced diet, adequate sunshine, and lots of sleep are all important.
Bounded on
Bounded on all sides by national parks—including Hornopirén, Alerce Andino, and Vicente Pérez Rosales—but with none of its own, the region requires a two-hour detour east from the Carretera Austral—Patagonia’s famed southern highway.
Surrounded or enclosed on all sides
Yosemite of South America
With a central valley dominated by bald-faced granite domes that loom over temperate rainforest, Chile’s secluded Cochamó District has been attracted to tourist all over the world due to its exceptional natural surroundings.
Avant-garde (adj)
At Lost Creek Farm, popular suppers held May through September star dishes such as spicy cold peach soup and wild mushroom “bologna,” which are “rooted in Appalachian heritage but also avant-garde,” says Nucilli.
radically new or original
An exegetical study
SmackDown” is on Fox, which in turn means that Marilynne Robinson’s beatific new exegetical study of the Book of Genesis must, for now, be gently laid aside. Five, because reading a book is, you know, so lame.
The critical interpretation and explanation of a text, typically religious or philosophical in nature
Spasm (n)
fell a spasm of guilt/coughing/laughing
a short period of something, especially something that can not be controlled
Toy with (v)
She often toys with the idea of starting her own business, but hasn't taken any concrete steps yet
You toy with joining a local book club, on the principle that having to read something, to keep pace with your fellow-clubbers, will be a fruitful challenge.
To consider or contemplate it casually or without serious intent
What is the most potent enemy of reading?
In terms of addictive properties, Your phone might as well be stuffed with meth. There’s no point in grinding through a whole book—a chewy bunch of words arranged into a narrative or, heaven preserve us, an argument—when you can pick up your iPhone, touch the Times app, skip the news and commentary, head straight to Wordle, and give yourself an instant hit of euphoria
Get hook on ST
Imagine getting hooked on a book, or on something recognizably book-esque, without averting your eyes from the screen. This is where Blinkist comes in.
To become deeply engrossed or addicted to something
What app is available on the App Store for lazy people who want to read books?
Blinkist is an app which takes an existing book and crunches it down to a series of what are called Blinks.
On average, these amount to around two thousand words. Some of the books that get Blinked are gleamingly new, such as “Leading with Light,” by Jennifer Mulholland and Jeff Shuck, which was published in March; other books are so old that they were written by people whose idea of a short-haul flight involved feathers and wax
Muse over (v)
Right now, there will be somebody musing over Blinks of “Biohack Your Brain,” “The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin,” or “The Power of Going All-In,” which is, I am sorry to report, yet another study of successful leadership. Given the title, I was hoping that it might be about breakfast buffets, or the best way to behave yourself at an orgy.
To think deeply or ponder over something
A quick scoot through
She took a quick scoot through the newspaper to catch up on the headlines before heading out.
Alternatively, on the drive to the office, they can treat themselves to a quick scoot through Yuval Noah Harari’s “Sapiens,” while trying to stop the Homo neanderthalensis in the red Bronco from cutting into their lane.
A brief and rapid reading or browsing of something
Full whack
The full whack, on Audible, nicely narrated by Arthur Morey and lasting nineteen hours and forty-nine minutes?
The maximum or complete extent of something
Poring over (v)
None of them are reproduced by Blinkist, the purpose of which is to save us the bother of poring over finicky things like graphics and charts, and to steer us away from the confounding weeds of minutiae
To examine or study something carefully and in detail
strip down (v)
It’s easy to decry this stripping down of complex reasoning, as if the app were bent solely on decluttering books of everything that lends them vitality.
to simplify or reduce something, often by removing unnecessary details or complexities
Furnish information or details
Yet you have to admit: if you’d never read Pinker or James, Blinkist would furnish you with a basic grasp of their intent—sufficient, perhaps, to do more than merely drop their names.
To provide information or knowledge
Whittle down (v)
Some nameless soul must have agreed to whittle down Wittgenstein’s “Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus” into Blinkable form—a heroic undertaking, given that it’s hardly baggy with superfluities in the first place
Reduce or diminish something gradually or systematically
It should be stressed that + Clause
It should be stressed that Blinkist is not the only abbreviator on the block.
Dwindled into
In the light of that hard labor, it is a cruel irony that the condensed books should, over time, have dwindled into a byword for the redundant middlebrow.
to gradually decrease or diminish in size, quantity, or importance
In the light of that + Noun phrase, It is a cruel irony that +clause
In the light of that hard labor, it is a cruel irony that the condensed books should, over time, have dwindled into a byword for the redundant middlebrow
Pay heed to (v)
Canon to right of us, canon to left of us: what belongs in the ranks of lasting literature, whether it deserves to last, and why we ought to pay heed, let alone homage, to such weary classifications
to give attention or consideration
Seldom + Inverted sentence( auxiliary verb (have, do, does) + subject + verb)
This structure emphasizes the infrequency
Seldom has this mystery been so cogently dramatized as it was on British TV in 1972.
A heap of pain
If only he’d read “The Power of Going All-In,” he could have saved himself a heap of pain.
A large amount or significant burden of suffering or distress
Why so many people struggle to read books nowadays?
Many people struggle to find time to read books due to various reasons, such as lack of interest, distractions, or busy schedules.
What are the disadvantages of Blinkist?
Critics argue that Blinkist simplifies complex reasoning and removes vital elements like graphs and charts from the original books.
A bad apple
The birth trauma scandal is not about one bad apple, one bad culture or one bad area – it’s about the mess of austerityA person or thing that is considered to be the source of a problem or wrongdoing
To draw some line (v)
It seems important to draw some lines, here, between “normal for childbirth”, “normal for the 21st century” and “normal for life under a Tory government”.
To establish clear distinctions or boundaries between different concepts or situations
To veer off (v)
The debate has already started to veer off to its happy place, where an interviewer will compare and contrast the modern experience with a woman who gave birth in the 70s and spent a week recovering on a well-staffed maternity ward, where midwives with all the time in the world would bring you toast and teach you how to swaddle. The much more salient comparison would be between the experience just before 2010, and the experience since.
To deviate or stray from the main topic or course of action
where poor care is the exception rather than the rule”, which is a strange way to put it: if you’re putting together a wish list, surely you’d hope to eradicate poor care?
But that’s evidently just the most polite way they could find to say: this system is broken everywhere. It’s not a story of one bad apple, or one bad chief executive, or one bad institutional culture, or one underprivileged area.
What are the root causes that lead to so much crime?
There are so many, namely, poverty, lack of education, and poor mental health.
Creating green spaces, such as community gardens and parks, on reducing violent crime in neighborhoods
Researchers have found that maintaining vacant lots or transforming them into gardens can reduce assaults and burglaries. The involvement of residents and youth engagement in these projects also plays a crucial role in their success.
Example: the success of greening projects in cities like Flint, Philadelphia, and Youngstown, which have shown a significant decrease in violent crimes
Fairly harmless fibs
Most of our lies are white lies or fairly harmless fibs. However, in fields such as law enforcement, espionage and insurance, distinguishing truth from falsehood is a vital requirement; sometimes even a matter of life and death.
Small lies that are not intended to cause or damage
bray out loud (v)
In ancient India, suspects were required to stand in a dark tent and pull on the sooty tail of a sacred ass which, they were told, would bray out loud for the guilty.
To make a loud, harsh cry like that of donkey
Both the innocent and the guilty can display signs of psychological discomfort and what is known as “pacifying behavior”:
hands shaking, perspiration, blushing, shifting eye movements, touching one’s face, biting one’s lips, blinking profusely, or speaking wit
Live off ST
“They’ve been stuck in a sandwich between armed forces for decades, but now, they think they might be able to live off of tourism.”
To sustain oneself financially or survive by replying on a particular source, in this case, tourism
Why running is the ultimate cardiovascular sport?
Running improves cardiovascular fitness, reduces mortality risk, helps manage weight, enhances bone density and muscle strength, reduces stress, and improves mental health. It also offers advantages such as increased lung capacity, improved circulation, and decreased LDL cholesterol levels.
taper off
Ideally, that means cortisol starts high in the morning to help you wake up, but tapers off throughout the day as the body prepares for sleep.”
to become smaller in size or less in degree
Sharp-elbowed tactics
When the time comes, then, to sign our daughter up for camp, we engage in the same sharp-elbowed tactics that dictate spots in swimming lessons, youth sports, and Russian-math classes.
Aggressive and competitive tactics used to secure an advantage or achieve a desired outcome
Hollow-chested toughs
What was to prevent urban youths from becoming hollow-chested toughs who would rather haunt the nickelodeon than engage in wholesome play?
Individuals who appear physically strong or tough but lack inner strength or resilience
churn out
Music can make exercise more enjoyable and help you perform better. It can distract you from discomfort and improve the quality of your workout.
To produce or generate something continuously or in large quantities
tamp down
But experts caution it should only be used on a short-term basis. Taking melatonin long-term could be detrimental because it causes the body to tamp down on natural melatonin production.
to reduce the amount, level, size, or importance of something
Brand snobs
This means they are brand snobs, which is bad enough, but what makes it even worse is that the brands themselves are always ones that any sane, thinking person would try to hide from the world, such as Sloaney pony Hollister, or the sluttishly ubiquitous Emporio Armani (that Emporio Armani sure gets around
Individuals who have a strong preference for well-known or prestigious brands and look down upon others who do not share the same brand preferences
Fork out (v)
Worse, seeing as these idiots are willing to pay to advertise the brands, it is no wonder these companies then decide they probably don't need to fork out money to advertise in magazines and newspapers
To spend or pay a significant amount of money, often reluctantly
Slosh across (v)
Third, they paid extra money for that label to be sloshed across their clothes.
To be prominently displayed or printed on something
Quaff down (v)
To drink something quickly and in large quantities
An eye on trend (n)
Carretto Con Rose silk embroidered dress by Dolce & Gabbana, a Gucci peacock feather jacquard coat and a pastel-hued Chloé silk crêpe boho dress with tassel trims are all top of the wishlist for those with an eye on trends.
Someone who is aware of and interested in current trends or fashions
A piece of the action
t’s no surprising, then, that everyone from luxury brands to aspirational start-ups and mass retailers want a piece of the action.
A part of the profits or advantages that come from an activity
Far cry (n)
It’s a far cry from the four-figure price tags of her catwalk collection, but the temptation to tap into the lucrative children'swear sector must surely have been overwhelming for the mother of four.
A significant difference or contrast
on-the-nose
They had two decades in the sun after their Y2K beginnings, which is a good innings. And a pair of vaguely on-the-nose jeans is a simple way to flag your fashion credentials.
Exactly, precisely, and well-aimed
Stone-cold (adj)
I have one tip for you here and it is not remotely original but I don’t care because it’s the truth. Levi’s 501s are stone-cold classics for a reason.
Extremely popular and enduringly stylish
rough up (v)
Don’t worry about leg length too much. If it’s a gorgeously loveworn pair of jeans already, it often works to just cut them to length with scissors and rough up the raw edge with a metal nail file, no tailor required.
To make the edge or surface of something uneven or textured, typically by using a took or abrasive material
on different pages
Sammy, now 33, got the sense that Natalie and Dan were on different pages.
Not in agreement or understanding, having different perspectives or opinions
in stride (adv)
She told Dan about how he’d changed after he started dating Natalie and how her behavior at the Halloween party was inappropriate. Dan took the conversation in stride, addressing Sammy’s concerns but not committing to ending things
To handle or deal with something calmly and without being affected by it
caught off guard
It’s not unreasonable to expect some unkind words from your friend, who may feel caught off guard. Give your friend some time to cool off and don’t take what they say too personally, Nasir says.
To be surprised or taken by surprise
duck out
You might politely decline an invitation to join the two of them for dinner or suggest one-on-one hangouts, but you probably won’t be able to duck out of bigger events, like a birthday party.
To avoid or escape from a situation or responsibility
Nip at our own heels
It all serves as a reminder that the life Furiosa was running from still nips at our own heels today.
To persistently threaten or haunt us, reminding us of something we are trying to escape from
the conditions for flourishing
a good-paying job, enriching relationships, decent health, and a sense of purpose
How to flourish
Help others
Embrace learning
Be spiritual
Embrace passive and active leisure
Connect with others
suggestions for societal flourishing
an efficient and effective government, a well-functioning financial system, the absence of corruption, and civic stability
dunk on
In late June, six influencers were shown a facility in Guangzhou, China, and made a series of videos, espousing the merits of the brand. Naturally, the gullible influencers were dunked on left and right.
To ridicule or mock
No number of something that will gloss over the need for ST
no magic polyester blend made of recycled water bottles, no number of trees planted that will gloss over the need for systemic reconstruction and reimagining
Crucially, Clause
Crucially, what’s needed is a deep shift in the current business model — and that will take time, collaboration, and pressure across the industry.
to turn ST into a nightmare.
This has the potential to turn the American dream of homeownership almost immediately into a nightmare.”
Throw cold water on (v)
And more recent birth order studies throw cold water on the theory that your birth order can shape your personality.
To discourage or dampen enthusiasm for an idea or theory
Why your dog helps you relax more than your friends do?
Our dog companions are very predictable and reliable—the unconditional love we get from our dogs gives us a sense of security,
Dogs don’t judge you or criticise. They just sit there and look at you with loving eyes
Use SO as the wedge to address ST
we do sort of use children as the wedge to address all kinds of problems online.
A means or strategy used to create division
It contributes to hypertension, sleep deprivation, high cholesterol, and inflammatory disorders.
Mindfulness is nonjudgmental awareness and acceptance of present experiences
It offers an opportunity to reflect upon and choose responses that we find more effective and aligned with our intentions and values
The negative of urgency culture
can cause heightened stress levels, reckless behavior, reduced productivity, and compromised mental well-being.
they became more emotionally resilient, experiencing fewer negative feelings in response to environmental stressors and attaining a greater sense of well-being.
Factors contributed to higher level of cognitive reserve and hence a reduced risk of dementia
“many aspects, such as education, type of occupation and lifestyle choices, including leisure and social engagements
a growing phase (the majority of its life), a transition phase, and the last phase, when it falls out.
throw gas on the fire
The real question now with AI is whether these tools throw gas on the fire, so the tens of millions of creators already making their own stuff continue to move up the quality and performance curve, becoming increasingly competitive with Hollywood for people’s time
make the situation worst
laugh off
I would laugh it off when my superiors made comments about my looks or extended an awkward invitation for dinner, but I was ill-prepared for how extreme things would get
dismiss something embarrassing, unfortunate, or potentially serious by treating it in a lighthearted way or making a joke of it.