2 hours ago
If you look at #Snapchat from the outside, it feels like a fun photo-sharing app where people send disappearing #snaps . But inside the #company ?
It’s a data-driven, ad-powered, creator-friendly, and AR-first machine built for the next generation of the #internet .
I’ve been analysing different #apps for PratsDigital, and Snapchat genuinely has one of the most unique #business models in the social media world. It’s not like Instagram, not like TikTok and definitely not like Facebook.
In this #article , I’ll break down Snapchat’s business model in a very simple and easy-to-understand way the way I explain it to my #seo clients when discussing platform strategies.
https://pratsdigital.in/in...
It’s a data-driven, ad-powered, creator-friendly, and AR-first machine built for the next generation of the #internet .
I’ve been analysing different #apps for PratsDigital, and Snapchat genuinely has one of the most unique #business models in the social media world. It’s not like Instagram, not like TikTok and definitely not like Facebook.
In this #article , I’ll break down Snapchat’s business model in a very simple and easy-to-understand way the way I explain it to my #seo clients when discussing platform strategies.
https://pratsdigital.in/in...
6 months ago
China has an ace up its sleeve in trade talks with the U.S. and stocks are going nowhere until Beijing plays it.
Investors seem to be in a wait-and-see mode this morning as trade talks between the U.S. and China continue in London. Stocks were largely flat in Asia and Europe, and S&P 500 futures aren’t going anywhere either.
S&P 500 futures were flat this morning, following Asian and European indexes which also moved only marginally. The lack of drama in the markets seems to be an indicator that investors are waiting to see what emerges from the U.S. trade talks with China in London.
There is no telling how the trade talks between the U.S. and China will pan out but China appears to be sitting at the table with a persuasive advantage: It has a global monopoly on samarium, a rare earth mineral that has magnetic properties and can withstand high temperatures. The U.S. military is dependent on the substance for its fighter jets.
That implies that the White House may now be more willing to make a deal with China that leads to lower tariffs—which would likely boost stocks.
The U.K.’s FTSE 100 rose 0.42% this morning, maintaining its all-time high above 8,869, on news of a major spending package proposed by Keir Starmer’s Labour government and NATO plans to increase defense spending continent-wide to 5% of GDP for each member country.
Apple’s WWDC event, which historically has delivered new-product surprises for investors in the widely held stock, was underwhelming. Apple declined 1.2% yesterday and barely moved in overnight trading.
Here’s a snapshot of the action prior to the opening bell in New York:
S&P 500 futures were flat before the market open this morning, but are still priced above the 6,000 mark.
The S&P 500 rose 0.1% yesterday. The index is up 2.1% YTD.
All the major Asian indexes closed up, with the exception of the markets in China and Hong Kong, which moved down marginally.
The Stoxx Europe 600 was down 0.1% in early trading.
The U.K.’s FTSE 100 maintained its all-time high and was up 0.42% in early trading.
Apple closed down 1.2% yesterday after its annual developer event delivered no major surprises.
Investors seem to be in a wait-and-see mode this morning as trade talks between the U.S. and China continue in London. Stocks were largely flat in Asia and Europe, and S&P 500 futures aren’t going anywhere either.
S&P 500 futures were flat this morning, following Asian and European indexes which also moved only marginally. The lack of drama in the markets seems to be an indicator that investors are waiting to see what emerges from the U.S. trade talks with China in London.
There is no telling how the trade talks between the U.S. and China will pan out but China appears to be sitting at the table with a persuasive advantage: It has a global monopoly on samarium, a rare earth mineral that has magnetic properties and can withstand high temperatures. The U.S. military is dependent on the substance for its fighter jets.
That implies that the White House may now be more willing to make a deal with China that leads to lower tariffs—which would likely boost stocks.
The U.K.’s FTSE 100 rose 0.42% this morning, maintaining its all-time high above 8,869, on news of a major spending package proposed by Keir Starmer’s Labour government and NATO plans to increase defense spending continent-wide to 5% of GDP for each member country.
Apple’s WWDC event, which historically has delivered new-product surprises for investors in the widely held stock, was underwhelming. Apple declined 1.2% yesterday and barely moved in overnight trading.
Here’s a snapshot of the action prior to the opening bell in New York:
S&P 500 futures were flat before the market open this morning, but are still priced above the 6,000 mark.
The S&P 500 rose 0.1% yesterday. The index is up 2.1% YTD.
All the major Asian indexes closed up, with the exception of the markets in China and Hong Kong, which moved down marginally.
The Stoxx Europe 600 was down 0.1% in early trading.
The U.K.’s FTSE 100 maintained its all-time high and was up 0.42% in early trading.
Apple closed down 1.2% yesterday after its annual developer event delivered no major surprises.
6 months ago
India, a major user of coal power, is making large gains in clean energy adoption. Here is how....
One of the most carbon-polluting countries, India is also making huge efforts to harness the power of the sun, wind and other clean energy sources.
Most of the electricity in India, the world's most populous nation, still comes from coal, one of the dirtiest forms of energy. But coal's dominance is dropping, going from 60% of installed power capacity 11 years ago to less than 50% today, according to India's power ministry.
At the same time, India had its largest ever addition of clean power in the fiscal year between April 2024 and April of this year, adding 30 gigawatts — enough to power nearly 18 million Indian homes.
With a growing middle class and skyrocketing energy needs, how fast India can move away from coal and other fossil fuels, such as gasoline and oil, could have a large impact on global efforts to confront climate change.
Here is a snapshot of India's clean energy transition and some of the challenges.
Renewable energy is now the most economical option
Solar is now half the cost of power from new coal-powered plants. Availability of cheap components and many sunny days each year in India are some reasons experts say installed solar power increased 30 times in the last decade.
“Solar power is the cheapest it's ever been,” said Ruchita Shah, an energy analyst at climate think-tank Ember. Shah added that dropping costs for energy storage, in the form of batteries, means that renewable power will be the “new normal," even when the sun doesn't shine or the wind doesn't blow.
India has nearly 170 gigawatts of renewable energy projects in the pipeline, which are expected to be completed in the next few years.
“I have no doubt that India will reach its target of 500 gigawatts by 2030,” said Raghav Pachouri, an energy expert at Vasudha Foundation, a New Delhi-based think-tank.
Government policies and private investments push renewables
Experts say the growth in renewables is being spurred by India's plans to add approximately 50 gigawatts of non-fossil fuel power capacity every year for the next five years and for clean power to provide 50% of the nation’s energy by the decade. When burned, fossil fuels let off greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide, the main driver of climate change.
A 2022 law that made electricity cheaper for companies choosing to buy clean power, the federal government's recommendation that state utilities buy more renewable power and a 2023 government plan to invest $452 million have all catalyzed investments in renewables.
India has the fourth highest amount of clean power installed in the world and government officials said $81 billion has been invested in the renewable energy sector in the last decade. Multiple large-scale renewable power projects have begun operations or are under construction, including one of the world’s largest wind and solar power farms.
“We’ve seen domestic manufacturing capacity, at least when it comes to modules for solar panels, increasing,” said Madhura Joshi, a senior energy analyst at the European think-tank E3G.
Still, renewables are underutilized
Despite the rapid growth, challenges persist. While non-fossil fuel sources now comprise 45% of India’s total installed capacity, their share in actual electricity generation stood at 24% last year. Coal remains the dominant source, accounting for 75% of electricity generation.
The share of solar, wind, small hydro power and biomass in India's electricity generation mix stood at 12%, double what it was in 2014 but still lower than expectations by this time, according to a report by New Delhi-based think-tank, the Centre for Science and Environment.
Installed capacity is growing, but power generation from renewables needs to be optimized and integrated effectively into the grid, the report found.
At a clean energy crossroads
A recent report by the nonprofit clean energy think-tank, RMI, found that electricity demand is expected to triple by 2050 — driven by more electric vehicles, air conditioners and industrial growth.
Acquiring land for clean energy projects remains a challenge. India also needs to rapidly build robust electricity transmission infrastructure and energy storage facilities to continue increasing clean power capacity.
“India is expected to become the world's third-largest economy in a few years, and I think we will need to adopt renewable energy to do this. There is no option for us because fossil fuels can’t keep pace" with energy needs, said Deepak Thakur, chief executive officer of Mumbai-based renewable energy company, Mahindra Susten.
One of the most carbon-polluting countries, India is also making huge efforts to harness the power of the sun, wind and other clean energy sources.
Most of the electricity in India, the world's most populous nation, still comes from coal, one of the dirtiest forms of energy. But coal's dominance is dropping, going from 60% of installed power capacity 11 years ago to less than 50% today, according to India's power ministry.
At the same time, India had its largest ever addition of clean power in the fiscal year between April 2024 and April of this year, adding 30 gigawatts — enough to power nearly 18 million Indian homes.
With a growing middle class and skyrocketing energy needs, how fast India can move away from coal and other fossil fuels, such as gasoline and oil, could have a large impact on global efforts to confront climate change.
Here is a snapshot of India's clean energy transition and some of the challenges.
Renewable energy is now the most economical option
Solar is now half the cost of power from new coal-powered plants. Availability of cheap components and many sunny days each year in India are some reasons experts say installed solar power increased 30 times in the last decade.
“Solar power is the cheapest it's ever been,” said Ruchita Shah, an energy analyst at climate think-tank Ember. Shah added that dropping costs for energy storage, in the form of batteries, means that renewable power will be the “new normal," even when the sun doesn't shine or the wind doesn't blow.
India has nearly 170 gigawatts of renewable energy projects in the pipeline, which are expected to be completed in the next few years.
“I have no doubt that India will reach its target of 500 gigawatts by 2030,” said Raghav Pachouri, an energy expert at Vasudha Foundation, a New Delhi-based think-tank.
Government policies and private investments push renewables
Experts say the growth in renewables is being spurred by India's plans to add approximately 50 gigawatts of non-fossil fuel power capacity every year for the next five years and for clean power to provide 50% of the nation’s energy by the decade. When burned, fossil fuels let off greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide, the main driver of climate change.
A 2022 law that made electricity cheaper for companies choosing to buy clean power, the federal government's recommendation that state utilities buy more renewable power and a 2023 government plan to invest $452 million have all catalyzed investments in renewables.
India has the fourth highest amount of clean power installed in the world and government officials said $81 billion has been invested in the renewable energy sector in the last decade. Multiple large-scale renewable power projects have begun operations or are under construction, including one of the world’s largest wind and solar power farms.
“We’ve seen domestic manufacturing capacity, at least when it comes to modules for solar panels, increasing,” said Madhura Joshi, a senior energy analyst at the European think-tank E3G.
Still, renewables are underutilized
Despite the rapid growth, challenges persist. While non-fossil fuel sources now comprise 45% of India’s total installed capacity, their share in actual electricity generation stood at 24% last year. Coal remains the dominant source, accounting for 75% of electricity generation.
The share of solar, wind, small hydro power and biomass in India's electricity generation mix stood at 12%, double what it was in 2014 but still lower than expectations by this time, according to a report by New Delhi-based think-tank, the Centre for Science and Environment.
Installed capacity is growing, but power generation from renewables needs to be optimized and integrated effectively into the grid, the report found.
At a clean energy crossroads
A recent report by the nonprofit clean energy think-tank, RMI, found that electricity demand is expected to triple by 2050 — driven by more electric vehicles, air conditioners and industrial growth.
Acquiring land for clean energy projects remains a challenge. India also needs to rapidly build robust electricity transmission infrastructure and energy storage facilities to continue increasing clean power capacity.
“India is expected to become the world's third-largest economy in a few years, and I think we will need to adopt renewable energy to do this. There is no option for us because fossil fuels can’t keep pace" with energy needs, said Deepak Thakur, chief executive officer of Mumbai-based renewable energy company, Mahindra Susten.
2 yr. ago
ADOLESCENCE-
“Typical Teenage Behavior:” Three Words We Should Ban.
Poor behavior from teenagers is not a "natural" part of adolescence.
KEY POINTS-
We do teens a disservice by assuming that their poor behavior is just a part of "typical teen behavior."
Failing to differentiate between teens and teens who behave poorly fuels stereotypes about adolescents.
We often dismiss teenagers' negative behavior as "typical" without considering the underlying reasons.
We use “typical teen behavior” to refer to a broad range of things our teens do, much of it unbecoming. Whenever they appear moody, stop talking to us, or resist our reminders about everything from deadlines to hygiene, our go-to explanation is that they’re just being typical teens.
But are they? Or have we just become so accustomed to thinking about adolescents as defiant and noncommunicative that we no longer take the time to try and understand what’s really going on when they seem distant from us or unhappy?
“Typical” Teen Behavior” Is Often “Troubled" Teen Behavior
Take Kayla and her mom. For the past two weeks, 16-year-old Kayla has been coming home from school in a bad mood. She snaps at her younger sister and keeps to herself all evening long—unusual behavior for this happy, outgoing kid. Attributing her daughter’s moods and withdrawal to being a typical teenager, Kayla’s mom reacts with impatience and waits for it to pass.
What Kayla’s mom doesn’t know is that her daughter is experiencing some real problems with her friends at school, who’ve been spreading rumors about her. Think about how differently things could go were Kayla’s mom to look at her daughter’s behavior outside of the convenient but misleading lens of adolescent angst.
For example, Kayla’s mom might approach Kayla with curiosity and compassion rather than with annoyance, making room for a conversation in which Kayla could share what was really going on. She might also resist the temptation to normalize Kayla’s behavior toward her sister and instead insist that Kayla treat her kindly, even though she’s struggling. Way too much mean, disrespectful, and inconsiderate behavior from teenagers gets passed off as “typical,” it’s never addressed, and as a result, these kids carry those relationship patterns into adulthood.
We set the bar so low for adolescents when they could really show up so much better. People think they become rude or difficult because they’re adolescents, but no, they go there because we let them. When we fail to see the difference between teens and teens who behave poorly, we leave room for things like inconsideration, non-communicativeness, or frank defiance to be seen as a natural part of adolescence rather than as a red flag
We Are Accountable Too
Looking at our kids through the prism of teenage stereotypes diminishes both ourselves and them. Moreover, it sets in motion that self-fulfilling prophecy of the moody, uncommunicative teen. Honestly, though, enough teenagers show such notable capacities for engagement, generosity, and reliability that we should really be thinking twice about what adolescents are truly like.
Some of the bumps in our relationships with teenagers may stem from difficulties we encounter in respecting their ideas as they develop voices, perspectives, and plans of their own. Angry tirades only alienate them, and lectures bore them.
Granted, teens are pretty good at getting their parents, therapists, and teachers to feel powerless or as if nothing they say is right. But that doesn’t mean we can’t respond with disarming candor and multiple invitations to communicate authentically and honestly.
Save being defensive for driving, and offer up your best self to the teenagers with whom your life intertwines. Be the first to respond in a way that says, I want to have a better relationship with you and am willing to look at my own behavior and change the things that are blocking that. The expression on that teenager’s face will be priceless.
“Typical Teenage Behavior:” Three Words We Should Ban.
Poor behavior from teenagers is not a "natural" part of adolescence.
KEY POINTS-
We do teens a disservice by assuming that their poor behavior is just a part of "typical teen behavior."
Failing to differentiate between teens and teens who behave poorly fuels stereotypes about adolescents.
We often dismiss teenagers' negative behavior as "typical" without considering the underlying reasons.
We use “typical teen behavior” to refer to a broad range of things our teens do, much of it unbecoming. Whenever they appear moody, stop talking to us, or resist our reminders about everything from deadlines to hygiene, our go-to explanation is that they’re just being typical teens.
But are they? Or have we just become so accustomed to thinking about adolescents as defiant and noncommunicative that we no longer take the time to try and understand what’s really going on when they seem distant from us or unhappy?
“Typical” Teen Behavior” Is Often “Troubled" Teen Behavior
Take Kayla and her mom. For the past two weeks, 16-year-old Kayla has been coming home from school in a bad mood. She snaps at her younger sister and keeps to herself all evening long—unusual behavior for this happy, outgoing kid. Attributing her daughter’s moods and withdrawal to being a typical teenager, Kayla’s mom reacts with impatience and waits for it to pass.
What Kayla’s mom doesn’t know is that her daughter is experiencing some real problems with her friends at school, who’ve been spreading rumors about her. Think about how differently things could go were Kayla’s mom to look at her daughter’s behavior outside of the convenient but misleading lens of adolescent angst.
For example, Kayla’s mom might approach Kayla with curiosity and compassion rather than with annoyance, making room for a conversation in which Kayla could share what was really going on. She might also resist the temptation to normalize Kayla’s behavior toward her sister and instead insist that Kayla treat her kindly, even though she’s struggling. Way too much mean, disrespectful, and inconsiderate behavior from teenagers gets passed off as “typical,” it’s never addressed, and as a result, these kids carry those relationship patterns into adulthood.
We set the bar so low for adolescents when they could really show up so much better. People think they become rude or difficult because they’re adolescents, but no, they go there because we let them. When we fail to see the difference between teens and teens who behave poorly, we leave room for things like inconsideration, non-communicativeness, or frank defiance to be seen as a natural part of adolescence rather than as a red flag
We Are Accountable Too
Looking at our kids through the prism of teenage stereotypes diminishes both ourselves and them. Moreover, it sets in motion that self-fulfilling prophecy of the moody, uncommunicative teen. Honestly, though, enough teenagers show such notable capacities for engagement, generosity, and reliability that we should really be thinking twice about what adolescents are truly like.
Some of the bumps in our relationships with teenagers may stem from difficulties we encounter in respecting their ideas as they develop voices, perspectives, and plans of their own. Angry tirades only alienate them, and lectures bore them.
Granted, teens are pretty good at getting their parents, therapists, and teachers to feel powerless or as if nothing they say is right. But that doesn’t mean we can’t respond with disarming candor and multiple invitations to communicate authentically and honestly.
Save being defensive for driving, and offer up your best self to the teenagers with whom your life intertwines. Be the first to respond in a way that says, I want to have a better relationship with you and am willing to look at my own behavior and change the things that are blocking that. The expression on that teenager’s face will be priceless.
2 yr. ago
MINDFULNESS-
How Time Perspective Affects Travel.
Do you live in the past, present, or future?
KEY POINTS-
Understanding your own time perspective can enhance your life experience.
Our characteristic types are neither good nor bad, just different from one another.
Children are present-oriented, while adults favor the future. Seniors tend to preserve the past.
As an enjoyable vacation winds down, some of us become impatient to get home and move on to the next thing. Maybe that’s you. But, instead, you might be someone who tries to preserve, or even expand, every remaining moment. In either case, you’ll attempt to lock these precious flashes into your memory bank with mental snapshots. But without any effort, and all too quickly, the present quickly fades into the past. How we experience time is relevant to travel. Understanding your own time perspective can enhance your experience.
Stanford University Professor Emeritus Phil Zimbardo, author of The Time Paradox, notes that we are all oriented to time in one of the following characteristic ways—past, present, or future. According to his profile, I am future-oriented. What might your style be? Let’s see.
Those of us in the future category are goal-driven, focused on the future consequences of our actions, and forward-looking in general. Then there are the present-hedonic folks, the pleasure seekers who enjoy things in real-time, with less concern about tomorrow. Folks who live in the present tend to be open to experiences they didn’t necessarily plan, and they don’t need to check it off their bucket list. If this style fits, you’re probably most content with the moment-to-moment flow of your travel.
Past-oriented people make up the remaining category. This might be you if you compare current experiences with memories of past events or situations. Past-oriented folks determine the value of travel, according to Zimbardo, by assigning a pleasure quotient to the comparison—better or worse and by how much? This style is more analytic and rational, and based less on emotional factors than is true for present-focused folks. Does this sound like you?
Our characteristic types are neither good nor bad—just different from one another. Future- and past-oriented travelers provide a logical, systematic understanding of where travel fits into human experience. These styles have great evolutionary value. Our distant ancestors, who chronicled the past and predicted the future, tended to be the shaman and storytellers of the tribe. Reviewing the past and predicting the future was critical to human survival.
Present-oriented people tend to have more fun in the moment, and every society needs this type of person to keep things from getting too serious. Savoring the present is an acquired skill and is worth the effort to cultivate! Also, by expanding the present-pleasant and then reviewing a trip in the past-positive, you can have both good feelings and pleasurable memories. Since, as Zimbardo’s research indicates, we have characteristic ways of perceiving time, maintaining a present focus may require some work—if this isn’t naturally how you see the world.
Zimbardo points to another dimension of time—one that is age-related. In general, children are present-oriented while adults favor the future. Seniors tend to preserve the past. As a future-focused senior, I'm aware of the need to put my foot on the brake and try to prolong the present—particularly the pleasing moments while vacationing. This takes some work.
Regardless of the type that best explains you, here are some strategies to expand your time orientation:
If you’re naturally drawn to the past or future, notice these tendencies and gently nudge yourself toward the present moment. When you catch yourself reminiscing about the last time you were in Paris, as you sit at an outdoor café savoring your steaming latte and munching on a croissant, remind yourself that the people you see strolling by are there right now—not last time or next time. The weather is uniquely now, not needing a contrast with a warmer or sunnier last visit. The present can be pleasant without any backward reference—or simply less.
Future-oriented travelers tend to spend their present moments imagining future trips, which makes sense in planning life but can steal from the here and now. Recently, on a river cruise through Austria, I was struck by how much conversation I overheard about planning the next trip. Busily sharing these thoughts with fellow travelers, these vacationers sat by a large picture window as the ship sailed into a new city—totally missing the present moment, unnoticed outside of the window.
Again, if future is your natural mode, keep that in mind as you travel. Learn to prolong the only moment that truly exists—this one that you anticipated for months or maybe years. The first step involves gently guiding your awareness back to the present. Practicing meditation even a few minutes a day will make this process easier.
How Time Perspective Affects Travel.
Do you live in the past, present, or future?
KEY POINTS-
Understanding your own time perspective can enhance your life experience.
Our characteristic types are neither good nor bad, just different from one another.
Children are present-oriented, while adults favor the future. Seniors tend to preserve the past.
As an enjoyable vacation winds down, some of us become impatient to get home and move on to the next thing. Maybe that’s you. But, instead, you might be someone who tries to preserve, or even expand, every remaining moment. In either case, you’ll attempt to lock these precious flashes into your memory bank with mental snapshots. But without any effort, and all too quickly, the present quickly fades into the past. How we experience time is relevant to travel. Understanding your own time perspective can enhance your experience.
Stanford University Professor Emeritus Phil Zimbardo, author of The Time Paradox, notes that we are all oriented to time in one of the following characteristic ways—past, present, or future. According to his profile, I am future-oriented. What might your style be? Let’s see.
Those of us in the future category are goal-driven, focused on the future consequences of our actions, and forward-looking in general. Then there are the present-hedonic folks, the pleasure seekers who enjoy things in real-time, with less concern about tomorrow. Folks who live in the present tend to be open to experiences they didn’t necessarily plan, and they don’t need to check it off their bucket list. If this style fits, you’re probably most content with the moment-to-moment flow of your travel.
Past-oriented people make up the remaining category. This might be you if you compare current experiences with memories of past events or situations. Past-oriented folks determine the value of travel, according to Zimbardo, by assigning a pleasure quotient to the comparison—better or worse and by how much? This style is more analytic and rational, and based less on emotional factors than is true for present-focused folks. Does this sound like you?
Our characteristic types are neither good nor bad—just different from one another. Future- and past-oriented travelers provide a logical, systematic understanding of where travel fits into human experience. These styles have great evolutionary value. Our distant ancestors, who chronicled the past and predicted the future, tended to be the shaman and storytellers of the tribe. Reviewing the past and predicting the future was critical to human survival.
Present-oriented people tend to have more fun in the moment, and every society needs this type of person to keep things from getting too serious. Savoring the present is an acquired skill and is worth the effort to cultivate! Also, by expanding the present-pleasant and then reviewing a trip in the past-positive, you can have both good feelings and pleasurable memories. Since, as Zimbardo’s research indicates, we have characteristic ways of perceiving time, maintaining a present focus may require some work—if this isn’t naturally how you see the world.
Zimbardo points to another dimension of time—one that is age-related. In general, children are present-oriented while adults favor the future. Seniors tend to preserve the past. As a future-focused senior, I'm aware of the need to put my foot on the brake and try to prolong the present—particularly the pleasing moments while vacationing. This takes some work.
Regardless of the type that best explains you, here are some strategies to expand your time orientation:
If you’re naturally drawn to the past or future, notice these tendencies and gently nudge yourself toward the present moment. When you catch yourself reminiscing about the last time you were in Paris, as you sit at an outdoor café savoring your steaming latte and munching on a croissant, remind yourself that the people you see strolling by are there right now—not last time or next time. The weather is uniquely now, not needing a contrast with a warmer or sunnier last visit. The present can be pleasant without any backward reference—or simply less.
Future-oriented travelers tend to spend their present moments imagining future trips, which makes sense in planning life but can steal from the here and now. Recently, on a river cruise through Austria, I was struck by how much conversation I overheard about planning the next trip. Busily sharing these thoughts with fellow travelers, these vacationers sat by a large picture window as the ship sailed into a new city—totally missing the present moment, unnoticed outside of the window.
Again, if future is your natural mode, keep that in mind as you travel. Learn to prolong the only moment that truly exists—this one that you anticipated for months or maybe years. The first step involves gently guiding your awareness back to the present. Practicing meditation even a few minutes a day will make this process easier.
2 yr. ago
NARCISSISM-
Dying by Selfie, Believe It or Not.
A snapshot of what, how, and why people die due to selfies.
KEY POINTS-
Hundreds have died while trying to capture an impressive selfie.
Reasons behind risky selfies include narcissistic tendencies and need for self-identification and expression.
With eating disorders, people are literally and figuratively killing themselves to nail that perfect picture.
I mentioned that I was researching selfie deaths to a younger friend. One brow raised, and the other furled in confusion. They said, "What?" I explained that people had died trying to capture a spectacular selfie. With a tone of confusion and disbelief, they responded, “How?”
“Cause of death: Selfie” understandably seems ridiculous and implausible. Yet, think about viral selfies you’ve seen that do not involve celebrities. Many involved risk. I recall a shot taken close to an erupting volcano and another underwater with a shark over their shoulder. There have been numerous selfies with views from the tops of skyscrapers and waterfalls. Get the picture?
One study (Bansal et al., 2018) documented 259 selfie-related deaths between October 2011 and November 2017. The mean age of those who died was around 23 years. Males made up a majority—around three-quarters—of the selfie-victims. The age groups of 10-19 and 20-29 years showed particularly high casualties and incidents.
A later study (Kang-Auger et al., 2023) showed that rates of selfie deaths steadily increased up until COVID-19 struck. Then, during the pandemic, the number of selfie deaths decreased from around four per month to one per month. Still, from March 2014 to April 2021, 332 perished while striving for that perfect shot. In this later research, instead of males comprising the majority of selfie deaths, females did instead.
Before the pandemic, drownings were the number one cause of death while clicking selfies. During COVID-19 and the lockdowns, falls (such as from waterfalls, cliffs, bridges, etc.) shifted into first place. Furthermore, Bansal et al. (2018) highlighted that mortalities also occur via animals, electrocutions, fires, firearms, transport, and other means.
In 2016, Rolling Stone (Lovitt) detailed selfie-death causes ranging from freak accidents to risk-taking. A few examples follow:
Lightning struck a metal selfie stick, electrocuting the selfie-taker.
While attempting a selfie with a walrus, the one-and-a-half-ton animal drowned the selfie-taker.
During a group selfie, a wave hit. Some were injured; one was swept away and drowned.
A selfie prop (a live grenade) unexpectedly exploded. The phone and selfie survived, but the two selfie-takers didn't.
While positioning a pose atop a train, the selfie-taker’s leg hit a live wire. They burst into flames.
A pilot did a selfie shoot while flying a plane–it crashed. The pilot died.
A couple went for that edge-of-a-tall-cliff selfie. One step too far plunged them to their deaths. Their very young children watched it happen.
A study by Lamba and colleagues (2016) reviewed potential explanations behind risky selfies, which their paper termed “killfies.” Some of the reasons may include the following:
Desire for self-expression
Narcissistic tendencies
Need for self-identification and expression
Drive to increase social currency via likes, shares, and comments
Then, there are group selfie shots. You know the old saying, “If your friends were jumping off a cliff, would you do it too?" When it comes to selfies, the answer is yes. How do we know? The number of incidents of selfie deaths is lower than the number of dead selfie-takers (e.g., 259 deaths for 137 incidents [Bansal et al., 2018]). That means groups of folks decide to risk their lives together. I believe that spontaneity, impulsivity, and FoMO likely contribute to explaining the difference.
Causes of death don’t typically list “selfie,” so the number of deaths documented may be underreported at this time. I wonder about car accidents when I witness selfie stills or videos filmed while driving.
Also, I think about eating disorders and selfies. Some people are killing themselves via their eating disorders. And social media, which is a way of life now, often fuels the eating disorder. It may not be a traditional risk like dangling their feet off a skyscraper and snapping a shot, but many in our society are literally and figuratively killing themselves to nail that perfect picture.
Dying by Selfie, Believe It or Not.
A snapshot of what, how, and why people die due to selfies.
KEY POINTS-
Hundreds have died while trying to capture an impressive selfie.
Reasons behind risky selfies include narcissistic tendencies and need for self-identification and expression.
With eating disorders, people are literally and figuratively killing themselves to nail that perfect picture.
I mentioned that I was researching selfie deaths to a younger friend. One brow raised, and the other furled in confusion. They said, "What?" I explained that people had died trying to capture a spectacular selfie. With a tone of confusion and disbelief, they responded, “How?”
“Cause of death: Selfie” understandably seems ridiculous and implausible. Yet, think about viral selfies you’ve seen that do not involve celebrities. Many involved risk. I recall a shot taken close to an erupting volcano and another underwater with a shark over their shoulder. There have been numerous selfies with views from the tops of skyscrapers and waterfalls. Get the picture?
One study (Bansal et al., 2018) documented 259 selfie-related deaths between October 2011 and November 2017. The mean age of those who died was around 23 years. Males made up a majority—around three-quarters—of the selfie-victims. The age groups of 10-19 and 20-29 years showed particularly high casualties and incidents.
A later study (Kang-Auger et al., 2023) showed that rates of selfie deaths steadily increased up until COVID-19 struck. Then, during the pandemic, the number of selfie deaths decreased from around four per month to one per month. Still, from March 2014 to April 2021, 332 perished while striving for that perfect shot. In this later research, instead of males comprising the majority of selfie deaths, females did instead.
Before the pandemic, drownings were the number one cause of death while clicking selfies. During COVID-19 and the lockdowns, falls (such as from waterfalls, cliffs, bridges, etc.) shifted into first place. Furthermore, Bansal et al. (2018) highlighted that mortalities also occur via animals, electrocutions, fires, firearms, transport, and other means.
In 2016, Rolling Stone (Lovitt) detailed selfie-death causes ranging from freak accidents to risk-taking. A few examples follow:
Lightning struck a metal selfie stick, electrocuting the selfie-taker.
While attempting a selfie with a walrus, the one-and-a-half-ton animal drowned the selfie-taker.
During a group selfie, a wave hit. Some were injured; one was swept away and drowned.
A selfie prop (a live grenade) unexpectedly exploded. The phone and selfie survived, but the two selfie-takers didn't.
While positioning a pose atop a train, the selfie-taker’s leg hit a live wire. They burst into flames.
A pilot did a selfie shoot while flying a plane–it crashed. The pilot died.
A couple went for that edge-of-a-tall-cliff selfie. One step too far plunged them to their deaths. Their very young children watched it happen.
A study by Lamba and colleagues (2016) reviewed potential explanations behind risky selfies, which their paper termed “killfies.” Some of the reasons may include the following:
Desire for self-expression
Narcissistic tendencies
Need for self-identification and expression
Drive to increase social currency via likes, shares, and comments
Then, there are group selfie shots. You know the old saying, “If your friends were jumping off a cliff, would you do it too?" When it comes to selfies, the answer is yes. How do we know? The number of incidents of selfie deaths is lower than the number of dead selfie-takers (e.g., 259 deaths for 137 incidents [Bansal et al., 2018]). That means groups of folks decide to risk their lives together. I believe that spontaneity, impulsivity, and FoMO likely contribute to explaining the difference.
Causes of death don’t typically list “selfie,” so the number of deaths documented may be underreported at this time. I wonder about car accidents when I witness selfie stills or videos filmed while driving.
Also, I think about eating disorders and selfies. Some people are killing themselves via their eating disorders. And social media, which is a way of life now, often fuels the eating disorder. It may not be a traditional risk like dangling their feet off a skyscraper and snapping a shot, but many in our society are literally and figuratively killing themselves to nail that perfect picture.
