Maryadonna

Music is important to people individually and on a societal level. Music is greatly influential to the state of technology. The devices we use to listen to music shape the technological landscape.

But when did earbuds become synonymous with a portable music player, and where did it all start?

• Earth Day, the birth of the environmental movement, is about raising public consciousness about the condition of our beloved blue planet.
• The first Earth Day was celebrated on 22nd April 1970, a time when industrialization was making American corporations consume leaded gas and other harmful pollutants, something which the average American was unaware of.
• The rising consciousness was a result of a 1962 bestseller ‘Silent Spring’ which shined a light on the decaying planet, the condition of living organisms, and the link between pollution and disease.

• In the late 50s, Frank Herbert, a freelance writer, was roaming the desert landscapes of Florence, Oregon, researching sand dunes.
• His classic Dune got rejected by about 20 publishing houses, and soon after getting published by a magazine company, built up a huge fan base in the coming two decades.
• Fifty years later, it is considered the greatest novel of the science fiction genre.

For social institutions, like the family, the community, businesses, hospitals, governmental organisations, etc., their true aim must be known to function well.

Unhinged from its larger purpose can lead them astray. For example, politicians that vie for power rather than service, doctors working for money rather than humans, news outlets sensationalising for rating instead of objective reporting, etc.

Creating something beautiful is a great way to boost your mood. We all are makers and creators, and making stuff is a powerful way to feel good.

Cooking food, fixing something, decluttering your desk, or painting bottles can help pep you up.

1. Encoding - the stage when the brain consciously acknowledges information based on our senses. When we attach meaning or factual knowledge to any of this sensory input, that's called semantic encoding which makes us retain memories longer.
2. Storage - it is when information is stored in different areas of the brain, thanks to the neurons that connect every time we perceive information.
3. Recall - when our brain "replays" or revisits our memory even though it is not as exact as the first one.

Technology + Anxiety = Techziety

• As time passes by, technology has been evolving continuously and many among the older generation are experiencing anxiety with technology.
• We have turned to social media apps to connect with our friends and family and due to certain situations, even businesses and learning have all turned online using Zoom, Facebook, and other variants, thus began the Virtual Revolution.

While pursuing a new habit, or eradicating an old one, we often experience a dip in motivation, focus and energy. This is due to many factors, like loss of motivation due to any internal or external difficulty, or getting sidetracked by life.

A habit dip is a temporary fall and can be a learning experience if we endure it.

Right after Thanksgiving, the sights and sounds around us morph into a familiar holiday cheer, with twinkling lights, christmas carols and classics on TV channels. It can be the best feeling in the world, but also can be an oppressive feeling for some, who are so lonely that they feel ‘mocked’ by the ongoing holiday splurge going around, with family get togethers and gifts.

The holiday times are cheery but stressful, and can be a harrowing experience for those who already struggle with loneliness or depression.

Even if some writers avoid reading when they’re writing a book because they’re afraid of being influenced by other people’s work, finding your unique voice is most times the result of borrowing ingredients from other people and coming up with your recipes.