The late, great Robin Williams once beautifully said, "I think the saddest people always try their hardest to make people happy. Because they know what it feels like to feel absolutely worthless, and they don't want anybody else to feel like that."One night at a comedy club in Los Angeles, a new, nervous stand-up comic was called to the stage by the emcee. In one hand, she casually had a beer that she propped up on the piano. In the other, was her notebook full of scribbled, half-written joke premises and a few wine stains. She did her opening joke, and the response was so quiet, she could hear the ice machine crackling in the kitchen. Joke two—a slight spattering of nervous laughter. Joke three got a heartier laugh, but then it went back to deafening quiet by joke four. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Robin Williams Quotes (@robin.williamsquotes)She mercifully got through her final joke and said, "That's my time," long before the red light in the back of the club even went on. She scurried off stage with her beer not unlike that rat in New York scurrying across a sidewalk carrying a piece of pizza. Panicked, embarrassed, and, frankly, a little hungry.It wasn't going wellIt was just one of those nights. The last time she'd done this act—with nearly the exact same jokes—she'd received an applause break. This time, she was left questioning every one of her life decisions. Why had she come to Los Angeles? How was the next month's rent supposed to get paid? Why had she cut her hair in the "Rachel" haircut?As she was about to enter the hallway that led into the bar area, she could feel actual tears forming behind her eyes, like little faucets that were slowly turning on. "Don't cry at the comedy club," she told herself. Rather, "Don't cry at the comedy club AGAIN." But as the tears came anyway, she looked up and lo and behold, there was Robin Williams. She stuttered, "You. Are. One of my favorites. Ever." He looked at her, his blue eyes warmly crinkling, and said, "You were amazing."It hadn't been true. But the fact that he would go out of his way to make this total stranger's awful night into one of her best at that time was just the kind of person Robin was.I know this because that woman was me.I wanted to tell him about the Mork and Mindy poster on my wall as a kid, and how I had cut out Mindy's face and put in my third-grade class photo. I wanted to tell him how much I loved his care for animals, the unhoused, and the less fortunate. Or that because of him, I had a weird fetish for suspenders. (The last one wasn't quite true, but I still wanted to say it.) View this post on Instagram A post shared by Pamela McIntosh Gahring (@pamelagahring)But instead, I merely laughed and said, "Oh, thank you. But I can do better." He gave me a gentle look like, "We're all in this together," and even though I knew I'd never have a career like his, it dawned on me that it didn't matter. That being kind to others actually DID matter, and that he was a lighthouse in a really stormy, pitch-black ocean.She wouldn't let one bad night ruin her hopeI stuck it out, and just a few years later, got to perform in the super cool, coveted "New Faces" show at the Just for Laughs Montreal Comedy Fest. Didn't kill there either, but I was able to step back and look down from an aerial view. How we uplift others, whether through laughter or kindness, is really the only control we have in this world.Years later, after Robin passed away, I had heart surgery and was feeling down. I had read that cardiac issues could leave a person biochemically depressed, and the first person I thought of was him. I messaged our mutual friend from San Francisco and asked if he remembered Robin speaking to him about heart surgery and depression. He only affirmed that yes, it was a very real side effect and that I should take it seriously.I have always thought of the neurotransmitter Serotonin like it was a flowery perfume. Notes of honey, lavender, rose. When someone has a good amount of it floating through their synapses, it leaves a trace of itself wherever it goes, as if the tunnels it burrows under pump it out through a steam grate. But from what I've heard, Robin struggled with that too. And yet he still found a way to leave a lovely and inviting scent behind him, because he wanted to make sure OTHERS were okay. A heart shaped neon sign in the darkPhoto by DESIGNECOLOGIST on Unsplash I had always wondered how he did that. Bouts of darkness plagued him like clouds moving around ever-so-slightly, revealing sunnier days and then BAM - gone again. And yet, he was able to stay gentle and unwaveringly kind, like a jester throwing glitter into a black hole. He seemed to see beyond the nonsense, pure love radiating from him (especially around animals.) I guess, even in his death, I was looking to Robin for answers. But one puzzle remains solved: making others happy is the kindest thing we can do, even when our own valves—whether heart or perfume pumps—fail to work.This article originally appeared in April. It has been updated.

Bullying is never okay, but it's arguable that some bullying situations are more egregious than others. So it's no wonder that when people saw a video of a group of teens making fun of a kid with terminal cancer for wearing a police officer uniform, the reaction was swift disapproval. However, the kid himself responded with a maturity that had his bullies apologizing to him for their behavior. Twelve-year-old Devarjaye (DJ) Daniel (@devarjaye) is an honorary police officer with hundreds of agencies around the country and wears his uniform proudly. In a video that went viral, a group of teen girls were shown mocking him at a gas station for the way he was dressed. The footage captures the group demeaning Daniel while making mocking expressions, laughing, and making vile comments. They danced around him while he holds his face in his hands, which both DJ and his father called "disturbing," and even yelled "Arrest us!" with complete disrespect. - YouTube www.youtube.com DJ’s dad, Theodis, was talking to someone at the station when he saw what was going on. He stepped in to intervene, but the father and son chose a more educational response than an aggressive one.Theodis recalled choosing not to act impulsively. "We are used to all the frantic behavior, so it wasn’t anything we aren’t accustomed to," he told the Houston Chronicle." Every time they see him in his uniform, he gets a lot of laughs; some of them may ridicule him and make jokes about him. A lot of times, he doesn’t want me to intervene; he'd rather just do it himself,” the dad noted. See on Instagram DJ, too, chose a more mindful approach, not letting the bullying hurt his feelings. “Really and truly, I'm like a 40-year-old and I don't have feelings like that," he told Fox 26. In the video, he made no impulsive moves, choosing to remain calm and silent. Instead, DJ responded by letting the teenagers learn his story. He became a cop to teach people to stand up for themselves and he did just that. DJ and his dad patiently explained to the girls DJ's cancer diagnosis and his 13 surgeries that have caused his scars. By the time they left the gas station, the girls were treating DJ with respect and even calling him "Officer DJ."Theodis told the Houston Chronicle that he received a call from an unknown number after the video went viral and Houston community activist Candice Matthews shared DJ's story on social media. The caller said they were involved in the video and wanted to apologize for their part in it. See on Instagram It just goes to show how far a little kindness and education can go. Since the bullying incident, DJ has been honored by even more police precincts. He was invited to be an honorary member of the Secret Service by the president at a joint session of Congress and has been sworn in as an honorary member of other federal law enforcement agencies as well. While some have chosen to bully DJ and his father for political reasons, they father-son duo have continued to focus on DJ's interest in police work and his ongoing cancer treatment. As this young cancer warrior demonstrates, not letting bullies get to you and focusing on educating them instead of getting back at them can sometimes make a positive difference for everyone involved. This article originally appeared last year.

Certain movies can claim "classic" status. From Dead Poet's Society to Jaws, these movies are loved by people of all ages.For younger generations, it can be hard to keep up with cinema history. But young cinephiles can rely on their elders for great direction when it comes to excellent movie recommendations.In a Reddit community for older generations, users were asked: "If you are asked to pick only ONE movie as a MUST WATCH recommendation for young people, what would it be? Why?"And they delivered. People over 60 shared the 27 films they believe younger generations should see that will be life-changing. - YouTube www.youtube.com "To Kill a Mockingbird, because it's a wonderful movie with lessons about prejudice and empathy woven into it." - FaberGrad"Rear Window, for two reasons. First, it's a great example of 'old' cinema that they may not have seen enough of (Hitchcock!). Second, it's about voyeurism and lack of privacy, which is part of their lives these days. Everybody watches and is being watched, and don't even know it." - Tall_Mickey"Or Gaslight. So many people use that word nowadays and have no idea where it originated and really what it means." - Surleighgrl"The answer is always, 12 Angry Men. 1957 film with Henry Fonda. Best movie ever made. Watch, learn, and stand your ground when in the right. One against eleven. Considering the current times maybe Judgement at Nuremberg with Burt Lancaster, 1961 film. Nazi war criminal trials. Very well done." - halloween63"Princess Bride. It's got everything. Fencing, fighting, torture, revenge, giants, monsters, chases, escapes, true love, miracles." NeutralTarget, UnrealizedDreams90 - YouTube www.youtube.com "Harvey starring Jimmy Stewart. It's usually billed as a comedy, but there's a lot more to it." - iaMBictrochee"Thank You For Smoking is a good watch. So is Arsenic and Old Lace." - HamBroth"Wag the Dog. It's a great way to see how deception can occur in political media." - 14crickets"Secondhand Lions. It will show them not all old people are boring and sometimes they are grumpy for a reason." - CassandraApollo"It's a Wonderful Life. Because it is." - OneLaneHwy"Blazing Saddles, but you have to watch an uncensored version as the modern safe for TV version is lacking." - weredragon357"Shawshank Redemption because it’s a great movie." - PsychologicalMethod6"I’m a movie freak, all good suggestions, I’m surprised nobody said Dr. Strangelove. One of the greatest movies ever made. Always in the top 10 from critics. This list should keep you busy for quite a while." - theBigDaddio"Apocalypse Now. Man’s inhumanity to man." - Shetalkstoangels3"Babette’s Feast. It’s beautiful. It’s upsetting." - MrsMorley @jacobmhoff Follow Here and Instagram @jacobmhoff and Samantha @Samantha Wynn Greenstone "Schindler‘s List so that the young person will understand history and what can happen if you allow someone like Hitler to take over. It’s also good to know about the Holocaust and hardship lest we become spoiled and self-indulgent." - goredd2000"Muriel’s Wedding." - ConfidentHighlight18"Saving Private Ryan. Love, war, sacrifice." - Hot_Joke7461"2001. It was ground breaking and waaaay ahead of its time." - LayneLowe, karmalove15"Stand By Me." - MarleysGhost2024"Network (1976) with Faye Dunaway, William Holden, and Peter Finch. I watched it in my mid 20s and it was definitely thought provoking and relevant even now." - classic_queen"Forbidden Planet. It set the themes the Sci-Fi films that followed after it." - mike11172"The original Planet of the Apes. 1968 with Charlton Heston." - Shellsallaround"Casablanca. The main characters each have a mix of virtue and vice. Shades of grey come together to a mostly just and positive conclusion. It helps to see that many people, though imperfect, can do good, in their own way." - Hugh_Jim_Bissell"The Ghost and Mrs. Muir (1947 Gene Tierney). Love, betrayal, manipulation, consequences and fantasy." - thoughts_of_mine

Growing up in the Bible Belt, almost everyone I knew was Christian—it was just part of the culture. Even if people never mentioned religion in casual conversation, there seemed to be an expectation that they’d show up in the pews, beaming brightly in their Sunday best. I was already kind of a spiritual outsider in my small town, attending the only Catholic Church around. But I really felt out of place on a deeper level—I was very confused about my faith, including whether I had one at all.Somewhere around middle school, I remember asking questions to adults about the Bible, trying to drill down on things that puzzled me. In high school, I spent hours reading articles about other religions and belief systems. I found myself distracted, even disinterested, in the sermons. I begged my parents to let me sleep in on Sunday mornings. But any time I started to truly question, I felt a zap of guilt—one that I kept secret for years. I'd experience periodic flutters of rejuvenation, mostly because I wanted to fit in. (In one case, during college, I had a crush on a deeply religious girl and thought, "Maybe this life path makes the most sense.") - YouTube www.youtube.com "Coming out" as agnostic or atheistWhen I met my future wife, who was confident in her atheism, I discovered I wasn’t alone in my lack of belief. Then came a less pleasant thought: "I have to tell my parents now." It was a painful conversation that happened almost by accident, during an afternoon walk with my mom. She casually asked about my then-girlfriend’s religion, and I told her the truth: She didn’t have one—and, frankly, neither did I. There were insults and tears and awkward silences, and I wasn’t prepared to process it. But I also know, looking back, that my mom probably wasn't either—even if I struggled to understand it, I know this wasn't the image of her adult son that she'd always pictured. (Not having kids probably didn't help either. Sorry, mom!) But these days, most of that tension has softened, and I feel self-actualized in a way I didn't as an angsty college kid. Plus, I still have plenty of close religious friends! (Acceptance, ultimately, is a two-way street, and we don't have to agree on everything.) Looking back, though, I realize that "coming out" as agnostic (my preferred label, if forced to choose one) was a big deal, and I wish I had a do-over to consider the moment more consciously. It's a tricky and complex road for anyone to navigate, especially if you want the recipient of this news to remain a part of your life. There are numerous factors to consider: the region, the particular faith, the broader cultural tolerance of non-religious beliefs, even the time period. (For example, according to a 2025 Pew Research Center report, "31% of U.S. adults said religion was gaining influence in American life," marking the highest figure they’d seen in 15 years.) This isn’t a one-size-fits-all situation—everyone should approach their own tactfully, weigh the pros and cons, and potentially even consult with a professional. (Also, no one's suggesting anyone should abandon their faith. Life is a journey, and beliefs can evolve.) Still, it's interesting to read about other people’s experiences. One Redditor shared theirs in a thread titled "Coming out as an atheist!! what's your story?" They wrote about telling their family at age 17, noting, "Most of them were supportive, but some said that this was a phase. I truly feel privileged to have a supportive family who did not let their beliefs affect mine." One commenter shared that it was "more difficult coming out to friends and classmates," given that they live in a predominantly Christian area. They wrote, "A lot of the time people thought I was crazy or started hating my mom for 'leading [me] down the wrong path,'" but they wound up making new friends. Some people recalled having serious conversations, while others said that took a more casual approach: "In a nutshell? 'Dad, I'm an atheist,'" one user wrote. "'Yeah, that doesn't make you transparent—step aside, I wanna see the game.'" - YouTube www.youtube.com "Every family"—and situation—is differentIf you look through enough responses, age emerges as a common theme. It’s likely way different having this conversation with your parents at 15, when you’re still living under the same roof, than as a financially independent adult. In the /exmormon subreddit, one user recalled their spouse having a relatively informal chat with his parents, mentioning that he "was taking a break." But the Redditor also, crucially, emphasized that "every family is different." Others in the thread stressed the importance of compassion and clear communication. In an /atheist thread, one ex-Muslim, then 32, wrote, "I don’t recommend telling your mom anything until you get a job and start being independent." Again, there is no one universal method for taking this step, if you even decide to take it at all.In a 2015 study for the journal Secularism & Nonreligion, researchers studied the reactions of families when a member "comes out" as atheist, reporting the experiences of 80 people. They noted, broadly, that "atheists are often subjected to statements and behaviors that are unsupportive of familial relationships," but they also aimed to determine which of three characteristics—"cohesion, adaptability, and communication"—was most crucial. While noting that each is important, they found that "kind and respectful communication seems to facilitate movement within the healthier realms of the cohesion and adaptability spectrums." They also added, "[C]ommunication is often the element that individuals seem to be most aware of and most able to control. This is prescriptively important because it implies that, even when families have a pattern of rigidity or disengagement, being intentional about how one communicates can potentially soften the impact of disclosure."Eight years later, researchers for the journal Social Forces examined atheists’ "perceptions of hostility toward their identities and whether they conceal those identities." They wrote, "Looking first at the results for perceived hostility toward individuals’ atheist identity, we do not find any statistically significant differences across racial or ethnic groups relative to atheists who identify as white." Additionally, they did "find some evidence that women might report greater perception of stigma related to their atheist identity relative to men, although this difference is of borderline statistical significance."Despite my mild regrets, when I reflect back on that conversation with my mom, I ultimately feel proud that I didn't hide part of myself—and, frankly, lucky that I didn't have to. - YouTube www.youtube.com

When IRS lawyer Isaac Stein found himself among the 34,000 employees furloughed due to the government shutdown, he saw it as an opportunity to live out what he calls a "childhood dream."And thus, his "Shysters" hot dog stand was born. Well, technically it had already been a "weekend project" of Stein’s, according to Reuters. But with extra time on his hands, the business got promoted from fun side hustle to full-time gig slash "performance art piece."You can probably already tell from the cart's name ("shyster," a term commonly associated with unscrupulous lawyers) that a major part of Stein’s schtick is cheekiness. It's further evidenced by the cart's slogan, "The only honest ripoff in D.C.," as well as a menu that offers a steamed hot dog topped with spicy brown mustard and sauerkraut—"no modifications permitted"—plus a "superior" RC Cola, otherwise known as "The Only Choice: Correct Hot Dog and Drink," for $10. See on Instagram Of course, Stein is not merciless. Customers can also opt for "A Hot Dog with the Wrong Toppings"—ketchup, pickled red onion, relish, etc.—and an RC Cola, but they'll be charged a buck more. This apparently satisfied a need he's had since childhood to "punish people for putting ketchup on a hot dog," according to Business Insider.He’ll even sell you "Overpriced, Mediocre Merch," including the "shirt off his back" for $1,000 (and yes, one customer actually bought it). Fifty percent of the profits from those sales go to charities for causes Stein is passionate about: food banks, support services for adults and children on the autism spectrum, and rare cancer research.What you won't find, however, is a tip screen. "I hate that garbage," he says. See on Instagram So far, people have been loving the idea. Every day, Stein serves around 40 to 50 customers, and pulls in $200 to $300 from each shift. But even more than the money, Stein appreciates the connections he's made. "I’ve really been overjoyed at the organic interactions that people have been having just hanging out for a hot dog," he says. "I’ve interacted with a lot of interesting, accomplished people."Rolling out a hot dog cart seems like a total 180 from IRS law, but it's something Stein has had a natural inclination for since the age of seven, when he fell in love with selling chips and soda from his concession stand at community basketball games.That dream lay dormant while Stein went to law school—something he was equally passionate about. And those skills certainly helped him navigate the regulations and permits required to legally run his stand. In what feels like an act of divine timing, Stein had only started running Shysters a few months before getting furloughed.And even though he plans on returning to his IRS job as soon as he can, Shysters will remain open on weekends. So if you happen to find yourself on the corner of First and M streets in Northeast Washington, D.C., and fancy a hot dog served to you by a hotshot lawyer dressed in a suit, you’ll be in luck. Just be ready to wait in line. - YouTube www.youtube.com

The heart of great playing. The post The one guitarist David Gilmour wanted to trade places with: “I have to confess to a certain sort of jealousy” first appeared on Far Out Magazine.

If you were a government planner or “expert” and you wanted to get people to eat less meat and by doing so “save the planet,” how would you do it?

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by Steve Watson, Modernity News: The erosion of authenticity In an era where the boundaries between the synthetic and the sentient blur with alarming rapidity, a sobering revelation has emerged from the sonic realm: humanity’s capacity to discern the hand of the artist from the algorithm has all but evaporated.  A recent survey commissioned by […]

by Robert Spencer, PJ Media: The news is not unexpected in the least, given the maniacal hatred that leftists have directed at Donald Trump ever since he first announced that he was running for president in 2015, and even before then, when he dared not to strike the appropriate posture of awe and reverence before […]