Move over, "physical touch." There are a couple of newer love languages in town. The question is, how are any of these so-called languages quantified? In the never-ending effort to understand one another, people have come up with various ways to learn how to connect and empathize. For Carl Jung, it was his book Psychological Types. For John Gray, it was Men Are from Mars, Women Are from Venus. And for Baptist pastor Gary Chapman, it was an early ’90s book called The Five Love Languages: How to Express Heartfelt Commitment to Your Mate.In this extremely popular self-help book—it sold over 20 million copies—Chapman wrote about how couples (and this could also apply to friendships, family, etc.) give and receive affection. The "love languages," as he famously named them, are: "Words of affirmation, gifts, quality time, acts of service, and physical touch." Of course, most people have a combination of preferences, but the idea is that if one could rank them, the people in their lives could know how to best express love. See on Instagram In the last couple of years, as mentioned, two new love languages were revealed by the online dating site eharmony's "Dating Trends Report." They are: "Shared Experience," and "Emotional Security." The report explains that after surveying clients, "Nearly half of respondents aren’t sure the five love languages encompass the way they express and prefer to receive love. Shared experiences (adventuring and expanding yourself with someone) resonate most as a new love language (38%), followed closely by emotional security (feeling emotionally seen and taken care of) (35%)." See on Instagram But there's a catch. There are plenty of researchers who claim there isn't enough scientific support to back the idea that love languages even really exist in the first place. While Chapman's notion might have been created as a relationship tool, some say none of it is rooted in empirical evidence. Despite the book's popularity, in an article by Gery Karantzas, associate professor in social psychology/relationship science at Deakin University, for The Conversation.com Karantzas writes, "Let’s turn to research testing a core premise of the love language theory: that couples with matching love languages experience greater satisfaction than those who do not. Evidence for this premise is very mixed."In fact, Karantzas cites three research studies, "including one that used Chapman’s Love Language Quiz, [that] have found that couples with matching love languages were no more satisfied than couples who were mismatched."Not shockingly, people have some opinions on Reddit. Just two months ago, an OP posted, "Love languages aren't real and we really need to stop pretending they are." They cite a post on Medium that discusses how dangerous the notion can be, as it encourages people to settle for less than what they want. "Oh he never compliments me? That's just his love language." (A 2024 article for BBC's The Science Focus, agrees with this take, noting that leaning too heavily into love languages could actually harm your relationship.) A man and a woman hold hands at sunset. Photo by Ryan Holloway on Unsplash The OP's post got over a thousand upvotes and hundreds of comments. Many agree, but there is quite a lot of pushback. One person writes, "Do I think they're scientifically bogus? Yes. Does it provide a decent conceptual framework for people to communicate what resonates most with them in terms of receiving and reciprocating love and acts of care? Also yes. Like pretty much everything the public and social media spheres get their hands on, these concepts become weaponized."This person puts it succinctly: "All models are wrong, some are useful. Love languages is a flawed model of human psychology but a useful way to communicate needs between two people."Another added onto the initial agreement, writing: "Right, it's not gospel or fact, but it's a good approach to starting conversation about the division of labor in a relationship."Lastly, this person backed up the OP with this one quip: "If love is a language, I'm mute."

Do you get nervous in social situations because you’re not quite sure what to say? Do you dread exchanging hellos and then having an uncomfortable silence follow? Are you impressed by people who walk through social situations with confidence, who never seem to be at a loss for words, and whose company everyone seems to enjoy?The good news is that if you are someone who feels socially awkward, you can overcome your discomfort by learning some basic communication tips that'll drastically improve your conversations. All it takes is studying the habits social butterflies use to be engaging conversationalists. Some friends talking at a party.via Canva/PhotosA Reddit user named Turbulent-Photo, who was admittedly awkward, began using some new conversational techniques, and in only 30 days, they went from being “awkward” to engaging. They shared the new skills they learned in a post on the Social Skills subforum. “I used to panic when someone asked a simple question like 'how's your day?' I’d give a one-word answer, then dip out. Then I decided to treat every convo like an experiment, collect data on what actually makes ppl light up,” they wrote before sharing five conversation hacks that helped them become a better conversationalist.Note: The conversation tips have been edited for grammar and clarity.Five conversation hacks to help you go from awkward to engaging1. Active listening: “Instead of planning my next line, I just focused on their words, body language, tone, and it worked, mirroring their posture or repeating a key phrase (‘you said u love hiking?’), making them feel heard, and they open up.”This trick is backed by science. Research shows that if you ask someone a question and two follow-up questions, it dramatically increases how likable you are. “We identify a robust and consistent relationship between question-asking and liking,” the study's authors wrote. “People who ask more questions, particularly follow-up questions, are better liked by their conversation partners.” A man and a woman chatting at a party.via Canva/Photos2. Asking open-ended questions: Ditch ‘Did u have a good weekend?’ Try 'What was the highlight of your weekend?’ Suddenly they share stories, not just yes/no crap, and you got real convo material to build on.”3. Storytelling: “Once I shared a 10-second tale bout freezing at the coffee shop, then joking with the barista, and people actually laughed. Vulnerability + humor = instant connection feels real.”4. Body language: “I used to cross arms, look at the floor, classic ‘go away’ vibes. Then I uncrossed my arms, leaned in, kept my chest open, and people mirrored me back. Conversations flow even before I talk.”Research shows that when someone likes you, they mirror your body language and movements. For example, if you’re seated, and the person likes you, they will mirror your seated posture. If you change your posture and then they adapt, it could be a big clue that someone likes you.5. Affirmations: “‘That's a great point’ or ‘I hadn't thought of it that way’ cost nothing but boosts rapport big time.”The interesting part about the five rules the Redditor shared is that most of them don’t involve you being the center of attention or having to wow the room with your amazing stories and anecdotes. It’s just about being a good listener, standing with intentional body language, and asking the right questions. Then, when you do take a moment to speak up, you’ll have an attentive conversation partner hanging on every word. Because you made them feel so comfortable and heard, they're happy to extend you the same courtesy.

When you hear the word "outdoorsy," what image forms in your mind? Someone wearing boots and a backpack? A family camping in the mountains? Maybe a person you know who surfs in the summer, skis in the winter, and hikes any chance they get? An advertisement for REI? Outdoorsy folks are a special breed of humans who don't merely enjoy nature but strive to experience it fully. They don't just look at the Earth as a beautiful place; they want to explore every inch of it. So where does that leave those of us who like to be in nature but don't have a single ounce of adrenaline-fueled desire to become one with it? Walking in the snow = outsidey. Skiing down a mountain = outdoorsy.Photo credit: CanvaBrandon (@atlas_catawba on TikTok) has the answer, and it's surprising it's taken this long for someone to come up with it. In a video with over 2.4 million views, he explains the difference between being outdoorsy and being "outsidey," and it's spot on. "I always tell people I'm 'outsidey' and not outdoorsy. Now, what do I mean by this?" he begins. Standing in a "babbling brook," he points out that he's in the shallow water that barely covers his feet. "I'm not going to go out there," he says, pointing to the deep water in the middle of the creek. "That's outdoorsy." @atlas_catawba learn the difference ?? #babblingbrooke #hiking #nationalpark #metropark #trekking "I'm outsidey," he continues. "I'm just gonna stroll. I like to peruse. I like to gander, okay? Now, would I swim in the babbling brook? Absolutely not. That's outdoorsy. Now, will I have a nice table out there with some chairs and have a nice charcuterie board? Absolutely. Outsidey. Hiking? No. Charcuterie? Yes."Brandon also posted a follow-up video explaining further. "Outdoorsy is nature for adventure. Outsidey is nature for leisure," he says, giving examples like swimming in the ocean as outdoorsy and strolling on the shore as outsidey. Hiking, he says, can be outdoorsy or outsidey, depending on how it's done. @atlas_catawba Replying to @amandahugandkiss14 #outside #trekking #nationalpark #outdoors #hiking "I am here to stroll," he says. "I am here to dilly-dally. I'm here to lollygag. I'm here to saunter. Nobody saunters anymore…I am here to frolic upon the meadow, over the hill, through the woods, down the rickety bridge. I want the troll to say his little riddle to me, okay?""Both are equally valid," he says, "but at the end of the day, I am not here for a mud run. I'm here for mushroom foraging." People who are outsidey and have never had a word to describe themselves celebrated being recognized and shared their own examples illustrating the difference between them and people who are outdoorsy. Walking on the beach = outsidey. Surfing = outdoorsy.Photo credit: Canva"Swimming laps? No. Floating? Yes. Tents? No. Cabin? Yes.""Outdoor rock climbing? No. Pumpkin patch? Absolutely.""Swimming in the ocean? No. Playing in the waves like a lil mermaid? Yes.""Mountaineering, no. meandering, yes.""Bug spray? Yes. Bear spray? No.""Outsidey = wore Birkenstocks on a hike; Outdoorsy = wore Merrell hiking boots on a hike.""Outdorsy is hiking, rock climbing, rafting in the Grand Canyon. Outsidey is sitting in the porch at sunset with ac in the house behind you. It’s going to the beach and sitting on the beach watching the water." Strolling outdoors = outsidey. Backpacking = outdoorsy.Photo credit: Canva"Okay yes…AND let’s makes sure Outsidey people aren’t asking their outdoorsy friends to 'take them on a hike,' the ask is to 'walk on a nice path amongst nature.'""I hate that people don't understand I don't want to go hiking in the woods. I want to go on a nature walk through the woods. Same location, same activity, drastically different vibes."In reality, all of us benefit from being outdoors, whether we outdoorsy people or outsidey people. According to the University of California, Davis, spending time in nature can help improve our cognitive abilities, our physical wellness, and our mental health. So whether you climb the mountain or gaze at it while strolling through the foothills, go ahead and fully embrace your outdoorsy or outsidey identity. It's good for you.

A strange tale. The post Was Louis Armstrong’s Congo tour a CIA operation? first appeared on Far Out Magazine.

ICE announces shocking collection of arrests during 48-hour span in Southeast Texas

What I have to share with you today is truly strange.  Is it just a coincidence that the dates when World War I, World War II and World War III all started share a very eerie similarity?  You will see what I am talking about below.  This is something that has been circulating on social media, but I don’t know who originally made this discovery.  But when I learned of it, I knew that I had to share it with all of you. I asked Google AI to tell me when World War I started, and I was told that it began on 07-28-1914… World War I officially began on July 28, 1914. This date marks the beginning of Austria-Hungary’s declaration of war on Serbia, following the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand. This event triggered a chain reaction of declarations of war across Europe, escalating into the global conflict known as World War I. 7 + 28 + 19 + 14 = 68 Are you with me so far? Then I asked Google AI to tell me when World War II started, and I was told that it began on 09-01-1939… World War II officially began on September 1, 1939, when Germany invaded Poland. This invasion triggered declarations of war by France and the United Kingdom, as they had treaties guaranteeing Poland’s support. However, the war’s roots lie in unresolved tensions from World War I, the rise of fascist and militarist regimes, and aggressive expansionist policies by several nations. 9 + 1 + 19 + 39 = 68 Okay, that is kind of creepy. Then I asked Google AI to tell me when the Russian invasion of Ukraine began, and I was told that it happened on 02-24-2022… Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022. This marked a significant escalation of the conflict between the two countries that began in 2014. 2 + 24 + 20 + 22 = 68 I was blown away when I first learned about this. What are the odds that the dates when World War I, World War II and World War III all started would add up to the exact same number? I went back and checked, and on February 24th, 2022 I wrote the following… Hopefully many of you are starting to grasp the gravity of what we are facing.  For years, I have been relentlessly warning that war with Russia was coming, and now it is here. I tried to warn everyone about what would happen if we stayed on the path that we were on, but now it is too late. There is nothing more than can be done, because World War III has already started. Now we are closer to nuclear war than we have ever been before, but there is a glimmer of hope. According to White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, there is a very real possibility that President Trump could soon personally meet with Vladimir Putin… “As President Trump said yesterday, the Russians expressed their desire to meet with President Trump, and the President is open to this meeting,” Leavitt said in a statement to ABC News. “President Trump would like to meet with both President Putin and President Zelensky because he wants this brutal war to end. The White House is working through the details of these potential meetings and details will be provided at the appropriate time,” Leavitt added. If such a meeting actually takes place, that would be wonderful. If anything is ever going to get accomplished, Trump and Putin need to sit down and talk. The bad news is that Trump’s Friday deadline for the Russians to end the war is still set in stone… President Trump was also asked in the Oval Office if his Friday deadline for Putin to agree to a ceasefire or face sanction still stands. “It’s gonna be up to him,” Trump said. “We’re going to see what he has to say. It’s gonna be up to him. Very disappointed.” The Russians have already laid out what they want to end the war, and that position has not changed at all. The two sides are not even in the same universe as far as what a negotiated settlement would look like, and so the war will continue to rage on. Meanwhile, it appears that Israel plans to take full military control of all of Gaza… Israel’s security cabinet is meeting to decide on a full reoccupation of Gaza, a move that would mark a major escalation of the conflict after nearly two years of war in the territory. Despite international pressure, opposition from the Israeli military and domestic fears the operation will endanger hostages, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has pushed for a complete takeover of the besieged enclave. When he was asked about this by Fox News, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu explained that eventually control of Gaza will be handed over to a civilian government “that is not Hamas”… In an interview with Fox News shortly before the security cabinet meeting, Netanyahu was asked whether Israel plans to take military control of all of Gaza. “We intend to,” Netanyahu said. He claimed Israel is aiming to “remove Hamas” in Gaza, before handing the territory to “civilian governance that is not Hamas, and not anyone advocating the destruction of Israel.” It is my opinion that control of Gaza will ultimately be given to the Palestinian Authority as part of a comprehensive Middle East peace agreement. But for now the war in the Middle East continues, and we are being warned of the possibility of a “renewed military confrontation” between Israel and Iran… U.S. threats and Iran’s hardened stance in nuclear negotiations increase the risks for a renewed military confrontation in the region. Iran and European countries are at odds over the soon expiring 2015 nuclear deal and Tehran’s restriction of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) from accessing key nuclear sites. Iran is vowing a severe response to any renewed attacks by Israel or the U.S. and is demanding guarantees before engaging with Washington, along with financial compensation for damage to key nuclear facilities caused by bombings. On top of everything else, we will want to keep a very close eye on China. During the past three years, the Chinese have “conducted numerous military drills and exercises simulating blockades of the island of Taiwan”… Since 2022, China has conducted numerous military drills and exercises simulating blockades of the island of Taiwan, a democracy of 23 million that sits astride one of the world’s maritime chokepoints. What would happen if China initiated a blockade of Taiwan in the coming years? To understand the military challenges in countering a blockade, CSIS ran 26 wargames using a wide variety of scenarios. Although China could inflict serious hardships, particularly by targeting Taiwan’s energy sector, this wouldn’t be a low-risk, low-cost option for Beijing. Any blockade creates escalatory pressures that are difficult to contain and could lead to a large-scale war. The Chinese keep practicing exactly what they plan to do. According to the Wall Street Journal, China is now “more ready than ever” to initiate a full blockade… China’s armed forces are more ready than ever to surround the self-ruled island of Taiwan, cut it off from the world and try to squeeze it into submission. A Chinese blockade of Taiwan would be an act of war that sparks a global crisis. Most Americans do not realize this, but the moment that China pulls the trigger on a blockade of Taiwan we will be in a state of war with the Chinese. President Trump would be under tremendous pressure to take strong military action, because Taiwan would run out of natural gas “in about 10 days”… Taiwan would run out of natural gas supplies in about 10 days if Beijing blockaded the island, according to a report published by a Washington-based geopolitical think tank. When Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia in 1914, most Americans had no idea that World War I had begun. And when Germany invaded Poland in 1939, most Americans had no idea that World War II had begun. Now we are several years into World War III, and the most chaotic chapters of it are still yet to come. But a lot of people out there are entirely convinced that everything is going to work out just fine somehow. Let us hope that they are correct, because right now we are standing on the precipice of the unthinkable. Michael’s new book entitled “10 Prophetic Events That Are Coming Next” is available in paperback and for the Kindle on Amazon.com, and you can subscribe to his Substack newsletter at michaeltsnyder.substack.com. About the Author: Michael Snyder’s new book entitled “10 Prophetic Events That Are Coming Next” is available in paperback and for the Kindle on Amazon.com. He has also written nine other books that are available on Amazon.com including “Chaos”, “End Times”, “7 Year Apocalypse”, “Lost Prophecies Of The Future Of America”, “The Beginning Of The End”, and “Living A Life That Really Matters”.  When you purchase any of Michael’s books you help to support the work that he is doing.  You can also get his articles by email as soon as he publishes them by subscribing to his Substack newsletter.  Michael has published thousands of articles on The Economic Collapse Blog, End Of The American Dream and The Most Important News, and he always freely and happily allows others to republish those articles on their own websites.  These are such troubled times, and people need hope.  John 3:16 tells us about the hope that God has given us through Jesus Christ: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”  If you have not already done so, we strongly urge you to invite Jesus Christ to be your Lord and Savior today. The post Did World War I, World War II And World War III All Start According To The Same Mathematical Formula? appeared first on End Of The American Dream.

by John W. Whitehead, Rutherford Institute: Whatever crushes individuality is despotism, by whatever name it may be called, and whether it professes to be enforcing the will of God or the injunctions of men.”—John Stuart Mill, On Liberty “Power to the people.”—John Lennon What on earth is happening to this country? How, over the course of […]

by Matt Agorist, The Free Thought Project: 80 years after the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, many still cling to the lie that the mass murder of hundreds of thousands of innocent people was the only way to subdue Japan and end the Second World War. But an astute review of the sentiments of […]