Since retiring two years ago‚ Joan Harris has upped her travel game. Once or twice a year‚ she visits her two adult children in different states. She’s planning multiple other trips‚ including to a science fiction convention in Scotland and a Disney cruise soon after that‚ along with a trip next year to neolithic sites in Great Britain. “I really have more money to spend now than when I was working‚” said Harris‚ 64‚ an engineer who worked 29 years for the federal government and lives in...

The US Supreme Court rejected an appeal from Elon Musk in his “Twitter sitter” case‚ leaving intact his agreement with the Securities and Exchange Commission to have an in-house lawyer pre-approve his social media posts about Tesla Inc.

Tesla shares surged more than 12% in early trading Monday after CEO Elon Musk secured approval to roll out “Full Self Driving” technology in China after a whirlwind weekend trip to the country. Top Chinese officials gave Tesla tentative permission to launch the software following a meeting with Musk during his surprise trip to Beijing. Tesla will rely on Chinese tech giant Baidu’s mapping license for navigation on public roads‚ people familiar with the matter told the Wall Street...

Elon Musk’s quick visit to China paid immediate dividends‚ with Tesla Inc. receiving in-principle approval from government officials to deploy its driver-assistance system in the world’s biggest auto market. The US carmaker was granted the approval under certain conditions‚ according to a person with knowledge of the matter‚ who asked not to be identified because details of all the criteria aren’t clear. Tesla did manage to clear two of the most important hurdles: reaching a...

Tesla agreed to a deal with Chinese search giant Baidu for its mapping and navigation functions‚ according to several reports on Monday‚ as CEO Elon Musk met with senior Chinese government officials in a purported push to gain approval for its subscription-based driver-assistance technology which may help boost revenues for the company in its largest foreign market. As part of the deal‚ Tesla will gain access to Baidu’s mapping and navigation tech to power its driver assist feature it calls...

For about three months‚ Adnan El-Bursh reported on the war in Gaza while living in a tent‚ eating one meal a day‚ and struggling to keep his wife and five children safe. The BBC Arabic correspondent shares the harrowing moments he faced covering a war that pushed him to his limits. Warning: This report contains descriptions and images some readers may find distressing One of the worst moments of the past six months was the night we all slept on the street. I looked at the faces of my wife...

Comedian Mike Mancusi struck a chord on TikTok and Instagram with a post explaining why many people‚ especially Millenials‚ think life hasn’t felt like “reality” since the beginning of the pandemic four years ago. &;quot;The cause of this phenomenon is the fact that we're not living life in reality anymore‚&;quot; Mancusi claims. &;quot;2020 smashed our existences into our phones and into the digital world and we are no longer existing in our physical space.” He adds that our lives now feel more like a &;quot;video game&;quot; and that we're exposed to all of the &;quot;awful things that everybody across the entire world deals with all the time” instead of being concerned with things in our “circle of influence.” “We are still organic beings and our brains have been completely connected to this artificial device. ... We'll eventually be cyborgs‚” the comedian said.Life hasn't felt like reality since 2020  @mikemancusi Life hasnt felt like reality since 2020 #existentialcrisis #existentialism #existential #2020 #technology #millennials #millennial ​He adds that even when we break out of our digital routines and go on vacation‚ our phones are still top-of-mind. We fear we’re missing out on something on social media and feel pressured to take photos and share the trip online.&;quot;We are no longer actually living life in our physical space‚ we are living it through the phone. This is why life does not feel like reality‚” Mancusi said. “Life just seems to disappear when you are trapped in a routine ... a routine of our brains being completely connected to whatever is happening within this device.&;quot;Mancusi’s bottom line is simple: You're addicted to the phone. Return to your physical spaces.Upworthy spoke with Mancusi and he shared his thoughts on how people can break the cycle of smartphone addiction and return to reality. He believes that we are all suffering from some form of smartphone addiction. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Mike Mancusi (@mikemancusi) &;quot;[Smartphones are] an addiction that has caused a lot of change in your brain chemistry. The process of adjusting your behaviors can be long and challenging. If you've been scrolling your phone endlessly for 4 years‚ the process of getting back to the real world is not going to happen in 3 days‚&;quot; he told Upworthy.He believes that smartphone addiction is incredibly challenging because‚ much like food addiction‚ it's impossible to go &;quot;cold turkey.&;quot;&;quot;People need to re-adjust their relationship with their phones and incorporate strict limitations‚&;quot; he told Upworthy. &;quot;For example‚ I won't scroll between the hours of 9 and 12 a.m. Any time I go out to dinner with my wife‚ I won't bring my phone. When I take the dog to the park‚ I won't bring my phone. I'm blocking Instagram access while I'm at work.&;quot;In the end‚ Mancusi believes that we need to retrain our brains to find joy in our physical lives‚ which have been diminished by the quick and easy dopamine hits we get from our smartphones.&;quot;Your brain has been wired only to get joy from an unhealthy thing‚&;quot; he told Upworthy. &;quot;It has been intentionally altered by tech executives. Re-training your brain to enjoy your physical space is a process that will take time‚ but for those who invest in it‚ it will pay off in the long term when you align your happiness with healthier‚ tangible things. Find the things that you love to do in life and re-train yourself to love them again.&;quot;

As a participant in the Amazon Associates affiliate program‚ Upworthy may earn proceeds from items purchased that are linked to this article‚ at no additional cost to you. Out of all human inventions‚ books might just be the greatest. That may be a bold statement in the face of computers‚ the internet and the international space station‚ but none of those things would be possible without books. The written recording of human knowledge has allowed our advancements in learning to be passed on through generations‚ not to mention the capturing of human creativity in the form of longform storytelling. Books have the power to change our lives on a fundamental level‚ shift our thinking‚ influence our beliefs‚ put us in touch with our feelings and help us understand ourselves and one another better.That's why we asked Upworthy's audience to share a book that changed their life. Thousands of responses later‚ we have a list of inspiring reads that rose to the top.Unsurprisingly‚ the most common responses were religious scriptures—the Bible‚ the Quran‚ the Book of Mormon‚ etc. Beyond those‚ here are the most common books‚ both fiction and non-fiction‚ that people considered life-changing. 1. &;quot;The Alchemist&;quot; by Paulo Coelho&;quot;From the very first page‚ Coelho's storytelling prowess weaves a tapestry of adventure‚ wisdom‚ and self-discovery that is unparalleled. The protagonist's quest for his personal legend resonated deeply with me‚ prompting introspection into my own aspirations and purpose. The narrative‚ while seemingly a simple tale‚ unravels layers of universal truths and timeless wisdom that are applicable to every reader's journey.&;quot; – Matt Brown&;quot;Such greatness. Coelho tells the story with simplicity and elegance‚ and it is beautiful. The Alchemist is rhetorical kind of book that stays with you‚ and demands some time to unfold in your mind. Loved it&;#33;&;quot; – J. GreenFind &;quot;The Alchemist&;quot; on Amazon.2. &;quot;The Four Agreements&;quot; by Don Miguel Ruiz&;quot;This book literally changed my outlook on so many things. I’ve read it at least three times completely through. It helps deal with anxiety and helps you reframe and analyze your thoughts which may be troubling you. The writing style is great and I’ve already read other books by the same author. Would highly recommend purchasing this if you want to rethink your assumptions about yourself or other people.&;quot; – Freddy&;quot;By far the best book I’ve read. The simplicity in composition and detail is amazing. Would recommend everyone have a read. This book is truly a masterpiece.&;quot; – JoshuaFind &;quot;The Four Agreements&;quot; on Amazon.3. &;quot;To Kill a Mockingbird&;quot; by Harper Lee&;quot;I remember reading the book many years ago and being moved by it especially being from the North and not as familiar with racism. I wondered why some schools were banning it so decided to revisit. I had forgotten the details but it is still an important book and reminds us that the fight against all prejudice is never finished and its current resurgence is cause for concern. This book should be required reading at a pretty young age. We can’t change what we don’t understand. If you have children read it with them and teach them well.&;quot; – Maria&;quot;I can’t imagine‚ for the life of me‚ why this book has been banned. It is the most moral and righteous book I’ve ever read. It represents a time in our history when racism was endemic to the white population except for one compassionate lawyer. Told from his children’s point of view with an unforgettable narrator‚ the story of a small southern town comes alive.&;quot; – PeggyFind &;quot;To Kill a Mockingbird&;quot; on Amazon.4. &;quot;The Power of Now&;quot; by Eckhart Tolle&;quot;This has become a true icon in the book of books on understanding how the mind works and how we become trapped in it. A must read.&;quot; – Bill C.&;quot;This book helped me through the toughest time in my life. It was an easy read‚ but ultimately‚ it helped me open my mind to many things and see things from multiple perspectives. My life coach recommended this book‚ and I'm happy that she did. It truly did save my life.&;quot; – Coach J.Find &;quot;The Power of Now&;quot; on Amazon.5. &;quot;The Midnight Library&;quot; by Matt Haig&;quot;I did not expect to enjoy this book so much. I very much admire the writer's prowess in creating a beautiful and inspiring story out of a depressing premise and what I admire even more is the perspective he has given me about life.&;quot; – Ashish S.&;quot;'The Midnight Library' by Matt Haig is nothing short of a literary masterpiece that effortlessly weaves together the threads of life‚ regret‚ and the boundless possibilities that lie in our choices. This No.1 Sunday Times bestseller and worldwide phenomenon is a soul-stirring exploration of the human experience that lingers in the reader's mind long after the final page.&;quot; – George L.Find &;quot;The Midnight Library&;quot; on Amazon.6. &;quot;Atomic Habits&;quot; by James Clear&;quot;Atomic Habits by James Clear isn't just a book; it's a roadmap to personal excellence. Deserving a resounding 5 out of 5 stars‚ this masterpiece has profoundly impacted my approach to habit formation and personal development.&;quot; – Ahamed&;quot;Whether you're looking to break free from destructive habits‚ achieve ambitious goals‚ or simply lead a more fulfilling life‚ this book is a must-read. Clear's insights have the power to ignite change and propel you towards the best version of yourself.&;quot; – SCFind &;quot;Atomic Habits&;quot; on Amazon.7. &;quot;Tuesdays with Morrie&;quot; by Mitch Albom&;quot;I wish I had read this book earlier. It teaches to love those in your life with everything you have. We never know when life will take them away. Our parents will continue to age. Our friends will drift away. We will end up driving away the ones we say 'I love you' to. It’s not too late to tell them how much you love them. It’s not too late to show them how much you love them. If you share your love before it’s too late‚ you won’t live your life with regret.&;quot; – P.M.&;quot;Mitch Albom is my favorite author. Tuesdays with Morrie did not disappoint. Please please read this book. It is heartwarming‚ inspirational and will make you do an introspection that will change your priorities. I promise.&;quot; – A.C.Find &;quot;Tuesdays with Morrie&;quot; on Amazon.8. &;quot;Untamed&;quot; by Glennon Doyle&;quot;By page 16‚ I’d already sobbed‚ laughed‚ sobbed‚ reconsidered who I am‚ how I live my life‚ and what I’m doing next‚ and cried again. So much fire lit. This is a masterpiece. Thank the universe (and Glennon) it published now. Lord knows we need this now. It is already one of my top favorite books ever‚ and I read a lot. Like‚ a LOT.&;quot; – Anna S.&;quot;&;quot;Untamed&;quot; is a powerful and empowering memoir that delves deep into themes of self-discovery‚ authenticity‚ and breaking free from societal expectations. Doyle's writing is raw‚ honest‚ and deeply relatable. From the moment I started reading‚ I felt a connection to her journey and the struggles she navigates. One of the standout qualities of this book is Doyle's ability to articulate complex emotions and thoughts in a way that resonates with readers. Her insights into the expectations placed on women‚ the constraints of traditional roles‚ and the journey to reclaiming one's true self are both enlightening and inspiring.&;quot; – Frank C.Find &;quot;Untamed&;quot; on Amazon.9. &;quot;Man's Search for Meaning&;quot; by Viktor Frankl&;quot;Man's Search for Meaning&;quot; by Viktor E. Frankl is a poignant exploration of resilience under the most testing conditions. As a Holocaust survivor and psychiatrist‚ Frankl intertwines his concentration camp experiences with his psychological expertise. Central to the book is the idea of logotherapy‚ which posits that finding meaning in life is the primary human drive. Frankl's narrative transcends its historical context‚ offering timeless insights into human endurance and the quest for purpose. The book is especially impactful for those facing personal adversities‚ as it highlights the power of choice and perspective in shaping one's destiny.&;quot; – Neal W.&;quot;This little one hundred page book is perhaps the most meaningful and profound that you can ever read. Disturbing‚ yet full of 'tragic optimism‚' this book will change the way you think about life‚ happiness‚ and meaning.&;quot; – Paige T.Find &;quot;Man's Search for Meaning&;quot; on Amazon.10. &;quot;The Untethered Soul&;quot; by Michael Singer&;quot;Michael A. Singer's &;quot;The Untethered Soul&;quot; is a literary masterpiece that has left an indelible mark on my journey of self-discovery. I stumbled upon this gem through a TikTok video recommendation‚ and I am profoundly grateful that I did.&;quot; – Matt B.&;quot;This book encapsulates every spiritual book I’ve read into a concise oneness&;#33; Everyone would benefit in some way by reading this book. Period.&;quot; – Joe S.Find &;quot;The Untethered Soul&;quot; on Amazon.11. &;quot;The Giver&;quot; by Lois Lowry&;quot;Brought this book since my daughter had to read it for school and I always like to know what are they are teaching her. I am going to be honest very surprise that they are giving this kind of story to a 8th grader since the story is very intense‚ surprising‚ sad but at the same time beautiful and teach the real meaning of love and sacrifice. That live in an idealistic world does not work and it's never better than having love in your live.&;quot; – Marla&;quot;The way Lois slowly introduces us into her idyllic and yet cruel world is simply amazing. The end of the book has left me completely moved and flabbergasted.&;quot; – Nathan S.Find &;quot;The Giver&;quot; on Amazon.12. &;quot;The Last Lecture&;quot; by Randy Pausch&;quot;I’ve read this book twice now. Once at 18 and now again at 33&;#33; Both time it hits deep. Fantastic read&;#33;&;quot; – A.C.&;quot;Professor Randy Pausch was diagnosed with terminal cancer. In response‚ Pausch wrote and delivered one last lecture--a self-help guide on living life with purpose and meaning. But his lecture wasn't really for his students or for the world‚ although it's been a massive bestseller. It was for his children.One of my favorite books of all-time‚ with one of my favorite lines of all time. 'If I could only give three words of advice‚ they'd be‚ 'Tell the truth.' If I got three more‚ they'd be‚ 'All the time.' --Randy Pausch&;quot; – Phil W.Find &;quot;The Last Lecture&;quot; on Amazon.If you enjoy inspiring reads‚ our upcoming book‚ &;quot;Upworthy—GOOD PEOPLE: Stories From the Best of Humanity&;quot; features 101 stories of human decency and is now available for pre-order&;#33; Learn more here. This article originally appeared on 2.19.24