Over the past few years‚ women named Karen have taken a lot of heat in the media. The term "Karen" has been used to describe a specific type of entitled‚ privileged and often middle-aged white woman. Typically‚ "Karen” is depicted as demanding‚ self-important and constantly seeking to escalate minor inconveniences to authority figures‚ like demanding to "speak to the manager."Identifying the folks who create unnecessary drama in our world is important. But calling them a “Karen” isn’t the best way to solve the problem. There are many reasons to have an issue with the “Karen” stereotype. First‚ it’s terrible for people named Karen‚ and it’s also a connotation that many feel is racist‚ sexist and ageist. Further‚ according to a new study by Trustpilot‚ the stereotype isn’t accurate. A recent survey by the online media site found that the people who leave the most one-star reviews aren’t female‚ and the women who do it the most aren’t named Karen.Trustpilot is a site where people can review a business from which they’ve purchased a product or contacted customer service. According to TrustPilot‚ the number one biggest one-star reviewers are named John‚ not Karen.“The name John is top for [one-star] reviews in the US‚ with the rest of the top five positions filled by David‚ Michael‚ Chris and James‚” the site wrote in a press release. “Looking at specific categories‚ John is also first for negative reviews in Business Services‚ Electronics and Technology‚ Shopping and Fashion‚ and Money and Insurance. Meanwhile‚ Lisa left the most [one-star] reviews in our Beauty and Wellbeing category.”So‚ if your name is Karen‚ keep this story in your back pocket next time someone stereotypes you as an entitled complainer. The real complainers are the Johns and‚ for the women‚ Lisas.Why do people go online and write negative reviews? Psychologist William Berry writes in Psychology Today that people get many positive benefits from complaining‚ although they may annoy everyone around them.The first big reason is an ego boost. When people complain‚ they feel validated. It also makes them feel superior to others. Complaining can also bring like-minded people together. If you and a significant other have ever been mistreated in a restaurant or car dealership‚ having a mutual enemy can work wonders for your relationship.There are also entire groups of people who bond over a common gripe.People who habitually complain may do so because of the brain’s negativity bias. “The human brain‚ geared for survival‚ focuses on negatives (as they appear more threatening to survival) than on positives (which enhance life but are less vital for survival)‚” Berry writes. “As the brain perceives negatives at an approximated ratio of five to one‚ there is simply more to complain about than there is to be grateful for. Additionally‚ this may lead to less general happiness.”Here are the top 15 names of consumers who leave the most one-star reviews on Trustpilot. (Also known as the folks that owe the Karens out there an apology.)1. John2. David3. Michael4. Chris5. James6. Mike7. Mark8. Robert9. Alex10. Paul11. Lisa12. Sarah13. Steve14. Sam15. DanielThis article originally appeared on 9.7.23

When we’re kids‚ fun comes so easily. You have coloring books and team sports and daily recess … so many opportunities to laugh‚ play and explore. As we get older‚ these activities get replaced by routine and responsibility (and yes‚ at times‚ survival). Adulthood‚ yuck. Many of us want to have more fun‚ but making time for it still doesn’t come as easily as it did when we were kids—whether that’s because of guilt‚ a long list of other priorities or because we don’t feel it’s an age-appropriate thing to long for. Luckily‚ we’ve come to realize that fun isn’t just a luxury of childhood‚ but really a vital aspect of living well—like reducing stress‚ balancing hormone levels and even improving relationships.More and more people of all ages are letting their inner kids out to play‚ and the feelings are delightfully infectious.You might be wanting to instill a little more childlike wonder into your own life‚ and not sure where to start. Never fear‚ the internet is here. Reddit user SetsunaSaigami asked people‚ “What always remains fun no matter how old you get?” People’s (surprisingly profound) answers were great reminders that no matter how complex our lives become‚ simple joy will always be important.Here are 14 timeless pleasures to make you feel like a kid again:1. Playing with dogsvia GIPHY Doggos are basically furry children‚ so this one’s a no-brainer. 2. Legosvia GIPHYThe only thing NOT fun about Legos is stepping on one. Everything else is pure magic. 3. Popping bubble wrapvia GIPHYWith each satisfying “pop” sound‚ just imagine tiny bursts of dopamine flooding the brain. 4. Riding roller coastersvia GIPHYWhile it’s true that riding roller coasters might become less physically possible with age‚ barring that limitation—you’re never too old to ride one. 5. Arcadesvia GIPHYPlaying video games at home is cool‚ but there's a special thrill in seeing an arcade absolutely buzzing with different game sounds‚ colored lights and other people enjoying themselves.6. Go-karts via GIPHYBecause speeding in real life is irresponsible.7. Pillow fightsvia GIPHYA quintessential sleepover activity that can easily be done with a roommate. Bonus points for surprise attacks. 8. Dinosaursvia GIPHYWhether in toy or nugget form‚ dinosaurs are a delight.9. Dressing up for Halloweenvia GIPHYHalloween costumes can go from a fun form of playful expression in our younger years to a source of self-image issues in our teens and beyond (as so many things in life do). Hopefully though‚ dressing up for the spooky season can be a highlight on the calendar.10. Water slidesvia GIPHYRoller coasters in liquid form! 11. Dollsvia GIPHYWe no longer have to hide our passion for toys under the serious moniker of “collecting.” Playing with dolls is a fun practice in storytelling and has even shown a very specific set of therapeutic benefits. Permission‚ granted!12. Daydreamingvia GIPHYRemember peacefully imagining made-up worlds while staring up at the clouds? Those were good times.13. Swingsvia GIPHYWhether you are a traditionalist or prefer to go crazy and twist yourself up for some epic spins‚ a swing set is a perfect place to let your inner child out. 14. Taking sick daysvia GIPHYEverything is more fun when you do it during a time you technically should be somewhere else. This article originally appeared on 9.7.22

When the attack on Pearl Harbor began‚ Doris "Dorie" Miller was working laundry duty on the USS West Virginia.He'd enlisted in the Navy at age 19 to explore life outside of Waco‚ Texas‚ and to make some extra money for his family. But the Navy was segregated at the time‚ so Miller‚ an African-American‚ and other sailors of color like him weren't allowed to serve in combat positions. Instead‚ they worked as cooks‚ stewards‚ cabin boys‚ and mess attendants. They received no weapons training and were prohibited from firing guns.As the first torpedoes fell‚ Dorie Miller had an impossible choice: follow the rules or help defend the ship?For Miller‚ the choice was obvious.First‚ he reportedly carried wounded sailors to safety‚ including his own captain. But there was more to be done.In the heat of the aerial attack‚ Miller saw an abandoned Browning .50 caliber anti-aircraft machine gun on deck and immediately decided to fly in the face of segregation and military rules to help defend his ship and country.Though he had no training‚ he manned the weapon and shot at the enemy aircraft until his gun ran out of ammunition‚ potentially downing as many as six Japanese planes. In the melee‚ even Miller himself didn't know his effort was successful."It wasn't hard‚" he said after the battle. "I just pulled the trigger and she worked fine. I had watched the others with these guns. I guess I fired her for about 15 minutes. I think I got one of those [Japanese] planes. They were diving pretty close to us."Original newspaper reports heralded a hero "Negro messman" at Pearl Harbor‚ but no one knew who Miller was.The Pittsburgh Courier‚ an African-American paper in wide circulation‚ sent a reporter to track down and identify the brave sailor‚ but it took months of digging to uncover the messman's identity.Eventually‚ Miller was identified. He was called a hero by Americans of all stripes and colors. He appeared on radio shows and became a celebrity in his own right.Miller's heroism and bravery didn't go unnoticed in Washington‚ D.C.‚ either.In March 1942‚ Rep. John Dingell‚ a Democrat from Michigan‚ introduced a bill authorizing the president to present Miller with the Congressional Medal of Honor. Sen. James Mead introduced a similar measure in the Senate. While Miller did not receive the Congressional Medal of Honor‚ he became the first African-American sailor to receive the Navy Cross."This marks the first time in this conflict that such high tribute has been made in the Pacific Fleet to a member of his race‚ and I'm sure that the future will see others similarly honored for brave acts‚" said Pacific Fleet Admiral Chester Nimitz following Miller's pinning ceremony.Following a brief tour of the country‚ giving speeches and pushing war bonds‚ Miller returned to Navy life.In May 1943‚ Miller reported for duty on the Liscome Bay‚ an escort carrier.On Nov. 24‚ during Operation Galvanic‚ a Japanese torpedo struck the Liscome Bay‚ sinking the ship. 644 men were presumed dead. 272 survived. Miller did not.On Dec. 7‚ 1943‚ two years after the attack on Pearl Harbor‚ Millers' parents received word of their son's death.Doris "Dorie" Miller gave his life for a country that didn't always love him back.Miller posthumously received a Purple Heart‚ the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal‚ the American Defense Service Medal‚ Fleet Clasp‚ and the World War II Victory Medal. There is also a frigate and a neighborhood on the U.S. Naval Base in Pearl Harbor named in his honor.Though his Navy Cross was never elevated to a Congressional Medal of Honor‚ as recently as 2014‚ the Congressional Black Caucus moved to waive the statute of limitations to make it possible.While there are medals‚ movies‚ and statues celebrating Miller‚ it's important to remember and honor the man himself — a 22-year-old black sailor who set aside the rules to do what's right.Poet Gwendolyn Brooks wrote a poem from Miller's perspective‚ the conclusion of which perfectly captures the young hero's courage in the face of bigotry and uncertainty:Naturally‚ the important thing is‚ I helped to save them‚them and a part of their democracy‚Even if I had to kick their law into their teeth in order to do that for them.And I am feeling well and settled in myself because I believe it was a good job‚Despite this possible horror: that they might prefer thePreservation of their law in all its sick dignity and their knivesTo the continuation of their creedAnd their lives.This article originally appeared on 12.06.16

Norine Dworkin-McDaniel's son came home from school one day talking about Newton's first law of motion.He had just learned it at school‚ her son explained as they sat around the dinner table one night. It was the idea that "an object at rest will remain at rest until acted on by an external force.""It struck me that it sounded an awful lot like him and his video games‚" she joked.A writer by trade and always quick to turn a phrase‚ Norine grabbed a pen and scribbled some words:"Newton's First Law of Parenting: A child at rest will remain at rest ... until you need your iPad back."And just like that‚ she started creating "The Science of Parenthood‚" a series that names and identifies hilarious‚ universal parenting struggles. She put in a quick call to her friend Jessica Ziegler‚ a visual and graphics expert‚ and together the two set out to bring the project to life.Here are some of their discoveries:1. Newton's first law of parenting2. The sleep geometry theorem3. The baby fluids effusion rule4. The carnival arc5. The Archimedes bath-time principle6. Schrödinger's backpack7. The naptime disruption theorem8. Calculation disintegration9. Chuck e-conomics10. Plate tectonics11. Silicaphobia12. Delusions of launder13. The Costco contradictionNorine and Jessica's work struck a nerve with parents everywhere.Norine said almost every parent who sees the cartoons has a similar reaction: a quiet moment of recognition‚ followed by a huge laugh as they recognize their own families in the illustrations.But is there more to it than just getting a few chuckles? You bet‚ Norine and Jessica said."Even‚ at the worst possible moments‚ you're standing there‚ your child has just vomited all over you‚ or you've opened up the diaper and your kid is sitting waist deep in liquid ****. Even at that moment‚ it's not really that bad‚" Norine said. "You will be able to laugh at this at some point.""It gets better. You're not alone in this parenting thing."This article originally appeared on 11.30.16

These are called "anti-homeless spikes." They're about as friendly as they sound. As you may have guessed‚ they're intended to deter people who are homeless from sitting or sleeping on that concrete step. And yeah‚ they're pretty awful.The spikes are a prime example of how cities design spaces to keep homeless people away.Not all concrete steps have spikes on them‚ but outdoor seating in cities like Montreal and Tokyo have been sneakily designed to prevent people from resting too comfortably for too long.This guy sawing through a bench was part of a 2006 protest in Toulouse‚ France‚ where public seating intentionally included armrests to prevent people from lying down.Of course‚ these designs do nothing to fight the cause or problem of homelessness. They're just a way of saying to homeless people‚ "Go somewhere else. We don't want to look at you‚" basically.One particular set of spikes was outside a former night club in London. And a local group got sick of staring at them.Leah Borromeo is part of the art collective "Space‚ Not Spikes" — a group that's fed up with what she describes as "hostile architecture.""Spikes do nothing more than shoo the realities of poverty and inequality away from your backyard — so you don't have to see it or confront what you can do to make things more equal‚" Borromeo told Upworthy. "And that is really selfish.""Our moral compass is skewed if we think things like this are acceptable."The move by Space‚ Not Spikes has caused quite a stir in London and around the world. The simple but impactful idea even garnered support from music artist Ellie Goulding."That was amazing‚ wasn't it?" Borromeo said of Goulding's shout-out on Instagram."[The project has] definitely touched a nerve and I think it is because‚ as a whole‚ humans will still look out for each other‚" Borromeo told Upworthy. "Capitalism and greed conditions us to look out for ourselves and negate the welfare of others‚ but ultimately‚ I think we're actually really kind.""We need to call out injustice and hypocrisy when we see it."These spikes may be in London‚ but the U.S. definitely has its fair share of anti-homeless sentiment‚ too.Spikes are pretty obvious — they're a visual reminder of a problem many cities are trying to ignore. But what we can't see on the street is the rise of anti-homeless laws that have cropped up from sea to shining sea.Legislation that targets homeless people — like bans on panhandling and prohibiting people from sleeping in cars — has increased significantly in recent years.For instance‚ a report by the National Law Center on Homelessness &; Poverty that analyzed 187 American cities found that there's been a 43% hike in citywide bans on sitting or lying down in certain spaces since 2011.Thankfully‚ groups like "Space‚ Not Spikes" are out there changing hearts and minds. But they need our help.The group created a video to complement its work and Borromeo's hoping its positive underlying message will motivate people to do better."[The world] won't always be happy-clappy because positive social change needs constructive conflict and debate‚" she explained. "But we need to call out injustice and hypocrisy when we see it."Check out their video below:This article originally appeared on 07.24.15

In 1933‚ Adolf Hitler handed the power of Jewish cultural life in Nazi Germany to his chief propagandist‚ Joseph Goebbels. Goebbels established a team of of regulators that would oversee the works of Jewish artists in film‚ theater‚ music‚ fine arts‚ literature‚ broadcasting‚ and the press.Goebbels' new regulations essentially eliminated Jewish people from participating in mainstream German cultural activities by requiring them to have a license to do so.This attempt by the Nazis to purge Germany of any culture that wasn't Aryan in origin led to the questioning of artists from outside the country. Nazi book burning via Wikimedia CommonsIn 1938‚ English author J. R. R. Tolkien and his British publisher‚ Stanley Unwin‚ opened talks with Rütten &; Loening‚ a Berlin-based publishing house‚ about a German translation of his recently-published hit novel‚ "The Hobbit."Privately‚ according to "1937 The Hobbit or There and Back Again‚" Tolkien told Unwin he hated Nazi "race-doctrine" as "wholly pernicious and unscientific." He added he had many Jewish friends and was considering abandoning the idea of a German translation altogether.The Berlin-based publishing house sent Tolkien a letter asking for proof of his Aryan descent. Tolkien was incensed by the request and gave his publisher two responses‚ one in which he sidestepped the question‚ another in which he clapped back '30s-style with pure class.His publisher sent the classy clap-back.In the letter sent to Rütten &; Loening‚ Tolkien notes that Aryans are of Indo-Iranian "extraction‚" correcting the incorrect Nazi aumption that Aryans come from northern Europe. He cuts to the chase by saying that he is not Jewish but holds them in high regard. "I regret that I appear to have no ancestors of that gifted people‚" Tolkien wrote.Tolkien also takes a shot at the race policies of Nazi Germany by saying he's beginning to regret his German surname. "The time is not far distant when a German name will no longer be a source of pride‚" he writes.Here's the letter sent to Rütten &; Loening:25 July 1938 20 Northmoor Road‚ OxfordDear Sirs‚Thank you for your letter. I regret that I am not clear as to what you intend by arisch. I am not of Aryan extraction: that is Indo-Iranian; as far as I am aware none of my ancestors spoke Hindustani‚ Persian‚ Gypsy‚ or any related dialects. But if I am to understand that you are enquiring whether I am of Jewish origin‚ I can only reply that I regret that I appear to have no ancestors of that gifted people.My great-great-grandfather came to England in the eighteenth century from Germany: the main part of my descent is therefore purely English‚ and I am an English subject — which should be sufficient. I have been accustomed‚ nonetheless‚ to regard my German name with pride‚ and continued to do so throughout the period of the late regrettable war‚ in which I served in the English army. I cannot‚ however‚ forbear to comment that if impertinent and irrelevant inquiries of this sort are to become the rule in matters of literature‚ then the time is not far distant when a German name will no longer be a source of pride.Your enquiry is doubtless made in order to comply with the laws of your own country‚ but that this should be held to apply to the subjects of another state would be improper‚ even if it had (as it has not) any bearing whatsoever on the merits of my work or its sustainability for publication‚ of which you appear to have satisfied yourselves without reference to my Abstammung.I trust you will find this reply satisfactory‚ andremain yours faithfully‚J. R. R. TolkienThis article originally appeared on 2.15.22

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