Lifestyle
Alongside taking care of other people and the planet, make sure you take good care of yourself. The Lifestyle section at the Optimist Daily has solutions for everyday wellbeing on topics like food, beauty, fashion, and the latest trends. Curious about caring for houseplants, eating plant-based, or parenting tips? It’s all in there.
Newsstands in Australia are going to sell Bitcoin for cash
Digital “cryptocurrencies” like Bitcoin are going to transform our societies even more fundamentally than sharing economy initiatives as Uber and Airbnb are already doing because we all use money every day. Digital money still seems far away. However, Australians will soon be able to Read More...
Paris store keepers launch initiative to support homeless
Small businesses in Paris have formed a network to support the homeless in the city. For homeless people, asking for a drink or food is demoralizing, since most individuals react negatively. The new network has introduced the Carillon stickers that let those in need know that they can ask for a Read More...
A new journalism startup in Hong Kong is betting the public will pay for unbiased news
Starting an independent news service in today’s media environment would be a challenge anywhere. In Hong Kong, it seems like a singularly bad idea. The quality and independence of the South China Morning Post, Hong Kong’s main English-language paper, is widely perceived to have declined Read More...
Biodegradable plastic that solves the methane problem
While we’re exceptionally thorough in making sure our plastic waste fills every corner of the earth, we’re simultaneously shockingly effective in allowing methane gas to burn away the ozone layer. It’s impressive really. But perhaps more impressive is how Mango Materials is tackling both our Read More...
Research shows that alcohol does make you happy
Drinking too much is bad for you. Period. However, research shows that, for instance, moderate drinking of wine has substantial health benefits. Now a new study finds that drinking also increases happiness (you thought so). Researchers in the U.K. set out to quantify the happiness boost you get Read More...
Africans are now living 10 years longer than in 2000
This is remarkable news about Africa. According to new data from the World Health Organization (WHO) life expectancy on the continent has increased considerably. In 2000 the average African was expected to live to 50; in 2015, an African was expected to live almost 10 years longer. The WHO report Read More...
One of the world's most expensive countries is debating giving away money
The Swiss are discussing paying people $2,500 a month for doing nothing.The country will vote June 5 on whether the government should introduce an unconditional basic income to replace various welfare benefits. Although the initiators of the plan haven’t stipulated how large the payout should Read More...
A crowdfunded venture fund with $150 million virtual capital challenges investing as we know it
Digital money driven by the power of the Internet is going to upset traditional finance much like the online sharing economy is transforming the taxi and hotel industries. Cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin are the first examples of a wave that’s gradually building and that has the potential to Read More...
A very smart shower that cuts water and energy usage by 70 percent
Ever thought lives could be saved by engineering a new type of shower? Peter Brewin and Nick Christy probably didn’t think so either, but it appears to be a nice side effect of their water and energy efficient shower design. How? Well, it turns out many casualties in the U.S. Army are soldiers Read More...
Bringing everyone online would lift 500 million people out of poverty
Internet access means access to opportunities as people find ways to sell their products and services. So connecting everyone to the internet would lead to a substantial growth impulse for the world economy. According to a new report getting the 4 billion people—who are not yet connected—online Read More...