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How Bitcoin technology could change banking in Canada
The virtual currency Bitcoin has earned a reputation as a plaything for libertarians or a tool used to covertly buy drugs on the Internet. But more recently the technology underlying the currency — referred to as “blockchain” or “distributed ledger” technology — Read More...
Tourism can help protect natural landscapes, study shows
Environmentalists often fear that tourists will trample all over sensitive natural resource areas, but tourism may bring the needed and only economic incentives to help drive conservation. According to a University of Georgia study published in the Journal of Ecotourism, environmentalists should Read More...
Cutting back on social media could help you sleep better
Over here at The Optimist, we love social media. But, as always, moderation is good. A study by researchers at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine suggests that heavy social media use could disturb your sleep patterns. The researchers looked specifically at young adults and found that Read More...
The healing power of the brain could complement modern medicine
Scientists have shown that we may not need pain medication after all. Our brains appear to only have a certain capacity for attention. So, basically, if you got something that's commanding your attention, there's less attention left over for experiencing the pain. Here's an interesting conversation Read More...
Iran: Economic growth will defeat extremism in Middle East
Only weeks after financial sanctions were rolled back following the implementation of its nuclear deal with world powers, Iran is embarking on a mission to rebuild relationships with the West. Iranian President Hassan Rouhani is on a four-day trip to Italy and France giving the message that Read More...
6 simple strategies for being happy alone
Whether you like it or not, there will be times where you are socially “alone”. Sometimes its for a short while like when a relationship ends, and other times it can be much longer like when you relocate to a new place. What’s important, though, is that you still get some enjoyment out of the Read More...
No, corporate responsibility is not dead
Late last year, an engrossing debate took place at the British Library in London. The subject: Is Corporate Social Responsibility dead? The two principal debaters were John Elkington (founder of SustainAbiility, Volans and originator of Triple Bottom Line Accounting) and Mark Kramer (chairman and Read More...
Well meaning and meaning well: Gifting with a bigger impact
Gifts have been exchanged, returned and donated. Sales racks scoured. But what happened to that resolution to be more eco-conscious and sustainable, it always seems to go sideways in the frenzy of holiday shopping or impulse purchases on Hallmark holidays (check the calendar: Valentine's Day is Read More...
How science can teach us to be more relaxed
After a busy and stressful year, I recently found myself physically and mentally exhausted with a very real need to relax. A last-minute holiday felt like a perfect solution and I returned feeling refreshed and recharged. What was it that helped me to relieve my physical tension and restore my Read More...
(At least) 6 steps you can take to help prevent cancer
I commend President Obama’s call for invigorated efforts to find a cure for cancer in his recent State of the Union address. Cancer remains a leading cause of death in the United States, second only to cardiovascular disease. Almost 600,000 people — nearly the population of Seattle Read More...