Something You Should Know

Choosing between two options can feel straightforward. Add a third—and suddenly the decision gets harder. Add more, and it can become overwhelming. There’s a surprising reason your brain struggles when options multiply, and it can quietly influence the choices you make every day. https://thedecisionlab.com/biases/decoy-effect

In every close relationship, there is an underlying pattern that shapes how you connect, respond, and react—your attachment style. It influences how you handle conflict, how secure you feel, and even who you’re drawn to. Dr. Amir Levine, psychiatrist, neuroscientist at Columbia University, and co-author of Attached (https://amzn.to/48CJBKV) and Secure (https://amzn.to/47TdTcd), explains the four primary attachment styles and how understanding yours—and your partner’s—can shed light on relationship dynamics that often feel confusing or frustrating. If you want to explore your own attachment style, you can take a quiz at: https://amirlevinemd.com/

Predictions are supposed to help us understand what’s coming next. But in many cases, they do something far stranger—they actually help shape the future they claim to forecast. And despite the confidence of experts, humans are notoriously bad at predicting what will happen, even in fields they know well. Carissa Véliz, associate professor at the Institute for Ethics in AI at the University of Oxford and author of Prophecy: Prediction, Power, and the Fight for the Future, from Ancient Oracles to AI (https://amzn.to/4mleiKt), explains why predictions are so unreliable, how they influence behavior, and why we should be more skeptical of them than we are.

When you need advice or someone to truly understand what you’re going through, not all perspectives are equal. There’s evidence that people of a certain age—and life experience—may be better at offering empathy and insight than others. https://isr.umich.edu/news-events/news-releases/age-and-empathy-middle-aged-are-most-likely-to-feel-your-pain
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Talking on the phone while driving seems harmless—after all, you can talk to passengers just fine. So why is phone use so much more dangerous? There’s something subtle happening in your brain that makes it far riskier than it appears. https://www.kansashealthsystem.com/care/centers/trauma-center/resources/distracted-driving

You see the world all day long—but how much do you actually notice? Visual intelligence is the skill of truly observing what’s in front of you, picking up details others miss, and interpreting what you see more accurately. Amy Herman, who has trained organizations like the FBI, Navy SEALs, NATO, and major corporations, explains how this skill can be sharpened. In her book Visual Intelligence (https://amzn.to/49LRD1U) and its adaptation for children, smART: Use Your Eyes to Boost Your Brain (https://amzn.to/49IX9T5), she shows how improving the way you look at the world can enhance decision-making, communication, and problem-solving in everyday life.

Pain is something we all experience—but we rarely stop to consider what it actually is or why it works the way it does. Is pain simply something to eliminate, or is it trying to tell you something important? Dr. Aneesh Singla, former Harvard Medical School faculty member and author of Why It Hurts: A Physician’s Insights on The Purpose of Pain (https://amzn.to/3W26jHc), explains how pain functions in the body, why it can sometimes persist even after an injury heals, and what you can do to better understand and manage it.

Smiling is usually a reaction to feeling good—but what happens when you do it the other way around? Even when you’re not particularly happy, putting on a smile may have effects you wouldn’t expect—and some of them are surprisingly powerful. https://www.verywellmind.com/top-reasons-to-smile-every-day-2223755

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When updating your resume or LinkedIn profile, it’s tempting to use words that make you sound impressive—terms like “world-class” or “team player.” But hiring managers often see those words very differently than you might expect, and they can actually work against you. https://www.linkedin.com/business/talent/blog/product-tips/words-you-should-not-use-on-linkedin-profile-infographic

Tipping has become increasingly complicated—and controversial. Requests for tips seem to be everywhere, suggested amounts are rising, and many people feel unsure about what’s appropriate. At the same time, for many workers, tips are essential income. So how much should you really tip? When is it expected—and when is it not? Michael Lynn, professor of services marketing at Cornell University and author of The Psychology of Tipping: Scientific Insights for Services Customers, Workers, and Managers (https://amzn.to/4drNgyH), explains the science behind tipping, what influences how much people give, and how both customers and workers can better navigate this evolving system.

There are probably things you’ve thought about doing—but haven’t. Speaking up in a conversation. Making a change in your career. Taking a risk that feels important. Often, the biggest barrier isn’t ability—it’s permission. Dr. George James, licensed therapist and consultant, and author of I Give Myself Permission: Take Risks. Be Imperfect. Live Boldly (https://amzn.to/41fjiqb), explains why people hold themselves back, how those internal limits form, and what it takes to move past them and take action on what matters.

You’ve probably heard a driver say, “That motorcycle came out of nowhere—I didn’t see it.” It sounds like an excuse, but there’s actually a real reason this happens—and it’s something every driver should understand. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3482468/

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Most people assume they’re safe—at home, out in public, going about their normal routine. But how often do you actually think about what you would do if that sense of safety was suddenly challenged? Would you recognize a real threat? Would you know how to respond in the moment—or would you freeze?

Security expert Spencer Coursen says many people fall into what he calls a “safety trap”—believing that danger is unlikely or that they’ll instinctively know what to do if something happens. In reality, how you respond in a threatening situation often comes down to awareness, preparation, and simple decisions made before anything ever goes wrong.

Spencer is a nationally recognized threat management expert and author of The Safety Trap: A Security Expert’s Secrets for Staying Safe in a Dangerous World (https://amzn.to/3gtV5pp). In our conversation, he explains how criminals identify targets, why some homes and individuals are more vulnerable than others, and what small changes can significantly reduce your risk. He also shares practical guidance on how to think, react, and stay in control if you ever find yourself in a dangerous situation.

This isn’t about fear—it’s about being prepared in a way that most people never consider until it’s too late.

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Most people think they’re good drivers. But there’s one simple thing you can do—or not do—that has a surprisingly big impact on how well you drive. It takes almost no effort, yet skipping it can quietly increase your chances of making mistakes behind the wheel. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25890276/

Your financial life may feel like a series of personal choices—what you earn, spend, and save. But many of those decisions are shaped by forces you don’t always see. Technology, algorithms, credit systems, and even the way prices are presented can subtly influence how you think about money and what you do with it. Alex Mayyasi, reporter for the podcast Planet Money (https://www.npr.org/podcasts/510289/planet-money) and author of Planet Money: A Guide to the Economic Forces That Shape Your Life (https://amzn.to/4s4H9DO), explains how these hidden forces work—and how becoming aware of them can help you make smarter financial decisions.

Quitting has a bad reputation. We’re taught to stick it out, push through, and never give up. But sometimes quitting is exactly the right move. The real challenge is knowing the difference between perseverance and persistence that no longer serves you. Jeffrey Lockwood, professor at the University of Wyoming and author of The Good Quit: Mastering the Fine Art of Giving Up (https://amzn.to/48oBEsG), explores how to recognize when it’s time to walk away—and how making the right decision at the right time can actually move your life forward.

An eye that suddenly starts twitching can feel strange and a little unsettling. It often comes out of nowhere and can linger longer than you’d like. But what’s actually causing it—and is it something you should worry about? https://www.mayoclinic.org/symptoms/eye-twitching/basics/causes/sym-20050838

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