What Makes Something Pretty, and Why Does Your Brain Care So Much

Is the illusion really an illusion if it keeps turning into reality? –YNOT! We like to pretend we live in a meritocracy—talent in, success out—but reality has a quieter sense of humor. Good-looking people tend to earn more, get hired faster, marry better, and live longer. Not because they’re wiser or kinder, but because the brain shortcuts in their favor. Beauty creates trust before words are spoken. Confidence follows attention. Opportunity follows confidence. And once the loop starts, it feeds itself until the illusion hardens into fact. It isn’t fair. It isn’t noble. But it is human nature doing … Continue readingWhat Makes Something Pretty, and Why Does Your Brain Care So Much

Rock, Paper, Scissors and the Mind Games We Play

đź§  “True randomness is an illusion—our habits leak through even in a game of chance.” –YNOT! Whether deciding who gets the last slice of pizza or who takes out the trash, many of us have turned to a quick round of rock-paper-scissors to settle the score. It’s the ultimate fair game, right? Three simple hand signs, each one beating one and losing to another, seemingly left to pure chance. At first glance, Rock-Paper-Scissors feels as random as flipping a coin. But if you’ve ever had that friend who always seems to win, you might suspect there’s more at work … Continue readingRock, Paper, Scissors and the Mind Games We Play