Since He Was 5, Tobi Akbas Has Been Nicknamed "the Mayor" In The Affluent Suburb Of Garrison, New York,

Since he was 5, Tobi Akbas has been nicknamed "the Mayor" in the affluent suburb of Garrison, New York, where he lives. When his mom would take him to the supermarket, he would say hi to every person they saw. In high school, he'd wait in front of the school building to greet students as they arrived.

Now 22, Tobi still craves human connection like oxygen. He's the unofficial ambassador of a Garrison volunteer firefighting squad, handing out candy canes at the annual Santa Run. He posts motivational "Tobi tips" online — as well as sharing them with anyone who asks.

(via Williams Syndrome: the Joy and Sadness of Loving Strangers)

Williams syndrome is a rare genetic disorder characterized by distinctive facial features, cardiovascular problems, developmental delays, and a unique cognitive profile. It is caused by the deletion of genetic material from chromosome 7, specifically a region known as 7q11.23. This deletion affects multiple genes and can lead to various physical and cognitive symptoms.

Individuals with Williams syndrome typically have a friendly and sociable personality, often displaying strong language and music abilities. However, they may also experience challenges in areas such as spatial relations, motor skills, and certain aspects of visual-spatial processing. People with Williams syndrome often have an affinity for music and may show an unusual level of empathy and social interest.

In a new paper, a team of philosophers and psychologists at Johns Hopkins University claims to have finally settled an ancient debate: whether you can actually hear the sound of silence.

In a mind-bending conclusion, they found that you absolutely can.

(via Scientists Discover That You Can Hear Silence)

The train to the plane, Zhaoxu Sui (because)

“It’s in the doing that the idea comes”

via How to design like an architect

“Forest bathing,” or shinrin-yoku, is a Japanese term that emerged in the 1980s. Its practitioners say benefits include feeling less stress, boosting your immune system, and even increasing your levels of anti-cancer proteins.

(via Expert reveals unexpected health benefits of 'forest bathing': 'We have a biological need to connect with nature')

Whatever your method, the message from the experts is clear: Getting outside and into nature is good for you.

The World Health Organization is recognizing loneliness and social isolation as a priority health problem as more and more people suffer across the world.

Data from the University of Michigan's National Poll on Healthy Aging showed loneliness among 50- to 80-year-olds had increased from 27% in October 2018 to 56% in June 2020, at the height of pandemic-era restrictions.

It is also another side effect of Covid-19 that worsens the situation further.

(via Loneliness is at epidemic levels and it's killing Americans)