Here are a few things I've learned so far.
Q: Why is Pepto-Bismal pink?
A: "Somebody who helped develop it suggested the color because he thought kids would like it," says Procter & Gamble spokesman Jim Schwartz after conferring with P&G's historian. "Its bright cheery color was meant to reduce fear." - LA Times, Dec 22 1992
Q: Why are Dalmatians associated with firefighters?
A: "Dalmatians were often chosen by firehouses over other dogs as they not only calmed the horses, but had incredible endurance, were very loyal, and had loud barks. This was key in the early days of fire carriages as the small pack of dogs that would run beside the carriages was also used as a sort of siren to warn pedestrians that a carriage was coming and they needed to clear a path." - Reader's Digest, May 11 2020
Q: Why are eggplants called eggplants?
A: "The first aubergines brought to America from Europe were primarily white (in varying shades) in color, with a shiny smooth outside. Thus, they began to be referred to as eggplants." - Andrew Coppolino, April 27 2022
Q: Why is 7 the most popular number in the world?
A: Math blogger Alex Bellos explains that the reason why we all love 7 is because it's the only number between 1 and 10 that can't be doubled or divided into another. This makes it a unique loner and outsider compared to the others. Since it's special, humans have associated the number 7 with special groups of things, like the seven seas, dwarves, sins, wonders of the world...the list goes on! It's interesting to look at the ways that math can influence our society and culture, even if subconsciously.
For the record, my favorite number is 11.
Q: How many waterfalls are there in Iceland?
A: Apparently too many to count! There's no official record, but estimates say there may be as many as 10,000 waterfalls in Iceland . Visiting Iceland was one of the highlights of my LIFE!
Q: What's up with serial killers? Why do they kill people?
A: "The Anatomy of Violence" by Adrian Raine takes us on a journey in understanding the biological factors that are at play concerning violent behavior. With extensive data, Raine explains to us how an individual can actually be genetically predisposed to crime.
From this book, I learned there are different kinds of violent behavior. There are:
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Hyper-aggressive individuals who may react violently to a situation due to a higher level of activity in their prefrontal cortex, which controls impulsive behavior and emotional regulation.
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Individuals (like serial killers) whose brain scans have shown almost no activity in the same area of their prefrontal cortex, meaning they do not struggle with reactive behavior, but rather, lacking any emotions to regulate.
Each of these brains function differently compared to each other, as well as the "average" brain, and yet both are capable of horrible acts of crime. Raine presents evidence that can help us in answering a fascinating question; "If we can identify the biological indicators that have been shown to predict violent behavior, can we use this knowledge to help decrease violence?"
Q: What song have I listened to the most in my lifetime?
A: "The Obvious Child" by Paul Simon.
Q: Why is the QWERTY keyboard arranged the way that it is?
A: There are actually several theories around the origins of the QWERTY keyboard and no clear-cut answer. When the earliest typewriter prototypes were being developed, the keyboard arrangement we know and use today supposedly helped ensure that the expensive machines wouldn't break down. The typewriter's inventor, Christopher Sholes, experimented with separating specific letters that were commonly placed near each other. Another claim is that the modern English keyboard was developed based off of feedback from the earliest typewriters who had to translate Morse code quickly and having the keyboard in alphabetical order was confusing for them.
Q: Will youths grow up more insecure because of social media or is it "just a phase"?
A: After conducting my senior research project on Instagram and watching the Social Dilemma on Netflix, I have a lot of concerns about the foundations of morality in technology (or rather, the lack thereof) and the world it has created today.
In the documentary, Jonathan Haidt, a moral psychologist (who also happened to write one of my favorite books ever), shared some stats around Generation Z, a generation who has never known life without the internet.
According to the documentary, in the United States alone, depression and anxiety has gone up 62% among older teen girls since 2011 and suicide has increased by 75%. For preteen girls, the numbers are higher. Depression and anxiety has increased 189%. Suicide? An alarming 151%. 2011 was the year that Snapchat was launched, a year after Instagram.
I deeply care about humans and want them to be equipped with tech that helps and doesn't harm. That's why I am dedicating my career to the UX space that exists to help make that happen!