Youth Advocacy
Youth Advocacy
Year 3, Week 47 (185 total reports)
15.11.2023-20.11.2023
REVIEW and ANNOUNCEMENTS
Advocating for young people when political leaders seem incapable of rational thought and are intent on MISleading (DISleading) others.
Best Links of The Week
21.11.2023
Disinformation campaigns are undermining democracy. Here's how we can fight back
The difference between misinformation and disinformation is the intentionality of the creator to deceive his/her audience. This is a critical distinction as we enter the age of AI. There are many unethical, pathological egotists seeking to purposely dis-inform the public to reach their ends. We could say they don’t “MISlead” people, they “DISlead” people. Both misinformation and disinformation can be damaging and checking your sources should be part of our everyday, responsible consumption of the news that we share. It is also as critical a skill for raising adolescents as the ability to manage your own emotions.
20.11.2023
The Psychology of Kindness
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/psychology-yesterday/202311/the-psychology-of-kindness
There’s always someone who would benefit from your kindness and what a great way to start each day by asking; “Who needs my kindness today?” One of the most important reasons to teach kindness to children is that it redefines who they(we) are. We are born naturally kind and learn to lose that instinct with age. No doubt watching how adult Republican politicians are treating each other these days affects that. When you think about what our children might learn from watching the GOP’s political leaders, it’s okay to challenge people to fights in the highest offices of the US, it’s okay to mock the disabled, it’s okay to attack the diverse, the list continues—and grows—constantly. Sen. Markwayne Mullin, Marjorie Taylor Greene, Lauren Boebert, and their circus ringleader, Donald Trump, all are examples of how adults look when they are incapable of thinking with their frontal lobe.
19.11.2023
This amazing teen activist won’t stop fighting for equal rights for students
When adults seem unable to lead in a rational and kind manner, we are fortunate that there are courageous young people who step forward to be an example in that gap. This story is inspirational and worth reading. Virginia is one of many states determined to cause damage and increase the suicide rate among vulnerable teens. With few adults stepping forward to advocate for those teens, I am thankful to see young people, like 15-year-old, Keely Meadows, filling that gap. The “model policies” passed into law by Gov. Glenn Youngkin and the Virginia Department of Education, show their ignorance in understanding their primary task as educators and leaders. Rather than listen to students, Virginia has decided to increase the presence of police at School Board meetings using scare tactics to intimidate those who might speak out against their policies and dishonesty.
18.11.2023
How Anger Keeps Us From Thinking Clearly and What You Can Do
The power of anger to cripple our rational thinking and empathy seems so obvious that I would normally not find it worth sharing. However, as I watch political leaders act irrationally and without any obvious rational thought, I can’t help but think this is a critical subject to bring back to the fore. Deeper still, what is it that voters see in these people that are unable to act like adults? Why are we choosing representatives who would be more suited to a cage match than a Senate hearing? What sense of futility and anger is driving the voting public? Why are we picking leaders known for their bombastic behavior and pugnacity rather than their reason and compassion? Who does it benefit to see political leaders only able to create chaos and unable to govern and who does it benefit to have people grow a vehement distrust in democratic institutions?
17.11.2023
Are men too emotional to lead?
This week, we mark the passing of another remarkable woman leader, that of Rosalynn Carter. How sad to lose leaders like her and still be saddled with pathological liars like Donald Trump. Throughout history, the gender question of leadership has been the complete opposite of this statement of emotionality, that women would be too emotional to lead. But, watching the aggressive adolescent behavior of male politicians lately, makes this question critical, timely, and relevant.
16.11.2023
A Life Without Nature Is a Lonely One
https://apple.news/AyaRRXImcS8e7WfKq_uoifA
The further we are from nature, the lonelier we become. In a time of an epidemic of loneliness, what is it we can do to make sure our children are connected to nature (and kindness) on a daily basis? If you are connected to children in any manner (and truly we all are), find ways to get them out into nature, and go with them.
15.11.2023
The day Congress went back to fourth grade
https://www.cnn.com/2023/11/15/politics/congress-immaturity-analysis/
I hesitate to print this article, because it gives fourth graders a bad name. But many leaders in the US Congress seem unable to use their cognitive skills to lead.
This Week’s Links
21.11.2023
Disinformation campaigns are undermining democracy. Here's how we can fight back
Americans don’t trust politicians on trans issues. They trust doctors & parents
The Untapped Power of Loneliness
https://nextbigideaclub.com/magazine/untapped-power-loneliness-bookbite/46444/
One Simple Trick to Think Outside the Box
Improve Your Conversations By Focusing on Curiosity, Not Performance
https://lifehacker.com/health/make-better-small-talk
20.11.2023
The Psychology of Kindness
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/psychology-yesterday/202311/the-psychology-of-kindness
The Life Hack That Einstein, Edison and Dalí All Had in Common
https://www.insidehook.com/mental-health/hypnagogic-state-life-hack
Psychopathic adolescents: Study highlights the role of social dominance in aggressive and antisocial conduct
19.11.2023
This amazing teen activist won’t stop fighting for equal rights for students
Texas pushes some textbook publishers to remove material on fossil fuels
https://www.npr.org/2023/11/18/1213999288/texas-textbook-publishers-fossil-fuels
Emotionally Intelligent People Use a Brilliant 6-Word Phrase to Stop Thinking They're Not Good Enough and Move on
https://www.inc.com/justin-bariso/emotional-intelligence-not-good-enough-how-to-move-on.html
18.11.2023
How Anger Keeps Us From Thinking Clearly and What You Can Do
Not Just a Feeling: The Physical Consequences of Loneliness
Why Reading Is Important for Children’s Brain Development
https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/why_reading_is_important_children_brain_development
The Next Big Idea Club’s February 2024 Must-Read Books
https://nextbigideaclub.com/magazine/next-big-idea-clubs-february-2024-must-read-books/46393/
7 men who sacrificed the environment for wealth and power
17.11.2023
Are men too emotional to lead?
It’s now basically illegal to be gay in this Tennessee town
https://www.intomore.com/impact/its-now-basically-illegal-to-be-gay-in-this-tennessee-town/
Parenting coach explains how to communicate with anxious child using the concept of trust
8 Phrases To Replace Saying 'It's OK' When It's Really Not OK, According to Psychologists
https://parade.com/living/phrases-to-replace-saying-its-ok-according-to-psychologists
How to Change Your Mind
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/math-and-the-real-world/202311/how-to-change-your-mind
16.11.2023
A Life Without Nature Is a Lonely One
https://apple.news/AyaRRXImcS8e7WfKq_uoifA
Luis von Ahn: How to make learning as addictive as social media
https://www.ted.com/talks/luis_von_ahn_how_to_make_learning_as_addictive_as_social_media/transcript
Stoic Wisdom for Living a Life Full of Meaning
https://nextbigideaclub.com/magazine/stoic-wisdom-living-life-full-meaning/46327/
Trans people are magic. They should inspire us all to live more authentically.
How To Ask Better Questions
https://www.inc.com/david-finkel/how-to-ask-better-questions.html
Are You’re A Conversational Narcissist? Here’s How To Tell
https://www.fatherly.com/life/are-you-a-conversational-narcissist
The Most Powerful Response You Can Choose In A Difficult Situation, According To Experts
The Common Behavior That's The Biggest Predictor Of Divorce
https://www.yourtango.com/heartbreak/biggest-predictor-of-divorce
15.11.2023
The day Congress went back to fourth grade
https://www.cnn.com/2023/11/15/politics/congress-immaturity-analysis/
Can little actions bring big joy? Researchers find 'micro-acts' can boost well-being
https://apple.news/Am-a83S80TH23Rv8FnwXB1A
The Next Big Idea Club’s Season 22 Finalists
https://nextbigideaclub.com/magazine/next-big-idea-clubs-season-22-finalists/46299/
High school students volunteer to honor late homeless veterans with extraordinary gesture of respect
A High-Performance Psychologist Reveals the Biggest Obstacle to Achieving Mastery
Majority of Americans Say Stress Is Destroying Their Ability To Enjoy Life
https://wealthofgeeks.com/americans-say-stress-is-destroying-life/
A Psychologist Explains Why The ‘Anti-Grindset’ Movement Could Save Us All
Texas Republicans target climate science in textbooks ahead of education board vote
Iconic cellist Yo-Yo Ma worked with drag queen & trans singer on a new song to give hope
Autistic people experience loneliness far more acutely than neurotypical people – new research