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Bluetooth headphones are essential and addictive, you might even be using a pair now. Following Covid-19 pandemic headphones have become vital for work, while also being essential tools for personal privacy, in work, entertainment or fitness activities. These varied applications have made them indispensable in modern life, influencing work, leisure and well-being. Headphones can therefore be linked to the capitalist obsession with enhanced productivity and the modern desire for escape. Widespread headphone use has also garnered cultural significance with subcultures like hip-hop, making Bluetooth headphones fashion accessories and status symbols, which have established a thriving market for affordable and luxury models. This surge in popularity has made headphones the core of an industry characterized by rapid innovation.

The post Unplugged: The Environmental Detriment of Bluetooth Headphones appeared first on Progress in Political Economy (PPE).

An acoustic experiment reveals that spooky forest sounds may come from above.

The post How the Night Sky Speaks to Us appeared first on Nautilus.

Understanding that memories are interpretations can transform you.

The post Your Memories Are Like Paintings appeared first on Nautilus.

You probably have at least ten tote bags at the back of your cupboard. The humble tote bag has a knack of accumulating in a way like no other. Yet, while these reusable cotton bags may seem good in principle, they have a much larger environmental impact than appears at first glance.

The post Tote Bag appeared first on Progress in Political Economy (PPE).

Helen Philips, author of a new work of speculative fiction called Hum, on finding hope in the midst of dystopia.

The post The Dark Underbelly of the Near Future appeared first on Nautilus.

Producing approximately 23 billion pairs of shoes each year, the global footwear industry is marred by significant environmental and ethical challenges. Despite the industry's substantial output, only about 5% of shoes are recycled, leaving the majority to exacerbate landfill issues globally. Although not as prominently discussed as fast fashion garment production, the environmental footprint of footwear manufacturing is equally concerning. Production processes often involve toxic chemicals, extensive water use, and high dependency on fossil fuels. Additionally, factories are typically situated in developing countries to take advantage of cheap labour and lenient environmental regulations, contributing to a significant carbon footprint—1.4% of global greenhouse gas emissions, narrowly behind the aviation industry.

The post Shoes: A Nexus of Empowerment, Exploitation, and Environmental Concerns appeared first on Progress in Political Economy (PPE).

A phenomenon called “population stereotypes” helps explain how predictable human responses create the illusion of telepathy.

The post Are You Psychic? Nudge, Nudge appeared first on Nautilus.

Tamsin Mather on her 3 greatest revelations while writing Adventures in Volcanoland.

The post What Volcanoes Tell Us appeared first on Nautilus.

These life-size portraits of South Korea’s most iconic ocean women showcase a dying way of life.

The post The Salty Grit of the Haenyeo Divers appeared first on Nautilus.

Learning to appreciate the big picture.

The post High Mountains, Ancient Shells, and the Wonder of Deep Time appeared first on Nautilus.