Small talk actually does good things for your happiness + Ye gets the boot from Adidas + Video games don’t fry your kids’ brains
Want to boost your happiness? Strike up a conversation with a stranger: Casual acquaintances — or “weak ties” — can have a big impact on our happiness, according to a recent study from Harvard University. Coined by US sociologist Mark Granovetter almost 50 years ago, the term “weak ties” refers to people you are loosely affiliated with like high school buddies, people you exchange small talk with, or maybe just quick nods. The study assessing the social networks of 50k people from eight different countries found that people who had more diversity in their social interactions, including “weak ties,” were happier and more satisfied with their lives.
Debunking the “quality, not quantity” adage: The research shows different types of social relationships — family, significant others, work colleagues, friends — serve different kinds of social support, so this diversity in social networks may give individuals greater access to different types of social support and enhance overall well-being. Researchers suggest it's actually the variety of people in your social network that matters more to your well being than how long you spend with them, so the next time you're feeling low, start chatting with that vaguely familiar-looking person you once shared an eye-roll with for a pick-me-up.
Adidas take a EUR 250 mn loss by canceling Ye: The German sportswear brand has severed ties with Kanye West over a barrage of antisemitic remarks made by the popular rapper in recent weeks, according to a company statement. The termination of the partnership will bring an end to West’s Yeezy branded products and all payments to the rapper-turned-fashion mogul and his companies. Yeezy branded sneakers generated some USD 1.47 bn in annual sales for Adidas, accounting for a little over 7% of the company’s overall revenue, Reuters reports, citing estimates from Telsey Advisory Group. The move is expected to deliver a EUR 250 mn hit to the sportswear giant’s net income in 2022, the statement says.
A slew of splits: Adidas joins a host of companies breaking up with Ye, after US retailer the Gap and fashion house Balenciaga dumped the controversial artist. CAA, one of Hollywood’s largest agencies, said it severed ties with West earlier this month, LA Times reports citing a person familiar with the matter.
Playing video games may be beneficial for neurocognitive performance: Recent study shows that video games might have a positive impact on the brain in terms of cognitive performance. Using data from over 2k children aged 9-10 involved in the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development study, scientists found that video gamers who played at least 21 hours per week showed higher neurocognitive performance compared to non-gamers. They also exhibited “better cognitive performance in response inhibition, working memory, and an altered bold signal in key regions of the cortex responsible for visual, attention, and memory processing.” While scientists still encourage parents to prevent their kids from spending too much time playing video games, they also suggest more investigation is needed to confirm the cognitive benefits, Bloomberg reports.