Einstein’s 100 Year Old Prediction Confirmed

Have you ever felt as if you were ahead of your time? Einstein was, and recently scientists were able to prove a key part of his theory of relativity.

If a tree falls in a forest and no one is around to hear it, does it make a sound?  That is a question pondered by many and often used as a thought experiment.

Regardless of whether you look at that question from a philosophical or a scientific standpoint, it seems to be a matter of opinion that is still up for debate.

If we were to rephrase that question to make it match portions of Albert Einsteins general theory of relativity, it might then be stated as “If two black holes collide in a binary system with solar masses, can we detect the resulting gravitational waves from space on earth?”

Except that question is no longer up for debate. It has a definitive answer.

Yes.

For the first time we were able to detect the echoes of an event that took place more than 1.3 billion years ago.

Recently scientists at two separate Laser Interferometer Gravitationalwave Observatorys (LIGOs) were not only able to detect these gravitational waves, which are essentially ripples in the very fabric of spacetime, but they were able to pinpoint the source of their impact as somewhere in the Southern Hemisphere as well.

Black holes orbiting each other gradually lose energy while emitting these waves. As they lose this energy they are slowly and methodically drawn closer together over the course of billions of years. As the black holes continue to approach one another their speed builds as well and eventually reaches nearly half of the speed of light just before they collide and the two combine together to become one massive black hole.

When the mass of these black holes is thrown together, it converts a portion of that mass into energy which is emitted throughout the universe in a burst of gravitational waves which themselves cause tiny disturbances that effect both space and time as they pass through earth.

The implications of finally being able to detect these waves is astounding.

Einstein predicted these events one hundred years ago in his theory of general relativity. Even though Einstein didn’t believe in black holes and thought that gravitational waves were too weak to detect, the idea alone that the man was so far ahead of his time that it took technology one hundred years to catch up and confirm his theory is amazing. Even more amazing is the knowledge we will gain from this and how it opens up untold possibilities for understanding the origins and workings of gravity itself.

It’s uncharted territory really. Scientists will now be able to look at the universe from entirely different angles and explore the phenomenon of warped spacetime.

The best part is that it will herald countless new scientific breakthroughs in both physics and astrophysics, which ironically means I can’t stress the gravity of this event enough.

http://ift.tt/20qQQsE
http://ift.tt/1SEGUNv
http://ift.tt/2cA3chZ

The post Einstein’s 100 Year Old Prediction Confirmed appeared first on I Heart Intelligence.

Night Owls And Late Risers Aren’t Lazy, They’re Actually Smart And Creative

Recent studies suggest if you prefer to stay up late, and stay in bed even later, you’re not exhibiting “laziness,” you’re showing signs of intelligence and creativity.

Despite being told from a young age that you should go to bed at a decent time, and get up early in the morning, there are some pretty interesting scientific facts that shine a positive light on the habits of night owls.
“Intelligence is sexy” t-shirt?!

Satoshi Kanazawa, from the Department of Psychology at University College London, conducted a study that discovered a connection between intelligence and adaptive behaviors. Kanazawa said these behaviours are “evolutionarily novel,” meaning they differ from what our ancestors did.

He wrote that regular nocturnal activities were most likely a rare occurrence with our ancestors, and so staying up late and sleeping in are therefore “evolutionarily novel.”

The study‘s hypothesis was that “more intelligent individuals are more likely to be nocturnal than less intelligent individuals.” The analysis of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health confirms the prediction.

Via study

Using the data from the graph above, as well as evidence from the study, Kanazawa concluded that “More intelligent children are more likely to grow up to be nocturnal adults who go to bed late and wake up late on both weekdays and weekends.”

Research was also conducted at the University of Madrid last year that examined the sleeping patterns of approximately 1,000 teenagers. The study required to participants to perform inductive reasons tests, which are related to general intelligence, and found that night owls scored higher than early birds.
Are Foul-Mouthed, Messy Night Owls the True Geniuses?

However, the teens who stayed awake till the wee hours received grades 8% lower in class than their morning-riser counterparts. This might be because night-oriented teens have difficulty kicking their brain into gear early in the morning , which is when high school tends to be in session.

We’re not done yet, there’s more interesting research from the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart in Milan.

ABC Science reported on the study, which asked 120 men and women of different ages to fill out a survey asking if they were more of night or morning person.

Then, the participants were asked to complete a series of 3 tests to measure creative thinking and problem solving. The tests were scored on how original the answers were, as well as how elaborate, fluid and flexible. According to what they found, “evening types aced each test based on these criteria, while morning and intermediate type people struggled to get scores over 50.”

Head author of the study, Marina Giampietro, believes this creativity stems from “the development of a non-conventional spirit and of the ability to find alternative and original solutions.”
4 Reasons Science says Night Owls are Smarter than Early Birds

According to Elite Daily:

“It’s all about what you’re doing with the time you have. Yes, early birds might be more productive, but late risers are more creative.

Early risers take advantage of those morning hours to do mundane activities like go to the gym, make coffee and get to work early, but it’s the late sleepers who really take advantage of the night — the special time to create and invent something new.”

By Raven Fon

The post Night Owls And Late Risers Aren’t Lazy, They’re Actually Smart And Creative appeared first on I Heart Intelligence.

9 Things Financially Successful People Do Differently

How is it that the rich always seem to be getting richer, while the poor tend to stay poor? Some of it is certainly a result of the way our society works. Some people start off at an advantage, and others have more roadblocks to overcome. We all do the best we can with what we’ve got.
“Intelligence is sexy” t-shirt?!

For some, though, their best is simply better than the rest of us.

Wealthy people – whether self-made or inherited – tend to share some common good habits that keep them at the top.

Here are nine things that rich people do differently. These habits keep their cash flow both growing and safe:

1. They invest in education.

Wealthy people put a high value on lifelong learning. They often pursue advanced degrees and certifications. They stay on top of current events in their field, as well as worldwide economic news. They develop a strong understanding of political issues, especially as they relate to their financial interests. They look beyond the education required for their job, often supplementing their work by attending seminars, conferences, and conventions.

2. They go above and beyond.

People who are successful at work are the ones who arrive early and stay late. They commit themselves to professional development. They make an intentional effort to grow their network. They are eager to take on extra projects, and they enjoy helping others to succeed as well. These are the people who stand out when the opportunity for a promotion comes up. People who do the bare minimum rarely get ahead.

3. Their financial savings plans span their entire life.

My friend’s father grew up in relative poverty. Despite this, he built tremendous financial success for himself and his family. He remembers always saving at least ten percent of his paycheck – even as a teenager washing dishes for minimum wage. Compound interest is a beautiful thing. The earlier you start saving, the more you will benefit from doing so. Start a retirement fund before you turn thirty.

4. They contribute new ideas.

Successful people make themselves indispensable by continuously adding value to their environment. They do not coast off the ideas of others. They do not simply follow directions and go home when the clock runs out. They improve upon existing processes and create new products.

5. They are passionate about their work.

It is hard to go above and beyond if you do not love what you are doing. This is a recipe for burnout. Successful people are deeply invested in their line of work. They care about the outcome, and put their heart and soul into their business. This fuels the long hours and hard work that might hold others back.
Great Managers Achieve by Engaging: Four Ways to Inspire Workplace Success

6. They take responsibility for their own success.

Successful people do not blame others when they fail. They do not let outside circumstances prevent them from reaching their goals. If a success-oriented person wants a college degree, they do not complain that their parents can’t foot the cost. They seek out scholarships. They work part-time. They take out loans, and work hard to repay them promptly. They create success for themselves, regardless of their circumstances.

7. They refuse to fall victim to debt.

Wealthy people quickly learn the difference between good debt and bad debt. Good debt, such as a mortgage or an educational loan, is an investment. Bad debt, such as high interest car loans and missed credit card payments, will eat up your net worth. Successful people take on minimal debt, and do so with the utmost care. Then, they work to pay it off quickly to avoid unnecessary interest payments.

8. They sacrifice and compromise.

Most wealthy people are very frugal in their daily lives. They do not waste money on fancy cars or expensive cups of coffee. Instead, they invest in things that accrue value over time, like real estate. They save their splurges for things that truly bring them joy.

9. They don’t waste time.

Time is your most precious and strictly limited resource. Successful people know to use it wisely. Harness your free time to enrich your life. Take a class, pursue an extra project for work, or learn to invest your money. Using your free time in a productive way is one of the most intelligent things you can do.

As Franklin D. Roosevelt once said, “Happiness is not in the mere possession of money; it lies in the joy of achievement, in the thrill of creative effort.” Wealth is a wonderful thing, but the satisfaction of having earned it is even more so. Be responsible with your money and ambitious with your work. The monetary reward will fall second to your sense of pride in your achievements.

The post 9 Things Financially Successful People Do Differently appeared first on I Heart Intelligence.

Don’t Ignore These 20 Signs of Emotional Abuse

Some abusers break you down from the outside in. They leave visible bruises and inflict tangible wounds. The signs of violence are physical. You can see them with your eyes and touch them with your fingertips.
“Intelligence is sexy” t-shirt?!

Others will choose to destroy you from the inside out.

It is easy to slip into denial and rationalization in a physically abusive relationship. It’s even easier when the scars can not be seen from the outside. Emotional abuse is insidious because it is easy to hide and even easier to deny. Many do not become aware of emotional abuse until it has already destroyed them.

Emotional abuse has been proven to cause as much psychological damage as physical and sexual violence. However, it is harder to stop because it is harder to identify. If you or someone you love is a victim of emotional abuse, it is important to seek help.

These twenty behaviors might indicate that your partner is emotionally abusive:

1. You are constantly accused of things you didn’t do. You avoid healthy activities for fear that your partner will misinterpret your motives.
2. You are not allowed to see certain friends or family members as often as you would like to.
3. Your partner will not allow you to control your own finances.
4. When your partner suggests that you do something, you do not feel safe saying no.
5. Your partner decides what is best for you. This applies to your career, your clothing, and how you spend your time.
6. When your partner is upset, it always seems to be your fault.
7. You do not feel safe poking fun at your partner in the same way they poke fun at you.
8. You are always wrong, and your partner is always right.
9. You feel guilty for doing anything that does not involve your partner.
10. Your partner checks up on you often. They demand to know where you are and who you are with at all times.
11. Your partner often implies that you are the lucky one in the relationship. You feel as though you are beneath them.
12. Your ambitions and accomplishments are not taken seriously. They are secondary to your partner’s.
13. Your partner withholds affection, money, or quality time to punish you.
14. When you are upset, your partner tells you that it is your own fault for being too sensitive.
15. Your secrets and sexual encounters are not safe with your partner. They tell and show things to others that you meant to remain private.
16. You are criticized constantly, often in front of friends and family.
17. Your partner dismisses your feelings and opinions. You are expected to adopt theirs.
18. Your partner often brings up things that you are embarrassed or ashamed of.
19. You fear you partner’s disapproval.
20. You rarely make decisions without your partner’s input. Even if you strongly disagree, you usually defer to their wishes.

Lundy Bancroft examined the dynamics of abusive relationships in his book Why Does He Do That?: Inside the Minds of Angry and Controlling Men. “The scars from mental cruelty can be as deep and long-lasting as wounds from punches or slaps,” he observed, “but are often not as obvious. In fact, even among women who have experienced violence from a partner, half or more report that the man’s emotional abuse is what is causing them the greatest harm.” Do not dismiss your wounds simply because they are not physical. You deserve respect, self-esteem, and autonomy. These are more easily found alone than with a partner who demeans you.

The post Don’t Ignore These 20 Signs of Emotional Abuse appeared first on I Heart Intelligence.

How To Keep Everything, Forever: The Incredible Storage Potential Of DNA

The idea of using DNA for data storage has long fascinated scientists, and progress in this arena has been advancing over the years. Harvard scientists recently, however, smashed previous DNA data storage capacities exponentially. They’ve managed to create a system for encoding digital information into DNA that can store 5.5 petabits -that’s 700 terabytes- in one gram of DNA.
“Intelligence is sexy” t-shirt?!

Why DNA?

DNA has held scientists captive in terms of a storage mechanism for various reasons, and they all play off of each other:

• DNA is extremely durable: it’s a very stable medium
• DNA is extremely dense: that is, it’s incredibly enticing as a storage medium
• DNA can outlast everything else we currently use to store data; it doesn’t require special mediums for storage to keep it functional

Why Now?

As we continue to progress in the digital age, storing mechanisms we use become outdated almost as quickly as they come onto the market. From floppy disks to flash drives to the cloud concept, people want more, easier, and faster ways to store information: whether it’s security footage from a major city’s transportation hubs or family photos. What’s more, as we evolve into a society with a heightened understanding of climate change and environmental pollution, we want digital storage to be eco-friendly. (As it turns out, going paperless isn’t quite as “green” as you might think.)

How Does It Work?

Basically, strands of DNA that store 96 bits are synthesized, with each of the bases (TGAC) representing a binary value (T and G = 1, A and C = 0). To read it, one simply sequences it, as though sequencing the human genome, and converts the sequencing back to binary. Additionally, an “address” -a key to interpreting the sequencing- is given at the beginning of the block of DNA, which allows the DNA to be sequenced out of order, then later sorted into usable data.
The Risks And the Ethics of Editing Human DNA

None of this would be possible, however, without advances in sequencing and analytics including microfluids and labs-on-a-chip. These advances have allowed for better and faster sequencing and utilization of DNA in terms of its data storage capability.

So what did researchers George Church and Sri Kosuri, the lead scientists on this project, store on their single gram of DNA? A digital copy of Church’s book “Regenesis”…70 billion times. At this rate the number of copies of this book far surpasses every other publication in human history.

And this is only the start of the work: the researchers have already set their sights on trying to encode living DNA: that is, the material that makes us up, the stuff of life. So far, storing data in living DNA only works for a very short time, but even this has incredible implications for things like secure data transfers. We live in a pretty remarkable world these days.

The post How To Keep Everything, Forever: The Incredible Storage Potential Of DNA appeared first on I Heart Intelligence.

How Parents Build Narcissistic Children

We have many fears when it comes to the well-being of our children. Will they be safe? Will they be healthy? Will they fit in? All too often, we are focused on outside threats. We forget that the greatest danger to most human beings is internal. The most insidious threats to your child have little to do with a speeding car or a bully on the playground.
“Intelligence is sexy” t-shirt?!

Detecting narcissism, and other personality disorders, is difficult to do in children. Their brains and personalities are still developing. They are still learning traits like empathy, good judgement, and a concern for others. Most toddlers would be classified as raging narcissists when held to an adult scale. Most teenagers would, as well.

So – how do we determine whether a child is at risk for developing a narcissistic personality?

Children’s Psychiatrist Efrain Bleiberg lists the following behavioral problems that could be an indication of budding narcissism:

* Interpersonal relationship problems

* Coldness

* Meanness

* Attempts to control or manipulate

* School problems

* Impulsiveness

* Poorly handles frustration

* Mood swings

* Lying, stealing, or breaking rules

* Exhibitionism

* Self-doubts and intense envy of others

* Constant need for attention

Of course, when looking at these traits, it is important to view them in the context of the child’s age and environment. A five year old who excitedly screams “look at me!” when learning to ride a bicycle is not a concern. A fifth grader who tries to hurt a new baby for fear of losing the spotlight is.
How to Love a Narcissist Without Losing Yourself

In addition to the symptoms listed above, an overblown sense of entitlement is a strong indicator of a budding narcissist. A child who demands better treatment than their peers may be at risk. Narcissistic children are also known to be more aggressive than their classmates. They do not function well in a social setting and have trouble making friends. They may seek excessive praise and attention. Even when they receive it, however, they will remain insecure. It is a void that can seemingly never be filled. According to Dr. Bleiberg, narcissistic children are often lonely, angry, empty, and envious.

So – how do we protect our children against this disease?

Researchers were able to identify one thing we can do, as parents, to fight the development of narcissism. A narcissistic child’s need for attention and low self-esteem often prompts parents to lavish them with excessive praise. This, however, is one of the most harmful things we can do. The researchers found that an inflated level of praise, while well intended, may actually lower a child’s confidence and sense of autonomy. Children with low self-esteem reacted to excessive praise with an increased level of anxiety. They felt pressure to wow their parents again on their next pursuit. They became more afraid of failure, and less likely to challenge themselves. They grew increasingly reliant on validation from others.
The Intricacies of the Quiet Narcissist, and how to Deal with Them (Effectively)

Thankfully, a child’s behavior is easy to change. Children are more resilient than adults, and they learn much more quickly. Their brains and character are primed for growth. If you worry that your child is on the road to narcissism, there are many steps you can take. Praise carefully. Teach empathy and boundaries. Allow them to fail, and teach them that life goes on when they do. Help your child to develop a sense of personal identity. Show them the difference between pride and ego. Teach them the tricky balance between independence and looking to others for support. These lessons are all a part of growing up.

Most importantly, lead by example. Your child is watching you.

The post How Parents Build Narcissistic Children appeared first on I Heart Intelligence.

13 Signs You’ve Found a Gentleman

Unfortunately, chivalry seems to be going out of style. Truly, so are good manners and common courtesy. The gentleman is a dying breed. It is tragically difficult to find a man who is patient, considerate, and kind. They are so rare, in fact, that many women will mistake a man’s good manners for a sexual advance.
“Intelligence is sexy” t-shirt?!

So – how do you identify a real gentleman?

Here are thirteen signs:

1. He tells the truth.

A gentleman is honest. You can trust him to be straight with you. Even when the truth does not put him in a flattering light, his sense of integrity is greater than his ego.

2. He does not eat until everyone has been served.

He will not act selfishly or impulsively. He is considerate. He is willing to wait patiently to ensure others are comfortable.

3. He stands up for others.

A true gentleman is not only kind, but brave. When he sees someone being abused – physically or verbally – he will confront the offender. He acts as a guardian to the welfare of others.

4. He keeps his sexual adventures between himself and his lady.

He would never humiliate her by sharing their private moments with his friends. He doesn’t need to. He respects himself, and he respects the woman he chooses to be intimate with.

5. He keeps his word.

He does not have to tell you that he is a man of his word. He shows you every day. If a gentleman promises to do something, you can confidently plan your day around it.
50 Ways To Show A Woman You Love Her

6. He pays attention.

When you are speaking to him, he is listening. He isn’t spacing out or checking his phone. He isn’t texting. He is certainly not tweeting.

7. He is kind to everyone.

Even if someone treats him rudely, he does not retaliate. A true gentleman will always choose the high road. He has nothing to gain by lowering his own behavioral standards.

8. He walks by the street when he is walking with you.

He feels more comfortable if his body is between yours and the road. This is a small gesture that often goes unnoticed. He is protective without being overbearing.

9. He is on time.

He respects your time. He is mature enough to stick to a schedule. He gets no pleasure out of making you wait around for him.

10. He offers up his jacket, his seat, his arm…

He is quick to identify the needs of others, and he strives to meet them immediately. He puts your comfort before his own.

11. He reaches for the check.

He offers to pay. If you insist on splitting it, he listens and respects your wishes. He does not make a big show of insisting to foot the bill.

12. He holds the door.

He is patient and attentive. He has good manners that he puts into practice daily.

13. He says “please” and “thank you”.

He excuses himself when he’s made a mistake. His politeness knows no bounds.

“Chivalry: It’s the little boy that kisses my hand, the young man who holds the door open for me, and the old man who tips his hat to me. None of it is a reflection of me, but a reflection of them,” wrote Donna Lynn Hope. Do not buy into the myth that chivalry and feminism can not coexist. Being a gentleman is about living up to one’s own high standards. If you find a true gentleman in your life, strive to keep him. He is a rarity.

The post 13 Signs You’ve Found a Gentleman appeared first on I Heart Intelligence.