In Mexico, an Indigenous Triqui Artist Embraces His Roots Through Rap

In Mexico City, Indigenous artist Carlos CGH is using rap to preserve his Triqui language and culture. The 24-year-old rapper performed wearing a traditional Triqui garment at a celebration of Indigenous peoples. Through his music, he aims to conserve the endangered Triqui language for future generations. Despite challenges faced by the Triqui community, Guadalupe remains proud of his roots and continues to showcase his heritage through contemporary rap music.

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Colm Feore Brings Stop-Motion Puppets to Life in Oscar-Nominated Short ‘The Girl Who Cried Pearls’

It was a cold winter’s day when Colm Feore walked into a small studio in Kitchener, Ontario, to record voices for what would become one of this year’s Oscar-nominated animated shorts. By the time he left a few hours later, he had given life to nearly every character in The Girl Who Cried Pearls — except for one. “There is one young girl whose voice obviously has to be a young girl,” Feore told CBC News. “But all the other voices, I do.” The 17-minute stop-motion film, created by Montreal animators Chris Lavis and Maciek Szczerbowski, tells the story of a poor boy in early 20th-century Montreal who falls in love with a girl whose tears turn to pearls. It’s Feore’s voice, and physicality, that gives shape to the film’s cast of characters — from grumbling old men to animated supporting roles. And it all happened inside Fred Smith’s studio near downtown Kitchener. Smith, who’s run his audio studio for years, said Feore is one of the most prepared actors he’s ever worked with. “Colm always comes in super prepared. It’s almost like he’s already had the script memorized. That’s how good he is,” Smith said. The session, Smith added, lasted just a couple of hours. “And that includes social time and lots of laughs and lots of fun.” Feore, 65, is no stranger to big productions — with roles ranging from Shakespearean kings at the Stratford Festival to Laufey in Marvel’s Thor, not to mention Chicago, Bon Cop, Bad Cop, and most recently the TV series Landman. But for this intimate animated film, he was the creators’ first and only choice. “We went after him. He was the number one guy we wanted for the voice,” Lavis told Deadline. “He’s just one of those actors who can handle any type of material.” Feore said the recording process was a close collaboration with Lavis and Szczerbowski. “The text was so good, but there were a few nuances that I wanted to know whether to lean into or to back away from,” he said. Even though it was just voice work, Feore went all in — mimicking gestures and mannerisms while watching the footage in the studio. “There’s a moment where the character waves his arm around and talks about, ‘This whole room. How did you pick this one little thing?’” he said. “And you’ll see me in the studio waving my arms around, getting up, sitting down, grunting, you know, like an old person.” That attention to physical detail wasn’t just for effect. “If I perform those actions well, my breathing is likely to be correct for a senior citizen trying to sit down or wave his arms around,” he said. “What we’re really trying to convey here is a living, breathing creature who happens to be a stop-motion animated puppet.” It’s the second Oscar nomination for Lavis and Szczerbowski, whose 2007 short Madame Tutli-Putli was also a contender. Now, The Girl Who Cried Pearls is nominated for Best Animated Short Film at the 2026 Academy Awards, with winners to be announced March 15. Feore found out about the nomination the same way Smith did — via a text. “That’s pretty cool,” Smith said. “I’ve been doing this for a long time and I’m just always joyful that I still get to do what I love to do the most.” Feore said he’ll attend the Oscars if invited, and plans to be at the Screen Actors Guild awards on March 1, where Landman is nominated for best ensemble performance in a drama. Asked about the quiet buzz building around the short, Feore shrugged it off with characteristic understatement: “I said I’d do it if I could record it at Fred’s studio.” And then he did — all in a day’s work.

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Scientists Discover New Method To Slow Memory Loss In Alzheimer's Patients

A team of scientists in New York may have found a new way to slow the memory loss that defines Alzheimer’s disease — and it involves turning down the activity of a single enzyme. Researchers at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory say an enzyme known as PTP1B could be contributing to cognitive decline in Alzheimer’s, and limiting its activity may help preserve memory. The study, conducted in mice, found that reducing PTP1B improved how immune cells in the brain clear out harmful protein build-up linked to the disease. Nicholas Tonks, a professor at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory who first discovered PTP1B in 1988, is leading the research. His lab’s latest findings point to the enzyme’s influence on microglia — the brain’s immune cells responsible for clearing debris, including amyloid-β plaques. These plaques, made up of sticky proteins, are one of the hallmarks of Alzheimer’s disease. “Over the course of the disease, these cells become exhausted and less effective,” said Yuxin Cen, the study’s lead researcher. “Our results suggest that PTP1B inhibition can improve microglial function, clearing up Aβ plaques.” The study also found that PTP1B interacts with another protein called SYK (spleen tyrosine kinase), which helps regulate microglial response to damage. By altering that interaction, the researchers believe they can restore some of the immune system’s natural ability to keep the brain clean. Tonks hopes that one day, PTP1B inhibitors could be used alongside existing Alzheimer’s drugs to slow disease progression. Current treatment options include cholinesterase inhibitors like donepezil, and NMDA receptor antagonists such as memantine — but these medications only offer modest benefits and are typically used in different stages of the disease. “The goal is to slow Alzheimer’s progression and improve the quality of life of the patients,” Tonks said. More than 55 million people worldwide are living with dementia, and Alzheimer’s accounts for up to 70 percent of those cases, according to the World Health Organization. While age is the biggest risk factor, other conditions like obesity and type 2 diabetes — both linked to PTP1B — are also known to raise the risk. Tonks, whose own mother had Alzheimer’s, described the disease’s toll as a “slow bereavement.” “You lose the person piece by piece,” he said. His lab is now working to develop PTP1B inhibitors that could be used in a range of diseases, from metabolic disorders to neurodegeneration. The findings offer no immediate cure. But they do suggest a new and potentially powerful way to support the brain’s natural defences — and to possibly slow down a disease that continues to affect tens of millions of families around the world.

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Daytime Discos are Helping Older Adults Discover Love

The music is loud, the lights are low, and the floor is full of dancers — except this isn’t your typical Saturday night disco. It’s Wednesday lunchtime, and most of the crowd is well past retirement age. At the Wakefield Exchange, a city arts venue, the familiar sounds of The Supremes and The Four Tops are drawing in dozens of older adults for a monthly event unlike any other. It’s all part of the “Still Got It” initiative from Age UK Wakefield District, aimed at encouraging connection, companionship, and even romance later in life. “We have people who live locally who have never met before, or people who went to school together and are reconnecting,” said Deborah Hunter from Age UK. “We have had some lovely romantic stories come out of it.” The formula is simple: classic music, plenty of seating, and no pressure to dance. DJ David Williams, a retiree himself, knows exactly what the crowd wants. “I play music from the 50s, 60s, 70s, 80s. I played some from the 90s last time but people said ‘woah, that’s a bit modern, you have to slow it down!’” he laughed. Guaranteed floorfillers, according to Williams, include “Get Ready” by The Temptations, “Sugar Pie Honey Bunch” by The Four Tops, and just about anything by The Supremes. “I do get dragged down to dance,” he said. “We do a bit of bopping, a bit of rock n’ roll — I love that!” For many in attendance, like 85-year-old Peter Heptinstall from Crofton, the event isn’t just about dancing. It’s about finding connection again after loss. “I lost my wife five years ago and so I went to the bereavement centre and they introduced me to Age UK. I have been there ever since,” he said. “I am looking for companionship — I had a relationship of 65 years and I thought, I’ve done my time as a husband,” Heptinstall joked. “If they want a date, they can have a date, as long as they pay!” The event is open to anyone over 50 and typically wraps up mid-afternoon, making it easier for attendees to get home. The Wakefield Exchange donates the space, and Age UK staff and volunteers help newcomers feel at ease. “There is no such thing as too old in our world,” said Hunter. “We like to explore, push boundaries and make sure that everybody is still having a good time.” That includes helping break down the social and emotional barriers that can come with ageing and dating. “They don’t have the digital connections that young people who are starting to date do,” she said. “They might not have the resources for going out to date, or they might have a lost love that they feel guilty about and that they don’t want to put in the past.” Hunter stressed that the events aren’t about matchmaking or awkward icebreakers. “There is no pressure,” she said. “Many people don’t want to dance and we are certainly not dragging people onto the dancefloor. If you want to come somewhere that is warm and friendly and chatty then come along for that.” The discos are a space where joy is simple, timeless and rooted in the music of youth. And for a generation that grew up with Motown, soul and early rock, stepping onto the dancefloor again is less about nostalgia and more about reclaiming joy, on their own terms. “There’s something about seeing people light up when their song comes on,” said DJ Williams. “It reminds you that no matter how old you are, some things never change.”

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"Please Don’t Die": British Powerlifter Ray Bowring Becomes Youngest Ever to Squat 500kg

At just 23 years old, Ray Bowring has entered one of the most exclusive clubs in powerlifting history — and he did it with a simple mantra running through his mind: “Please don’t die.” The powerlifter from Gosport, Hampshire, became the first Briton to squat 500 kilograms in an International Powerlifting Federation (IPF) competition, an eye-watering weight equivalent to a small car or fully grown horse. The feat helped secure his sixth British title at the British Equipped Championships last month. “I just didn’t think about anything,” Bowring said, recalling the moment. “I just thought about my steps for my setup, because I knew that I was strong enough. It’s all about the walkout for me. Then as soon as I’m in that position, my body takes over. It’s muscle memory at that point.” He added, with a laugh, “That’s about what I thought, really, just that and, God, please don’t die!” Standing 6ft tall and weighing 155kg, Bowring is now one of only two people in the world known to have completed a 500kg squat in IPF competition — and the youngest to do so. It’s the latest milestone in a remarkable rise for the former “fat kid” who once struggled to find his place in mainstream sports. “I was too heavy for football and my conditioning was never good enough for rugby,” he said. “If it wasn’t for powerlifting and the boys at the gym and my dad saying ‘you should definitely go for this,’ that’s that path I probably would have edged down — that darker path.” His full lift stats at the British Equipped Championships were as jaw-dropping as the squat itself: 500kg squat, 350kg bench press, and 372.5kg deadlift — for a combined total of 1222.5kg. Bowring credits much of his success to his father Dean, himself a powerlifting legend and 2009 world open champion, who now serves as his coach. “I think a lot of people were like, 'you know, big shoes to fill,’” Ray said. “I’m pretty sure he’s got to fill my shoes now, if I’m honest.” That father-son dynamic runs deep. Dean introduced Ray to powerlifting in his early teens, steering him away from what Ray described as “gelling” with kids heading down the wrong road. The gym became his anchor. “The boys that I train with — they make me do the extra reps, they push me, so it’s a really good dynamic,” he said. His breakthrough moment didn’t happen overnight. Bowring recently completed a sports scholarship at Midland University in Nebraska, where he says his bench technique “improved dramatically.” Now, he juggles training for international titles with his full-time day job at the NHS. “The secret to my success?” he said. “Never quitting.” He also sticks to a tight routine: good sleep, good food, and relentless training. “A routine is really helpful,” he said. “I’ve got to give credit to the boys that I train with.” As for what’s next, Bowring has his sights set on more titles abroad. But for now, he’s happy reflecting on what it took to reach the 500kg mark — and grateful he’s still standing. “It was just a good feeling,” he said. “It’s a pinnacle number.”

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Messi Sends Jersey to Afghan Boy, Chef Saves Veteran, and Foxes Freed: Here's Your Roundup of Good News

Messi's Gesture Lights Up a Village Five-year-old Murtaza Ahmadi captured the internet's heart when a photo of him wearing a homemade Lionel Messi jersey — fashioned from a striped plastic bag — went viral. Living in a rural Afghan village and unable to afford a real jersey, Murtaza’s story quickly spread across the globe. The story reached Messi himself, who responded by sending the boy a signed Argentina jersey and a soccer ball. The moment Murtaza received it? Pure joy. Daily Routine Saves a Life in Florida Charlie Hicks, a 78-year-old Air Force veteran, has ordered the same meal — gumbo with rice — every day for ten years at the Shrimp Basket in Pensacola. When he didn’t show up one day, staff grew concerned. One of the chefs, trusting his gut, checked in and discovered Hicks was in medical distress. The chef’s quick thinking may have saved his life. A Home, at Last Tony Mutabazi’s childhood had already been difficult — adopted from foster care at age 4, then abandoned again at 11 in a hospital. But his story took a hopeful turn when single dad Peter Mutabazi stepped in and adopted him, giving Tony not just a home, but a father who refuses to walk away. Back from the Brink The Galápagos rail, a flightless bird last seen on Floreana Island by Charles Darwin in 1835, has officially returned. Conservation efforts helped reintroduce the species to the island after nearly two centuries, offering a rare win for endangered wildlife. A Fur Farm Rescue in Ohio In one of the largest operations of its kind, more than 250 foxes were rescued from horrific conditions at the Grand River Fur Exchange. The animals were found in wire cages, covered in filth. They’re now safe and headed for sanctuaries.

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Florida Mom Loses Home Days Before Giving Birth, But Community Steps In to Help

Just two days before she gave birth, Brianna Motz watched her home burn to the ground. The Panama City, Florida mom was nine months pregnant on Jan. 20 when she saw flames engulfing her house. She had been visiting a neighbor when she noticed the fire. “I was next door, and then I ran over, and the house was just completely engulfed in flames,” Motz told WJHG. “It literally felt like 60 seconds, and it was completely gone.” Inside the house at the time were her boyfriend, DJ, and his father. All three tried to put out the fire, but it was too late. The blaze destroyed everything they owned — including all the baby supplies they had carefully prepared. Then, just 48 hours later, Motz went into labor. While the newborn girl arrived safely, the family now faces a heartbreaking situation: caring for a newborn with no home, no clothing, and no belongings. In response, friends and neighbors have stepped in. A family friend, Robyn Howell, started a GoFundMe to help the couple recover and meet their baby’s immediate needs. The campaign aims to raise $15,000. “Thankfully, both Brianna and the baby are okay,” Howell wrote, “but they emerged into a reality with no home, no belongings, and immediate needs for baby supplies and basic necessities.” The GoFundMe describes this moment as a “dark chapter” and urges people to help. “Let’s show them that they’re not alone,” Howell added. “Together, we can help them rebuild a brighter future for their family.” The couple has expressed gratitude for the support as they try to start over with their newborn daughter.

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From Tragedy to Touchdown: Puppy Bowl Star Button Gets a Boost From Buffalo Bills' Khalil Shakir

She may not be chasing a Super Bowl ring, but a Buffalo-connected puppy named Button is still heading to the big game spotlight. Button, a seven-month-old Boston terrier and beagle mix, will compete in Puppy Bowl XXII on Super Bowl Sunday, airing on Animal Planet at 2 p.m. ET. Representing Team Ruff, she’ll join 149 other rescue pups in a tail-wagging contest that has become a fan-favorite pre-game tradition. Button’s journey to the Puppy Bowl is anything but ordinary. She was originally rescued by Valley River Humane Society in Marble, North Carolina, after a heartbreaking call: her mother had been shot and was found struggling in a ditch, trying to crawl back to her newborn puppies. Though the mother didn’t survive, the puppies — only two or three days old — were saved. Too small to bottle-feed, they had to be fed every few hours around the clock by shelter staff, who took turns to keep them alive. “It’s a very rural, under-resourced area, but the team there worked tirelessly,” said Alyssa Johnson from Nickel City Canine Rescue, the Buffalo-area nonprofit that later stepped in to care for Button and helped arrange her adoption. “They truly are little miracles, and we like to think their mom is looking down, proud of how far Button has come.” That journey eventually brought Button to Buffalo, where she became part of an adoption event hosted by Bills wide receiver Khalil Shakir and his wife, Sayler. The couple has worked closely with Nickel City Canine Rescue through the Shakir Family Foundation, helping rescue dogs find homes and raising awareness about adoption. Button has since been adopted but caught Shakir’s eye for another reason: he chose her for a special Puppy Bowl feature and gave her a VIP visit to Highmark Stadium. “She’s smart, spirited, and always ready to make a big play,” her Puppy Bowl bio says, adding that she brings “natural talent and eager energy” — the same qualities fans love in a wide receiver. Shakir, who’s known for his work both on and off the field, has made helping rescue dogs a personal mission. Button’s story, he said, is a reminder of the resilience and love these animals have to offer. While the Bills didn’t make it to the Super Bowl this year, Button’s appearance in the Puppy Bowl is giving Buffalo fans another underdog to root for.

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Letting Hedges Grow Wild Has Sparked a Butterfly Boom in Wales

A rare butterfly is making a comeback in South Wales after years of decline, thanks to a simple change: letting hedgerows grow. Volunteers in Carmarthenshire have recorded record numbers of Brown Hairstreak butterfly eggs this winter, a turnaround credited to two local land managers who stopped cutting back their hedgerows so often. The species lays its eggs exclusively on the young shoots of blackthorn bushes, which are typically destroyed during regular “flailing” — a common hedge management technique. “After a decade of heartache for Brown Hairstreaks in Carmarthenshire’s Tywi valley, there is at last signs of an upturn,” said Richard Smith, a volunteer with Butterfly Conservation for over 30 years. Once common throughout the UK, Brown Hairstreaks had nearly vanished from this part of Wales by 2010. When a remnant population was rediscovered near Llandeilo in 2021, Butterfly Conservation began working with two partners — the National Trust team at Dinefwr and the South Wales Trunk Road Agency — to plant more blackthorn and protect it from annual hedge trimming. “Results have been improving year on year, and this winter has seen 50% increases on such protected land,” said Smith. The gains didn’t happen overnight. For years, volunteers searched hedgerows each winter, magnifying glasses in hand, to count the tiny white eggs left by the butterflies. Those slow, careful efforts are finally paying off. Dan Hoare, Director of Nature Recovery at Butterfly Conservation, said the project shows how small land management changes can yield big benefits. “We don’t want to stop anyone managing their hedgerows, but we would love more landowners to try cutting back on their cutting back,” he said. “If hedgerows are only trimmed once every two years, or even every three years, it could make an enormous difference to the survival of the Brown Hairstreak and help many other species as well. The lovely Brown Hairstreak is an indicator of getting that balance right.” This isn’t the only recent success story for threatened butterflies. Monarch butterflies wintering in Mexico have seen a major rebound, doubling the forest acreage they occupy compared to last year. In another case, efforts to save the endangered Blue Butterfly in California have quadrupled its population — and incidentally rescued a rare lupine plant from extinction. For conservationists in Wales, the success in Carmarthenshire is a reminder that giving nature a little breathing room can go a long way.

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This Olympic Skier is Celebrating a Legacy Of His Gold Medal-Winning Mom Barbara Cochran

Ryan Cochran-Siegle isn’t just heading to his third Olympics this February — he’s continuing one of the most storied legacies in American alpine skiing. Born into the legendary “Skiing Cochrans” family of Vermont, Ryan is the son of Olympic gold medallist Barbara Cochran, who triumphed in women’s slalom at the 1972 Winter Games in Sapporo, Japan. His mother grew up training on trails carved by her father on the family’s Richmond farm — now the non-profit Cochran’s Ski Area. That same slope shaped generations of Cochrans and remains a local hub for junior ski training and affordable access to the sport. Ryan’s connection to that legacy is deep. He was raised in Starksboro, just down the road from the family hill, where Barbara taught skiing for 40 years. Ryan began skiing at age two and says Vermont instilled in him values like humility, hard work, and respect. Barbara wasn’t the only Olympian in the family. Her siblings — Marilyn, Bobby, and Lindy — all raced for Team USA. Their children, including four of Ryan’s cousins, have competed as well. But Ryan says his family’s success never felt like a burden. “My family has always just said they’re proud of me,” he told NBC in 2022. “For me, it’s been motivating.” Barbara and her ex-husband, Drew Cochran, raised two children together — Cate and Ryan — before divorcing in 1993. Ryan also has a sister, Melanie. Cate, now a mom of two, has watched Ryan become the next chapter in a legacy that started with backyard ski trails and Olympic dreams. At the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing, Ryan became the only American Alpine skier to win a medal, earning silver in the men’s super-G. It was a comeback few saw coming, following a near career-ending crash in 2021 that left him with a broken neck. He underwent spinal fusion surgery but returned stronger — a recovery he credits largely to his mother’s support. “She taught me that a positive mindset can carry you through the toughest moments,” Ryan said in a 2025 Team USA profile. “That joy is where the magic begins — and that’s how I found my own Olympic path.” Now, as Ryan heads to the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Games, his parents remain his biggest supporters. Barbara, unable to attend his Beijing podium moment in person, watched with nerves and pride from afar. “I was nervous. I was excited. I was trembling. I was crying. It was just like everything all packed in together,” she told PEOPLE in 2022. “I knew he could do it… but when it did, it was unbelievable.” Meanwhile, Drew sent a quiet message of encouragement just before the race: “You're in my heart all the time and now is your time to fly down this hill.” Now 31, Ryan Cochran-Siegle will step onto the Olympic stage once again — not to match his family’s past, but to continue carving his own line down the mountain.

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Going Offline Is the New Cool: Why Gen Z is Logging Off, Buying Vinyl and Reclaiming Their Time

Matt Richards had used a smartphone since he was 11. Like most of Gen Z, the 23-year-old account manager grew up swiping through Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube. But last year, he deleted every social media app from his phone — and hasn’t looked back. “I think people back then used to take a break from the real world by going on their phone, but now people are taking a break from their phone to spend time in the real world,” Richards told CNBC Make It. The shift wasn’t just personal. Richards started noticing that more and more of his friends were logging off too. They reported the same benefits: stronger real-world connections, better focus, and less anxiety from comparing their lives to filtered highlight reels. What began as a personal decision is now a growing movement. Going offline — even if only partially — is suddenly catching on with Gen Z and millennials. There’s been a spike in TikTok posts about deleting social apps, switching to flip phones, and picking up hobbies like knitting, journaling, or collecting vinyl. Even that irony isn’t lost on the people posting about it. A recent LinkedIn post asking for stories about social media detoxes drew nearly 100 replies from young people, many eager to talk about their burnout. Some said they’d swapped smartphones for brick phones. Others talked about reconnecting with friends over lunch dates and handwritten letters. All of them shared the sense that life felt more grounded once they stepped back from their screens. Data backs it up. A 2025 Deloitte survey found that nearly a quarter of all British consumers had deleted a social media app in the past year. Among Gen Z, that number jumped to nearly a third. Global time spent on social platforms peaked in 2022 and has declined since, according to a joint analysis by the Financial Times and digital research firm GWI. By the end of 2024, adults over 16 were spending an average of two hours and 20 minutes per day on social media — down almost 10 percent. Jason Dorsey, president of the Center for Generational Kinetics, says younger generations are increasingly turned off by the chaos and commercialization of their feeds. “We’re seeing that a group of Gen Z [and millennials] is choosing to leave social media entirely, and probably a larger group that’s choosing just to limit social media as they sort of regain more of what they’re trying to find: balance and security and safety in their life,” he told CNBC Make It. For Richards, social media had become less about fun and more about pressure. “I feel like social media is now more like a pressure platform … you’re being sold everything, everywhere,” he said. He often felt like he hadn’t done enough with his life — that he wasn’t successful enough, stylish enough, or social enough. Richards added that being offline now comes with a certain mystique. “We’re definitely seeing a trend where people that are offline, unreachable, have a sort of cool factor around them,” he said. “This person doesn’t need validation from how many likes or followers they have.” Lucy Stace, a 36-year-old entrepreneur, felt something similar. Even though social media was important for her business, she found it draining. “We are just inundated all of the time with so much information … our brains aren’t capable of handling that much information,” she said. “We’re actually diminishing our brain’s capacity to be able to look inward and listen to ourselves.” That sensory overload isn’t accidental. Dorsey points to the pressure tech giants face to monetize every inch of user attention. “Gen Z, who are already sensitive to being advertised to — they are the most advertised-to generation in the history of the world — now they’re getting advertised to even more and their feeds feel just commercial after commercial,” he said. Even the cultural cachet of social media is wearing off. Julianna Salguero, a 31-year-old social media manager, said things started to shift when politicians and corporate brands flooded the platforms. “The more that we see brands and government officials and everybody being as online as you are, as a casual user, the more you’re going to want to pull back and switch it,” she said. In a Substack post titled “How to have an analog fall,” Salguero offered a roadmap for living offline: write letters, buy physical newspapers, go on in-person lunch dates. “The going analog of it all isn’t necessarily throwing my phone into the ocean,” she said. “It’s more about ‘how do I reset my relationship with it?’” For Stace and her boyfriend, that reset includes building a vinyl record collection. For Richards, it’s led to something more drastic — he’s now considering buying a brick phone, too. Still, not everyone sees the trend as permanent. GWI analyst Chris Beer says it may just be a “post-pandemic correction” rather than a full-on rejection of digital life. “Social media is still very integrated into people’s lives in areas including shopping, news and education,” he noted. But for people like Richards, the difference is real and lasting. Logging off helped him reclaim time, energy, and confidence — without the need for an algorithm to tell him what to want. “I just feel better,” he said. “Like I’ve got my time back.”

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