The surprising reason why Gen X has turned out to be the happiest generation

The truth is we were always happy.

By Cecily Knobler

When many think of Generation X, they think "cynical slacker," i.e. baby-busting latchkey kids who were faced with so much world trauma, they never had the time nor the resources to process.

The Financial Brand, a database benefiting marketers, describes the generation as "once characterized as apathetic 'grunge kids.'" But now, with age, there has been a pivot in the perception, at least in terms of advertising. "Gen Xers are now known for independence, individualism and entrepreneurialism."

They further explain how we came to be this way: "Their childhood was marked by the end of the Cold War and the rise of personal computers — indeed, Gen X invented the internet economy — as well as a record-high divorce rate and the AIDS epidemic. They entered adulthood in a poor economy, which was further destabilized by the 9/11 terrorist attacks and the 2008 Great Recession, contributing to the generation’s reputation for cynicism. Many are now caring for children and aging parents at the same time, and Gen Xers carry the highest debt load of any generation."

🐽 Why so many backpacks have that 'pig nose' patch and why you might want to use it

It's actually a functional feature.

By Heather Wake

It’s always fascinating to gain new understanding of everyday sayings or items that we previously took for granted. In this case, new understanding might give you a whole new way to use said item. The item we’re talking about today is pig noses. Don’t worry, no actual pigs have been harmed.

As explained by a short and sweet video from @TheIronSnail on YouTube, pig noses are the name for that ubiquitous diamond shaped-latch with the two holes in it that you’ve undoubtedly seen on at least one of your backpacks.

The more formal name for this piece is a "lash tab," which makes its mysterious function actually make sense…if you’re a hiker, anyway. Lashing is a term for fastening two things together (usually a tool and a bag) with rope, to make traveling rugged terrain a little easier.

The flight attendant understood the assignment. 🥰

🗾 Japan's 'rice paddy art' blends modern technology and ancient crops to make living artwork

It's just different varieties of rice planted for just the right perspective.

By Annie Reneau

When you think of Japanese art, you might picture woodblock prints, calligraphy, meticulously sculpted bonsai trees, or other traditional art forms. But a new art form has sprung up—quite literally—in Japan that blends the ancient with the new, much to visitors' delight.

If you travel out to Inakadate village in the northern part of Japan’s large island of Honshu, you might come across a massive, living piece of art that you can only truly appreciate from above. “Rice paddy art,” known as tanbo art in Japan, are massive land "paintings" created using only different varieties of rice for the shapes, colors, and shading.

🛟 Lifeguard jobs aren't just summer jobs for teens. LA County lifeguards can clear $500K a year.

Don't everybody quit their day job at once.

By Jacalyn Wetzel

When people think of lifeguards, most of the time they imagine a teenager working a pool for some summer cash. In movies and television shows, they're often depicted as teens or very young adults trained to save lives earning a little more than minimum wage. But not all lifeguard jobs are created equally and not all lifeguards are teenagers saving for a car.

In fact, some locations in America pay their lifeguards extremely well to do their jobs. It may seem like they spend most of their time sitting on a lifeguard tower watching the water for signs of distress, but the job is not that simple. Though it's not too often during their day that they have to dive into the water to rescue swimmers, their job is still serious. When it's time to save someone drowning, they need to know what they're doing and how to do it well. For saving lives, lifeguards being well paid makes sense.