Your brain has limited storage space, yet somehow it remembers commercial jingles from 1986 while forgetting why you walked into the kitchen. Today, Cecily Knobler explores that particular Gen X affliction. Meanwhile, Tod Perry has three simple ways to become more likable, and we're reconsidering an iconic Olympic performance that once seemed to embody everything we admired about determination.
 | ||
Public speaking expert shares the 3 ‘magic’ phrases that instantly make you more likable | ||
It’s all about being genuinely open and curious. | ||
By Tod Perry | ||
When we think of someone likable, we often imagine a person with a big personality who’s the life of the party. We conjure up images of social butterflies and people who keep everyone at the dinner party glued to their every word when they tell a story. The funny thing is, according to research, that’s not really the case. | ||
Studies show that the easiest way to make someone like you is to show interest by asking questions during the conversation and making it clear that you like them. People also really love those who come off as genuine. | ||
Michael Gendler, a co-founder of Ultraspeaking, a platform that helps people master the art of public speaking, shared three “magic” phrases on Instagram that make you more likable, all of which align with what science tells us. | ||
|
If you’re carrying extra pounds you just can’t seem to shake, Simple can help. You don’t need a strict diet or intense gym plan. Simple’s science-backed, habit-based approach has helped users lose 20M+ pounds without calorie counting or food restrictions. Take our personalized quiz to get started!
Big fans of D for David 👏
 | ||
Kerri Strug landed her vault with a broken ankle at the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games. | ||
Kerri Strug vaulting with a severely injured ankle at the 1996 Olympics lands a bit differently now | ||
“I was excited to show my daughters Kerri Strug’s famous one-leg vault…But for some reason I wasn’t as inspired watching it this time. In fact, I felt a little sick.” | ||
By Annie Reneau | ||
In July of 2021, Simone Biles withdrew from the team final in the Tokyo Olympics and subsequently withdrew from the individual all-around finals after getting a case of the “twisties” that had the world talking. She received overwhelming support as well as overwhelming criticism for the move, with some praising her for recognizing her limits and others blasting her for not persevering through whatever she’s dealing with. | ||
Some people pointed to Kerri Strug, who landed on one foot after vaulting on a severely injured ankle in the 1996 Olympics to help the U.S. win gold, as an example of the kind of sacrifice an athlete should be willing to make for their country. | ||
|
An Upworthiest Poll
Which piece of completely useless '80s knowledge is permanently lodged in your brain?
Yesterday’s Results
In yesterday’s issue, we shared Glen Campbell’s extraordinary guitar performance.
And we asked: Which classical composer wrote the music famously associated with the Lone Ranger? 39.2% of you knew it was Gioachino Rossini, whose William Tell Overture gave the masked rider his unmistakable soundtrack. Wagner made a strong showing, but Rossini rode off with the win.
Ludwig van Beethoven (12.9%)
Gioachino Rossini (39.2%) 🏆
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (15.8%)
Richard Wagner (32.1%)
 | ||
Gen Xer rattles off ‘useless info’ stuck in his brain from the ’80s. It’s delightfully relatable. | ||
“Gen X has been storing this nonsense for decades and we can’t remember why we walked into a room.” | ||
By Cecily Knobler | ||
So many of us have had that moment. We walk into a room and can’t remember why or what we’re looking for. Or even more frustrating and fun, we can’t recall our own phone number and yet can remember all seven digits from a one-hit-wonder ’80s song. | ||
Of course, Generation X doesn’t have a patent on this. But in a funny clip circulating on Instagram, one Gen Xer hilariously replies to a Millennial who claimed she had “more useless information stored in her brain than any other generation.” Hold our Zimas, because this man comes with “memory” receipts. | ||
|
