Welcome back to Newel of Knowledge. Today we’re tackling how to make new friends—no cold-calling strangers required. First, lean into your existing circles. Tap into coworkers, classmates or neighbors. “Shared routines breed shared trust,” and a simple coffee break or study session can spark a genuine connection. Next, join interest-based groups—book clubs, cooking classes or weekend sports leagues. Here you’re walking into a community that already shares your passion. As one expert puts it, “Friendship blossoms when experiences are shared, not forced.” Third, volunteer. Giving your time alongside others creates natural teamwork and conversation. Finally, nurture casual acquaintances. Next time you bump into someone in line or on a morning run, simply say, “Hey, I really enjoy our chats—would you like to grab a coffee sometime?” Small invitations build real rapport far more easily than cold approaches. That’s your quick guide to making friends the natural way. Thanks for listening, and see you next time on Newel of Knowledge!
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Welcome to Longevity Lowdown. Today we ask: Do longevity drugs work?

“As elixirs of life go, long-term fasting is a surprising candidate. Yet it seems to work.” Experiments on species from nematode worms to rhesus monkeys show that near-starvation prolongs lifespan, and “short-term ones suggest similar physiological changes happen” in humans.

Drugs promise an easier route. Rapamycin, an immune suppressant, blocks a key growth pathway and has extended mouse lifespans by up to 25 percent. Metformin, a decades-old diabetes pill, is now in a major trial to see if it can delay ageing in people.

Then there are senolytics, designed to clear out worn-out cells. Early human tests hint they might ease arthritis and lung disease. Yet most evidence still comes from animals or small studies. Whether these treatments can safely boost our healthspan—or lifespan—remains an open question.
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Welcome back to Quick Career Tips. Today, we’re unpacking advice from a Principal Engineer at Amazon on how to stand out without breaking a sweat.

First, he says, “Focus on delivering high-impact solutions that others will notice.” In practice, this means picking projects that align with big business goals and seeing them through end to end.

Next, he urges you to “think bigger than your role.” That means proactively spotting problems outside your immediate tasks and offering to solve them.

Collaboration is key. He reminds us, “Helping your peers—through code reviews, mentoring, or simply sharing knowledge—builds your reputation faster than any self-promo.”

He also stresses the power of written artifacts: “Blog posts, internal docs, and demos outlive us and showcase our work.” Regularly document your wins and learnings so that leadership can see your impact.

Finally, consistency wins. “You don’t need to shout—let your track record speak.” Small, steady contributions earn trust and visibility over time.

That’s your one-minute blueprint to stand out effortlessly. Thanks for listening!
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Welcome to today’s show. David and Jake are joined by Dominic Preston to unpack Trump Mobile. They warn that while launching a carrier is “easy” and can be lucrative, Trump Mobile is “a pretty bad deal.” The promised $500, “made-in-America,” “coming-soon device” may not even exist. We dive into the rise of MVNOs, debate what “made in the USA” really means, and ask if there’s any redeeming quality behind this obvious grift.

Next, TV is dying faster than anyone expected. We explore the unstoppable growth of Netflix and YouTube, the surprising success of FAST networks, and what this shift means for Hollywood. We even predicted a new feature in Max—and we were right.

In our lightning round, we cover the Senate’s confirmation of Olivia Trost to the FCC, the onrushing of ads into WhatsApp, the GENIUS bill shaking up crypto, the Threads-fediverse saga, and our take on the Framework Laptop 12. Thanks for listening.
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Welcome to today’s episode. Have you ever noticed how your vocabulary seems to shift when you jump on a Zoom call or watch a lecture online? Researchers at the Max Planck Institute have found that since ChatGPT launched, words like “meticulous,” “delve,” “realm,” and “adept” are up to 51 percent more common in academic videos. One lead author even warns, “Delve is only the tip of the iceberg.”

But it’s not just word choice. AI is shaping tone, favoring longer, more structured speech with muted emotion. Cornell studies show smart replies boost cooperation—but if your chat partner might be using AI, you trust them less. Mor Naaman at Cornell Tech says we’re losing basic humanity signals—those little stumbles and quirks that say, “This is me, I’m human.”

As AI flattens dialects and standardizes expression, the question isn’t if our speech will change—it’s whether we’ll fight to keep the imperfect, emotional bits that make us truly human.
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Welcome to “Future Focus,” where we explore the tech shaping tomorrow. I’m your host. Today: how AI is helping students find the right college.

After graduating in 2014, Julia Dixon found herself bombarded with questions from friends and family about college applications. She realized too many students lacked affordable, expert support. So she co-founded CollegeVine, an AI-powered platform that offers personalized guidance—from essay feedback to admissions probability.

“Every student deserves access to high-quality guidance,” Dixon says. The system analyzes a student’s grades, test scores, interests, and extracurriculars, then suggests safety, match, and reach schools. It even flags strong essay drafts and spots common pitfalls.

Since launching its AI tools, CollegeVine has helped thousands of students sharpen applications and boost confidence. Investors have noticed—recent funding rounds value the company at over half a billion dollars.

As high schoolers navigate a more competitive admissions landscape, AI may level the playing field—offering tailored advice once available only to those who could afford elite consultants. That’s all for today’s episode of “Future Focus.” Thanks for listening!
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Welcome back to One Minute Tech, where today we’re looking at seven under-$50 tools that make your life easier. First up, the Rosewill NVMe SSD Cloner—just “plug in the USB-C power adapter, slot your source on the left and destination on the right, press the clone button,” and you’re done. Next, the Sangabery digital caliper delivers precise millimeter or inch readings, ideal for checking laptop thickness or fitting 3D prints. The HOTO NEX O1 Pro cordless screwdriver “charges over USB-C” and offers variable torque for PC builds or furniture assembly. Smooth out plastic, wood, or metal edges with the Peasug deburring tool and its 12 spare blades. Crack open thin laptops with the iSesamo spudger duo, full-size and keychain mini. Keep a box opener or tiny screwdriver on your keyring with the KeySmart multi-tool. Finally, stay powered up anywhere with Baseus’s 65-watt GaN charger, a slim USB-C and USB-A brick that “hugs the wall.” All seven tools cost less than fifty dollars and deliver big convenience.
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Looking to climb hills with minimal pedal power? One option is to buy a new ebike. But with reliable models starting at $1,200, it’s tempting to convert your own ride. As WIRED explains, you can “slap an aftermarket unit on your traditional bike,” turning it into an ebike with pedal-assist, throttle, or both. Pedal-assist uses cadence or torque sensors to “kick on” as you pedal, while throttle kits, like motorcycle grips, deliver instant power without pedaling. Easy “treadmill” style converters—think Rubbee X or Livall PikaBoost—attach to your fork or seatpost, “contacting your tire” to roll you forward. Want something more permanent? Hub-based kits, like Zehus or Cytronex, swap into your wheel, and high-power options like the Bafang M-Series replace your bottom bracket, pushing up to 1,000 watts. Before you buy, consult your local bike shop. And as WIRED says, “keep the rubber side down!”
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Welcome back to Lore Party Media. Today we’re diving into Funcom’s ambitious open-world MMO, Dune: Awakening. Set on the unforgiving planet Arrakis, this game blends base building, resource management, and epic faction warfare. You’ll harvest spice amid deadly sandstorms, forge alliances with Atreides, Harkonnen, or Fremen, and even face off against colossal sandworms. As one reviewer puts it, “the world of Arrakis has never felt more alive,” from the harsh desert vistas to the tense PvP encounters. Crafting plays a central role—players construct sietches, secure water supplies, and research advanced technologies to tip the balance of power. Combat feels visceral and strategic, rewarding teamwork whether you’re raiding enemy outposts or defending your own. Performance remains smooth on both PC and consoles, though a few optimization hiccups pop up in massive battles. Overall, Dune: Awakening captures the brutal beauty of Herbert’s universe and invites you to leave your mark on Arrakis. Stay tuned for more deep dives right here on Lore Party Media.
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Welcome to Reality Check, I’m your host. Today we’re diving into Bored Panda’s dazzling roundup of 94 mind-blowing photographs that prove “reality is far stranger than fiction will ever be.” From a backyard amateur telescope capture of the rare 2024 supermoon to wind turbines that look like they’re floating in the sky, each image forces you to pause and stare. These pictures “stand out among the flood of other content out there,” showcasing everything from chimeric cats with half-and-half eyes to flowering meadows on horseback in Italy.

The article doesn’t stop at eye candy. It shares advice for creatives: don’t take every comment to heart—“social media can be quite a harsh environment for creatives,” notes Fstoppers, so learn to separate the constructive feedback from the noise. Challenge yourself with new styles, gear, or locations, but don’t chase every trend at the expense of your vision.

Finally, Bored Panda asks: which photo captivated you the most? Head over to their gallery, upvote your favorites, and let the world know which snapshots left you saying, “I’ve never seen anything like that.”
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