Welcome to the Weekly Noise Reduction.
If you’ve already signed up, thanks for your support for my monthly newsletter - I really appreciate it - thank you. I hope you enjoy getting this in your inbox weekly. Let’s crack on with this week’s gems, which lean heavily on behavioural insights.
Taken on my daily morning walk with Benji (Thursday 17 Feb 2022)
Behavioural insights and tips
NZers Determine Own Risk As Cases Spike
I advised and listened a lot during the Canterbury earthquake years where I learned the insights I talk about in this interview. It very much applied in the early stages of this pandemic and is very relevant again now and in the weeks to come.
There’s no solidarity in ‘sovereign citizen’ protests
What is a “sovereign citizen”? Where did this idea come from? And why is it both nonsense and dangerous at the same time?
How a Virus Exposed the Myth of Rugged Individualism -
Collectivism got us through this pandemic, not “sovereign citizens.”
There’s lots more below the paywall for subscribers and you’ll also get access to my 30,000 Days project too. Thanks to my paid subscribers who make all this possible.
Anger management takes more than coping skills
Anger and frustration dominate many of the news stories I’ve seen over the past week. What if managing anger isn’t just about learning a better set of coping skills and using them better?
It’s Your Friends Who Break Your Heart
The older we get, the more we need our friends—and the harder it is to keep them. A long, and sometimes challenging read on the natural life-cycles of friendships. Grab yourself a coffee and settle in for this one.
American Psychological Association
A key component of maintaining close friendships over long distances is a mutual willingness to ask for support and to step up when needed, says @marisa_franco. https://t.co/l71hu78ESZ
Death and disease increase after divorce. Journalist Florence Williams, mourning the end of her own marriage, investigates why.
“Your primary love language is not only the most direct way to make you feel loved. It is also your biggest vulnerability. It’s where you are most exposed for someone to hurt you.” - Cody Kommers, quoted in this story
How mindfulness-based training can give elite athletes (and you) a mental edge
Mindfulness and acceptance and commitment therapy are two types of training psychologists are using to bolster athletes’ mental health. If you like Ted Lasso, then you’re going to appreciate this article too.
People, not tech
How Tech Can (and Can’t) Help You Fight Soaring Energy Bills
Thermostats like Nest go a long way toward helping you use less energy, but the real problem-solvers are people.
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One more fact
When Delta was dominant:
An average of 1200 Americans died each day
When Omicron was dominant
An average of 2200 Americans died every day
So this "milder" virus with 75% lower CFR
killed nearly twice as many Americans every day
6/7
Oops ...
Mistaken identity in space: Rocket on collision course with the moon ‘built by China not SpaceX’
Astronomers say their mistake over an object that is due to hit lunar surface in March highlights difficulties of deep space tracking. Expect this problem to grow over time unless we figure out a way to do this better.
What I'm listening to...
An American-Style Protest in Canada (and NZ?)
Well worth a listen to get an insight into a parallel universe, a desperate need for community, and dark and malevolent influences: all converging on NZ and other places too
Tui perch
Join my Noise Reduction Twitter community
I’m in the early stages of starting up a private Noise Reduction community where you can discuss and share your wisdom about what gets you through your day, and helps you to cut through the noise of modern life. If you’re interested in taking part, it’s easy - just fire me through an email in reply to this newsletter expressing your interest, and we can take it from there. It’s free.
Finding Calm by Sarb Johal - Penguin Books New Zealand
UPDATED: Now #3 in this week’s NZ Non-fiction bestsellers chart. My book gives a range of practical skills to help anyone come to terms with feelings of anxiety and learn to thrive. My new book is available in NZ and Australia in paperback, and on eBook globally.
"Pain is neither unbearable nor unending, as long as you keep in mind its limits and don't magnify them in your imagination." Marcus Aurelius
Let it go
Why Chasing a Better Past Chases Away Your Life Now
Letting go of your past - even a joyful past - is the key to unlocking a better now.
That’s it for this week - hope this has been informative, educational and entertaining.
Take care out there,
Sarb