Tag Archives: feels

Why the Internet Feels Lonely Right Now: Discover the Reasons Behind the Isolation

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Topanga Canyon, Topanga, California, USA - lonliness in the digital age

Exploring the Loneliness of Digital Connection

Brenna Panaguiton/Unsplash

In today’s fast-paced digital landscape, I often find myself glued to my smartphone. Like many in the United States, I turn to various apps for news, from social media posts to podcasts and newsletters. However, amidst the chaos—like the unfolding protests in Minneapolis—I’ve noticed an unsettling trend: the more I consume, the lonelier I feel.

This isn’t a new phenomenon; it’s been a topic of discussion among sociologists for nearly 80 years. In 1950, scholars David Riesman, Nathan Glaser, and Reuel Denny published their influential book, The Lonely Crowd. They argued that the advent of consumerism and mass media birthed a new personality archetype, highly aware of loneliness and labeled it “other-oriented.” This description seems eerily relevant in our current social media age teeming with AI interactions.

Individuals who are other-oriented are constantly attuned to their peers, often using social cues to shape their choices related to purchases, fashion, and opinions. With their values stemming from contemporaries rather than historical influencers, they tend to prioritize present experiences over tradition. Riesman and his colleagues cautioned that an excessive focus on others can lead to a crippling fear of solitude.

These traits are starkly embodied in our engagement with social media, characterized by peer pressure, superficial connections, and even the growing surveillance culture. As we monitor one another, companies develop applications that simulate camaraderie, leaving us more isolated. This illustrates inherent risks of AI chatbots that are engineered to masquerade as companions.

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When we shape our identity based on others’ expectations, we obscure our deeper selves.
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There exists a contradiction within our social desires. While we yearn for inclusion, we also crave individuality. Riesman et al. contend that consumerism often creates a faux sense of unique identity. Consider the experience of browsing a rack of nearly identical polo shirts; selecting one may foster feelings of individuality, but fundamentally, they remain similar to one another.

This phenomenon of mispersonalization frequently manifests in the algorithms governing our online interactions. Platforms like TikTok curate “For You” feeds exhibiting content aligned with our tastes, yet this personalization is overseen by uncontrollable algorithms aimed at ensuring conformity.

As individuals shaped by external influences, we often find ourselves expressing our identities through group interactions, as advertisements prompt us to “join the conversation.” We generate content for the internet, portraying our lives through the lens of shared experiences.

Still, many of us wrestle with the lingering sensation of loneliness. This disconnect can be attributed to the variance between real-life relationships and those formed in digital spaces. Moreover, it may relate to the personality shift chronicled in The Lonely Crowd. By focusing excessively on others, we risk neglecting our genuine, idiosyncratic desires. Without self-awareness, meaningful connections with others become elusive.

Riesman and his collaborators proposed two solutions. First, they emphasized the need to reclaim our leisure time from the all-consuming media landscape. They argued that our vigilance towards peers often resembles labor, advocating for more playful engagement with life. Their second suggestion urged individuals, particularly children, to explore new identities and experiences. Reflect on activities you enjoy when not dictated by external definitions of “fun.” Try something novel, don vibrant or whimsical clothing, or chat with an unfamiliar neighbor. Allow yourself to be surprised and embrace experimentation.

Remember, neither a “For You” feed nor an AI chatbot can define your identity. So, take a break from your devices, engage in unexpected activities, and rediscover who you are.

What I Am Reading
Notes from the Kingslayer, A captivating narrative of rebellion and familial bonds by Isaac Ferman.

What I See
Fierce rivalry, Because I know how to embrace enjoyment.

What I Am Working On
I’m exploring Sogdiana, my favorite ancient diaspora culture.

Annalee Newitz is a science journalist and author. Their latest book is Automatic Noodles. They co-host the Hugo Award-winning podcast Our Opinion Is Correct. Follow @annaleen and visit their website: techsploitation.com.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 Review: Stylish and Enjoyable, Yet Android Feels Familiar

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Samsung’s 7th generation flip phone sheds unnecessary features, boasting an expansive cover screen outside and a spacious folding display within, yet it doesn’t drastically change the existing formula.


The Galaxy Z Flip 7 will join the Book Style Z Fold 7 as Samsung’s two flagship folding devices in 2025. Similar to its predecessor, the Flip’s main allure is the ability to fold one of Samsung’s largest screens in half, making it ideal for pocket transport.

Prices starting at £1,049 (€1,199/$1,099/$1,799) align closely with the standard S25+ and Super Thin S25 Edge, yet offer slightly larger displays.


The Flip 7 operates just like a standard Android device, showcasing a flexible OLED screen and a generous 6.9-inch OLED main display. Photo: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian

The Flip 7 is a touch taller than its predecessor, supporting a larger 6.9-inch inner screen. Additionally, it’s thinner by 1.2mm when folded. However, unlike the noticeable upgrades introduced with this year’s Fold 7, the changes may not be readily apparent.

The new outer cover display envelops the camera and LED flash at the top half of the Flip 7. It accommodates more text from notifications and widgets, significantly enhancing its appearance compared to prior iterations. Selecting an appealing wallpaper can make the dark metallic blue shade especially striking.


The hinge offers a reassuringly robust closure, though operating the Flip 7 with one hand can be quite challenging. Photo: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian

The Flip 7 features a glass exterior, but the inner screen is shielded with a softer material that tends to collect fingerprints, exhibit glare, and show marks easily. It demands more care than a conventional flat phone. While the Flip is water-resistant, it’s not dust-proof, meaning the hinge should be safeguarded from tiny particles that could cause issues.

Specifications

  • Main screen: 6.9in FHD+ 120Hz AMOLED INFINITY FLEX Display (397PPI)

  • Cover screen: 4.1 inch AMOLED 120Hz (345PPI)

  • Processor: Samsung Exynos 2500

  • RAM: 12GB

  • Storage: 256 or 512GB

  • Operating system: One UI 8 based on Android 16

  • Camera: 50 +12MP rear, 10MP front

  • Connectivity: 5G, Nano SIM + eSIM, Wi-Fi 7, NFC, Bluetooth 5.4, GNSS

  • Water resistance: IP48 (up to 1.5 meters for 30 minutes)

  • Folded dimensions: 85.5 x 75.2 x 13.7mm

  • Expanded dimensions: 166.7 x 75.2 x 6.5mm

  • Weight: 188g

Performance and Battery Life


The Flip 7 charges fully in approximately 90 minutes, utilizing a power adapter of 25W or greater (not included) to reach 50% in 30 minutes. It also supports 15W wireless charging. Photo: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian

Equipped with the Samsung Exynos 2500 chip, the Flip 7 features a high-end processor comparable to the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite found in other flagship devices from Samsung. Although it may not claim top performance accolades, the Flip 7 delivers a solid gaming experience, even if the phone heats up during extended sessions.

Battery performance falls slightly short compared to its predecessor, typically lasting around 36 hours between charges while utilizing a mix of 5G and Wi-Fi, and supports roughly 6 hours of screen time. This aligns closely with the base S25 model, implying that most users will likely need to charge the Flip 7 nightly, especially considering that prolonged 5G usage leads to greater battery depletion than on Qualcomm-powered Samsung devices.

One UI 8


In Flex Mode, tools such as the trackpad, scroll wheel, playback, and camera controls appear on the upper half of the screen. Photo: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian

Alongside the Z Fold 7, the Flip 7 is among the initial Samsung devices running One UI 8 (based on Android 16) at launch. It’s a robust Android version offering extensive customization and stable performance.

The interface closely resembles that of the standard S25 series software, featuring multiple AI capabilities for tasks like lighting adjustments, image modification and generation, transcription, and translation. Additional Google AI services such as Gemini and Circle to Search are also present. The Now Bar is a fantastic feature that displays current activities such as sports scores, music playback, timers, alarms, and more.

The Flip 7 includes various tools specifically for foldable devices. A convenient “flex mode” allows content, websites, or applications to shift to the top half of the screen while folding the Flip into an L shape, placing controls on the lower half.


Currently playing music album art displays beautifully on the Flip 7’s external cover screen. Photo: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian

Numerous tools for utilizing external screens are available. You can view notifications, reply to texts, manage music and system settings, access a range of widgets like audio recorders and calculators, and interact with Gemini without needing to open the phone. Some applications like Google Maps, Messages, WhatsApp, Netflix, and YouTube can also be accessed on the external screens. However, to run additional apps on the cover screen, downloading Samsung’s MultiStar plugin from the Galaxy Store is necessary—though this should ideally be a built-in feature.

Samsung pledges to provide Android and security updates until July 31, 2032.

Camera


Flex mode encourages creativity in photography, allowing for diverse angles and configurations. Photo: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian

Cameras are a less impressive aspect of the Flip 7. It includes a 50-megapixel main camera, a 12MP ultra-wide lens, and a 10MP selfie camera on the inside.

While the selfie camera performs adequately, it’s not exceptional and struggles in low-light conditions for video calls. Instead, you might opt to use the main camera for selfies, utilizing the cover screen as a viewfinder for improved results.

The main camera shines outdoors, capturing detailed and vibrant colors, although indoor shots can suffer from murkiness and graininess due to lower lighting. The ultra-wide camera is decent for landscapes but struggles significantly in dim conditions.

The camera comes loaded with playful modes, including features for taking photos or videos in a traditional handicam style, which supports hands-free selfies.

Overall, the Flip 7 captures acceptable photos, but its camera quality falls short compared to traditional flagship devices.

Sustainability


Although there is a small gap near the hinge, the rest of the phone is sealed shut to prevent dust and fluff from entering. Photo: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian

The battery is designed to retain at least 80% of its original capacity over a maximum of 2,000 complete charging cycles.

The device is generally repairable, with internal screen repairs estimated at around £294. Samsung also provides CARE+ insurance for accidental damage, reducing repair costs to £119.

The Flip 7 utilizes recycled materials such as aluminum, cobalt, copper, glass, gold, lithium, plastic, rare earth elements, and steel, accounting for 18.2% of the device’s weight. Samsung operates trade-in and recycling programs for older devices and documents the environmental impact of its phones in reports (PDFs).

Price

The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 starts at £1,049 (€1,199/$1,099/$1,799).

For comparison, the Z Fold 7 is priced at £1,799, the S25 Edge at £1,099, the S25+ at £999, the Z Flip 7 FE at £849, the Motorola Razr 60 Ultra at £1,099, and the Xiaomi Mix Flip at £640.

Verdict

The Flip 7 stands as Samsung’s most appealing flip device, with the most notable enhancement being its larger outer screen.

Most other features mirror those of its predecessor. While the interior folding display is impressive, it is also delicate and requires careful handling. The side-mounted power button fingerprint scanner is functional yet somewhat inconveniently positioned. The camera quality is decent but does not compete with standard flagship models, and the battery life leaves much to be desired. However, the software is robust, with 7 years of updates promised. Overall, it feels somewhat repetitive.

The Flip 7 is an excellent choice for those wanting a substantial display in a compact form factor, yet it lacks the transformative redesign seen in its larger Fold 7 counterpart released this year.

Strengths: Bigger outer screen, ample inner display, IP48 water resistance, 7 years of updates, a variety of AI features, attractive design, enjoyable software.

Drawbacks: High price point, less durable than conventional phones, repairs may be costly, no dust resistance, camera lacks telephoto zoom, and its performance does not reach flagship standards, coupled with a lack of significant updates.


The Flip 7 offers stunning aesthetics and can perform numerous tasks while closed, though most functions are better executed on the main internal display. Photo: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian

Source: www.theguardian.com

Young Iranians Strive to Overcome Internet Blackout: It Feels Like Being Trapped by Walls

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a Amir* hasn’t slept in days. From his apartment in northern Tehran, the 23-year-old has spent nights searching for a vulnerable digital connection that can temporarily bypass the internet blackouts.

For 13 days, Iran has faced a nearly complete internet shutdown, severely limiting access to information since the onset of Israel’s strike until the latter part of Wednesday. However, a group of young Iranians tirelessly works to ensure their voices are heard beyond their borders.

“Using a VPN is no longer effective. To navigate this internet blackout, we’re relying on a special proxy link—essentially a ‘secret tunnel’ that channels messages through non-Iranian servers.

“These links are built into the app’s features […] They direct traffic from internal servers. Each link only works for a few hours before it fails. So, I’m constantly on the lookout for new ways to communicate with my people.”

The Iranian government blames external forces for restricting internet access during the conflict with Israel, claiming the network is being exploited for military purposes. A local source informed the Guardian that only correspondents from approved foreign media can access the internet.

While domestic messaging apps are operational, many young Iranians lack confidence in their security.

Amir remarked: “We have local apps, but they’re utterly unreliable. The government takes every opportunity to surveil us, particularly targeting student leaders.”

Last week, Amnesty International urged the authorities to lift the communication blackouts, stating it would “prevent individuals from finding safe routes, accessing vital resources, and sharing information.”

Another student leader, Leila*, 22, residing in Abbas Abado, north of Tehran, mentioned that she managed to connect again during the shutdown thanks to assistance from abroad. “My boyfriend in Europe sent me a composition link via text. Without it, nothing works. The internet sporadically operates for a few minutes before shutting down again.”

The blackout not only severed connections with the outside world but also complicated life amid the ongoing Israeli bombardment. “It feels like being enclosed by a wall,” remarked Tehran student Arash*. “We’ve lost the ability to assist each other with independent news while the sound of bombs contrasts sharply with the silence of state media.”

For Amir, the most alarming aspect is how the perception of war is becoming normalized. “We’re starting to treat this as normal,” he expressed, “but war is anything but normal.” He noted their recognition that the rattling of windows signifies either an air raid or an explosion.

The blackouts intensified his fears amid the war. “That’s what erases us… it makes us invisible. Yet here we are. We still wish to connect with a free world.”

* The name has been changed

Source: www.theguardian.com

Why a mild heatwave in the UK feels worse than in the US

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As the UK is currently experiencing another intense heatwave, many are questioning why the high temperatures feel particularly unbearable compared to other parts of the world.

Despite facing the same scorching sun and global warming trends, the heat in the UK seems to have a unique impact, leading some to wonder if there are other factors at play beyond just the temperature on the thermometer.

With temperatures reaching around 30°C, the British heatwave seems extreme when compared to climate change-induced wildfires in the US and Europe.

Before dismissing this as a common British complaint, it’s important to acknowledge that scientific evidence proves the severity of the heatwave in the UK.

“Heatwaves are subjective events, with different countries interpreting them based on people’s average expectations,” explained climate expert Professor Hannah Croke in an interview with BBC Science Focus.

Professor Croke emphasized that factors like humidity, wind speed, and temperature all play a role in how a heatwave is experienced and perceived by individuals.

Something is floating in the air

The UK’s island geography means that it is surrounded by water, which leads many to assume it would help cool down the country. However, the presence of cold water can actually have the opposite effect.

Meteorologists like Dr. Matthew Patterson explain that the UK’s climate, influenced by moist marine air, affects how heat is lost from the body through radiation, conduction, convection, and evaporation.

Evaporation plays a key role in cooling the body, but high moisture levels in the air can decrease its effectiveness. Wind speed also impacts evaporation, with strong winds aiding in cooling the body.

Indices like Feels Like Temperature and the Universal Temperature Index (UTCI) are used to predict how temperature, humidity, and wind speed will affect individuals during a heatwave.

UK homes not fit for purpose

The design of UK homes, coupled with the lack of standard air conditioning, poses a challenge during heatwaves. The majority of UK homes are not equipped to deal with extreme heat due to their design and age.

Historically, UK homes were built to allow sunlight in, which can lead to higher indoor temperatures. In contrast, European and American homes often have external shutters to block out heat.

As temperatures continue to rise due to climate change, the design and construction of UK homes will need to adapt to better cope with heatwaves. Lack of understanding on how to keep homes cool during hot weather exacerbates the issue.

About our experts

Hannah Croke OBE is a British hydrologist and Professor of Hydrology at the University of Reading. She has received numerous awards for her work in flood forecasting and risk management.

Matt Patterson is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the University of Reading, with interests in atmospheric dynamics, seasonal prediction, and climate change.

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Source: www.sciencefocus.com