Tag Archives: purpose

Gamers as Hackers: Discovering the Next Generation of Tech Talent in Unexpected Places | Bridging Fun and Purpose

Posted on by
Reply

For numerous young individuals in schools and universities, a solid understanding of digital skills is essential for future learning and employment prospects. Nonetheless, teachers face a considerable challenge in ensuring these skills are utilized effectively.

As reported by The Hacking Games, an organization focused on helping youth with hacking skills secure jobs in the cybersecurity sector, criminal groups are increasingly targeting talented teenagers within popular online gaming spaces.

This is a route that educators hope to steer their students away from, which is why Co-op, a sponsor of the Co-op Academies Trust, has collaborated with The Hacking Games. The Co-op Academies Trust serves over 20,000 students across 38 primary, secondary, and special needs schools, as well as one college in Northern England. The partnership aims to direct students with coding skills toward careers in ‘ethical hacking.’

Joe Sykes, Careers Director at the Co-op Academies Trust, comments: “In recent years, there has been a growing interest among students in technology, particularly gaming, and they are investigating how this passion might lead to future careers.

“Through our engagement with The Hacking Games, we discovered the transferable skills that exist between gaming and ethical hacking, particularly within cybersecurity. Our students found this link to be both exciting and motivating.”

“Students will find it engaging to learn about the transferable skills between gaming and ethical hacking in the technology sector, especially in cybersecurity.”

Adam Woodley, Head of Curriculum at Connell Cope College, agrees, noting that many young individuals view careers in the digital sector as a “very popular option.”

“Students have acquired highly sought-after skills through hobbies such as gaming, and they naturally desire to apply these skills in exciting career paths,” he states.

“Thus, it is crucial that they have the chance to explore the stimulating realm of ethical hacking and cybersecurity and utilize those skills to benefit society.”

Rob Elsey, Chief Digital Information Officer at Co-op, concurs. “There are numerous unfilled positions in cybersecurity,” he points out. “The more we can transform the bright, skilled young individuals we have in the UK into defenders instead of attackers, and educate them about the available opportunities, the better. This will help us confront ongoing threats as a nation.”

Driving apprenticeships and internships

Fergus Hay, co-founder of The Hacking Games, emphasizes, “It takes a community to motivate, appreciate, and empower this generation to choose the right path.” The Hacking Games’ framework assesses young people’s digital aptitudes and skills against specific criteria to identify suitable careers for them in the tech industry.

The Hacking Games is actively working on creating formal pathways (apprenticeships and internships) to digital jobs within the government or private sectors in the future. Many experts believe this route is also accessible for neurodiverse youth. However, for both neurodivergent and neurotypical individuals, gaming serves as a common training ground for hacking, remarks John Madelin, a cybersecurity veteran and Chief Product Officer at The Hacking Games.

“Many hackers I’ve encountered are gamers,” he states, adding that most young gamers do not harbor criminal intentions, “but the distinction is significant.” For many young gamers, hacking revolves around discovering new and hidden aspects of gameplay, while for some, it involves creating and selling cheat codes to other players.


Hacking Games’ assessment framework aligns a student’s aptitudes with appropriate technical jobs. Composite: Getty Images/Guardian Design

These advanced technological skills are precisely what criminal organizations seek to exploit, particularly among students less focused on academic achievement. However, Madeline asserts she can guide young hackers toward more positive paths. “It’s essential to continuously challenge and engage them,” he states. “Instead of allowing them to remain inactive, we should utilize their talents.”

The Co-op Academies Trust has already identified careers in the digital sector as crucial components of its post-primary career program. Mr. Sykes believes it is vital for all children to discern their strengths as early as possible. “Our duty as educators is to optimize outcomes in these areas.

“Individuals with strong digital skills often possess a natural inclination to think logically and solve problems creatively,” she adds.

“Blessed with a talent for technology and gaming.”

The collaboration between Co-op and The Hacking Games comes after Co-op became the target of a cyberattack earlier this year. Focused on creating social value, Co-op (an organization owned by its members rather than shareholders) sought to address the underlying causes of hacking.

“We recognize that children possess talents in technology and gaming, and that these skills can lead to hacking,” Sykes states. “Initiatives like this allow us to discuss the ramifications and legalities surrounding hacking and help students recognize the opportunities these skills can present through their ethical application.”

Potential roles in cybersecurity for major firms and organizations may involve identifying weaknesses that malicious hackers could exploit. There are also opportunities within government departments working against hacking attempts directed at critical national infrastructure.

This is one of the primary reasons The Hacking Games recently launched its HAPTAI platform. The platform aids in developing hacking aptitude profiles for young individuals by analyzing their performances in popular games and matching them with corresponding psychometric profiles. Subsequently, candidates are paired with roles and teams suited to their strengths.


Our collaboration with The Hacking Games aims to encourage children to actively harness their abilities. Composite: Getty Images/Guardian Design

Protection today, career path tomorrow

“Children can be particularly susceptible to online dangers, thus we ensure they are educated about these risks, including the legal boundaries surrounding online safety and hacking,” Sykes explains. “I believe all schools need to stay updated with current issues. This presents a real opportunity for professionals to enhance their understanding of the risks and communicate them effectively to parents.”

In the future, she envisions a national computer science curriculum that incorporates lessons on ethical hacking and PSHE (Personal, Social, Health and Economic), helping all students recognize the potential harm at all levels of the economy.

Until that vision is realized, the partnership between Co-op and The Hacking Games will persist. The Co-op Academy Walkden will be piloted in the upcoming months to raise awareness of the issue and identify talented young individuals who can contribute to the solution before scaling it into a nationwide program.

“There are vast career opportunities in the digital arena,” states Sykes. “This ultimately aids students in understanding all the positive pathways available to them and how they can significantly contribute to creating a safer world.”

learn more

Keep children and young people safe online with Barnardo’s online safety guidance

Source: www.theguardian.com

From Play to Purpose: A Cautionary Tale on Cybercrime for My Teenage Self

Posted on by
Reply

In 2016, a 19-year-old Daniel Kelly faced charges for computer hacking, extortion, and fraud linked to a significant data breach at a British telecom firm, resulting in a four-year prison sentence. Post-release, he has collaborated with over 35 cybersecurity firms to create campaigns and thought leadership pieces.
The reality of digital threats.

As a teenager, gaming dominated my life. I spent upwards of 12 hours daily immersed in it. My focus was entirely on video games, as school didn’t captivate me and my offline social interactions were minimal. Gaming became my world, a means of escape, and my community.

Trouble began around 2011 or 2012 when I was competing in an online multiplayer game and experienced a sudden internet disconnection just before the match. It turned out that my opponent had managed to trace my IP address and launched a Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attack against me. This incident sparked my curiosity to understand how it was accomplished, leading me to an online hacking forum—not out of malicious intent, but pure curiosity.

Delving into video game cheating sparked my interest in the workings of websites, prompting me to learn about hacking web applications. I began reporting vulnerabilities to various companies and ultimately gained a position as a security researcher with Microsoft.

What deterred me from pursuing that path was the sense of futility I felt. At that time, formal bug bounty programs—incentives for responsible hackers who discover vulnerabilities—were non-existent, and many companies failed to grasp the concept of responsible disclosure. Consequently, those who reported issues were often ignored or even threatened. For a teenager yearning for acceptance and community, this was transformative.




“I would tell my younger self not to cross certain lines.” (Photo of model posing) Composite: Stocksy/Guardian Design

From 2012 to 2015, things intensified. I forged connections on hacking forums, and the discussions gradually shifted from curiosity to darker topics. I found myself leaning towards cybercrime without fully realizing how far from my initial intentions I had strayed.

Following my arrest, I faced endless legal battles and delays while on police bail for four years.

My first prison experience was at HMP Belmarsh, an environment that felt chaotic and unpredictable. For the initial weeks, I remained hyper-alert—not from fear, but due to the atmosphere. Eventually, you adapt to the prison’s daily rhythm, which also forces you to deeply reflect on your choices. It wasn’t entirely negative, but it was certainly isolating.

The sensation of being liberated can be most simply described as “weird.” You expect freedom to be an emotional high point, but it’s often disorienting. After months or years of being told what to do and when, emerging back into society comes with the expectation of returning to normalcy. Adjusting took time; I had to reacquaint myself with making small decisions and rebuild my confidence.

My sentence included a Serious Crime Prevention Order, which I still abide by more than a decade later. It impacts nearly every aspect of my life, imposing restrictions on my technology use and online activities. The awareness that one misstep could lead to loss of freedom creates a constant tension.

Since being released, I’ve found a way to merge two realms I know intimately: cybersecurity and cyber threat intelligence. Many cybersecurity marketing teams lack technical skills, while many tech experts struggle to communicate their work to the public effectively. I’ve built a bridge between these areas. The same knowledge that once led me astray now serves as the bedrock of my business—an odd yet positive twist.




Kelly’s business now leverages his skills for profitability. Composite: Getty Images/Guardian Design

If you have talents but feel isolated, it’s easy to gravitate toward communities that seemingly accept you but ultimately lead you astray. During my youth, I attempted to apply my skills positively. Had there been a more structured and constructive avenue for young individuals to showcase their abilities, my trajectory might have been different. I wasn’t predisposed to commit typical crimes; it was indeed a valid case where no one intervened to guide my potential for legal use. This lack of guidance combined with innate talent can be hazardous.

Fergus Hay, founder of The Hacking Games, aims to reshape the narrative surrounding hacking from one viewed solely as criminal to one seen as constructive when applied correctly. The partnership between Co-op and The Hacking Games offers young minds an outlet to hone their digital skills toward ethically sound careers—precisely the preventative approach we need. It provides young people with technical skills a positive direction. As a member of The Hacking Games Virtue Community, I strive to guide the next generation in avoiding my past mistakes and using their skills for societal protection.

I would advise anyone passionate about technology to not overlook the opportunities that come from being open about your learning journey. The Internet can connect you with individuals who recognize your potential and provide opportunities. The essential aspect is to focus your energy on mastery rather than mischief. Be mindful of the motives of those around you. If someone suggests that laws are irrelevant or that all laws are inconsequential, it’s a warning sign. The boundary between curiosity and crime can blur quickly without guidance.

My thoughts on what advice I would give my younger self continue to evolve. The obvious response would be, “Please don’t.” Yet, the reality is that everything I experienced has fundamentally shaped who I am and my current endeavors.

Still, I would advise my younger self, “Don’t cross that line.” Avoid threatening or extorting businesses—that remains my greatest regret. I’d also emphasize the importance of considering the outcomes and realizing how many lives are impacted by rash actions. While curiosity itself isn’t wrong, the way it was wielded was flawed.

learn more

Ensure young people are safe online with Barnardo’s guidance on safety.

Source: www.theguardian.com

Archaeologists Uncover New Insights into the Construction and Purpose of the Gobi Walls

Posted on by
Reply

The Gobi Wall is a 321 km long edifice constructed from soil, stone, and wood, located in the Gobi Highlands desert of Mongolia. It represents the least understood segment of the medieval wall system that extends from China to Mongolia. In a recent study, archaeologists sought to uncover information about the builders, purpose, and timeline of this structure. Their findings indicate that the principal structure and its usage evolved during the Xi Xia dynasty (1038-1227 CE), a time notable for its sophisticated frontier defense systems and significant geopolitical transformations.

Aerial drone photograph depicting preserved stone segments of the Gobi walls traversing the hillside. Image credit: Golan et al. , doi: 10.3390/land14051087.

Stretching 321 km through Mongolia’s highland desert, the Gobi Wall forms part of a comprehensive wall system that once extended across China to Mongolia.

Previously, its origins, functions, and historical significance remained largely uncharted.

“The medieval wall system spans roughly 4,000 km across the vast territories of northern China and Mongolia, making it a distinct segment of Siberia,” remarked Professor Gideon Sheraha Ravi from Hebrew University and his collaborators.

“It stands out as one of East Asia’s most expansive yet mysterious architectural structures.”

“In recent years, numerous projects have delved into various sections of this wall line, yielding substantial research findings.”

“Such studies have established that this extensive system of earthen walls was constructed by different empires from the 10th to the 13th centuries.”

“Among the various parts of the system, the segment within the Gobi Desert in southern Mongolia is the least explored and, as of yet, unrecognized.”

“Our investigation concentrates on a 321-km segment of this wall line in the Omnogovi region of Mongolia, which we refer to as the Gobi Wall.”

In this study, Professor Shelach-Lavi and his co-authors uncovered new insights into the building and purposes of the wall.

They found that the wall and its associated garrison were primarily constructed during the Xi Xia period (1038-1227 CE), a dynasty governed by the Tangot peoples in western China and southern Mongolia.

This era is marked by the growth of frontier defense strategies amid considerable geopolitical upheaval.

Contrary to conventional perspectives that view walls solely as defensive constructions, this research emphasizes the multifaceted roles of the Gobi walls in boundary integration, resource regulation, and imperial governance.

While the main construction and habitation phases align with the Xi Xia dynasty, the research also refuted evidence for consistent habitation of this remote area from the 2nd century BC to the 19th century AD.

The fortress comprises a plunging earth foundation bolstered by stone and wooden reinforcements, showcasing the adaptive use of local materials within this arid, isolated setting.

Additionally, ecological and spatial assessments from this study indicate that the wall routes were strategically selected based on resource accessibility, particularly water and timber.

The fort’s location and garrison positioning utilized natural geographical features such as mountain paths and sand dunes to enhance the wall’s effectiveness.

“This study challenges long-held beliefs regarding the empire’s frontier systems in Asia,” stated Professor Sheraha Ravi.

“The Gobi Wall was not merely a barrier, but an adaptive mechanism for regulating movement, commerce, and territorial authority in a demanding environment.”

This finding sheds light on how environmental adaptation and state power interacted within medieval empires, offering broader insights into ancient infrastructure and its relevance to contemporary political and ecological contexts.

“This study advocates for a wider rethinking of medieval frontiers, not just as static defensive barriers, but as dynamic management frameworks,” asserted the archaeologist.

“The Gobi Wall illustrates the Xi Xia Statecraft model, which uses architectural endeavors to manage population dynamics and territorial delineations.”

“Such an understanding aligns with a theoretical framework that perceives frontiers as zones of control and interaction, rather than rigid dividers, prompting a broader comparative analysis throughout Eurasia.”

The findings were published in a paper in the journal land.

____

Dangoran et al. 2025. Exploring the Gobi Wall: Archaeology of a large medieval frontier system in the Mongol Desert. land 14(5): 1087; doi: 10.3390/land14051087

Source: www.sci.news

The Giant Ground Sloth Developed Three Distinct Rotations for a Common Purpose

Posted on by
Reply

The ancient sloths exhibited a variety of sizes

Diego Barletta

The cool and arid climate has shaped sloths into giants—before humans potentially drove these large animals to extinction.

Today’s sloths are small, well-known herbivores that navigate through the lush canopy of tropical rainforests. However, for tens of millions of years, South America was home to an astonishing variety of sloths, many of which were massive ground dwellers, with some giants weighing close to five tonnes.

This remarkable range of sizes is of particular interest to Alberto Boscani from the University of Buenos Aires, Argentina, and his colleagues.

“Body size is correlated with all biological characteristics of an animal,” states Boscaini. “This provides a promising avenue for studying sloth evolution.”

Boscaini and his team have synthesized data on physical attributes, DNA, and proteins from 67 extinct and extant sloth genera (groups of closely related species) to construct a family tree that illustrates their evolutionary relationships.

They then analyzed this evolutionary timeline, spanning 35 million years, incorporating insights on habitat, diet, and lifestyle for each sloth. They also examined evolutionary patterns in body size and made weight estimates for 49 ancient and modern sloth groups.

The findings indicate that the evolution of sloth body sizes was significantly influenced by climate change and shifts in habitat. For instance, certain sloth genera began adapting to arboreal living, much like today’s sloths, resulting in a reduction in body size.

Simultaneously, three separate lineages of sloths evolved the proportion of elephant-like features independently. This adaptation appears to have occurred in the last few million years as global cooling and the uplift of the Andes transformed South America into a drier environment.

“The giants are more closely associated with colder and drier climates,” remarks team member Daniel Casari from the University of Sao Paulo, Brazil.

A significant number of these various sloths went extinct in two catastrophic phases: one around 12,000 years ago and another approximately 6,000 years ago, according to Boscaini.

“This aligns with the expansion of Homo sapiens across the American Supercontinent and subsequently into the Caribbean,” he explains, noting that many giant sloths lived in these regions. The surviving sloth species primarily inhabit trees, making them less accessible to humans compared to larger sloths.

The hypothesis that humans played a significant role in the extinction of ancient megafauna is strongly supported, states Thaís Rabito Pansani from the University of New Mexico, who was not part of the research.

“However, solid evidence is necessary to substantiate this theory, especially concerning unresolved and highly debatable issues such as megafauna extinction,” she emphasizes. Recent evidence adds context to this narrative.

“Sloths flourished for much of their history,” says Casari. “[The findings] indicate how a once-successful group can quickly become vulnerable.”

Topic:

Source: www.newscientist.com

The Purpose of Leap Year 2024: Understanding the Reason Behind It

Posted on by
Reply

It may surprise you, but the universe isn’t perfect, at least not from a human perspective. One clear example of this imperfection is the existence of leap years like 2024.

What is a leap year?

By definition, a leap year occurs every four years, adding an extra day to make the year 366 days long instead of the usual 365. This extra day falls on February 29th rather than the typical February 28th.

Why do leap years occur?

The discrepancy between a year (Earth’s orbit around the sun) and a day (Earth’s rotation) drives the need for leap years to align our calendar with the Earth’s journey around the sun. This misalignment accumulates over time, necessitating the addition of leap years to keep our calendar in sync with the seasons.

“Leap years play a crucial role in aligning our calendar with the Earth’s orbit around the sun,” explains Dr. Minjae Kim, a Research Fellow in Astrophysics at the University of Warwick.

The Julian calendar introduced by Julius Caesar in 46 BC added a day every four years, but it slightly overcorrected the discrepancy between the solar year and the calendar year. Reforms led to the Gregorian calendar in 1582, which provides rules for determining leap years, reducing the error rate to about one day every 3000 years.

Celebrities with leap year birthdays

  • Jack Rousma: NASA astronaut born on February 29, 1936.
  • Ja Rule: American rap legend born on February 29, 1976.
  • Pedro Sanchez Perez-Castechon: Prime Minister of Spain born on February 29, 1972.
  • Karen Jones: American competitive swimmer born on February 29, 1984.

Is it possible to create the perfect calendar?

Despite efforts to improve calendars, there is no perfect solution due to the dynamic nature of space. The concept of time harmonizing with natural rhythms is temporary, as our days get longer and Earth’s orbit changes over long timescales. For now, the Gregorian calendar remains adequate.

About our experts

Dr. Minjae Kim: Research Fellow in the Department of Physics at the University of Warwick, focusing on planetary science and dust signatures in debris disks around stars.

Dr. James McCormack: Assistant Professor in the Astronomy and Astrophysics Group at the University of Warwick, specializing in transiting exoplanets and the European Space Agency’s PLATO mission.

Source: www.sciencefocus.com

Understanding the Purpose of Designing Cars to Exceed Speed Limits

Posted on by
Reply

Why are cars designed to go far above the speed limit? (Don’t tell me they’re built with the Autobahn in mind.) Andy Crosby, North Wales

Please send new questions to nq@theguardian.com.

Reader replies

Because for mechanical reasons, a car that can get to 100 will perform better at 70 than a car that can only get to 70. Also, an engine that can only reach 110 mph on flat ground may struggle on hills. I was riding a 1.2 Clio and had to anticipate the hills and lower gears so I wouldn’t run out of breath. My Golf Diesel ran smoothly on the same slope without any complaints. Of course, you can also install a speed limiter on your vehicle (I often drive minibuses with speed limits). But consider the problems that arise when a speed-limited truck tries to pass another truck, slowly weaving in the center lane of a freeway, and the resulting confusion and congestion. yorkshire expatriate

I think the Germans call this the “elephant race”. socialism now

Of course, men are embarrassed to buy Viagra. Greg KZ

Is it because you are selling it? Automotive journalists like to include acceleration and top speed performance as positive in their reviews. So perhaps car buyers want a faster car, even if they can’t use that performance (at least in theory). reggie pudding

I purchased a 2015 Audi A5 3.0TDi Quattro 5 years ago. With 245bhp it will reach 60mph in less than 6 seconds. When you need that oomph to pass a bloke going 40mph on the local highway, it’s also thanks to its bags of torque that it means overtaking is quick and easy.

Top speed is limited to 155 mph, but I’ve never seen one. In France, I hit 132 mph on the motorway, the legal maximum speed.

The best part is that despite the engine’s size, it literally ticks along at 110mph at 1,600rpm and gets over 50mpg on long trips. So it’s a good grand tourer, with the ability to drift, a decent slug of power, and the ability to growl when needed. This is called being flexible. I’m already looking forward to my next road trip to France! Chilled Gibo

You’re Jeremy Clarkson, I charge you £5! Tatty Bogle

I am disappointed that the transition to electric power is not seen as an opportunity to end our obsession with increasingly high-powered cars. We see advertisements boasting extraordinary acceleration rates and high power outputs, but as a result, batteries are increasingly required to be larger and heavier, and have a greater environmental impact during manufacturing and use. This is contrary to the potential of electric vehicles to reduce the impact of personal mobility. We will properly lower speed limits and introduce aggressive punitive taxes on large, powerful personal vehicles. evan 1

Highest efficiency point. Designed for 110 miles per hour, it runs at full capacity. Imagine sprinting endlessly on every trip. It is designed to have a top speed of 160 mph and then cruise at 110 mph. I can run comfortably. Seno j1

A significant number of EVs buck this trend by having very fast acceleration but relatively low top speeds. For example, in my case he is supposed to reach 60 in less than 7 seconds, and this acceleration corresponds to a top speed of 130-140. In fact, its top speed is around 108, more than enough to allow a comfortable margin of stress relief at legal speeds. It is also true that some EVs reach 60 points within his 3 seconds, which begs the question of how many drivers can handle this without crashing into a more solid vehicle. suspicious solipsist

Fuel Efficiency – If a car can go 240 km/h while redlining in 5th, it will rev much lower and consume less fuel, potentially reaching 120 km/h. mcknight

Is it because speeding fines are a valuable source of income? eddie miscellaneous post

Margin of error (also known as safety). You have to turn occasionally (at legal speeds) to avoid accidents, and you always have to use mechanical devices that aren’t working at stress points, because it’s not good for wheels to fall off. Speedy 95060

A car with an engine with a “design” speed of 130 mph can have a “smaller” carburetor fitted to the engine, which will limit power and speed accordingly, but with less impact on the engine and moving parts. It has the advantage of being less stressful. . Of course, this will be about the same price as the “unlimited” version, so boy racers will want to go over the speed limit, so I guess manufacturers choose the faster version to increase sales. balance and reason

Cars are sold as toys, but only incidentally as a means of transportation. Lochaber 1

I hope this is the answer they give as their “last word.” Doralicious

Source: www.theguardian.com

My Purpose at Work: Doing Exciting Things like Going to the Moon – Interview with Christina Koch

Posted on by
Reply

Christina Koch has a job that kids dream about. Starting in 2019, on her first mission to the International Space Station (ISS), NASA astronaut She spent 328 days in space, the longest period ever spent by a woman in space. During that mission, she 3D printed living tissue, grew proteins, worked on dark matter experiments, and was half of the first all-female spacewalk.

Now Koch is preparing for his next adventure as part of the space agency's ambitious project to send humans back to the moon. With this, she will cement her own place in the history books. Koch and three other astronauts will spend 10 days orbiting the moon on the Artemis II mission, scheduled for November. However, there are lifetime safety restrictions on the amount of time astronauts can spend in space, so doing this would probably prevent them from setting foot on the moon in the future. Nevertheless, she would be the first woman to orbit Earth's satellite and look behind its mysterious backside.

Artemis II will be the first manned test of NASA's giant Space Launch System rocket and its apex Orion spacecraft, preparing for a future mission aimed at landing humans on the moon's surface for the first time since 1972. becomes. Mr. Koch said: new scientist About her important work on the ISS, the smells of space, and the unique microgravity sports you can play in orbit.

Leah Crane: What was it like…

Source: www.newscientist.com

New Study Unravels the Varied Emotional Purpose of Dreams in Different Locations

Posted on by
Reply

Dreaming is a complex neurophysiological experience that is influenced by the sociocultural environment, and recent research has compared the dreams of forager communities in Tanzania and the Democratic Republic of the Congo with those in Europe and North America, and has Differences in tone and simulation of real-life situations became apparent. This study shows that dreams reflect social norms and values, suggesting a link between dream content and an individual’s sociocultural life.

A study conducted by researchers at the University of Geneva (UNIGE) and the University of Toronto revealed that dreams have a variety of emotional functions.

Why do we dream? This phenomenon is rooted in neurophysiological processes in the brain and manifests as multifaceted, often emotionally charged experiences that can mimic aspects of reality to varying degrees. However, the definitive reason for dreaming remains unclear. A new study jointly conducted by the University of Geneva (UNIGE), the University of Toronto and the University Hospitals of Geneva (HUG) compares the dreams of her two hunting communities in Tanzania and the Democratic Republic of the Congo with those of individuals living in Africa. did. Europe and North America.

It showed that the first two groups not only produced more threatening dreams but also more cathartic and socially oriented dreams than the Western group.These results will be read scientific reportshows how strong the link between sociocultural environment and dream function is.

Dreams are hallucinatory experiences common to all humankind. This occurs most often during a paradoxical phase of sleep known as the rapid eye movement (REM) phase. However, it can occur during any sleep stage.

What is the physiological, emotional and cultural function of dreams? Do they regulate our emotions? Does it prepare us to deal with certain situations? Recent theories suggest that during “functional” dreaming, individuals simulate more threatening or social situations, which may have an evolutionary advantage in promoting adaptive behavior in real-life situations. It suggests that it is possible.

Dream results vary depending on environment and population studied

To test these theories, researchers from UNIGE and the University of Toronto compared the dream content of the Bayaka people of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Hadza people of Tanzania, two communities that approximate a hunter-gatherer lifestyle. . Ancestry – Ancestry of a diverse group of individuals living in Europe and North America (Switzerland, Belgium, Canada), including healthy participants and patients with mental disorders.

Bayaka and Hadza dream stories were collected over two months in the field by anthropologists from the University of Toronto. Data on dreams in Western groups comes from previous studies published between 2014 and 2022.

“We found that Bayaka and Hadza dreams are very dynamic. They often begin in dangerous, life-threatening situations, whereas the Western groups we observed In contrast, in clinical populations, such as patients suffering from nightmares or social anxiety, dreams may be intense but do not involve cathartic emotional resolution. “The latter group seems to lack the adaptive function of dreaming,” says Lampros, a private professor and group leader in the Department of Psychiatry and Basic Neuroscience at UNIGE School of Medicine, and HUG’s attending physician.・Mr. Perogamvros explains. The Center for Sleep Medicine led the study.

A mirror that reflects social structure

The researchers found that among the responses Native Americans have when faced with threats in dreams, those related to social support are very frequent. For example, an indigenous person reports a dream in which he was run over by a buffalo in the middle of the bush and was rescued by a member of his community. Or someone may have a dream where they fall into a well and one of their friends saves them. These dreams contain their own emotional resolutions.‘

“Social bonds are necessarily very strong among the Bayaka and Hadza people. Daily life and the division of labor are typically more egalitarian when compared to the more individualistic societies of Europe and North America. This kind of dependence on social connections and community means that the best way for them to process the emotional content associated with threats in their dreams is to take advantage of the social relationships they have. “In fact, these relationships are emotional tools used to process life’s challenges,” says John, an associate professor of evolutionary anthropology at the University of Toronto in Mississauga and lead author of the study. David Samson explains. Therefore, the research team suggests that there is a close relationship between the function of dreams and the social norms and values ​​of each specific society studied.

“However, this study makes it difficult to infer a causal relationship between dreams and daytime activity. Nor should we conclude that dreams in Western populations have no emotional function.”・Mr. Perogamvros added. In fact, in 2019, the same research team found that “bad dreams” in Western people, dreams with negative content that are not nightmares, are often simulations of our fears, and that once we wake up, we are faced with our fears. published a study showing that they are preparing to do so. I’m awake. “There appears to be more than one type of ‘functional’ dream. This study shows that there is a strong link between our sociocultural lives and the function of dreams,” the researchers said. concludes.

Reference: “Evidence for the Emotionally Adaptive Function of Dreams: A Cross-Cultural Study” David R. Samson, Alice Clerge, Nour Abbas, Jeffrey Senese, Marika S. Sarma, Sheena Lou-Levi, Ibrahim A.・Mabulla, Audax ZP Mabulla, Valcy Miegacanda, Francesca Borghese, Pauline Henkarz, Sophie Schwartz, Virginie Starpenich, Lee T. Gettler, Adam Boyett, Alyssa N. Crittenden, Lampros Perroganvros, 2023 October 2nd, scientific report.
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-43319-z

Source: scitechdaily.com