by Julia Robins ‘20

Every newspaper, magazine, and television newscast shows the same stressful and depressing stories of war, pollution, inequality, and divisive politics. Where are the uplifting stories? This constant negativity is harmful to one’s mental health. According to the Journal of Broadcasting & Electronic Media, television newscasts increases depression by 38 percent, and according to the Preventive Medicine Journal, those who read/watch the news more than 4 hours a week are 61 percent more likely to experience anxiety. Combating those statistics, below is a collection of recent uplifting news in the world!

“FCC Unanimously Approves Proposal For New 3-digit Number As Suicide Prevention Hotline” 

The current national suicide prevention hotline number is long and difficult to remember in the heat of an emotionally distressing moment. But as of December 12, the FCC (Federal Communications Commission) approved a three digit replacement of 988. They have ordered all phone carriers to launch the hotline within the next 18 months, according to CNN. The hope is that with a number similar to 911, more people will be inclined to call for help, and more lives will be saved.

 

“Ford Is Making Car Parts From McDonald’s Coffee Waste”

Ford is leading the way for greener alternatives in automotive manufacturing. Their most recent innovation is with coffee chaff, the dried skin of the coffee bean. Ford’s engineers have figured out how to combine it with plastic to create an alternative to the previous petroleum in their headlamps, according to Business Insider. In addition, this year Ford recycled 1.2 billion plastic bottles into making carpets and underbody shields.

 

“YouTube Unveils Stricter Harassment Policy, Barring Racist and Homophobic Insults”

Cyberbullying is a huge issue, and for YouTube, it’s no exception with extremist videos and malevolent comments. If you remember, in June they came under fire after refusing to delete a video Steven Crowder posted attacking journalist Carlos Maza. But finally on December 12, (first released by CNN), YouTube released a new policy saying that they will ban and delete content that insults “someone based on characteristics like race, gender expression or sexual orientation … The policy applies to content, as well as comments.” 

 

“Irish School Ditches Homework, Replaces it With Acts of Kindness”

An elementary school in Ireland is testing a new concept to improve unity, peace, and overall kindness in their community. For the past few years Gaelscoil Mhíchíl Uí Choileáin primary school has been replacing homework with community service. For this month of December, all students are filling out a “Kindness Diary,” where they must record acts of kindness (signed off by a parent) with goals ranging from helping the elderly to promoting self-love, as well as participating in class-wide projects to help the disadvantaged. For the past two years during these unique events there has been an overall drastic increase in students’ grades and reduced instances of violence. Hey MCPS, maybe we can experiment with this idea!

 

“‘Giving Machines’ Make Donating To Charity As Easy As Buying A Candy Bar”

Rather than a typical vending machine where one inserts money to take, how about a “Giving Machine” where you insert money to donate? Created by the Latter-Day Saints in association with UNICEF, this special vending machine allows one to donate money towards a specific cause. According to Forbes, last year they raised 2.3 million dollars. School supplies, feeding a family for a month, winter clothes, chickens, and paying for free SAT and ACT tests are all examples of some of the hundreds of varieties possible in these machines all over the world.

 

“This Start-up is 3D-printing an Entire Neighborhood in Mexico” 

According to The World Economic Forum,  the company ICON has developed a 3D printer, The Vulcan II, that can use cement-based materials to build up to 2,000 square foot homes in less than 24 hours. ICON is building homes for the homeless in Haiti, El Salvador, Bolivia, and now Tabasco, Mexico, housing homeless and poor families. In the U.S., there are 125 of them in Austin, Texas.

 

“Massachusetts Dad Offers Soup With a Side of Compassion” 

Massachusetts has over 20,000 homeless citizens, but Peter Kelleher working very hard to help them. He is nicknamed “Souperman” for his hot batches of soup that he started feeding to the homeless two years ago after the tragic death of his son. He gives out homemade soup, bagged lunches, clothes, and toiletries all over his state and New England. You can go to suppotthesoupman.org to donate and follow his story.

 

“Rosa Parks Officially Honored With Memorial Statue in Montgomery 64 Years After Her Iconic Protest” 

Those who attended Rosa Parks Middle School can have a greater sense of pride knowing that Rosa Park’s achievements are finally being honored with a giant statue only 30 feet away from the iconic bus where Parks refused to give up her seat. 

 

“Passing the Smell Test: How Dogs Can Sniff Out Cancer”

As it turns out, having a dog might actually be good for your health- all due to their sense of smell. Dogs have 300 million receptors in their nose, while humans only have six million. According to the findings from the Dog Cognition Lab at Barnard College, dogs’ noses are so strong that they can detect cancer. Beagles can sniff out lung cancer with 97% accuracy. With 100% accuracy German Shepherds can smell prostate cancer and Labrador Retrievers can detect colorectal cancer with 99% accuracy by smelling your breath. The hard part is understanding what your dog may be telling you.