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Lets be honest: weve all got that one celebrity, influencer, or podcast host who lives rent-free in our heads. You know their dogs name, their morning routine, their trauma story, and their oat milk brand of choice. You might even find yourself defending them in comment sections like theyre your actual friend. Congratulations, youve formed a parasocial relationship. For those who arent as active on social media, thats a one-sided bond we form with people we dont actually know. And while these connections can sometimes sound a little delusional, heres the twist: theyre not all bad. In fact, parasocial relationships can meet some very real psychological needs. Where it gets dangerous is when you start to forget where the screen ends and real life begins. Whats a parasocial relationship anyway? Sociologists Donald Horton and Richard Wohl coined the term in the 1950s. Parasocial relationships describe the illusion of intimacy audiences feel toward media personalities. Back then, it was people writing fan letters to their favorite TV hosts. Now, its me crying in sync with a YouTubers breakup vlog or feeling like I know my favorite podcaster personally. On a neurological level, this makes sense. After all, our brains dont perfectly distinguish between real and mediated (through a screen) interaction. When someone looks into the camera and speaks directly to you, your mirror neurons light up just as if youre talking to them face-to-face. This is why parasocial relationships can feel genuinely comforting. They activate the same circuits of familiarity and trust as real friendships. And in an increasingly disconnected world, that comfort definitely counts for something. The surprising benefits of one-sided bonds 1. They can buffer loneliness During lockdowns, many of us maintained a sense of social connection through our favorite online creators. Studies show parasocial relationships can actually reduce feelings of isolation and even improve mood regulation, especially when people lack strong offline networks. 2. They model vulnerability and emotional expression Watching creators openly discuss anxiety, grief, or trauma can normalize emotional honesty and destigmatize speaking about challenges like mental health. This helps us feel seen in our own mess. We can tell ourselves, Okay, Im not the only one falling apart on a Wednesday. 3. They inspire growth A parasocial connection can serve as a mirror. It can show you the kind of energy, confidence, or values you want to embody. This is why certain influencers become aspirational figures. As long as you keep awareness intact, these relationships can spark genuine motivation. When parasocial relationships turn dangerous It is worth noting, however, that there is a very thin line between inspired and attached is thin. And unfortunately, powerful algorithms are built to blur it. These algorithms reward creators for being relatable, which means sharing enough personal details to make you feel like youre in their inner circle. That emotional intimacy creates loyalty, engagement, and ultimately, a chance for monetization. This isnt inherently evil, but it can distort our sense of reciprocity. You might start to feel like this person owes you honesty, consistency, or moral perfection. And when they slip up (as humans inevitably do), the disappointment can feel personallike a friends betrayal. These one-way relationships can also subtly erode our capacity for deeper real-world intimacy. When we satisfy our social cravings with curated, low-risk digital connections, we stop practicing the messy vulnerability of actual human contact, the kind that requires our patience, discomfort, and presence. The psychology behind the pull Parasocial attachment is driven by the same neural systems that govern all bonding. Dopamine fuels the anticipation of new posts or updates. Oxytocin, the bonding hormone, spikes when we watch someone share emotionally or make eye contact with the camera. But heres the kicker: unlike reciprocal relationships, parasocial ones never demand anything of you. No commitment. No conflict. No compromise. No vulnerability. Its a connection on your terms: all of the closeness, none of the interpersonal risk. Its no wonder our brains love it. Especially in a culture where real connection often feels draining, these one-sided bonds offer safe (and lazy) intimacy; its like a form of social snacking. The problem is that snacks, while comforting, dont nourish us long-term. So where do we draw the line? Heres the thing: you dont need to quit parasocial connections. You just need to bring consciousness to them. Try this quick self-check by asking yourself a series of questions. Are you replacing or complementing real-world connections? If your closest relationship is with someone who doesnt know you exist, its time to recalibrate. Do you feel possessive or reactive when your favorite creator posts (or doesnt)? Thats a sign of emotional overinvestment and might be a sign to step back and reanchor. Lastly, figure out if their content is influencing your self-worth. If their wins make you feel inadequate, mute or unfollow for a while. Inspiration should energize you, not erode you. How to keep a healthy parasocial relationship Take the following steps to prevent a parasocial relationship from becoming unhealthy: 1. Diversify your social diet Online creators can be a supplement, but real relationships are the main meal. Reach out to friends, join local groups, or talk to someone face-to-face. 2. Practice digital discernment Notice the kind of creators you gravitate toward. Do they invite reflection and growth or feed comparison and self-doubt? 3. Set parasocial boundaries No DMs. No stalking their partners feed. And definitely not forming an identity around being in a relationship with them of any kind. 4. Do regular connection audits Once a month, ask: Who are the five people I feel most connected to right now? If you find that most of them are social media figures, it might be time to rebalance. Parasocial relationships arent a glitch in modern life; theyre normal. And they act as a mirror, showing us what we craveintimacy, belonging, inspiration. When you hold them consciously, they can even bridge moments of loneliness or offer glimpses of our better selves. But the minute we start mistaking someone elses content for actual closeness, we drift into illusion. Thats when we can confuse visibility for intimacy. So by all means, keep cheering for your favorite podcaster and cry with your comfort YouTuber. Just make sure youre also tending to the relationships that see all of younot just your usernamebecause theyre the ones who will keep you grounded in whats real.
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E-Commerce
People often take walking for granted. We just move, one step after another, without ever thinking about what it takes to make that happen. Yet every single step is an extraordinary act of coordination, driven by precise timing between spinal cord, brain, nerves, muscles, and joints. Historically, people have used stopwatches, cameras, or trained eyes to assess walking and its deficits. However, recent technological advances such as motion capture, wearable sensors, and data science methods can record and quantify characteristics of step-by-step movement. We are researchers who study biomechanics and human performance. We and other researchers are increasingly applying this data to improve human movement. These insights not only help athletes of all stripes push their performance boundaries, but they also support movement recovery for patients through personalized feedback. Ultimately, motion could become another vital sign. From motion data to performance insights Researchers around the world combine physiology, biomechanics, and data science to decode human movement. This interdisciplinary approach sets the stage for a new era where machine learning algorithms find patterns in human movement data collected by continuous monitoring, yielding insights that improve health. Its the same technology that powers your fitness tracker. For example, the inertial measurement unit in the Apple Watch records motion and derives metrics such as step count, stride length, and cadence. Wearable sensors, such as inertial measurement units, record thousands of data points every second. The raw data reveals very little about a persons movement. In fact, the data is so noisy and unstructured that its impossible to extract any meaningful insight. That is where signal processing comes into play. A signal is simply a sequence of measurements tracked over time. Imagine putting an inertial measurement unit on your ankle. The device constantly tracks the ankles movement by measuring signals such as acceleration and rotation. These signals provide an overview of the motion and indicate how the body behaves. However, they often contain unwanted background noise that can blur the real picture. With mathematical tools, researchers can filter out the noise and isolate the information that truly reflects how the body is performing. Its like taking a blurry photo and using editing tools to make the picture clear. The process of cleaning and manipulating the signals is known as signal processing. After processing the signals, researchers use machine learning techniques to transform them into interpretable metrics. Machine learning is a subfield of artificial intelligence that works by finding patterns and relationships in data. In the context of human movement, these tools can identify features of motion that correspond to key performance and health metrics. For example, our team at the Human Performance and Nutrition Research Institute at Oklahoma State University estimated fitness capacity without requiring exhaustive physical tests or special equipment. Fitness capacity is how efficiently the body can perform physical activity. By combining biomechanics, signal processing, and machine learning, we were able to estimate fitness capacity using data from just a few steps of our subjects walking. Beyond fitness, walking data offers even deeper insights. Walking speed is a powerful indicator of longevity, and by tracking it, we could learn about peoples long-term health and life expectancy. From performance to medicine The impact of these algorithms extends far beyond tracking performance, such as steps and miles walked. They can be applied to support rehabilitation and prevent injuries. Our team is developing a machine learning algorithm to detect when an athlete is at an elevated risk of injury just by analyzing their body movement and detecting subtle changes. Other scientists have used similar approaches to monitor motor control impairments following a stroke by continuously assessing how a patients walking patterns evolve, determining whether motor control is improving, or if the patient is compensating in any way that could lead to future injury. Similar tools can also be used to inform treatment plans based on each patients specific needs, moving us closer to true personalized medicine. In Parkinsons disease, these methods have been used to diagnose the condition, monitor its severity, and detect episodes of walking difficulties to prompt cues to the patients to resume walking. Others have used these techniques to design and control wearable assistive devices such as exoskeletons that improve mobility for people with physical disabilities by generating power at precisely timed intervals. In addition, researchers have evaluated movement strategies in military service members and found that those with poor biomechanics had a higher risk of injury. Others have used wrist-worn wearables to detect overuse injuries in service members. At their core, these innovations all have one goal: to restore and improve human movement. Motion as a vital sign We believe that the future of personalized medicine lies in dynamic monitoring. Every step, jump, or squat carries information about how the body functions, performs, and recovers. With advances in wearable technology, AI, and cloud computing, real-time movement monitoring and biofeedback are likely to become a routine part of everyday life. Imagine an athletes shoe that warns them before an injury occurs, clothing for the elderly that detects and prevents a fall before it occurs, or a smartwatch that detects early signs of stroke based on walking patterns. Combining biomechanics, signal processing, and data science turns motion into a vital sign, a real-time reflection of your health and well-being. Azarang Asadi is a data scientist at Oklahoma State University. Collin D. Bowersock is a principal scientist at the Human Performance and Neuromechanics Research Institute at Oklahoma State University.
Category:
E-Commerce
Phones have always been fashion statements. What started as simple cases to protect your phone has evolved into decking out the devices with every accessory imaginable: dangling charms and key chains, PopSockets, phone wallets, straps, and now . . . pockets? Apple just launched a new product called the iPhone Pocket, and it’s effectively a knitted bag for your iPhone. Apple designed the pouch in collaboration with high-end Japanese fashion brand Issey Miyake, whose relationship with Apple stretches back to the Steve Jobs era. (Jobs’s signature turtlenecks were designed by Miyake, who retired the iconic shirts following Jobss death in 2011.) [Photo: Apple] The tech giant says the 3D-knitted design is meant to serve as an additional pocket for an iPhone and small essentials like AirPods or lip balm. The ribbed pleatsa nod to Miyakes signature styleare designed to hold any iPhone, stretching just enough to offer a peek at the screen. Given the stretchy fabric, it can be carried by hand, attached to a bag, or worn across the body. The shorter versionavailable in bright shades like orange, pink, yellow, and turquoisecosts $149.95 and can be worn on the wrist or attached to a bag as a charm. The cross-body version comes in blue, brown, or black. That extra fabric will cost you, with a price of $229.95. [Photo: Apple] The iPhone, accessorized Unsurprisingly, the internet is balking at the price. Marques Brownlee, an influencer with more than 20 million subscribers, reacted on X: TWO hundred and thirty dollars. This feels like a litmus test for people who will buy/defend anything Apple releases. A wave of responses quickly followed. Can’t wait for the $8 Amazon knockoffs, wrote one user. Another added: What are they gonna do? Stop making pockets on our pants so we have to start wearing our phones like a purse? C’mon man, Apple will do anything BUT innovate on a new phone. [Photo: Apple] Many have noted that the pouch takes inspiration from Jobss 2004 iPod Sock, which he jokingly described at the time as a revolutionary new product. The Miyake collab lacks the same sense of humor, but it at least signals a hint of playfulness coming out of Cupertino. [Photo: Apple] Apple has historically taken a minimalist approach to accessories, with iPhone cases designed to be a simple second skin to the devices. For the most part, the company has left any sort of self-expression to third-party accessory brands, which can have a heckuva lot more fun with their design. [Photo: Apple] This year, though, Apple seems to have taken notice that people want to accessorize their phonesyou know, the object that humans carry with them for hours a day and coddle like a baby. The company dipped its toes into wearable iPhone fashion with a $59 cross-body strap released alongside its September iPhone lineup. Now, the iPhone Pocket marks Apples second venture into phone-as-accessory territory. The Pocket is getting roasted, and perhaps fairly so. But the product very clearly has its audience in mind: the small Venn diagram of people who care enough about technology and fashion to wear it on their bodiesand have enough money to pay for the pleasure of doing so
Category:
E-Commerce
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