For years, philosophers and psychologists have debated whether empathy helps or hinders the ways people decide how to help others. Critics of empathy argue that it makes people care too narrowly — focusing on individual stories rather than the broader needs of society — while careful reasoning enables more impartial, evidence-based choices.
Self-improvement strategies abound, so opting in to one can sometimes feel like ordering the soup du jour: “That sounds good. Maybe I’ll try it!” But what’s right for one person may not be right for another — or even for the same person at a different point in time. That’s why Tchiki Davis, founder of
For many families in Los Angeles County’s Altadena neighborhood, Christmas will look different this year. The Eaton Fire tore through the area in January, destroying nearly 9,500 buildings — including homes and churches. But as residents continue rebuilding their lives, a cherished, 105-year-old holiday tradition has emerged unscathed. Christmas Tree Lane is a magical stretch
One might assume that a community centered on consuming and spreading positivity is also a particularly generous one. But now we have the numbers to back that up: In 2025, Nice News readers collectively donated $46,157 across four different fundraisers. Yes, that’s your cue to pat yourself on the back. These four fundraisers — one
If small talk leaves you feeling drained, you might be an introvert, and if meeting new people gets you pumped, you might be an extrovert. But what if neither category seems to describe you? Well, you could be an ambivert, the middle ground between the two — or you could be something else entirely: an
Are You an “Otrovert”? What Sets the Recently Described Personality Type Apart Continue Reading »
Obituaries preserve what families most want remembered about the people they cherish most. Across time, they also reveal the values each era chose to honor. In a study published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, we analyzed 38 million obituaries of Americans published from 1998 to 2024. We identified the values families most often highlight, and how those values shift across generations, regions and major historical events.
What 38M Obituaries Reveal About How Americans Define a Life Well Lived Continue Reading »
If you feel as though others are constantly ruffling your feathers, or that any mention of a particularly sensitive topic can push you over the edge, here’s some insight to consider: Although everyone takes offense at times, doing so too easily may be more detrimental than you realize. “Learning not to be so easily offended
For most, granola is simply a snack, enjoyed atop a morning bowl of yogurt or when the midday munchies hit. For refugees working with Beautiful Day, though, it’s a pathway to a better life. By teaching these individuals to make and package granola, the Rhode Island-based nonprofit helps equip them with the skills they need
When it comes to emotional states, we’d all love to vacillate between being just plain happy and having the time of our lives. But research into an idea called emodiversity suggests that experiencing many different emotions — even negative ones — is a good thing, associated not only with improved well-being but also with better
Social media has given rise to numerous challenges purported to reveal the truth about romantic relationships — like orange peel theory, the idea that if your partner peels your orange without being asked, they truly care for you. Certain of these are more dubious than others, but one test that’s recently gone viral has some
What’s “Bird Theory”? The Science Behind the Viral Relationship Test Continue Reading »
