A collaboration between GOOD and Column Five

When it comes to how we spend our leisure time, it’s no surprise that Americans are constantly looking for ways to improve our favorite pastimes. Whether it’s jumping from traditional books to e-books for reading (above) or jumping from jet planes to rocket ships to tour the stars, we’re constantly looking for the next great escape. Check out our favorite infographics about America’s changing trends as we pursue fun and adventure.

A More Bike-Friendly America

A collaboration between GOOD and Column Five

Across the country, citizens are hitting the road, eschewing the gas-guzzling automobile for the more active, economical, and eco-friendly bicycle. Certain states, communities, businesses, and universities are leading this trend, investing in bike-friendly infrastructure, implementing legislation, and encouraging their communities to give it a go, much to their benefit. Over the past 10 years, the League of American Bicyclists has worked with hundreds of engineers, government officials, and bicycle advocates to identify the top “bike-friendly” efforts made at state and local levels.

How Gaming is Changing Our Culture

A collaboration between GOOD and Column Five

The current state of the United States gaming industry might surprise you. Your little brother isn’t the only one playing, and parents might actually approve. With 58 percent of Americans playing video games, the types of players and the potential benefits they’re reaping span far and wide.

The Launch of Space Tourism

A collaboration between GOOD and Corinna Loo

When NASA’s space shuttle program closed in 2011, the Obama Administration filled the void by reaching out to private businesses to transport crew and cargo to low-Earth orbit. With commercial space transportation accounting for over $208 billion of the United States’ economic activity and employment of over one million people, space tourism has the potential to become a new exploration industry.

Which Americans Are Most Connected? (And What Are They Doing Online?)

A collaboration between GOOD and Jenny Ji, in partnership with Acura

It’s no secret that Millennials (loosely classified as people born between 1977 and 1993) are the generation on the go. Mobile phones, tablet computers and wi-fi are technologies used every day, and these technologies enable Millennials to take all their networks, friends, and data with them. With 95 percent of Millennials online, it’s safe to say being connected is a daily part of their lives. In fact, compared to other generations, they are the most plugged in to the digital world around us.

  • Man’s dog suddenly becomes protective of his wife, Internet clocks the reason right away
    Dogs have impressive observational powers.Photo credit: Canva

    Reddit user Girlfriendhatesmefor’s three-year-old pitbull, Otis, had recently become overprotective of his wife. So he asked the online community if they knew what might be wrong with the dog.

    “A week or two ago, my wife got some sort of stomach bug,” the Reddit user wrote under the subreddit /r/dogs. “She was really nauseous and ill for about a week. Otis is very in tune with her emotions (we once got in a fight and she was upset, I swear he was staring daggers at me lol) and during this time didn’t even want to leave her to go on walks. We thought it was adorable!”

    His wife soon felt better, butthe dog’s behavior didn’t change.

    pregnancy signs, dogs and pregnancy, pitbull behavior, pet intuition, dog overprotection, Reddit stories, viral Reddit, dog instincts, canine emotions, dog owner tips
    Otis knew before they did. Canva

    Girlfriendhatesmefor began to fear that Otis’ behavior may be an early sign of an aggression issue or an indication that the dog was hurt or sick.

    So he threw a question out to fellow Reddit users: “Has anyone else’s dog suddenly developed attachment/aggression issues? Any and all advice appreciated, even if it’s that we’re being paranoid!”

    The most popular response to his thread was by ZZBC.

    Any chance your wife is pregnant?

    ZZBC | Reddit

    The potential news hit Girlfriendhatesmefor like a ton of bricks. A few days later, Girlfriendhatesmefor posted an update and ZZBC was right!

    “The wifey is pregnant!” the father-to-be wrote. “Otis is still being overprotective but it all makes sense now! Thanks for all the advice and kind words! Sorry for the delayed reply, I didn’t check back until just now!”

    Redditors responded with similar experiences.

    Anecdotal I know but I swear my dog knew I was pregnant before I was. He was super clingy (more than normal) and was always resting his head on my belly.

    realityisworse | Reddit

    So why do dogs get overprotective when someone is pregnant?

    Jeff Werber, PhD, president and chief veterinarian of the Century Veterinary Group in Los Angeles, told Health.com that “dogs can also smell the hormonal changes going on in a woman’s body at that time.” He added the dog may “not understand that this new scent of your skin and breath is caused by a developing baby, but they will know that something is different with you—which might cause them to be more curious or attentive.”

    The big lesson here is to listen to your pets and to ask questions when their behavior abruptly changes. They may be trying to tell you something, and the news may be life-changing.

    This article originally appeared last year.

  • Throughout history, women have stood up and fought to break down barriers imposed on them from stereotypes and societal expectations. The trailblazers in these photos made history and redefined what a woman could be. In doing so, they paved the way for future generations to stand up and continue to fight for equality.

  • ,

    Why mass shootings spawn conspiracy theories

    Mass shootings and conspiracy theories have a long history.

    While conspiracy theories are not limited to any topic, there is one type of event that seems particularly likely to spark them: mass shootings, typically defined as attacks in which a shooter kills at least four other people.

    When one person kills many others in a single incident, particularly when it seems random, people naturally seek out answers for why the tragedy happened. After all, if a mass shooting is random, anyone can be a target.

    Pointing to some nefarious plan by a powerful group – such as the government – can be more comforting than the idea that the attack was the result of a disturbed or mentally ill individual who obtained a firearm legally.


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