Tag: 2024: Connection

  • Introverts or Extroverts?​

    After a long week, do you find yourself unwinding at home, curling up with a good book, or escaping into the comfort of your favorite show, wrapped in a pile of soft, fuzzy blankets? The quiet, the calm—it’s a perfect retreat for an introvert seeking to recharge. Or perhaps the best reward lies in the company of friends, with laughter over a lively meal, the thrill of karaoke, and the spontaneity of the night.

    Sometimes, though, choosing the first option comes with a hint of shame—does feeling “drained” and needing to “recharge” after a week of socializing and academic stress mean there’s something wrong with you? Does it mean that you’re…antisocial? 

    The short answer: no, there’s nothing wrong with choosing either A or B; both introverts and extroverts—option A and option B pickers—crave connection and enjoy the company of others. It’s simply the way they recharge that differs, whether through quiet reflection or the lively buzz of social interaction. 

    In a crowded area, it can be impossible to differentiate extroverts from introverts. It’s only how the two types of people respond afterward: whether they go home needing to spend time alone or feel energized and want to call or visit a friend. What creates these differences? Well, biologically, introverts and extroverts respond differently to the neurotransmitter dopamine, which provides the motivation and happiness to make friends, seek relationships, and advance in a career. “When dopamine floods the brain, both introverts and extroverts become more talkative, alert to their surroundings, and motivated to take risks and explore the environment,” as Scott Barry Kaufman, the Scientific Director of The Imagination Institute, explains. Introverts and extroverts need dopamine, but extroverts require more. Introverts are more sensitive to dopamine, getting overstimulated while extroverts become energized. Instead of dopamine, introverts prefer the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, as Christine Fonseca writes in her book, Quiet Kids: Help Your Introverted Child Succeed in an Extroverted World. “Like dopamine, acetylcholine is also linked to pleasure; the difference is, acetylcholine makes [people] feel good when [they] turn inward.” There are scientific differences between the two—not personality flaws.

    Despite these differences, introverts and extroverts are not really at opposite ends of the spectrum, as we often think. The dictionary reinforces the differences we typically have in mind, describing introverts as “shy, reticent people,” with the example reading, “I’m an introvert and don’t like public speaking,” while extroverts are labeled as “outgoing, overtly expressive people,” with the example, “his extrovert personality made him the ideal host.” However, introverts are not inherently anxious and antisocial, and extroverts are not simply more likable and fun. An introvert can host just as fun of a party—it’s just that the introvert might need to spend some time reading a good book in a quiet space after the fact. Once again, in social settings, both types of people can be fun and entertaining; it’s just the way they react afterwards that sets them apart. 

    At the end of the day, introverts aren’t hermits disconnected from the world, just as extroverts aren’t always brimming with endless energy. There is nothing wrong with either one, and both crave connection with others.

  • Finding Fall Connections

    As the beautiful air of autumn surrounds us, there is no shortage of activities to celebrate the season. If you are looking for something low-cost or a splurge, a quick adventure or a whole day of celebration, the best part of fall is not what you do—it is who you do it with. This season offers something for everyone, and in the end, it’s the memories you create with your friends and family that make it truly special. In this article, we will explore three enjoyable ways to take in fall. From cooking at home to festivals and outdoor adventures, there’s something for everyone to love. And of course, while these are just a few examples, the beauty of autumn will always lie in making your own traditions.

    If there is one dish that screams fall, it would be apples. From apple pies to apple crisps, this simple fruit can allow us to do anything! Why not start by heading out to an apple orchard for some apple picking? Not only is it a relaxing time with friends, but it also provides you with a basket full of fresh, crisp apples. From here, the options are endless. You can have some fun with classic autumn games like apple bobbing, or turn your basket of apples into something special. Whether you’re sipping homemade apple cider or baking a warm, golden apple pie (with so many flavor variations to test), these apples can provide the foundation for fostering deeper connections with family to make these delicious fall dishes. Above simple apples, fall brings so many more comfort foods as well, from pumpkin spice everything to Thanksgiving staples like mashed potatoes and cranberry sauce that can be cooked in a variety of variations. Cooking any dish with loved ones is the perfect way to spend time together during the season.

    Secondly, fall would not be complete without the liveliness of a local autumn festival. With some friends, you can enjoy the vibrant colors of fall while listening to live music, playing games, or navigating corn mazes. Fall festivals are also the perfect opportunity to engage with others and connect over expressing your creative side with pumpkin carving or scarecrow making, as well as tasting delicious seasonal treats. Near Boston, we can find a variety of fall festivals to visit. For example, the Boston Common hosts festivals with hayrides, pumpkin patches, and art displays. Additionally, the Topsfield Fair is one of the oldest fairs in the U.S. and it offers critical autumn activities like giant pumpkin contests, live entertainment, and agricultural exhibits. These festivals provide the ideal backdrop to make lasting memories with friends.

    Lastly, sometimes the best way to experience fall is to simply step outside. You may simply have small bike rides with friends and family along leaf-lined trails, or start long and exciting hikes in the woods; regardless, the outdoors is a playground during the fall season! The vibrant red, orange, and yellow colors on the leaves make every landscape outside feel magical. You can even consider a camping trip with friends, with late-night bonfires and marshmallow roasts. Looking for some low-key outdoor activities? You can even embrace yourself outside while raking leaves and jumping into leaf piles, bringing out the inner child within all of us. The fresh air and picturesque scenery of fall bring you the perfect excuse to spend a day outside and appreciate the natural beauty of the season with loved ones.

    While these are just a few examples of fun fall activities, the truth is you can find joy in almost anything this season as long as you’re spending time with loved ones. You may be out apple picking, enjoying a festival, or on a hike outside, but even just staying in and cozying up with a movie or a favorite TV series can bring you the best time. Whether it be watching Gilmore Girls or Gossip Girl with friends or camping with family, autumn will always remain a season that brings people together through its numerous activities. At the end of the day, it’s not about how much money you spend or how long you’re out. Fall is about the warmth and joy you share with the people around you. So whatever you choose to do this season, make sure you’re doing it with the ones who matter most.

  • NYT Connections: More Than Just A Puzzle

    NYT Connections: More Than Just A Puzzle

    Autumn Leaves Trees Orange – Words Related to Fall. Two categories left! Now you continue guessing, using your last attempt. Lo and behold, you were wrong, and now you have one guess left. Some might give up and forget about the game, while others might agonize over it for a while, still unable to solve the connections. Either way, neither person ends up solving the puzzle. Everyday, in our classes, we continue to play the game Connections by the New York Times. With a group of 16 jumbled words that fit into 4 specific categories, the player can work their way to victory within 4 attempts. The categories range in difficulty, making the game a fun yet challenging way to pass time (especially as it’s unblocked on school Chromebooks). But this leads to a deeper question: is it just a game we play in class, or can it be a metaphor for our connections in real life?

    Our brains are wired to form associations between ideas, events, or words. The game mirrors this process, making us more aware of how we link things together. For example, we connect a person’s name to a memory, or we link events in a story to form a coherent narrative. Even when we’re not aware of it, we are subconsciously connecting words, thoughts, and experiences in our minds. These links are reflected in the game, when we receive a sense of satisfaction as we successfully make a connection. The game enhances our ability to think creatively and recognize patterns, training our minds to see relationships even when they’re not immediately obvious. Personal growth comes from reflecting on the connections we make—whether through learning or lived experiences. In life, as in the game, it’s essential to take the time to reflect on these connections and recognize how our past, present, and future intersect. Whether it’s setting milestones to reach future goals or understanding how current actions build on past experiences, we’re always connecting the dots.

    Just as the game challenges us to uncover hidden connections between words, life often presents hidden connections between people, ideas, and experiences that aren’t immediately visible. Connections between ideas, people, and experiences are often not obvious at a first glance. Rather, they emerge with deeper thought and communication, as well as time. In fact, the most meaningful connections often develop over time, growing stronger as trust is built. Connections in the game can be both simple and complex, just as human connections can vary in depth and significance. Whether it’s finding a link between ideas or building bonds with people, these connections shape our understanding of the world in ways we might not see at first but come to appreciate with time. The concept of hidden connections invites us to think about how relationships, ideas, and experiences weave together, often without our immediate awareness. In the game, each word is seemingly independent, but with closer inspection, patterns and relationships reveal themselves. This mirrors life, where we frequently navigate through surface-level interactions, only to realize later how interconnected things truly are. For example, if you just met someone, you begin with small talk. As the relationship grows overtime, there is more trust built through conflicts, experiences, vulnerability, and mutual understanding, which is imperative in a strong connection. If you just saw from the surface, you would not have seen the room and the complexity for a relationship to grow, which is just like the game.

    Lastly, The New York Times Connections will always remain a wonderful way to bond with friends or family. With family and friends, we often discuss the challenges of the day’s connections or help others with hints when they get stuck. It becomes a shared experience, and we bond over both the challenge and the fun. This mirrors conversations, where topics often jump from one to another, seemingly unrelated, but still finding ways to make sense. The game teaches us to look deeper than the surface and truly work to find and create the connections that are meaningful and real. It also teaches us about false connections. Sometimes there will be tricks in the game to make you think that you have one, while in reality the words are not the correct connections, representing the fake connections in real life as well. Not all connections are genuine or healthy, even though we may oftentimes feel like they are. Therefore, there is so much importance in making and creating real and genuine connections, and furthering them with deep and thoughtful conversations in order to grow.

    What seems like a simple game to pass the time is, in reality, a metaphor for life. The New York Times Connections symbolizes the importance of making connections—cognitively, socially, and personally. It mirrors our natural tendency to seek and value connections, whether it’s through finding patterns in words, building relationships with others, or understanding the world around us and ourselves. Next time you’re playing The New York Time Connections—whether in school, on the bus, or at home—remember that it’s more than just a game. It’s a reminder of the connections that shape our lives.

  • Connections & Catfishing

    Connections & Catfishing

    What if your significant other isn’t real? Imagine discovering that everything you knew about them was nothing more than a figment of your imagination. Manti Te’o, a football star at Notre Dame University, met his girlfriend Lennay Kekua via Facebook. She attended Stanford University, and, at 22, passed from a car crash and leukemia the same day as Te’o’s grandmother. Newspapers headlined the tragedy of a talented football player continuing to play his game after hearing of their deaths. However, Te’o’s life flipped sideways once reporters investigated the life of Lennay Kekua, his girlfriend. No record of her existed other than fake photos and profiles on social media. No birth certificate or proof of her attendance at Stanford. Lennay Kekua’s real name was Ronaiah ‘Naya’ Tuiasosopo. Manti Te’o had been catfished—lured into a relationship with someone who didn’t exist.

    Why do we fall for catfishers? Catfishing is the process of luring someone into a relationship by a fictional online persona. The anonymity of the internet can create a false sense of safety, putting users in a vulnerable position. People often project their ideal versions of a significant other online, where face-to-face interactions are not required, making it easier to believe in someone who doesn’t exist. Not only that, but it’s human nature to seek out and crave personal connections, relationships, and validation; these desires can blind us to red flags that otherwise seem obvious. As the relationship deepens, the victim may ignore warning signs, allowing the catfisher to manipulate them more easily. 

    People catfish for a multitude of reasons. In the case of Naya Tuiasosopo, she created a fake persona to explore her gender identity, adopting a female role to experience a life she felt she couldn’t otherwise live. Others may do it purely out of boredom, such as teenagers pranking their friends, while some have malicious reasons, like financially exploiting or preying on young children. Factors like poor self-esteem, escapism, and mental health issues can also play a role in the motivations behind catfishing.

    In 2024, nearly everyone uses social media, whether it is to comment on Instagram posts, watch TikToks, or consume endless streams of content. Finding connections and relationships online is now more normalized than ever, putting us at even higher risk of these situations. Technology has advanced significantly since the web was created, and the creation of AI has made it possible for anyone to fake anything online. Catfishing promotes unrealistic relationships and false connections between people. 

    Finding your perfect half may seem great until the illusion shatters. Discovering your partner is not the person you fell in love with can make someone question all of their connections outside of the relationship. Trust is fragile, and after that trust is broken to such an extent, it can develop into trust issues with personal and professional relationships beyond the online chat space. Not only that, but catfishing victims can fall into depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues. After it was revealed to the public that Manti Te’o was catfished, backlash and scandals followed, even affecting his football career. However, he had support systems. His family, friends, and fans supported him throughout the devastating emotional impact of the situation, and could eventually move on with his life. It’s important to seek professional help if needed, but also to step back from the situation and give yourself room to breathe. 

    False connections are devastating, leaving emotional scars that can take time to heal. For Manti Te’o, the discovery that his relationship was built on deceit not only shattered his trust but also challenged his identity and sense of reality. However, his story also highlights the importance of resilience. With the support of genuine relationships, self-reflection, and a commitment to personal growth, it’s possible to move past even the deepest betrayals. Te’o’s journey serves as a reminder that while false connections can break us momentarily, the strength of real ones can help rebuild us. Healing is never easy, but it is possible with time, support, and perseverance.