Mindblown: a blog about philosophy.

A big raise is finally coming to millions of Social Security recipients. But before anyone celebrates, the fine print delivers a gut punch. Yes, checks will go up—but so will the bills that swallow them. For more than 70 million Americans, the 2.8% COLA arriving in January 2026 will look promising on paper. An average…

The Little Loop You Never Noticed You know that tiny loop on the back of some button-down shirts, just below the collar? Most people don’t even notice it until they’re looking for it. I never thought much about it—until I asked my husband. He stared at his shirt loops, completely baffled. He had never noticed…

Police in Surrey set up something called the Jog On campaign, where female officers went jogging in regular running gear through spots known for harassment. It did not take long at all, within minutes men were honking, slowing down, making faces, or shouting things as they passed by. Inspector John Vale said: “One of our…

Men resting a hand inside their pants isn’t just a frat-house gag—it’s a surprisingly common, everyday habit seen on sofas, sidewalks, and commutes. Though it might draw side-eyes, this casual behavior has roots in biology, psychology, and comfort. On Reddit’s AskMen, users described it as a reflex—something they barely notice. Many cited warmth, coziness, and…

Health authorities in Britain and the United States are monitoring a renewed rise in Covid-19 cases linked to two newer variants: XFB, known as Stratus, and NB.1.8.1, called Nimbus. While waves of infection are not new, this surge has drawn attention because of how quickly these strains are spreading. Data show case rates have roughly…

My grandpa was the stingiest man I ever knew — the kind of person who reused ziplock bags, cut paper towels into thirds, and pocketed sugar packets at restaurants. So when he died and left me a single old-fashioned $100 coupon from a store I’d never heard of, I assumed it was a joke. Still,…