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Every morning, usually after the early morning rush of getting my 7-year-old off to school or summer camp, I walk to my local coffee shop. I order a drip coffee, make small talk with the baristas, and maybe enjoy a few quiet minutes looking out the window before getting on with my day. It’s my happy place.
Eric Zillmer, a professor of neuropsychology and director of the Happiness Lab at Drexel University, asked his undergraduate psychology students to pick one place in Philadelphia where they feel happy. From the 243 student responses, the Happiness Lab curated 28 Philly happy places, based on how frequently the places were endorsed and their accessibility.
Happy places, as Zillmer explains, whether they’re in Philly or anywhere else, tend to be beautiful, safe and allow people to unwind, connect with fellow humans, or both. They can be public landmarks or hidden gems. And there’s no right or wrong answer when choosing one.
This week we also liked articles about uranium enrichment, thimerosal safety, and birthright citizenship.
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Rittenhouse Square Park in Center City made it onto the Philly Happiness Map.
Matthew Lovette/Jumping Rocks/Universal Images Group via Getty Images
Eric Zillmer, Drexel University
Public squares, secret gardens and offbeat cafes can offer respite and a sense of community connection, which contribute to happiness.
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Yellowcake is a concentrated form of mined and processed uranium.
Nuclear Regulatory Commission
André O. Hudson, Rochester Institute of Technology
Uranium enrichment concentrates one specific type of the atom to create a substance that can generate massive amounts of energy.
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A discredited study published in 1989 first alleged a link between thimerosal and autism.
Flavio Coelho/Moment via Getty Images
Terri Levien, Washington State University
There’s no solid evidence that thimerosal harms children. RFK Jr.’s handpicked vaccine advisory committee voted against using it in the one type of flu vaccine where it is still used.
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Carol Nackenoff, Swarthmore College; Julie Novkov, University at Albany, State University of New York
Since the earliest days of the nation, any person born on US soil is a US citizen. A new Supreme Court ruling limits judges’ ability to block Trump’s order.
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Ryan Shandler, Georgia Institute of Technology; Anthony J. DeMattee, Emory University; Bruce Schneier, Harvard Kennedy School
A study found that viewing news of a cyberattack lowered voter trust in election integrity – even when the voter’s candidate won and even if the attack wasn’t on voting systems.
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Thomas A. DuBois, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Amid national truth and reconciliation processes, Scandinavian churches are taking stock of their past policies toward the Sámi people.
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