Tag: featured

The Future For Meat Is Grown In Labs, And It’s Saving The Planet

Posted on by Jennifer Spencer

Recent news broke that scientists have invented “slaughter-less meat.” You can finally eat meat without worrying about the animals slaughtered for the meat processing. Instead, the meat is grown in a lab.

But many people have questions about the new “lab-grown” meat. Will it really help save the planet?

What’s “Lab-Grown” Meat?

You might be asking, “What exactly is ‘lab-grown’ meat? Will it taste just as good as slaughtered meat?”

According to the BBC, scientists have been working on growing meat in a laboratory for decades. But they finally mastered it. Scientists at Just, a food company in San Francisco, California, grew meat from animal cells. The meat is grown in a cultured, synthetic, in-vitro, and clean environment. A protein acts as an enabler for the cells to multiply to grow into edible meat.

If you’re concerned about the taste, taste testers claimed the meat was just as crisp and flavorsome as other meats you would buy at the grocery store. Lab-grown meat might not taste quite like the chicken nuggets you can buy at McDonald’s or Burger King, but it’s pretty close.

There’s no reason why you should turn your nose up at the suggestion to eat “lab-grown” meat, scientists say.

Save The Planet

Considering animals won’t be slaughtered for lab-grown meat, will this help save the planet? That’s the question on many minds since news broke about the scientific discovery. Scientists all agree on one answer: Yes, it will save the planet.

According to a report published by the Worldwatch Institute, 54% of the Earth’s annual global carbon emissions are caused by raising livestock and related activities on farms. In addition, livestock consumes about eight percent of the planet’s valuable water supply. Scientists claim this is an “inefficient use of water.”

But we doubt farmers would enjoy hearing that their practices are harming the planet.

The Plans For Lab-Grown Meat

Seventy billion animals are slaughtered every year for commercial use. That’s a huge number, but lab-grown meat would help eliminate this “unnecessary” act.

Lab-grown meat would remove several steps in meat processing. For example, growing a meat-like substance would be similar to growing plants—completely harmless. Scientists would control the lab-grown, “cultured” meat, instead of farmers watering crops to then feed animals. Now farmers would only need to provide water to animals for survival.

Scientists are also acknowledging that growing meat in a lab would eliminate farmland required to raise cattle. According to The Guardian, the land that could be used for human life is instead occupied by farmers to produce meat.

How Long Before We Have This

Farmers are probably dreading the day when lab-grown meat is commercially popular and made available in restaurants and grocery supermarkets. But the time has come. Just executive Josh Tetrick guaranteed the company’s scientists are working around-the-clock to grow chicken and steak in a safe, clean environment.

Lab-grown meat could be on restaurant menus and in supermarkets as early as the end of the calendar year. Are you ready?

MORE: Why is this necessary? Is eating meat really that bad for the environment?

In A Manipulative Relationship? Try These Simple Psychology Tricks

Posted on by Jennifer Spencer

Many individuals at one time experience a relationship based on manipulation or abuse. These types of relationships add stress to a person’s life. You feel pressured, controlled, and lose your self-confidence the longer you’re in the relationship.

But a recent psychological report explains various psychology tricks you can perform to help cope with these harmful relationships. Use these tricks to protect your body and mind, but also free yourself of the painful relationship.

But First, What’s Manipulation?

A manipulative relationship is more complex than simply “guilting someone into doing something they don’t want to do.” According to Sharie Stines, a California-based therapist who specializes in abusive and toxic relationships, manipulation has many different facets.

“Manipulation is an emotionally unhealthy psychological strategy used by people who are incapable of asking for what they want and need in a direct way,” Stines commented. “People who are trying to manipulate others are trying to control others.”

Manipulators are often aware of their actions. They like to control their significant other, friend, coworker, child, etc., and they use different strategies to convince them that “their way is the right way.” Manipulators can be anyone from an emotionally abusive partner to an arrogant coworker.

The Warning Signs

Here might be the big question on your mind: Am I being manipulated? Sometimes, you might not recognize the signs that you’re in a manipulative relationship.

But according to Stines, if you’re in a manipulative relationship, you feel fear, obligation, and guilt on a daily basis. You feel obligated to do something, even if you don’t want to do it, out of fear of being abused or mistreated. The manipulator often acts as a “bully,” but can also act as a “victim”—suggesting your refusal to listen is hurting them, thus guilting their partners into obliging to their requests.

Other Signs Of Manipulation

You could also be in a manipulative relationship if you find that you regularly question yourself. Also known as “gaslighting,” manipulators get their victims to question themselves, their reality, memory, and thoughts. They might twist your answers and put words in your mouth.

But if you confront the manipulator about this, they won’t acknowledge their action. As Stines commented, “Manipulators blame you. They don’t take responsibility.”

One other large sign of manipulation is when you ask your manipulator for a favor, but a string is always attached. They might buy you something, but then request something else in return. An exception is always involved.

What To Do If You’re In A Manipulative Relationship

No one should be in a manipulative relationship. But there are ways to help. According to Stines, there are various psychological tricks you can bounce back to your manipulator that they will least expect.

For example, establish boundaries. Surprise your manipulator by not agreeing to a demand right away. Avoid making major relationship decisions the first time they’re mentioned. Sleep on the decision, and if the manipulator gets angry, stand your ground.

After all, you have an intelligent mind. You can make your own decisions. Demonstrate this to your partner and show that time is up; you’re not going to be manipulated anymore.