In the '80s, NASA started choosing astronauts for long-term missions based on their laugh
Of all the traits they could have, a specific thing about how they laughed got them the job.
NASA astronauts Nicole Mann and Frank Rubio.
Imagine being shot into space on a mission with two other people, and for the next week or so, you’ll be in close quarters where it's impossible to escape one another. Most emotionally healthy people could handle that. But when Ronald Reagan announced in the ‘80s that he wanted to build a space station where astronauts would live together for six months to a year, selecting astronauts who could get along became an essential part of the mission.
Officials at NASA decided that astronauts on long-term missions needed high emotional intelligence to work together without getting on each other’s last nerves for months at a time. They would have to be good at reading others’ emotions, clear communicators, and generally comfortable to be around. For two years, NASA officials couldn’t find a way to determine whether a person had the emotional intelligence to withstand such an unusual social and professional situation.
How NASA chooses astronauts for long-term missions
Author Charles Duhigg recounts the story in his 2024 book, Supercommunicators: How to Unlock the Secret Language of Connection.
@audible Did you know when #NASA interviews #astronauts they pay attention to how they laugh? 🧑🚀🤭 In #CharlesDuhigg's new audiobook, #Supercommunicators, he blends deep research and his trademark storytelling skills to show how we can all learn to identify + leverage the hidden layers that lurk beneath every conversation. Listen now on Audible.🎧
While listening to recordings of astronaut interviews, the psychologist found that the candidates may have similar answers to questions, but they laughed differently. They realized that people whose laughter mirrored the interviewer's showed a higher level of emotional intelligence.
How you laugh is a significant indicator of emotional intelligence
“If I tell a joke and I laugh really loudly, does the candidate laugh back at the same basic energy in the same basic volume? Or do they just politely chuckle? When I tell a sad story, do they try to empathize with me or do they give me some distance?” Duhigg asks.
The psychologist experimented on candidates by wearing a goofy tie, spilling papers during the interview, and laughing really loudly. They noted whether the candidates matched their energy when they laughed to see whether they showed they were interested in building a connection.
 
“What NASA wants is they want people who they're sending in space who have a high emotional intelligence. And the way that we figure that out, the way that we show that we wanna connect with other people is by matching them, laughing when they laugh, and consoling someone when they're sad,” Duhigg said. Those who did not match the psychologist's emotional energy were seen as having a lower emotional intelligence because they didn't want to engage with the psychologist. Over time, this aloof attitude could create some real tension in the depths of space.
The American Psychological Association studied astronauts' emotional intelligence in a 2018 paper on teamwork in space missions. “Humor, which stems from personality and may be influenced by cultural factors, is often cited as a benefit by spaceflight and analog teams, although sometimes it can cause friction. Crews in HERA [Human Exploration Research Analog] and astronauts aboard the ISS report that appropriate affiliative humor is a key factor in crew compatibility, conflict resolution, and coping,” researchers from the American Psychological Association wrote.
The NASA experiment shows that even in the highly competitive world of the space program, simple, everyday people skills are what can separate those who work on the ground from those who make it into space.
We asked people what social rule they'd enforce during flights. One sweet answer dominated.
If only we could actually make this an official rule.
Following certain "rules" can make flying a lot better for everyone involved.
Flying on airplanes with dozens of perfect strangers is, in many ways, a social experiment. We're forced to sit in seats that aren't big enough for most of us, uncomfortably close to people we don't know (some of whom are stressed out or anxious), with unclear social etiquette rules we haven't all collectively agreed upon.
And yet we do it because the miracle of human flight enabling us to travel in hours to places that used to take days, weeks, or even longer, is too awesome to pass up. Most of us have things we'd prefer our fellow passengers do or not do to make the experience better for everyone, however, so we asked our Upworthy Facebook audience, "If you could enforce one social rule during flights, what would it be?" The responses were largely what you might expect and you can see them below, but there was one unexpected comment that stood out. The rule that received the most love, with over 1,200 likes, was this one:
 
Any dog on the plane has to visit every passenger that requests
While not everyone loves dogs, most people do. And what would make a flight more enjoyable than getting to meet a dog on board? Perhaps we can start a petition to make cabin doggy visits for anyone who wants them an official thing…
Other responses were helpful reminders of both common courtesy and somewhat standard airplane etiquette for those who might not fly often enough to be familiar with it. In addition to the "meet the dog" rule, here are 10 more social rules people wish they could enforce on flights:
Be nice to flight attendants
Imagine being responsible for both the comfort and safety of 100+ people from different places with different needs in a cabin hurtling through the sky 30,000 feet above the Earth. Flight attendants deal with a wide array of people day in and day out, and we should all make sure we treat them with the kindness and respect that they deserve.
Middle seat gets the armrests
Nobody should be hogging the armrests, but if anyone has a right to them, it's the sacrificial soul who has to sit in the middle seat. (And window seat controls the window, in case that's not common sense.)
 
Headphones, please
No one wants to listen to your video but you. Imagine if everyone listened to movies or YouTube videos or whatever without headphones—total social chaos. In public and on planes, use headphones to listen or watch something.
No 'manspreading'
We all know the legroom on flights has become practically non-existent, and for people with long legs it can be hard to not bang your knees up against the seat in front of you. But spreading your legs apart so wide that it infringes on other people's leg space just isn't cool. We're all in the same boat, so we have to respect one another's space.
Keep your shoes and socks on
There may be an exception here for long-haul flights as long as you keep your socks on and don't have stinky feet, but bringing a pair of slippers or something is still courteous. But definitely keep your socks on and be aware that you might not be able to tell if your own feet smell.
 
Don’t put a second bag or a jacket in the overhead bin until everyone has put their first bag in
Overhead space is limited, so wait until everyone has had a chance to get their carry-on into that space before adding more than your one bag to it. Once everyone's settled in, feel free to add whatever overflow you have.
Try not to fart
We've all been on a flight where someone let one rip and made everyone's eyes water. Unless you have zero choice in the matter, refrain from dropping gas bombs on your fellow passengers. We're all human and humans fart, but an airplane cabin is a tight spot where people can't get away. At least take it to the lavatory if you can.
Be aware of smells in general
Come clean and fresh, but not perfumed. Deodorant? Yes, please. Strong cologne or perfume? No. Food that emits a strong odor? Also no.
 
Stay quiet during the safety demonstration
Some people fly all the time and could recite the safety demonstration spiel by heart, but that doesn't mean everyone is familiar with it. It only takes a few minutes and first-time flyers need to hear it. It's respectful to the flight attendants to not talk through their presentation and courteous to other passengers who need to listen.
Remain seated until it’s your row’s turn to deplane
On most flights, as soon as the plane arrives at the gate and the seatbelt sign is turned off, people rush to stand up and gather their luggage. But it's always going to take several minutes to even start getting the first passengers off the plane, and it's not going to go any faster to crowd into the aisle.
If we all follow these "rules," flying can be a more pleasant experience for everyone—even our good doggo friends who might be on board.
Canadian professor teaches biochemistry concepts through brilliant pop song parodies
Judging by the comments, his students find his unorthodox teaching methods incredibly effective.
Using music to teach is next level instruction.
How many songs can you sing along to, even if you haven't heard them in years? Music and memory are connected in our brains in powerful ways that science is still getting to the bottom of, with implications for cognitive and emotional health, dementia research, as well as education and information retention.
One assistant professor at Western University in Ontario, Canada, has a better grasp on the power of music than most non-music teachers, and he apparently wields that power with delightful abandon. Dr. Derek McLachlin teaches biochemistry and molecular biology, which are not exactly subjects you'd expect to be musical. But his pop song parodies covering scientific concepts that his students need to learn are delighting people everywhere.
A fan's (@hoon0330) video of McLachlin singing "I Love Ketone Bodies" to the tune of Ed Sheeran's "I'm in Love With Your Body" has nearly 4 million views and a slew of comments from both average people and his former students praising his innovative approach to teaching.
@hoon0330 "OH I LOVE KETONE BODIES" 🗣🔥 #westernuniversity #uwo #edsheeran #college #ontario
"Mclachlin is the reason I went into Biochem 15 years ago! He used to come to class dressed as Gandalf on Halloween. So glad he’s still killing it," wrote one former student.
"I had him for biochem 4 years ago and when I tell you his material was the one that stuck the most of the 3 different profs for the course," another wrote.
"Omgggg my old biochem prof getting the recognition he deserves 💕 he was the best," wrote another.
"Hated biochem but loved him as my prof 😅," shared another.
Other people weighed in with how much they love seeing McLachlin's joyful and creative approach to teaching:
"Honestly i would pass because if something is done in song I’ll remember it. We learned a song about mitosis in grade 9 and i still remember it."
"I feel like I need a partial refund on my biochem degree because I did NOT get this experience lol."
"Awww this made me cry, he prepared for this at home, he put his entire soul into it please be kind to him!!!! 🥺"
"Yall better have gotten As, he poured his soul into this 😭😭😭."
McLachlin has the full song up on his YouTube channel (which frankly should have a lot more subscribers):
- YouTube www.youtube.com
I mean, singing lyrics like "My brain's singin' like, 'Liver, you know I want ketones, ketones were handmade for brain cells like me, turn them to acetyl groups into Krebs cycle for ATP" along to a familiar tune? Brilliant.
Speaking of ATP, he also did a parody of Taylor Swift's "You Belong With Me" to explain what ATP does and why it's needed in the body.
- YouTube www.youtube.com
What's most excellent about McLachlin's song parodies is that he's clearly been teaching for quite some time, since former students are referencing being in his class at least 15 years ago, and yet he's still coming up with new ways to help students learn the material. When a teacher is that invested in their work, their enthusiasm gets passed onto students.
The parodied hits just keep on coming. This "What Makes You Albumin" version of One Direction's "What Makes You Beautiful" explains what albumin is and how it works. It was published just few days before this article was written.
- YouTube www.youtube.com
We love to see a teacher doing the most and clearly enjoying it. Putting biochemistry concepts into lyrics that fit the music and still make sense cannot be easy, but McLachlin seems to be up to the task. Keep up the excellent work, sir.
You can follow McLachlin for more biochemistry lessons on YouTube.
Fourth grade teacher beautifully explains what grief is to her students using a vase
"Grief takes up space, not just in your heart, but in your brain."
Fourth grade teacher Miss Ryan Brazil explains what grief is to her students using a vase.
Grief is a universal experience that touches everyone—from kids to adults. And for fourth grade teacher Ryan Brazil, she used her own recent loss to help educate and open up to her students about grief.
In a touching video, Brazil tenderly explained what grief is to her students after they finished reading A Kids Book About Grief by Brennan C. Wood. She tells her class, "More than half our class is in tears and is being vulnerable and brave and sharing stories of their own grief."
She then pulls out an empty vase that she explains represents her "brain and her heart," before adding: "I normally have more space for patience, focus, and calm. I showed them how little things that happen during the day like noise, questions, mistakes are like colorful pom poms filling up the vase. Normally, there’s plenty of space to handle those things."
However, due to grief, she added that she has less space—and put a crumpled up piece of black construction paper in the vase to demonstrate the space grief can occupy in a person's heart and mind. "It can make you more tired, less patient, and quicker to feel overwhelmed. I wanted my students to understand that if I seemed off lately, it wasn’t about them. It’s just my brain and heart are doing a lot of extra work right now," she added in the video caption. "It turned into one of the most healing moments I’ve ever had in my classroom."
Brazil tells Upworthy that the lesson deeply impacted not just her students, but herself. "My sister passed away recently and very unexpectedly, so I’ve been having a difficult time. I was feeling overwhelmed and in pain, and I needed a way to discuss what was happening in my brain and my heart," Brazil says.
So, she decided to share with her students rather than hide. "Discussing grief with my students changed something in our classroom. So many kids opened up about their own losses," she says. "Some were more recent and some were before they were born, but they were still hurt by them. There was this release of emotions that felt like they were probably holding on to those feelings for a long time. We really rallied around each other and were there for each other. It was really helpful for me, personally. I felt understood in that moment and part of a community."
She hopes that her video will encourage others (including educators) to open up to students. "I am not an expert (on most things, honestly), but I don’t think that’s what kids need," she adds. "They don’t need us to be perfect, they just need us to give them space to feel and understand that feelings are welcome. We all learned that grief isn’t something to hide. It’s something we can learn to hold onto together."
Expert tips for how to teach kids about grief
Looking for more ways to explain what grief is to your kids? These are five tips from grief experts to help.
Name the feelings, not just the loss
"Kids often mirror our emotions but don’t always have the words for them. Instead of avoiding words like sad or angry, model using them out loud: 'I’m feeling sad today because I miss Grandpa'," Angie Hanson, a certified grief coach, educator, and author of Chapters of a Resilient Heart, tells Upworthy. "This helps kids name and normalize their own emotions. Grief becomes less scary when it’s spoken about openly."
Tip #2: Use simple, honest language
"It is commonplace to use words like 'passed away' or 'lost' when talking about death, but these words can be confusing and add to misconceptions and anxiety for young children," Jessica Correnti, MS, Certified Child Life Specialist at Kids Grief Support and author of The ABCs of Grief, tells Upworthy. "It is recommended to use concrete, factual words like 'death,' 'died,' and 'dying' even though these may feel blunt or difficult to say. Grief is a small word, but a very confusing and layered experience."
Create a “heart space” ritual
"Like the vase activity, give grief a visual home. Create a small jar or box called a heart space," says Hanson. "When they miss someone, they can place drawings, notes, or keepsakes inside. This teaches them that love doesn’t disappear, it changes form, and it’s okay to keep that connection."
Keep grief in the conversation, not just the moment
"Children revisit grief as they grow. Keep their loved one’s memory woven into everyday life," says Hanson. "Bake their favorite cookies, tell stories, or say, 'I wonder what Grandma would think of this.' It shows that grief isn’t a one-time event but an ongoing expression of love and remembrance."
Recognize that you may be grieving too
"It is important for adults to have trusted spaces and people to confide in about their grief reactions so they can be present and available for their child(ren)," Dr. Micki Bruns, Ph.D., a childhood bereavement experts and CEO of Judi's House/JAG Institute, a childhood bereavement center in Denver, Colorado, tells Upworthy. "At the same time, adults should normalize grief reactions and model healthy coping."
Generation Jones discuss 36 phrases and slang words they said all the time growing up—but never hear anymore
From 'jive turkey' to 'boy howdy,' these phrases take them back.
Phrases and slang words that Generation Jones grew up saying.
Generation Jones is a microgeneration born between 1954-1965. They are sometimes lumped in with Baby Boomers, but are also close to Gen X.
But if you ask them, they grew up in a totally different era that was defined by a number of cultural differences—especially pop culture. Their music, TV, movie, and fashion tastes influenced popular phrases and words that they quickly adopted.
In the Reddit subforum, r/GenerationJones, members discussed the words and phrases they grew up saying. These are 36 nostalgic phrases and slang words that Generation Jones grew up saying, but rarely hears anymore these days.
@grownupdish If you were born between 1954 and 1965 you’re Generation Jones (a micro-generation between the Baby Boomers and Generation X) and we lived through the coolest cultural and technological shifts. Follow @GrownupDish for midlife truth bombs, nostalgia hits, and Generation Jones gold. #grownupdish #generationjones #genjones #babyboomer #genx
"Boy howdy." - notodumbld ['Boy howdy' is defined by Merriam Webster as "wow: used as an intensive and to express strong feeling (such as awe or surprise) usually about a statement that follows. Its first known use was in 1911.]
"Far out." - notodumbld
"Don't have a cow." - notodumbld
"Cowabunga." - notodumbld
"…the thrill of victory. And the agony of defeat." - notahouseflipper [This phrase came from ABC's Wide World of Sports introduction. "Spanning the globe to bring you the constant variety of sport! The thrill of victory, and the agony of defeat! The human drama of athletic competition. This is ABC's Wide World of Sports!"]
- YouTube www.youtube.com
"I tried to disrespect an adversary by calling him a 'Jive turkey.' He responded, 'No worries Daddy-O, you’re a cool cat!'" - partmanpartmonkey_
"Time to make the donuts." - Spirited-Water1368
"2 shakes of a lambs tail." - No-County7603
"You have a collect call from ___, will you accept the charges..." - 16enjay
"See ya later, alligator. After a while, crocodile." - Alternative-Big3271"Where's the beef?" - seeingeyefrog [This phrase came from a classic Wendy's fast food commercial that debuted in 1984.]
- YouTube www.youtube.com
"Darn tootin’." - xxplodingboy
"Keep on truckin’." - Eyezog
"Up your nose with a rubber hose." - Eyezog [This phrase comes from the hit TV show Welcome Back, Kotter. John Travolta's character Vinnie Barbarino famously says it in a scene.]
"Going to hell in a hand basket." Tammy993
"Heavens to Betsy." - alwayssearching117
- YouTube www.youtube.com
"Far out!" - MisanthropicScott
"Groovy!" - MisanthropicScott
"Gnarly! (not one I used much being from the east coast)." - MisanthropicScott
"Slap me five/Give me some skin." - MisanthropicScott
 
"Party on." - MisanthropicScott
"You bet your bippy!" - MisanthropicScott
"To the max." - Comfortable-Two4339
"Got a dime? Call someone who cares!" - Unusual_Memory3133
"It's curtains." - Thinking-Peter
"Gag me with a spoon." - PinkMarmoset
- YouTube www.youtube.com
"What the Sam Hill?!" - 1989Stanley
"Bitchin’ (meaning cool) 😎." - humanish-lump
"Check her out. She's a fox!" - onpch1
"Don't take any wooden nickels." - FurBabyAuntie
"Hold the phone." - FurBabyAuntie
 
"Barreling down the road." - jlo5k
"I had a gen Z colleague tell me she had to google ‘burn the candle at both ends’." - Blerggurl
"Cool beans." - Vegetable-Section-84
"Okie dokie, artichokie." - Final-Ad-2033
"Two whole beef patties, special sauce, lettuce, cheese, pickles, onions on a sesame bun." - blljrgrl
Germany's bizarre 'pudding with a fork' trend is bringing strangers closer together
The “pudding mit gabel” craze began in Germany, but its joyful spirit is spreading worldwide.
The most absurd (and sweet) thing you'll see on the Internet today.
Are you ready for something absurdly fun and wholesomely sweet?
If you’ve spent any time on TikTok lately, you might have seen crowds of German teens gathered in parks, each holding a small cup of pudding and, curiously, a fork. A countdown begins, there’s a rhythmic tapping of metal on plastic lids, and then everyone digs in.
Welcome to “pudding mit gabel,” which literally means “pudding with a fork.”
The concept of “pudding mit gabel” is simple: People meet up, armed with pudding cups and forks, and eat together. That’s it. There’s no competition, no sponsor, no deeper message. Just a group of people enjoying dessert and, usually, laughing about how silly the whole thing is.
@kissfm.de Pudding mit Gabel essen in Berlin 👀 #kissfmteam #puddingmitgabel #puddingmitgabelberlin #berlin ♬ Originalton - KISS FM 💋 
How it started (sort of)
No one really knows who started it. Like many viral trends, pudding mit gabel simply appeared one day. However, we know it likely began in the city of Karlsruhe, where a mysterious flyer invited people to come eat pudding with a fork in the park. The flyer did note that it was a BYOPAF (Bring Your Own Pudding And Fork) party. Since then, it’s been spreading across Germany, then Austria, and now beyond.
From meme to movement
Videos of the gatherings have racked up millions of views. Some clips show crowds of hundreds in cities like Munich and Vienna waving forks in the air before digging in. Others feature smaller groups—classmates, coworkers, or new friends who met online and decided to join in. You get the idea.
Since taking over TikTok, a pudding mit gabel meet-up has already taken place in New York’s Central Park , with hope of more happening in the U.S. and U.K. Because, why not? It’s affordable, inclusive, and just weird enough to make anyone smile.
@sophie.rmrs Pudding mit Gabel essen in München! Es war so cool!! #puddingmitgabel #puddingmitgabelmünchen #münchen #foryou #fürdich mit @celina und @carmen🎧 ☆ ♬ original sound - 너 sophie 💌 
@ntv.de Wer von euch war bei "#Pudding mit der #Gabel" schon dabei? 👉 Holt euch unsere kostenlose App für mehr News. #ntv #nachrichten 
♬ Originalton - ntv
What’s remarkable isn’t what people are doing, specifically, but why it’s resonating. In a time when much of our social lives take place online, it’s rare to see young people (or anyone, for that matter) gathering in person for something purely joyful. These pudding picnics feel like a return to the simplest kind of community: showing up, sharing a laugh, and being present.
“If humans can be brought together by pudding, then humans can truly find peace ✌🏼” one commenter joked—and maybe they’re right. There’s something beautifully human about finding connection through something this ridiculous.
It’s not so different from flash mobs, silent discos, or daytime raves that have gained popularity. People are craving a reason to gather, and pudding, apparently, is reason enough.
The joy of doing something just to do it
The trend might fade (as all viral things do), but it’s left a lasting impression. It’s a reminder that connection doesn’t have to be complicated. Sometimes, it’s as easy as showing up with a fork and saying yes to dessert with strangers.
In a world that often feels increasingly divided and digital, pudding mit gabel is proof that joy can be contagious, community can happen spontaneously, and even the simplest treats, when shared, taste just a little sweeter.








