"Experimentality" columnist at BBC Future. Award-winning writer. Freelancing for The BBC, The Atlantic, Timeline, The Daily Beast, DAM, New Hampshire Magazine, Firebrand titles and others as I split my time between New Hampshire and San Francisco. Please find a few clips below. Thanks for reading!
Highlights
The killing of George Floyd by police officers in Minneapolis three months ago and the shooting of Jacob Blake by police in Wisconsin have led the US to a period of reckoning. As thousands have marched in the streets to protest against racial inequality, many others have also been forced to ask some difficult questions about their levels of prejudice.
Ties As my Chinese immigrant father helped me prep for math tests, we found a common language through numbers. "O.K., what are you supposed to know?" Dad would ask the night before my midterm. Dad, an immigrant from China who has a Ph.D.
Baking sourdough at home has become a true phenomenon as millions in the Bay Area shelter in place. Wheat flour and other grains are selling out in stores and online retailers, and residents are reaching out to friends and neighbors on social media to share sourdough starter.
"If I look at the mass I will never act. If I look at the one, I will." These are the words of a woman whose acts of charity and kindness earned her sainthood - Mother Theresa. They exemplify one of the most baffling aspects of the human response to the plight of others.
In 1998, Adam Vasser, a 13-year-old teenager who loved playing baseball, was vacationing in Montana with his family when he suddenly came down with what felt like the flu. When he had trouble breathing and his ankles became swollen, his parents took him to a nearby clinic where the doctor on duty checked his vitals and sent him directly to the hospital across the street.
Are you a parent who dreads having to help with maths homework? In a restaurant, do you hate having to calculate the tip on a bill? Does understanding your mortgage interest payments seem like an unsurmountable task? If so, you're definitely not alone.
Take a look at the photograph below - it's just an ordinary picture of two people outside a building, right? One of them appears to be handing something to the other. Now take a closer look. The tenth most-read story at BBC Future in 2017.
In 2017, I tried to live like an astronaut. I didn't float around in weightlessness, conduct any ground-breaking experiments or see the Earth from space. But I did spend two days confined to my apartment, where I worked, worked out, and limited my meals to freeze dried food from a pouch.
Since the Covid-19 coronavirus crisis hit, I've been surprised at how many phone and video calls I've made and received. In the last week I've had scheduled FaceTime dates, video conferences and received spontaneous communications that go on for an hour or more, something I haven't done since I was a teenager.
Have you ever splashed out on a present for someone you love, spending far more than you would on yourself? If so, you're not alone. Research from the 1970s suggests that when we buy something as a gift, we spend more time shopping and seeking advice, as well as more money, than we would if we were using the item ourselves.
Getting children to learn for the sake of learning rather than the promise of an A grade or threat of an F. It sounds like a pipe dream, right? Maybe not. From the time they are toddlers, children are naturally interested in exploring their environment.
"Asking somebody what they want is seen as taboo. And that's a shame," he says. "We would all be better off if we gave people what they want." Don't overthink it At the end of the day, don't fret too much about giving a terrible gift: truly bad gifts are rare.
"It is a commonplace observation that work expands so as to fill the time available for its completion." British naval historian and author Cyril Northcote Parkinson wrote that opening line for an essay in The Economist in 1955, but the concept known as 'Parkinson's Law' still lives on today.
Today, there are few arguments that can be made against having a diverse, multicultural workforce. Women are as good as men, disabilities shouldn't hold employees back and race has no impact on a person's ability to perform a job. Indeed, research has shown that diverse groups can be better at making decisions than homogenous ones.
Even if you don't suffer from telephobia, or terror of talking on the phone, there's still a good chance you text more than you dial. But how would you feel about texting a hiring manager to find out about a new job, or even do an interview?
Cover story for August issue of New Hampshire Magazine. New Hampshire's Queen City, Manchester, is undergoing a transformation driven by longtime locals and an influx of young professionals. This is New Hampshire Magazine's guide to Manchester's best restaurants, shops, galleries, museums, things to do and more.
Cover story for the May issue of the Dartmouth Alumni Magazine. Eight professors peer into the future. (It's not all scary)
It can be tough moving cities and finding work. So Katherine Hogan, 24, a graduate student in Boston who is relocating to New York, is using all the tools at her disposal. She's signed up for Shapr, a networking app, after seeing an advertisement on Instagram.
"Please tell me everything you can remember about what happened. Try to not leave anything out, even if it seems trivial. I have as much time as you need." Although this dialogue may sound like something straight out of a police interview, these are prompts from a computer programme designed to combat discrimination and harassment at work.
We're often reluctant to credit our good fortune purely to luck. We'd much rather put a material gain or positive outcome down to our brilliant intelligence, smarts, skills or hard work. But if success is directly correlated to our ability, why do there seem to be so many rich people with mediocre talent?
Growing up, drinking rooster soup - a secret Chinese recipe which is supposed to help preteen daughters grow healthy and tall - seemed like childhood torture. As an 11-year-old first generation Chinese-American girl, I would sit at our family kitchen table in the heart of Silicon Valley, barred from getting up until I had finished every drop of the foul and bitter-tasting concoction.
Growing up with a sister nearly a decade older than me meant that from the time I was 10, I could swear like a sailor. It turns out that I might have been a late starter.
What do Bill Clinton, Steve Jobs and Tony Blair have in common? Love 'em or loathe 'em, they all oozed charisma. Charismatic leaders can inspire followers to be more loyal and work harder. But are there different ways in which leaders can be charismatic? One of the top-read stories at BBC Capital in 2017.
Tipping is said to have originated in 16th Century England, when overnight guests would leave money for their hosts' servants. Tipping as a phenomenon has long fascinated economists: paying extra, even though we are not legally required to do so, seems to go against our own best interest.
There's a lot to learn about a country's work culture from how people take their lunch. But what does a lunch break look like around the world? We asked people from across the globe how they take their midday meal. Scroll down for seven very different ways of eating al desko.
Nowadays, telling someone that you've started using a dating app is hardly an unusual thing to say. Unless it's to your new husband. I signed up to the dating app Bumble, which, like other apps such as Tinder, OKCupid, Hinge and Happn, offer a route to romance.
There's no question that George Clooney is one of the most successful actors in Hollywood. But it wasn't until he teamed up with Amal Alamuddin, a barrister specialising in public international law and human rights who has represented high-profile clients like WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange that he suddenly made up one half of another status all together - that of the power couple.
By Tiffanie Wen, Photos by Kendal J. Bush "I'm totally new to contra dance," I tell Tom, the nice man in his 60s who had just driven more than 200 miles back from New York to Nelson to attend this dance.
In June, Sheila Sillery-Walsh, a British tourist visiting the historic island-prison of Alcatraz in San Francisco, claimed that she captured an image of a ghost in a picture she snapped on her iPhone. In the frame of what was otherwise supposed to be a picture of an empty prison cell was a blurry black and white image of a woman.
If you arrive back at work after a Christmas break and want to make a career change in the New Year, you won't be alone. Spending time with friends and family often crystalises workers' determination to look for a new gig. And the first week of the year is when many people find themselves making good on their resolutions.
I know there isn't one dot of light, but I frantically scan the pitch-black area surrounding me out of habit nonetheless. As I shuffle slowly through the carpeted hallway, clumsily swinging my long cane in a small arch the way the guide instructed a minute ago, I can hear the sounds of exotic birds, the rustle of wind through the trees and a babbling brook just around the corner.
Are you the sort of person that reads all of the instructions before beginning a task or do you prefer to jump right into things? Would you say you are outspoken with your opinions and can be demanding at times, or are you fairly reserved?
How therapy and other animals can raise spirits, help treat OCD, anxiety and stress disorders and just generally bring joy into people's lives.
For Catherine Richey, being a personal chef doesn't mean being cooped up in someone's kitchen, slaving over gourmet meals at their every beck and call. Sometimes it means free travel for her and her whole family as part of her boss's exclusive entourage. "My client wanted me to cook for them at their ranch one Christmas.
Zoey Ilouz, a native Californian, has been an expatriate in Israel twice. Keen to experience her father's country, she first moved there post-university (and post-break-up) to work for a non-profit. After three years she moved back to the US, in part because she craved the comforts of home.
The counter at Lou's in 1969. Photo courtesy of Lou's Restaurant & Bakery "Hey guys, go ahead and line up for a table, we'll get to you as quick as possible!"
If you could afford it, would you ever splurge $10,000 on a pair of headphones? What about some other indulgence? Would you? Some of the most coveted sets, like Sennheiser's Orpheus or the Onkyo Diamond, can cost tens of thousands. One of the top-read stories on BBC Capital in 2017.
Forest bathing or Shinrin-yoku offers mental and physical health benefits through intentional time in nature.
When you think of cities on the front lines of policing initiatives in America, you may think of New York, Chicago or Los Angeles, where the police forces number in the thousands. You don't think of Burlington, Vermont-a city of approximately 40,000 located about 100 miles northwest of Hanover and 50 miles south of the Canadian border.
Sarahi Pineda '18 recalls one of her biggest challenges as an undergraduate advisor (UGA): a resident of her dorm who could often be heard fighting with her boyfriend. One day Pineda saw him trying to lock the resident out of her room.
Millennials often get a bad rap when it comes to responsibility. Apparently, they change jobs too frequently. They put off marriage. They are busy spending all their money on avocado toast instead of deposits for housing or long term savings.
Most of us have come across them at some point - the kind of people who can walk into a room full of strangers but then leave with 10 new friends, a lunch date for the next day, and the promise of an introduction to an industry insider. Charmers.
In 2008, Isaac Katz, a civil service officer, passed away just before reaching his 78th birthday. He had been struggling with cardiovascular problems for some time. His son, Arnon Katz, now a 47-year-old tech entrepreneur, was beside himself with grief, and frustrated by the fact that he would never speak to his father again.
After almost a year without fresh air in the cramped, near-weightless environment of the International Space Station (ISS), American astronaut Scott Kelly and Russian cosmonaut Mikhail Kornienko seemed remarkably healthy when they touched down back on Earth last Spring. They had just completed a 340-day mission onboard in orbit, one of the longest space trips in recent years.
Parents may agonise over the name of their latest arrival - but rarely do they expect the decision to end up in a court.
"You will be the builders of Palestine," Vera Baboun said last week in her address to Bethlehem University's graduating class of 2013. The majority of her listeners were women-three out of four of the students sitting in the colosseum-style stadium were female, and Baboun herself was in the process of completing a Ph.D.
Prosciutto stars in simple, savory and sweet dishes at popular restaurants across the country.
A step further than seeking inspiration in the ocean, artists are using the blue waters as a backdrop for their creative works.
Ross Belfer fell in love with Tel Aviv from afar. In 2011, he was working as an account supervisor at New York creative agency Geoffrey Weill Associates, and was responsible for promoting the city as part of his work representing the Israeli Tourism Board. "I was so excited by what was happening here," he said.
Words by Tiffanie Wen Adventure enthusiasts have known about so-called 'Kodak Courage' for decades. Point a camera at someone and suddenly they go bigger and bolder and try tricks they ordinarily wouldn't. But why do cameras make us go harder? And what do experts know about those who choke when the cameras are rolling, and those who don't?
Entertainment The emotional appeal of listening "A good story's a good story from the brain's perspective, whether it's audio or video or text. It's the same kind of activation in the brain," says Paul Zak, the director of the Center for Neuroeconomics Studies at Claremont Graduate University.
"Are you Jewish?" my Israeli boyfriend likes to ask me every time I do something like mumble oy va voy when I spill a bag of oranges outside of the grocery store. It's a running joke, albeit not a very good one, since I'm ethnically Chinese.
"Polygraphy is not a game," Eran Gazit, cofounder of the Gazit Polygraph Institute warned when I called about taking a polygraph for this story. "It's impossible to test the system unless you have skin in the game. You need to have something to lose, like your job or marriage, or freedom."
Startups find a new home in LA's distinct marketplace
"Gently close your eyes. Listen to the soundscape you're now in. As you focus your awareness on different parts of your body, the soundscape will, like your mind, become quiet and serene. If you begin to let your mind wander or fret, the soundscape will become louder and noisier.
When the clock strikes midnight December 31, Estonians will polish off their 12th meal of the day.Four hours later, fireworks will explode over Rio de Janeiro, ushering in the summer holiday season. Three hours after that, ice fishermen in rural Quebec will clink their beers and, 4,000 miles south, Ecuadorians will be leaping through fire.
According to the updated version of China's new one-child policy, formalized by the country's top legislative committee in the final days of 2013, couples in which one parent is an only child are now permitted to have a second child.
Earlier this month, Burger King made headlines after unveiling its black KURO Pearl and KURO Diamond burgers, which come complete with black buns, black cheese, and black sauce and are available in Japan through early November. Americans have been both intrigued and repulsed by the images.
By now everyone in Israel has read the results of the study published earlier this month that showed Israelis ranked among the happiest people among the Western nations, despite an extensive laundry list of problems in their country. Israel ranked low in terms of income, housing, education and security for example-all things we would typical associate with contentment.
The reboot of the Poltergeist franchise in May only garnered lackluster reviews, but there does seem to be one consensus - even if the film's a dud, the clown is scary as hell.Love them or fear them, there's something about clowns.
Physical movement can make us more creative, research suggests. A recent study at Stanford suggested, for example, that walking sparked creativity, even when participants merely walked on a treadmill while looking at a white wall. But what about other types of movement?
Yes, women have had their share of political sex scandals, including those of Congresswoman Sue Myrick and former Congressional candidate Krystal Ball. But women's scandals seem limited to long-term affairs with married men or the occasional "racy" Halloween costume-there's a distinct lack of Carlos Dangers, illegitimate children with longtime housekeepers and chasing mistresses to Argentina.
The scholar and peace activist on Palestinian centrism, living as an exile, and learning from both Fatah and Israeli soldiers on the road to radical compassion. Mohammed Dajani Daoudi's ancestors include custodians of King David's tomb, two mayors of Jerusalem, and an assassinated peace activist.
history
The new NOPSI Hotel, New Orleans reinvents a historic building, ushering in a new era while paying homage to the past.
Last month Chinese authorities detained five feminist activists for planning demonstrations against sexual harassment. Calls to release them by Britain and the US have been rejected by China, which has told foreign countries to butt out. The women are well-known activists with a knack for organizing events that put them in the crosshairs of Chinese authorities.
After yesterday's relatively uneventful World Cup final, it's likely that Brazil's devastating semi-final loss to Germany will be the most memorable match of the tournament. Brazilian soccer fans reportedly dealt with the loss by setting a bus on fire, as Rio dispatched riot police to keep disappointed fans from getting out of control.
I produced this two-part history podcast that centers around Ervin Birnbaum, a Holocaust survivor who was also aboard the USS Exodus. It's a story that includes at least five countries, several languages and one very big war: World War II.
Spencer Penrose opened the Broadmoor 100 years ago, creating a lasting impact that extends beyond the luxury resort.
Mainland China won't make good on free elections? Take to the streets. The police use pepper spray? Open an umbrella. One country, two systems. That's been China's guiding principle in providing a degree of autonomy to Hong Kong and Macau, the former European colonies it took over as "Special Administrative Regions" in 1997.
Science & Technology
A tree-killing pest from the Southeast has invaded New England. Biology professor Matt Ayres is on the case.
Start-up culture has a bad reputation when it comes to women - and for good reason. In the United States, only 6.2% of board seats at unicorn companies (private firms with $1bn or more in funding) are filled by women, according to an analysis conducted by Fortune magazine.
We've all done it at one time or another: whipped out our smartphone to snap a picture of a sunset that is too beautiful to forget, or surreptitiously photographed a particularly impressive dish at a restaurant.
If I told you this is the most important article you'll read this week, you probably wouldn't believe me. But what if I could say that 75% of your friends agreed? Or if I could pull out the fact that nine out of 10 people of your age, education and income judged the article as relevant to them?* Then, perhaps, you might be more likely to read on.
The silicone bracelet I'm wearing around my wrist isn't particularly subtle. But it's not meant to be. The bright red strap encases a small rectangular rechargeable battery that sits against my wrist and can deliver shocks over 200 volts. Emblazoned on the top is a lightning bolt, so there's no risk I'll forget what the device does.
In the first of a series, we explore how one country is trying to make its mark in the tech industry. This month, Tiffanie Wen takes us to Tel Aviv where tech startups are taking off in a really big way.
There's nothing quite like a cruise ship. Isolated from land and (usually) cellular reception, it is a guest's all-encompassing floating city, entertainment venue and home. Now cruise company Carnival is attempting to capitalize on wearable tech to streamline nearly every aspect of cruising. Carnival's new wearable Medallion can be worn as a bracelet or carried...
"This is already so real, I don't know if I even want to do this anymore," I say out loud. I'm standing in the middle of a carpeted, multi-sensory room, which is decked out with infrared cameras, surround sound and floor shakers, and I am wearing a virtual reality headset made by Virginia-based company NVIS that costs as much as a BMW.
Growing up, sleep was considered paramount in my family home. My siblings and I didn't have many house rules - bedtimes were flexible, we had free reign over microwaved TV dinners (this was the 1980s), and video games. But one thing was always crystal clear: we couldn't disturb an adult, or another kid, who was taking a nap.
We've all felt the classic fight-or-flight response when faced with a stressful event-a racing heart, increased blood pressure and a rush of adrenaline as we get ready to move. But when left unchecked, or when we respond strongly to the everyday kind of stressors - like dealing with work, family and life - that kind...
Art
Artist Jason deCaires Taylor opens his new sculpture museum beneath the waves of the Atlantic Ocean.
Hundreds of Israelis, Sudanese, Eritreans gather in Levinsky Park in south Tel Aviv to watch 1st public performance of "One Strong Black."
The project was a post-modern artist's dream. For three days last month, 80 Israeli and international artists worked - some of them around the clock - to transform every facet of a beachside Caesarea villa into a stunning, site-specific collection of art.
Inside the recently expanded SFMOMA, contemporary design, modern art and digital advancements create a world-class museum experience.
I'm very pleased to announce that my work is on the front cover of V.4, issue 1 of the Chinatown Newspaper this month as well as a two page spread. A big thanks to Tiffanie Wen for the interview and write up and also to Mike Cuffe of Warholian.com for the portrait.
Lifestyle: Food, Fashion, Etc.
Adventure meets exploration when you take to the great outdoors.
Orange County is home to a plethora of food halls offering the latest culinary trends
While one agave-based spirit has been a part of American culture for centuries, its lesser-known cousin has only recently come into the limelight.
Better-informed consumers are ditching the bowls of sugar that were once a triumph of 20th-century marketing. Please consider disabling it for our site, or supporting our work in one of these ways Subscribe Now > Last year, General Mills launched a new product aimed at health-conscious customers: Cheerios Protein, a version of its popular cereal made with whole-grain oats and lentils.
Sheila Johnson is now tackling the hospitality industry in what she refers to as her "third act."
From design and fashion to marketing and beyond, different hues shape how we perceive the world.
Culinary tradition turns toward a sweet French finish at the end of a meal.
FIND A QUALITY WINE-TASTING EXPERIENCE IN A CITY NEAR YOU
Davis Love III looks back on his illustrious golf career following one of his best years yet.
Whether it's at home or a restaurant, dining as a family is an important part of a well-balanced meal.
Even with acclaimed restaurants nationwide, a regular television presence and a new product line, celebrity chef Geoffrey Zakarian shows no signs of slowing.
Part art and part science, cocktails are coming to imbibers through the tap lines at bars across the U.S.
Jerusalem's Anna is a kosher, Italian-inspired trattoria located in a stunning 19th century setting
Neighborhood at a Glance; Oenophile Experience; Retail Therapy; On the Agenda
The revolution will not be televised; it will be streamed online, and immediately available for download.
A trio of culinary masters create tailor-made meals in chic spaces throughout Manhattan.
The sharp line between tradition and innovation has been artfully blurred when it comes to couture fashions, as designers are increasingly embracing both handmade and machine-made practices. The 2016 Met Gala, taking place May 2, will focus on the dichotomy between the former (handmade haute couture) and the latter (machine-made fashion). The gala’s corresponding exhibit “Manus x Machina: Fashion in an Age of Technology,” which will be on view May 5 through Aug. 14, challenges the design...
Globe-trotting restaurateur Richard Sandoval has been introducing the world to his modern Mexican cuisine for the past 20 years—one restaurant at a time.
A strong base and some strategic accessorizing are all that’s needed to take a look from work to play.
The newest wearable tech gadgets are not just functional, but also worthy of serious style cred.
Travel
Just a few miles from Israel's second most populous city Tel Aviv lies Jaffa, an ancient gem where life moves at its own pace, just waiting to be discovered. According to Greek mythology, a North African queen boasts that her daughter Andromeda is more beautiful than the sea-nyphs that accompany Poseidon, god of the sea.
Every issue we give you the lowdown on a city that you should travel to with haste.
Emerging travel destinations offer authentic, one-of-a-kind experiences.
For years two stunning Baroque palaces went overlooked. Today, the Belvedere contains hundreds of years of Austrian and European art and is a must-see for any visitor to Austria's capital city. Walking through the Belvedere gardens on a chilly day in February, we have to be sure not to collide with any running Austrians.
Long overshadowed by San Francisco, the affluent Bay Area city of Palo Alto is now a cultural and culinary destination in its own right. Considered by many to be the soul of Silicon Valley, innovative energy pulses throughout the small city, which also...
One of San Francisco's original "seven hills," Nob Hill peaks at the intersection of Jones and Sacramento Streets and is one of the steepest and most famous hills in San Francisco. Nob Hill, which is still one of the most expensive neighborhoods in the city, is appropriately known for its wealth, both in terms of its iconic real estate and rich history.
Ranked the best city in the Middle East for young people last year by the Youthful Cities Index, it's no secret that Tel Avivians know how to enjoy life. From miles of white sand beaches filled with sunbathers to bustling cafes, visitors often joke that residents here don't seem to work.
Three quick trips outside of the city offer a look at the natural beauty and burgeoning culture surrounding San Francisco.
Pay homage to awards show season with curated tours around the city.
Luxury resorts have long catered to the human desire for seaside views. But now restaurants, spas and even entire hotels are taking it to a whole new level, going completely underwater.The Red Sea Star Restaurant and Bar in Eilat, Israel, was one of the first to capitalize on the concept.
A night at an airport hotel is usually about as comfortable as hunkering down in a plastic chair in the departures terminal. But several airports have created first-class havens that could be destinations in their own right.Opened in late summer, the boutique Aviator Hotel at the private Farnborough Airport in Hampshire, England, provides seven high-tech meeting rooms near its sleek luxury suites ($511; aviator farnborough.co.uk).
From magical trade shows in London to the overflowing shops that await you in the Koenji District of Tokyo, here's our guide to the top five cities in the world for shopping vintage.
MultiMedia Interviews, Coverage, Awards, Acknowledgments etc.
My Atlantic story "Why do people believe in ghosts?" was featured in a roundup of stories on ghosts at LONGREADS.
One of BBC Capital's Top 10 most-read stories of 2017.
My profile on Brandon Del Pozo was the 7th most read story at the Dartmouth Alumni Magazine website of 2017.
My story for BBC Future "What I learnt using a friendship app" on the nature of technology and friendship placed 10th in the Feature Article Category in the 86th Annual Writer's Digest Writing Competition.
My BBC Future story "The Surprising Benefits of Swearing" was featured as one of the top 100 articles of 2015 and 2016 at The Electric Typewriter.
What is the most unusual story you've written about and had published? I taught myself to lucid dream-which is when you realize you're dreaming and can control your actions and the context of the dream-for a piece I did in The Atlantic. My first lucid dream (which I describe in this story) was an incredible experience.
My BBC Capital feature: Is this the best beach city for expats? featured in The Marker, Israel's leading Hebrew-language economy publication, published by Haaretz.
Jezebel on my Daily Beast story: Do Female CEOs Act More Ethically?
Fast Company on the launch of the Timeline News App, including my Timeline piece: Will China Ever Tolerate Democracy?
My Atlantic story: Why Do People Believe in Ghosts? featured on the Washington Post's Happy Hour Roundup
A reference to my 2014 article on soccer violence at The Atlantic is cited in this 2016 article on soccer violence.
My Daily Beast piece: Do Female CEOs Behave More Ethically? featured on Real Clear Markets.
My Atlantic piece: The Ways to Control Dreaming featured on Maria Popova's Brainpickings.org.
My Atlantic piece: Why Don't People Want to Donate Organs? featured on Real Clear Science.
My Atlantic piece: Why Do People Believe in Ghosts, featured on [ Inside ], a news app that helps users stay informed on the most important and fascinating events of the day.
My BBC Future story: How to Nap Like a Pro featured on RTL, a leading European media group.
A couple of important global ranking reports published recently reveal some interesting facts about the nations of the world in general and about Israel in particular. Each report calculates the rankings of the countries by taking into consideration several factors that span from economic and social to government policies and security, etc.
Dr. Michael Gervais took part in a recent article from MPORA.com. on how cameras and people can affect performance. Tiffanie Wen asked the experts to determine the answer, which included Dr. Gervais. Wen begins the article describing the 'Kodak Courage,' the phenomenon that someone suddenly acts bigger and bolder when a camera is pointed at them.