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“We Are the World”, a charity single and global call to action, showed the incredible power of music to inspire change 🌍🎵 One of the masterminds behind this iconic anthem was the visionary producer Quincy Jones, who died earlier this week at 91 years old. Known for his genius in bringing artists together, Jones guided more than 45 superstars to create a once-in-a-lifetime collaboration. A sign that said “Check your egos at the door” was posted at the studio to keep the focus on the mission. With all proceeds directed to the humanitarian organization USA for Africa, “We Are the World” topped the charts globally, raising more than $80 million (equivalent to over $220 million today) for famine relief, while setting the stage for future benefit projects. It’s a song, a story, and a movement that reminds us how voices joined together can truly make a difference. Read more about this influential song ➡️ https://w.wiki/3jfw

Did you know that four colors are all you need to color any map without neighboring regions sharing the same color? 🗺️🎨 In mathematics, this is known as the four color theorem. It states that no more than four colors are required to shade the regions of any map so that no two adjacent regions appear the same. Here, “adjacent” means regions that share a common boundary of nonzero length, not just a corner point where multiple regions meet. First conjectured in 1852, the theorem puzzled mathematicians for over a century. It was not until 1976 that it was finally verified, making history as the first major theorem to be proven using a computer. This sparked debate since the proof was too extensive to check by hand, but it has since gained wide acceptance. Before the four color theorem was proven, the five color theorem had already been established in the 1800s using a simpler argument. The journey to proving the four color theorem involved many false proofs and counterexamples, highlighting the challenges mathematicians faced. Curious to learn more about this colorful piece of mathematical history? Read how a simple question about coloring maps led to groundbreaking developments in mathematics ➡️ https://w.wiki/9Eh7

Everything. Is. Terrible. Or so you might think, if you are doomscrolling right now. Coined around 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, doomscrolling refers to the act of spending excessive time reading large amounts of negative news online. Studies suggest that doomscrolling can affect anyone, but is particularly prevalent among youth. In 2019, a study by the National Academy of Sciences found that excessive consumption of negative news can be linked to a decline in mental and physical health. So, why do we doomscroll? 😡 Negativity Bias: Humans have a natural tendency to focus more on negative information. This bias may stem from evolutionary survival mechanisms, where being alert to dangers was crucial. 😰 Fear of Missing Out (FOMO): The anxiety of missing important news can drive people to continuously check for updates, even if it negatively impacts their well-being. Studies have found that a significant percentage of social media users experience FOMO, leading them to engage more with online content. 📱 Technology: The design of social media platforms can exacerbate doomscrolling. Features like the “infinite scroll” allow users to continuously view content without natural stopping points, making it easier to lose track of time and continue consuming negative news. Doomscrolling can lead to beliefs similar to the “mean world syndrome” identified in the 1970s. This term describes the false view that the world is more dangerous than it actually is, due to prolonged exposure to violence-related content on television. Studies show that consuming upsetting news encourages individuals to seek out even more negative information, creating a self-perpetuating cycle. This can distort our perception of reality, making the world seem overwhelmingly negative. Instead of doomscrolling, why not go down a Wikipedia rabbit hole? It may be healthier than looking at the next post in your feed. Here is the link ➡️ https://w.wiki/BVNB

Here is the real story behind the “Emu War” that has been the subject of countless memes ⬇️ Amid the Great Depression, the Campion district of Western Australia was home to World War I veterans turned wheat farmers. These veterans had been granted land by the government and were encouraged to grow wheat with promises of state financial support that, unfortunately, never came through. As wheat prices fell due to oversupply, tensions rose. Frustrated and financially strained, the farmers threatened to withhold their crops in protest. Matters only became worse when 20,000 emus arrived and began destroying crops. Emus regularly migrate after their breeding season. With the cleared land and water supplies made available for livestock, the emus began to foray into farm territory. They consumed and spoiled the crops and left large gaps in fences. Desperate for a solution, the farmers sought help from the government. The response? A military intervention, quickly nicknamed “Emu War.” Members of the Australian Army were dispatched to the front lines to combat the emu invasion and protect the crops. But the emus had other plans. The crafty creatures turned out to be formidable opponents. Utilizing tactics that would impress any military strategist, they moved in small, scattered groups, making them elusive targets. Early encounters resulted in minimal emu casualties and growing frustration for the soldiers. A week later, it was clear who held the upper hand – or wing. The operation was deemed a failure. A second attempt later that month fared little better. An Australian major famously remarked that if they had a division of emus, they could face any army in the world. While opponents of the government mocked the campaign as a loss, the farmers requested military assistance again in following years. These appeals were turned down. Instead, the government reinstated a bounty system that had been in place since 1923. In the end, the farmers saw success in building extensive fencing to keep the birds at bay. Read all the details of the infamous battle between humans and emus  ➡️ https://w.wiki/5RV

🎃✨ Unveil the ancient festival that inspired modern Halloween. Samhain is a Gaelic festival marking the end of the harvest season and the beginning of winter that is celebrated from sunset on 31 October to sunset on 1 November. Originating over 2,000 years ago among the Celtic people, Samhain is considered a time when the veil between the physical world and the spirit world is at its thinnest. During Samhain, communities gather to light bonfires, offer sacrifices of crops and animals, and wear costumes and masks to ward off harmful spirits. These traditions were meant to protect families and livestock during the harsh winter months and to honor ancestors and departed loved ones. As centuries passed, Samhain evolved and blended with other cultural and religious practices, especially after the spread of Christianity. This fusion gave rise to All Saints' Day and, eventually, the modern celebration of Halloween. Many customs enjoyed today – such as dressing up in costumes, carving pumpkins, and sharing stories of spirits and the supernatural – have roots in these ancient traditions. Learn more ➡️ https://w.wiki/9CZc

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🪔 Will you celebrate the “Festival of Lights” this year? Diwali is one of the most significant festivals in Hindu and other Indian religions, celebrated by millions of people across the world. Its origins date back over 2,500 years. Diwali is rooted in various ancient stories and legends that symbolize the victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance. In 2024, the festival will take place from 30 October to 3 November. The festival typically spans five days, each with its own meaning and rituals: 🌟Dhanteras: The first day is dedicated to prosperity. People clean their homes and purchase precious items like gold or new kitchen utensils, symbolizing good fortune. ✨Naraka Chaturdasi (Choti Diwali): On the second day, people wake up early to apply aromatic oils before bathing, believed to remove impurities and prepare for the festivities. 🪔Lakshmi Puja (Main Diwali): The third day is the main event. Families light diyas (oil lamps) and candles around their homes, perform puja (prayers) to goddess Lakshmi, and enjoy fireworks to ward off evil spirits. 🌧️Govardhan Puja: The fourth day commemorates Lord Krishna’s lifting of Govardhan Hill to protect villagers from torrential rains. People build small mounds of cow dung or clay, symbolizing the hill, and worship them. 🔥Bhai Dooj: The fifth and final day celebrates the bond between brothers and sisters. Sisters perform aarti (a ritual with light) for their brothers and pray for their well-being, while brothers give gifts in return. Learn more ➡️ https://w.wiki/3APB

Uncover a bread that connects the worlds of the living and the departed 🍞💀 Pan de muerto, or “bread of the dead,” is a sweet Mexican bread baked for Día de los Muertos. This special bun is often decorated with bone-shaped designs and dusted with sugar, symbolizing the cycle of life and death. Families across Mexico come together to bake and share pan de muerto, honoring their loved ones who have passed away. It is commonly placed on altars, known as ofrendas, alongside marigolds, candles, and photographs, serving as a tribute to ancestors. Different regions add their unique touches to pan de muerto, incorporating various flavors and designs into the tradition. Some versions are infused with orange blossom water or anise seeds. Read more about this delicious piece of Mexican heritage that sweetly unites the realms of the living and the dead ➡️ https://w.wiki/BDnY

Emerging from the rich spiritual traditions of Central Africa, zombies have a fascinating history that extends far beyond their current pop culture fame 🧟♂️🎃 In Central African beliefs and Haitian Vodou, zombies were seen as beings connected to the mysteries of life and death, often thought to be revived through powerful spiritual forces. These figures were part of a deeper cultural and mythological narrative, very different from the iconic creatures we recognize in films today. Over time, the concept of zombies traveled across cultures and transformed into modern-day legends. From horror films and TV series to books and video games, zombies have become an essential part of our collective imagination. They also appear as a metaphor in music and other works of art, symbolizing mindless adherence to authority, and are featured in a prolific subgenre of horror named “zombie apocalypse” – the breakdown of society as a result of an initial zombie outbreak that spreads quickly. This Halloween, take a journey through the history of zombies – from their ancient origins in African and Caribbean traditions to their rise as pop culture icons. It’s a story that reminds us how folklore and modern entertainment often go hand in hand. Discover the full story of the undead ➡️ https://w.wiki/3p7G 

Edit by edit. Word by word. Every article on Wikipedia is created by people, and backed by reliable sources. Learn more ➡️ https://lnkd.in/dWfRC2VX #KnowledgeIsHuman