Curiosity 101, Part-3
Soul Letter #49
Hello👋 folks, Shubham here.
I am back with another edition of Curiosity 101.
“Essa Coca é Fanta”
“Essa Coca é Fanta” in English means “That Coke is a Fanta”.
The above phrase is common in Brazil. It is used to mock and bully the homosexual community of the country.
People are open to the idea of aliens but not homosexuality.
The phrase was used to make hundreds of memes and offensive videos.
Things looked bleak until Coca-Cola Brazil stepped in.
To support International LGBT+ pride day 2017, Coca-Cola launched a limited-edition can. A red Coke can with orange Fanta inside.
The front of the package read, “Essa Coca‑Cola é Fanta, e daí?” meaning “This Coke is a Fanta, so what?”
The back of the can had a message that translated to,
“We created a special can to recognize those who ignore labels, challenge prejudices, and assume what they really are. This Coca-Cola is pride, this Coca-Cola is respect, this Coca-Cola is Fanta.”
The gesture left everyone in awe. People loved it.
The innocent yet malice phrase lost its vigor.
Coca-Cola stood up for a moral cause and rightfully made tons of publicity for its stand.
I am not a fan of sugary drinks, but you have to give respect where it is due.
1 Minute Life Hack
Alexander M. Combstrong wrote an amazing article highlighting a simple technique we all can use to enhance our lives.
The trick requires you to ask two simple questions before going to sleep.
Question 1: On a scale of 1–10, how happy are you with your life today?
Take a moment before answering. If it’s a 10 for you (which I highly doubt) in that case, you don’t require the follow-up question.
For others, add one to your number and proceed.
Question 2: If your first answer was [your answer plus one], what would be different?
Suppose the answer to the first question was 7.
Now your second question will be something like what would be different to make the answer to your first question an 8.
Maybe talking to your parents, going to the gym, or spending time on your hobby might make it 8.
Before sleeping, when you tell the mind the area you want to improve, it will be stuck in your subconscious and you will run in an auto-pilot mode.
Try it out and let me know if you see any changes.
Just 1-minute guys, I hope you can spare 1 minute from your busy schedule.
That Creepy Feeling
Have you ever felt repulsed by a humanlike robot, mannequin, or cartoon character?
If so, you are not alone.
There’s a theory in the field of aesthetics called the Uncanny Valley. According to it, when something looks almost like a human being, it creates revulsion in the observer.
Why? You ask.
Apparently, their appearance is very close to human, but off enough to induce a feeling of uncanniness. It feels like something that is both familiar and alien.
The term was first coined by the Japanese roboticist Masahiro Mori in an article published in 1970. Mori noted people found his robots more appealing if they look more human. But this only worked up to a certain point.
When robots appear close but not quite human, feel uncomfortable or disgusted. Once the uncanny valley has been reached, people start to feel uneasy, disturbed, or afraid.
The early test screenings of the movie Shrek evoked feelings of anxiety among children because the character of Princess Fiona was too lifelike.
Eventually, the animators had to tone down her features to make her look more cartoonish.
Hope you enjoyed this edition.
Signing off for today :) Until next time, Houdoe! 🙋♂️
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