Philosophy
fromPsychology Today
8 hours agoEducation to Improve the Planet's Health, and Our Own
Nature enhances human health, but environmental degradation now negatively impacts well-being, necessitating education reform for Planetary Health.
Theodore's experience with Samantha reveals a profound shift in understanding love, as he grapples with the idea of sharing an AI's affection with many others, challenging his human limitations.
Hibuki, the stuffed animal dog, allows children to project their feelings, helping them to express emotions like sadness and anxiety. The child becomes the caretaker of the dog, which facilitates self-soothing.
Countless millions of nonhuman animals (animals) of all sorts are used in a diverse array of laboratory research. Their treatment varies from being unspeakably inhumanely abused to being treated with kindness, depending on the questions at hand and the values and attitudes of the researchers themselves. The lives of these animals truly are hidden, and most people are incredulous when they learn that laboratory rats and mice still are not considered "animals" under the current federal Animal Welfare Act.
Dog ownership has increased dramatically in many western countries. For example, in the UK there has been an increase from around 8.3 million in 2011 to 13.5 million in 2025. That means that approximately 29% of UK adults own a dog! At least partially this increasing trend of owning a dog is linked to millennials being more likely to have children later in life.
The clip opens with the dog sitting beside his mom on the couch while she works on her laptop. It's clear that the pup is deeply inconvenienced by his mom's working situation. Text above his head reads "Worst day ever," perfectly capturing the dramatic tone of what's to come. Within seconds, he side-eyes her to make sure she's paying attention, then begins softly whining, as if to say he's been patient long enough.
Remember that moment at the dog park when you see two golden retrievers, with one bouncing around with bright eyes and a glossy coat, and the other just going through the motions with a dull expression despite being perfectly groomed? Both dogs are clearly loved and cared for, but something deeper separates them: It's the difference between a dog that's genuinely flourishing and one that's simply being maintained.