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Time of India
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Do we really lose imagination with age? New research reveals a surprising truth
Imagination doesn't decline with age—it evolves. While children may offer spontaneous, unfiltered ideas, adults often imagine with greater nuance and creativity rooted in experience. Recent studies show that older adults can be more inventive in specific contexts, challenging the myth that creativity is solely a child's domain. (Representative image: iStock) Imagining with Experience Grey Hair, Bold Ideas You Might Also Like: Want to grow younger? Harvard-backed study reveals a surprising vitamin that may reverse aging at the cellular level — sapinker (@sapinker) The Other Side of the Coin Imagination, Refocused iStock Studies show older people often outperform younger ones in creative tasks within known contexts. Rather than losing creativity, we redirect it toward purpose, memory, and meaning as we grow older. (Representational image: iStock) One Mind, Many Lifetimes You Might Also Like: Can your eyes reveal how sharp your memory is? New study shows how pupil movements uncover truth and falsehood For generations, society has clung to the romantic idea that children are the true dreamers—limitless in creativity, untouched by the rational rigidity of adulthood. Adults, it is often assumed, merely trade their whimsical wonder for a practical, more realistic inner world. But according to a growing body of psychological research, that narrative might be more fiction than per a report from the New Scientist, a recent wave of studies reveals a fascinating truth: imagination doesn't fade with age—it transforms. As it turns out, adults may be more imaginative than we think, just in a different, more refined way. Harvard University 's developmental psychologist Paul Harris challenges the prevailing belief that imagination wanes as we grow older. In a 2021 review, he argued that children's pretend play tends to be grounded in everyday experiences—tea parties, superheroes, and make-believe kitchens. The real shift, he observed, begins around age four, when children start to imagine truly conflicting scenarios—two possible, incompatible outcomes of a single aligns with problem-solving tests where young children often stumble. Take, for instance, the classic test involving a pipe cleaner and a bucket. The goal is to retrieve the bucket using the pipe cleaner by bending it into a hook. Children under five usually fail. Why? Because the imaginative leap needed to see a straight object as something that can change form comes only with age and mental you're picturing imagination as something that peaks in childhood and then diminishes into mental dullness, think again. Angela Nyhout from the University of Kent conducted a unique study at Dover Castle in the UK. Visitors were asked how they might use obscure historical objects like a warrior god mould or an old dress fastener. Older adults didn't just match the creativity of younger participants—they often surpassed them in the number of creative ideas, although within more familiar not an isolated case. Andrew Shtulman, in his 2023 book Learning to Imagine, proposes that imagination is like any other skill—it strengthens with practice. Unlike the freewheeling, trial-and-error method used by children, adults bring layered experience, refined intuition, and contextual awareness to their imaginative course, not everyone agrees. Psychologist Alison Gopnik of UC Berkeley reminds us that young minds have an edge in one critical area—openness. Without decades of accumulated assumptions or expectations, children freely explore a multitude of possibilities, even the improbable ones. As Nyhout notes, they simply don't yet know enough about the world to be constrained by yet, what younger children offer in spontaneity, they sometimes lack in insight. In one of Nyhout's story-based tasks, younger kids suggested magical wind control to stop papers from flying away. Older children, meanwhile, offered grounded, practical solutions. Both types of responses reflect imagination—just channeled through different cognitive the most revealing insight into how our imagination matures lies in how we remember. Jessica Andrews-Hanna of the University of Arizona explains that older adults tend to focus on the "gist" or emotional significance of memories rather than the finer details. This doesn't indicate a loss of mental clarity—it signals a shift in what we value. Adults may trade vivid imagery for narrative meaning and emotional than fading, imagination simply adapts to the needs of each life stage. A preschooler may invent new worlds, while an older adult might envision solutions to global crises by drawing on decades of life evolving nature of imagination is not a story of loss—it's a story of transformation. Children and adults may play in different imaginative arenas, but neither space is inherently superior. As Nyhout puts it, imagination across the lifespan is context-specific: what's optimal for a four-year-old won't always work for a forty-year-old—and vice fact, our collective imagination may be strongest when generations collaborate. Whether it's designing sustainable cities, reimagining social justice, or tackling inequality, bringing together the playful chaos of youth with the reflective insight of age might just be the creative leap humanity no, we don't lose our imagination as we age, we just learn how to wield it differently. And maybe, just maybe, more powerfully.
Yahoo
30-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
42 local projects, events and individuals earn Pinnacle Awards
JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (WJHL) — Tourism in Northeast Tennessee thrives on strong partnerships, campaigns, and advertisements, and now boasts numerous Pinnacle Awards to highlight its success. This year, the Northeast Tennessee Tourism Association broke records at the 28th annual Northeast Tennessee Pinnacle Awards with more than 10 nominations in categories for marketing, advertising, events, attractions, individual achievement and supporting business. Ranked by a panel of judges within the tourism and hospitality industry across the United States, Pinnacle Awards were given to the following projects, events and individuals in both small and large budget categories: Copperhead Road Landmark Tiebreakers Johnson City Main Street Days Fun Fest Bristol Open 2024 – PPA Tour Event – Bristol Sportsplex Appalachian League All-Star Game – Visit Johnson City Bike Ride Across Greene County – Greene County Partnership MATE ROV World Championships – Visit Kingsport Paul Harris – nominated by Jonesborough Tourism Department Barbara Mentgen – nominated by Visit Johnson City Katherine Hackler – nominated by Main Street Greeneville Gabe Davis– nominated by Visit Johnson City Matt Bolas – nominated by Ripl Creative Interstate Graphics – nominated by Visit Johnson City Jonesborough Tourism Department and Highland Cow Farms StoryTown Radio Show Rebranding – McKinney Center Explore More in Bristol Outdoor Writers Association of America – Visit Johnson City The Juice is Loose: Believe in Bristol's Halloween Campaign Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion Work-Based Learning at Sullivan Co. Schools – West Ridge High School Storytelling Benefit Concert – McKinney Center Johnson City Railroad Experience – Visit Johnson City Northeast TN Museum Association Brochure & Map Jonesborough Visitors Guide Visit Mountain City, TN Candy Land Christmas – Visit Johnson City Alliance for Continued Learning – ETSU Office of Professional Development Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion Wristband Mailer Buffalo Mountain Writers Workshop: Wild Words – ETSU Office of Professional Development You Can Do You – Visit Johnson City Under the Lights by Ashli Linkous Downtown Kingsport by caseSensitive Photos Birthplace of Country Music Museum 10th Anniversary Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion Paste Magazine Sessions Copperhead Road Landmark – Visit Mountain City, TN Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion 2024 Recap The Jackson Theatre Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion 2024 'Thank You' SORBA Tri-Cities – nominated by Visit Johnson City Isabel Hawley-Lopez – nominated by Jonesborough Tourism Department Eastman Global Innovation Summit – nominated by Visit Kingsport Winners were recognized at the 28th Annual Pinnacle Awards Ceremony on Wednesday at Tennessee Hills Distillery. According to the Northeast Tennessee Tourism Association, Northeast Tennessee generates more than $867 million in direct visitor spending, more than $205 million in payroll while employing 7,000 people, and generates $34 million in local sales tax annually. The Pinnacle Awards are presented by Bristol Motor Speedway and produced in partnership with the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development, representatives from the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development and the Tennessee Hospitality & Tourism Association. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Leader Live
24-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Leader Live
Chirk Castle celebrates curlew bird this May half term
The National Trust Cymru site is inviting families to join in a week of activities centred around the curlew, which will run from May 24 to June 1. The activities, which include curlew-inspired games, bird mask making, storytelling, and puppet displays, are part of an initiative to prepare the 480-acre estate as a future nesting site for the curlew. This is part of a wider conservation effort across Wales, in partnership with the Clwydian Range & Dee Valley National Landscape, Bannau Brycheiniog National Park, and the Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust. The project, funded by the Welsh Government through the Heritage Lottery Fund, aims to monitor curlews, support farmers, and engage local communities in conservation efforts. The curlew, a ground-nesting bird, is currently in crisis across Wales and is red-listed on both the Welsh and UK Birds of Conservation Concern (BoCC). The decline in their population is due to predation of nests and chicks, loss of suitable feeding and breeding habitats, and reduced food availability. Earlier this year, a curlew parade was held at the castle in partnership with Curlew Connections Wales and the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The curlew parade passes through the Chirk Castle estate (Image: National Trust Images Paul Harris) Pupils from Ysgol Caer Drewyn in Corwen, Ysgol Bro Dyfrdwy in Corwen, and Ysgol y Waun in Chirk took part in creative workshops alongside puppet makers Ben and Jude Wood, storyteller Fiona Collins, and musician Morgan Elwy. At the heart of the parade was Pegi Pyg Hir, a four-foot-wide curlew puppet symbolising the bird's journey in search of a safe nesting site. Keith Griffith, Chirk Castle's area ranger, said: "Chirk Castle has a rich history of supporting wildlife, and we aim to restore the habitats curlews need to thrive. "Curlews are red-listed and at real risk of extinction as a breeding bird in Wales and seeing local children so engaged in this conservation effort gives us hope for the future survival of these special birds." During the May half term, visitors can view the puppets on display near the ticket office at Home Farm, where they will also find an art installation by Sean Harris that brings the curlew to life. The garden at the top of the hill will host an array of daily fun activities on the upper lawn designed to teach visitors more about these fascinating wading birds. On May 26 and 27, families can join Jake the Storyteller for magical tales of birds great and small. Sessions take place at 11am, 12pm, 1pm, and 2pm and last around 30 minutes each. On May 28, visitors can design and make their own bird mask under the marquee in the garden using card and tissue paper. READ MORE: Attendance in Wales' secondary schools 'significantly below' pre-pandemic levels Anne Kurdock, experience and visitor programming manager for Chirk Castle and Erddig, said: "We look forward to welcoming visitors to Chirk Castle this May half term to learn more about this incredible bird and its significance to Welsh landscapes. "We've a whole week of activities for families to enjoy inspired by the curlew and can't wait for everyone to experience it and see the wonderful artwork on display produced by our partners and local schools." Activities are free, although usual admission charges apply, and National Trust members and children under five can enter without charge. For further details, visit the Chirk Castle and Garden website.
CBS News
15-05-2025
- CBS News
Chicago gang member sentenced to 34 years in deadly 2020 South Side gas station shooting
A Chicago man will spend 34 years in prison for killing another to increase his gang position and threatening a witness while in custody, the U.S. Attorney's Office, Northern District of Illinois announced on Thursday. Diontae Harper, 25, in a plea deal, admitted that he and another man shot and killed the victim who was sitting inside at a gas station in the 8600 block of South Halsted Street in Auburn Gresham on May 13, 2020. The victim in the shooting was identified by the office as Paul Harris. Harper admitted to committing the killings as a way to maintain and increase his position in the Faceworld street gang, known for engaging in violent crimes and trafficking narcotics based in the city's South Side. The office said that while Harper was in custody earlier this year, he made threatening statements directed toward a witness. Harper pleaded guilty in January to a federal charge of discharging a firearm during a crime of violence. Two others, including the second gunman and the getaway driver, have also pleaded guilty to committing murder in aid of racketeering and are awaiting sentencing.
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
WA drivers can soon add blood type to IDs under new law
This story was originally published on An act that allows people to voluntarily have their blood type placed on their driver's license or identification card has officially been signed into law by Governor Bob Ferguson. Senators Paul Harris (R-District 17), T'wina Nobles (D-District 28), Marcus Riccelli (D-District 03), and Shelly Short (R-District 07) sponsored the bill, Senate Bill 5689, in a bipartisan effort. The bill was initially delivered to the governor on April 22. Washington is among the first states to offer blood type information on state-issued IDs. Arkansas passed a similar bill earlier this year. 'This legislation will help first responders and trauma teams access vital information faster, reducing delays in critical care,' Ferguson said. 'In other words, this bill will literally save lives here in Washington State.' 'The legislature finds that including blood type information on drivers' licenses and identification cards can enhance emergency medical response, saving time and potentially lives in critical situations,' the bill read. 'This act is intended to provide individuals the option to voluntarily include their blood type on their state-issued identification documents.' The legislation will also require the Department of Licensing (DOL) to develop processes for individuals to submit blood type documentation when applying for or renewing their identification. This information will need to be verified by a licensed physician, a medical facility, or a blood donation organization. A small, one-time administrative fee may be administered for the processing of blood type designations. The law will go into effect on January 1, 2026. Follow Frank Sumrall on X. Send news tips here
