Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in Psyche.
Etsy and the £50 Scented Candle
Whilst browsing the realms of Etsy in order to find some bespoke candles, I was shocked to discover one of the candles on the site was listed for £50 (around $67 at the time of writing). I wondered why and so I clicked ahead. It was a candle, shaped like a Greek Statue, smelling of vanilla (apparently, though I know you can't smell things through a screen and an open candle smells lacklustre for those of us who know our candles) and perched on a piece of plastic. Yes, it looked quite pretty but apart from pouring candle wax into a mould and waiting for the whole thing to dry before cracking the mould off, I'm not sure what the candlemaker did to make it worth £50.
By Annie Kapurabout a month ago in Psyche
Grok and the Quiet Anxiety Around Machines That Understand Us
For years, people imagined artificial intelligence as something distant and mechanical. It lived in movies, research labs, and tech conferences far removed from everyday life. Then tools like Grok appeared, and that distance began to shrink. Suddenly, a system could read questions, respond with humor or seriousness, and follow complex conversations in a way that felt unsettlingly human. Grok is not just another name in the growing list of AI systems. It represents a moment where curiosity meets unease. People are fascinated by what it can do, yet unsure about what it means. To understand Grok, we need to look beyond features and focus on the feelings, questions, and quiet worries it brings with it.
By Muqadas khanabout a month ago in Psyche
Australia Over-the-Counter Pain Relievers Market: Self-Care Demand, Everyday Ailments & Accessible Relief. AI-Generated.
In 2025, Australia over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers market was valued at USD 23.69 Million. Looking ahead, the market is projected to reach USD 33.42 Million by 2034, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.90% during 2026–2034.
By Kevin Cooperabout a month ago in Psyche
Why Decluttering is a Journey - Not a One Time Fix
Beyond our stuff, material goods and possessions; there is more to decluttering our homes and personal space than simply asking the question as to whether or not each and every item in your home sparks joy. I am in awe of Marie Kondo and other minimalists who share and inspire in a noisy world of obsession and wanting more, more, and more each and every single day; yet the items in our home can cut beyond skin deep. The key is to also take inspiration from Jerry Seinfeld, and not allow our homes to be garbage processing centres, the latter of which anyone reading this article does not want. Read on.
By Justine Crowleyabout a month ago in Psyche
Toxic Movie Explained: Why This Film Feels Uncomfortable
Some films entertain. Some distract. And then there are films that sit with you long after the screen goes dark. The toxic movie falls into that last category. It is not easy to watch, and it does not try to be. From the first scenes, there is a quiet discomfort that grows with every moment. Characters make choices that feel wrong, yet familiar. Conversations feel heavy, even when nothing dramatic is happening. Viewers often finish the toxic movie feeling unsettled, unsure whether they liked it or not. That reaction is the point. This film forces us to look at harmful behavior, emotional control, and silent damage in ways that feel deeply personal. It asks us to notice what we often ignore in real life.
By Muqadas khanabout a month ago in Psyche
The Algorithmic Fragmentation of Cognition
Whitman Drake The contemporary media ecosystem is increasingly structured around algorithmic environments engineered to maximize user retention through high-velocity, behavior-responsive reinforcement schedules. Short-form video platforms such as TikTok and Instagram Reels exemplify this shift, replacing narrative continuity with rapidly sequenced fragments of audiovisual stimuli. This paper examines the neurological, psychological, and cultural implications of this transition for individuals under the age of thirty, a cohort whose cognitive development has unfolded within the architecture of digitally mediated attention. Drawing on research in neurobiology, behavioral economics, and media theory, the argument developed here is that the dominance of short-form, algorithmically curated content has contributed to a weakening of sustained attentional capacity, particularly as it relates to engagement with long-form narrative formats such as literature and cinema. What emerges is not merely a change in entertainment preference, but a structural reorganization of cognitive style (Hayles, 2007).
By Whitman Drakeabout a month ago in Psyche
How Partial Hospitalization Treatment Works in Your Area. AI-Generated.
When someone is struggling with mental health or substance use challenges, finding the right level of care can feel overwhelming. Not everyone needs 24/7 inpatient treatment, but traditional outpatient therapy may not be enough. This is where Partial Hospitalization Treatment, commonly known as PHP, becomes an effective and balanced option.
By Jordan Blakeabout a month ago in Psyche
