The world’s largest aircraft prepares for testing

We last heard about the Stratolaunch in August 2015, when Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen’s company Stratolaunch Systems announced plans for test flights with the massive airplane meant to help launch satellite-bearing rockets more efficiently. Those…

Essential is trying to build Android for the smart home

 Andy Rubin’s appearance at the Code Conference last night went a ways toward answering some lingering questions about his new company, Essential. But the conversation primarily centered around the startup’s upcoming phone — Rubin left the dialogue around the company’s take on a smart phone hub, Home, intentionally vague. But the CEO did take the opportunity to… Read More

NASA Parker Solar Probe sun mission named in honor of Eugene Parker

As promised, NASA has made an announcement related to its sun investigation mission, the now-formerly named Solar Probe Plus. The space agency, it turns out, has decided to change the mission’s name to Parker Solar Probe in honor of astrophysicist Eugene Parker who published a study in 1958 detailing a phenomenon that is now known as solar wind. “This is … Continue reading

iPhone 8 vs Galaxy Note 8 vs Essential Phone (leading the way)

Rumors and insider tips have given us a generally good idea of what’s to come with regard to Apple and Samsung’s next hero devices. The Galaxy Note 8 and the iPhone 8 – or iPhone Pro, if you prefer – are rumored to come with displays that cover nearly their entire frontside. As for the Essential Phone – we found … Continue reading

Elon Musk will quit Trump’s councils if US leaves Paris Agreement

With reports President Trump will pull the US from the Paris climate agreement, Tesla’s Elon Musk has confirmed he will withdraw from his advisory role should that happen. The Paris Agreement, otherwise known as the Paris climate accord, was finalized late last year, with more than a hundred countries committing “to undertake ambitious efforts to combat climate change and adapt … Continue reading

This Twitch streamer wants you to play the stock market with his money

Remember the glory days of TwitchPlaysPokemon? Twitch chat was working toward a common goal – beating Pokemon Red and Blue using only chat commands – and for that initial run, it was an incredible sight to see. Now, one Twitch streamer is giving us an evolution of the TwitchPlaysPokemon idea, but there’s more at stake than just beating a video … Continue reading

Google figured out the most misspelled word in every US state

Everybody has a word or two they can’t seem to spell correctly, and the go-to solution to get the correct spelling is usually Google. Open a web browser, navigate to Google, type in the word, and then get the correct spelling in the search results. That’s convenient for users, and it also provides Google with a bunch of data on … Continue reading

Apple’s Siri speaker to be an audiophile-pleasing smart home hub

Apple’s Siri speaker may well show itself at WWDC 2017, the company’s annual developer conference, next week, it’s reported, though it won’t ship until later in the year. The device, which will take on Amazon Echo and Google Home, will give Siri a physical embodiment within the home. However, it’ll also take on other tasks to help distinguish itself in … Continue reading

The Complicated Reason People Are Totally Fine With Rihanna's Weight Gain

When there is a noticeable change in a celebrity’s weight, especially if said celebrity is a woman, people talk about it. If she loses weight, fitness and entertainment blogs package it as a great makeover, a fresh start, or some other positive “transformation.” Onlookers cheer and congratulate them. We saw this happen with Gabby Sidibe, much to her chagrin. When a celebrity gains weight, those same publications speculate on whether or not she’s pregnant until they can rule it out. With procreation ruled out, people wonder if she’s sick, depressed, or undergoing some other life crisis. But when Rihanna gains weight, something different happens.

Bad Gal Riri has been spotted out, and it appears that she has gained a few pounds. While pregnancy speculations hit the gossip mill pretty quickly — as celebrity pregnancy rumors are wont to do — the claims were quickly lost in a sea of fans who seem to be pleased with the possibility that the Bajan singer will be better equipped to fill out a Fashion Nova body-con dress. Twitter was full of supporters who insisted that Rihanna looks great in her current state.

It’s worth noting that although this response marks a departure from the usual reaction to famous women gaining weight, I don’t think we should necessarily be jumping for joy just yet. The fact that we are having conversations about Rihanna’s body at all is a reminder of how much emphasis we still put on women’s appearance as important and valuable. And make no mistake about it, the celebration of Ri’s curves is about celebrating a different, but just as limiting, standard of beauty.

Many communities of color reject thinness as the ideal body type.

Many communities of color reject thinness as the ideal body type. For Black people in particular, someone like La La Anthony is closer to the “ideal” female form than Beyoncé or Rihanna are. It’s the reason Kim Kardashian is so marketable to Black women. The explosion of butt augmentation and YouTube videos like this one are further proof of this. Many people are cheering on Rihanna’s weight gain because it’s a sign that she’s moving toward that ideal thickness. I feel pretty confident that if Ri gains what people feel is too much weight, or is no longer proportionate to an hourglass, those celebratory emoji will turn to side-eyes.

But here’s some slightly unrelated news that we can definitely celebrate. In the midst of all of the talk about her weight, Twitter has still agreed that sacrificing one’s boyfriend to Rihanna, if only for a few moments, is also totally okay.

By: Sesali Bowen

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Hollywood Is Stepping Up To Change The Stigma Around Men And Therapy

While many public figures have worked to make mental health a less taboo topic, famous men in particular seem to be speaking out now more than ever.

In a very recent example, Peter Kraus, a contestant on The Bachelorette, started an open, honest conversation about going to therapy on his date with bachelorette Rachel Lindsay. 

“I saw a relationship therapist, and it actually helped me a lot, and I think it’s helping me a lot now to be more calm in my thoughts,” he said.

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But the trend stems far beyond reality television. Recently, Brad Pitt spoke about his experience with therapy, including the extremely relatable experience of seeing several mental health professionals before finding the right fit.

I think I spent a lot of time avoiding feelings,” Pitt told GQ Style. “And now I have no time left for that.”

Singer Zayn Malik opened up about his experience with an eating disorder and anxiety earlier this year. “How To Get Away With Murder” star Matt McGorry recently tweeted about the power of going to therapy as part of May’s Mental Health Awareness Month. Even hit television shows like “This Is Us” and “You’re The Worst” are tackling storylines about men dealing with mental health issues like anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder.

The pattern extends to the sports world. In a May interview with the mental health group Child Mind Institute, NFL player Brandon Marshall discussed how seeking help for borderline personality disorder transformed his life. 

“It’s extremely important that every time something comes up, I reach out to someone and let someone in, no matter how hard it is or difficult it is to express those feelings,” he said.

Marshall has been a mental health advocate for years (he even co-founded his own mental health organization, Project 375, as a way to dismantle negative stereotypes). But it’s candor like this ― whether it’s repeated or coming from a new public figure ― that has arguably contributed to the growing momentum that’s enabling more people to speak publicly about their experiences with mental health.

It’s extremely important that every time something comes up, I reach out to someone and let someone in, no matter how hard it is or difficult it is to express those feelings.
Brandon Marshall

The fact is that there are more celebrity men who are sharing their mental health experiences, according to Dan Reidenberg, executive director of Suicide Awareness Voices of Education. This is in stark contrast to the Hollywood of old, which movie stars and athletes were portrayed as invulnerable.

This kind of shift can be particularly beneficial for the boys and men who are watching along, Reidenberg says.

“It creates a wave of change that we’re all human and mental illnesses are not gender-selective,” Reidenberg told HuffPost. “When a public figure talks about their depression, anxiety, OCD or challenges with substance abuse, it begins to break down barriers and create conversations that for too long have been hidden.”

“You have that same person talk about being burdened by depression and beating it through therapy … and you’ve now made it possible for other males to see beyond the exterior,” he said.

Mental illnesses are not gender-selective.
Dan Reidenberg

Men are far less likely to seek treatment for mental illness, according to the American Psychological Association. And most crucially, A 2015 report found that men are more likely to not speak up if they’re having suicidal thoughts. 

That’s a dangerous problem considering suicide rates are on the rise, increasing by 24 percent in the last 15 years. Men, in particular, are susceptible to this public health problem, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Data from the organization shows middle-aged men are the most likely to die by suicide of any demographic. There’s also been a general uptick in suicide rates among males since 1999.

Treatment is hands down the most effective way to manage a mental health condition. Research shows techniques like therapy can help rewire the brain in a positive way over time. Some doctors will also prescribe medication or lifestyle changes to help ease the effects.

Reidenberg hopes more men heed this sentiment, particularly given the fact that they’re at risk for self harm.

“Things can and do get better, but you’ve got to start by being open and saying ‘something is wrong and I need help,’” Reidenberg stressed. “The sooner you do that, the sooner you can get your life back.”

Of course, you don’t need to be at risk for self-harm to seek professional support. Getting help as early as possible can help prevent mental health issues from escalating that far. You can also seek therapy for less serious matters as a way to maintain good psychological wellbeing in the face of stress or personal challenges.

Props to public figures for helping to deliver that message.

— This feed and its contents are the property of The Huffington Post, and use is subject to our terms. It may be used for personal consumption, but may not be distributed on a website.