Sangha of Auspicious Companions

Why These College Kids Are Swearing Off Smartphones

Meet Charlie Fisher, Seán Killingsworth, and Logan Lane — three college students embracing a new trend: ditching smartphones for classic flip phones. As part of the Reconnect Movement, they’re challenging relentless screen time with real-world interactions — painting, debates, and good old-fashioned hangouts. This retro revolution is a nod to presence. Fisher, 20, who a few years back was addicted to his smartphone, reports how being smartphone-free has affected his attention: “I’ve been seeing things more like when I was a kid.” While diving back into hobbies like music, Fisher and peers discover a presence often lost in our digital age. While some students completely relinguish the smartphone, many see the value of having a less distraction-prone alternative at least part of the time. Content creator Sammy Pallazzolo and two friends purchased flip phones during their first year of college after realizing all of their negative experiences from going out were tied to their cell phones. They take the flip phone with them when meeting up with friends in person. Experts attribute this shift to concerns over smartphone-induced anxiety and its impact on mental health. This growing movement is not just about reducing screen time, but reviving authentic connections.

Be The Change

Plan a no-phone day with your friends and embrace the moment through shared activities.

I Travelled the World Delivering Letters to Strangers

On a Galápagos Island, there is an old whisky barrel that has been used since 1793 to send mail back home. Originally used by sailors at port, it is now used by tourists. People leave a letter and take one that they are able to hand-deliver to its destination. Jonny Beardmore traveled to the island in 2022 while processing grief following the death of his father. He saw the barrel filled to the brim. He took a few home to New Zealand and delivered them to some grateful recipients. Their joy in receiving them brought him joy. Jonny had watched his Dad lose his ability to travel and physically communicate, so he wanted to honor him, and help raise awareness of motor neuron disease (MND). He returned to the island, “picked out 55 letters and postcards… covering at least 52 countries and spanning all seven continents.” His journey delivered joy to both the recipients and Jonny, and many became lifelong friends.

Be The Change

Write a letter to a friend, and deliver it yourself whether in person or virtually. Feel the joy!

Blind Skateboarder Opens ‘World-First’ Adaptive Skatepark

Dan Mancina enjoyed skateboarding at a young age, but by 22, he was almost completely blind because of a degenerative eye disease. “Now almost 38, he’s a professional skateboarder, relearning tricks, and even completing the course at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.” About seven years ago, Dan, thinking of others, dreamed of giving fellow visually impaired skaters a better experience. Now, the world’s first adaptive skatepark is a reality.Bottom of Form “Called ‘The Ranch,’ the 5,000-square-foot skatepark is completely accessible, allowing both seasoned low-vision boarders to take it for a spin and newcomers to the sport to feel welcome.” Dan also plans to host workshops, provide lessons, and influence adaptations in future public skateparks. “Traditionally, there’s not as many opportunities for sports for the blind, so, really, it’s just giving that as an option. Not everybody wants to skate, but everyone should have at least the opportunity to try it.”

Be The Change

What opportunity could you create for someone that is not readily available to them? It need not be grand; perhaps it is simply an opportunity to learn something new.

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How Shared Electric Cargo Bikes Are Changing Cities

In bustling cities like Boston, electric cargo bikes are slowly transforming urban transportation dynamics. Tim Reardon, a resident with a penchant for cycling, utilizes these bicycles to efficiently navigate city streets, transporting items from Christmas trees to groceries. CargoB, a local startup, is at the forefront of this shift, offering a cost-effective alternative to car rentals. Despite their growing popularity, challenges such as high purchase costs and the need for infrastructure improvements remain. Nonetheless, advocates believe these bikes can foster inclusivity and environmental responsibility, especially in dense urban areas where traditional transportation falls short.

Be The Change

Reduce your carbon footprint by walking, biking, or taking public transit instead of driving this week. See what personal habits and infrastructure improvements may be required to do this long-term.

Stranded Couple Receive 23 Days of Support From Loving Locals

Two travelers from France had barely begun their road trip when they found themselves in a serendipitous moment — their vehicle had collided with a kangaroo near Nannup, Australia. Left with a shattered car, the local community, where the population count is only 1,500 residents, enfolded them with warmth, transforming the wreckage into a 23-day odyssey of generosity. “We were unlucky, but in this unlucky we were lucky,” mused Florian, reflecting on the tidal wave of kindness that swept over them. The Jenkins family, alongside a town’s collective spirit, offered them not only shelter and fixes for their car, but also a profound lesson in humanity. Chance and community wove together, suggesting that good fortune is not only where you travel to, but also whom you meet along the way.

Be The Change

Turn someone’s misfortune into an unforgettable act of kindness, or do something small to uplift a stranger’s day.

Teens Invent Brain-Controlled Prosthetic Leg for Friend

In the corridors of a Texan high school, three young minds — Samuel Skotnikov, Changyoung Kim, and Eeshaan Prashanth — listened closely to their friend Aiden’s struggles with his prosthetic leg. Driven not by accolades but by empathy, they delved into the realm of prosthetics, crafting the NeuroFlex — a brain-controlled, low-cost bionic leg that seamlessly translates Aiden’s intent into motion through EEG technology. “It started around helping our friend,” explained Skotnikov. Their creation not only eased Aiden’s burden but also challenged the status quo of an expensive and cumbersome industry. Priced at around $1,000, their innovation starkly contrasts with traditional prosthetics designs that can cost up to $100,000. Winning the $50,000 first prize in a science fair that hosted 1,600 students from 60 countries was a nod to their brilliance; yet, the teens’ broader aim echoes the timeless truth of how innovation is born from the desire to help others, not just the pursuit of achievement. As Skotnikov aptly put it, “Do it for someone that you actually, genuinely want to help.”

Be The Change

Alchemize a setback or challenge into an opportunity to innovate.

Microscope with AI Spots Traffic Jams in Your Veins

Researchers in Japan have unveiled an innovative method for detecting blood clots using a cutting-edge microscope paired with artificial intelligence. Led by Dr. Kazutoshi Hirose at the University of Tokyo, the team developed an optical device that captures high-speed images of blood motion, identifying platelet aggregation which is a precursor to clots. “Just like traffic cameras capture every car on the road, our microscope captures thousands of images of blood cells in motion every second. … We then use artificial intelligence to analyze those images,” co-author Dr. Yuqi Zhou, a chemistry professor at the University of Tokyo stated in a media release. “The AI can tell whether it’s looking at a single platelet—like one car—or a clump of platelets, like a traffic jam, or even a white blood cell tagging along—like a police car caught in the jam.” This technique offers a less invasive alternative by requiring only a blood sample from the arm instead of complex procedures. The study, published in Nature Communications, highlights how this technology can enhance personalized treatment for coronary artery disease by providing insights into the effectiveness of anti-platelet medications. Such advancements could significantly reduce heart attack and stroke risks by refining patient care strategies.

Be The Change

Take a step to support health today. Walk or bike instead of drive to run an errand, carve out time for a new exercise routine, make that appointment you’ve been putting off, drop off food for someone recovering from a procedure, or simply offer a listening ear to support another’s mental health.