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The chairs stay occupied at 12 Pell.
Client after client, they come through the tiny barbershop on a narrow side street in Manhattan’s Chinatown. They come for the cuts, sure. But really, they’re coming for the cool.
From New York City, from the metro area, from many states away, they’re coming for what they see on 12 Pell’s lively social media accounts, where the young, predominantly Asian American barbers offer advice to teens and men of all ages and ethnicities with humor, quips, confidence and ease — and not a hint of hesitation.
Karho Leung, 34, embodies that. A son of Chinatown and one of the founders of 12 Pell, he wanted to start a business that reflected him – his creativity, his longstanding interest in fashion and style, his desire for “building the world that I want to live in … not asking for permission.”
About as American an idea as it gets, right? The hunger to make your own path, to find your own way, make your voice heard? In some ways, Leung is a case study for the latest incarnation of this. A look at social media and pop culture shows plenty of other Asian Americans of his and younger generations doing the same — in business, in politics, in content creation, in entertainment, in life.
If the space isn’t already there, they’re determined to create it.
This hasn’t always been the reality for many Americans
Any look at the country’s past shows that such an American reality hasn’t always belonged to everyone, including previous generations of Asian Americans. That American notion of having the freedom to stake out your own space? Oftentimes, that has meant less space for others.
Earlier generations of Asian Americans, some of whom have been here for well over a century and others whose roots trace to recent decades, have lived in the Americas where their immigrant-origin communities were smaller and regarded as intrinsically, unceasingly foreign. Americas where there was little mainstream familiarity with the countries Asians and Asian Americans traced their ancestries to, where there was no Internet or social media culture that encouraged people to define their own lives.
Instead, some stereotypes persist to this day — of otherness, of broken English speaking and passiveness, at times sneaky or suspicious, often eating some kind of strange, pungent food. Other iterations included nerds and geeks who could be assumed to ace the math test more readily than score the winning point in the game or being fashionable enough to offer style guidance.
But even as those stereotypes still do harm, they don’t have the same power in a country and time when many Americans now eat from a global plate; where yoga studios and henna tattoos, temples and cultural festivals are everywhere; where Asian American creators have some room to tell their own stories; and where the size, variety and geography of Asian American communities have increased dramatically in the last 20 years even as they remain a small part of the overall whole.
Those stereotypes don’t touch Leung — born in Maine and raised since childhood in Chinatown — the same way they impacted generations before him.
“It’s funny because even though I watched this type of stereotype and portrayal happen growing up, it never really resonated or hit me that that was what I was up against,” he says. “There’s a stigma that existed, but I always drove in my own lane.”
To claim space requires moving past old assumptions
Just ask Jeff Yang, 56, a writer who has spent decades chronicling Asian American communities and culture. When he’s asked if the cultural space that Leung inhabits and makes his own sounds like the world of Yang’s childhood, he laughs.
“I grew up in a world where I felt like everything about me was projected on me by other people,” Yang says. “The stories that were being told were all told by non-Asians about what I could do, who I could be, what I could look like.”
It’s not as if that world doesn’t still exist. Simran Anand, 27, was still part of just one of three South Asian families in Reading, Pennsylvania, growing up in the 2000s. She can relate, she says, to the sense earlier generations had of feeling culturally isolated in her day-to-day life when she stepped out of the family home.
But she had something they lacked — large-scale South Asian communities, like in Edison, New Jersey, where her parents went at least quarterly. A Sikh gurdwara about an hour away where she could learn about her faith. And the option, when she got to college, of choosing a school where she could join thriving South Asian student groups.
For her, it’s both-and, not either-or, a sensibility she takes to her jewelry company, BySimran, which she started a couple of years ago to create pieces that drew inspiration from South Asian designs but have been adapted to fit her sensibilities as a young American woman as well.
“I am American, but I’m also South Asian,” she says. “And I don’t have to be one or the other.”
Demetri Manabat, 23, agrees. Born and raised in Las Vegas to a Filipino father and Mexican mother, the spoken word artist readily acknowledges “it sounds like a different world” to hear his parents’ experiences growing up.
They didn’t teach him or his brothers Tagalog, one of the languages of the Philippines, or Spanish because “they grew up in a time where that was kind of frowned upon to be speaking a different language. And so they were under the assumption that that kind of perception would continue throughout my years, which it didn’t.”
“I always used to get so mad at my parents like, ‘Why don’t you teach me a language?’ And it wasn’t until recently that I was finally kind of able to grasp, it was nothing like it is now.”
A new generation emerges, with less self-consciousness
Alex Paik remembers. The 43-year-old Korean American artist came of age in a predominantly white suburb outside of Philadelphia and now lives in Los Angeles. “When I was growing up, it was like I either was not Korean enough or too Korean” — caught between his immigrant parents’ standards and the America around him, he says. “I felt like I was trying to measure up to these always moving goalposts.”
Today, he’s intrigued by watching his 11-year-old daughter. “She loves to read, and there’s so many stories now that are written by Asian American women that center Asian and Asian American girls as protagonists and I think that’s so cool,” he says. “I don’t know how it would affect your sense of self, but it must affect it somehow, so I’m really curious to see how she grows up … It’s just normal for her.”
He, Yang, and others point to multiple factors that have impacted the lives of Asian Americans over time, including the demographic reality that there are more, and bigger, communities across the country largely due to the 1965 reform of immigration laws. Globalization has played a hand as well, introducing cultures to each other as the world has gotten smaller. And there’s no overstating the role of the internet and technology.
Of course, there have always been those in America’s communities of Asian descent willing to be the groundbreakers, the pioneers in politics, protest, business, entertainment, and art. DJ Rekha is among them. In 1997, Rekha started Basement Bhangra, a monthly party at a Manhattan club that would last for 20 years and was the introduction for many to the beats and rhythm of Bhangra, a musical style originating in the Indian subcontinent.
“What I was thinking is not dissimilar from what anyone else who’s trying to create something is,” Rekha says. “You want to hopefully do things that feel authentic to you, that have an audience who connects with it.”
Paik thinks some of what he’s seeing in younger generations is also the natural outpouring that comes from a connection to the country that looks different to those born here than it does for immigrants.
“When you start with the assumption that you belong in a space, I feel like that changes how you approach things,” he says. “Whether or not that space actually wants you is kind of beside the point. There’s an attitude you carry, like, yeah, of course, this is my house, this is my country. I grew up here.”
And that last statement — “I grew up here” — is the operative engine as new generations of Asian Americans rise and claim their own space — even if the assumptions they make about what’s possible for them could be a bit unsettling for other generations.
“Previous generations, of course, they’re going to have that kind of like ‘what is going on’ moment,” Manabat says. “I do think that is the goal, to kind of have that moment of ‘This is insane,’ but it’s everything that you kind of hoped would happen.”
In short: building the world they want to live in. And not asking for permission.
Bells are ringing. Snow is glistening. But you’re bummed out.
You could be suffering from a case of the holiday blues, which experts say is not uncommon.
A strained relationship with family, for example, can make this time of year pretty lonely. The holidays are expensive, and financial woes can cause major stress. Anxiety about holiday anything can fuel depression and worsen existing mental health concerns.
“A lot of people at certain years can find the holidays to be more challenging than they have experienced in past years,” said Shilagh Mirgain, a psychologist at UW Health in Madison, Wisconsin. “It’s important to recognize the common humanity that others, too, are struggling.
“You’re not alone.”
Here’s what experts say you can do to make your holiday season a little more bearable, if not cheery.
Spending an extended amount of time with family is hard to avoid around the holidays, Mirgain said, but there are ways to make it a little easier.
“Certainly this year, I think with the recent election, there’s a lot of divisiveness and discord, and you’re probably having to interact with family members that have really opposing beliefs,” she said. “That can bring up strong emotions.”
Think about the boundaries you want to set: What kind of contact do you want to have with your family and how long are you prepared to be around them?
It’s also important to give yourself permission to exit the event — and have some strategies in place, she said. For example, if you need some space, go on a walk or run some errands.
And if stressful conversations come up, have some language ready to go to draw your boundaries quickly and firmly.
“You could say, ‘Gosh, thanks for asking, but I don’t talk politics over the holidays,’” Mirgain suggested.
If you have grief or are lonely, connect with others
The holidays can be difficult for people who are grieving or don’t have anyone nearby with whom to celebrate.
“Loneliness and isolation can feel exacerbated during the holiday season when you look around and it seems like everyone’s getting together and you don’t have plans, or you’re not looking forward to your plans,” Mirgain said.
Find ways to connect with people if that’s something you’re craving, like scheduling calls with people across the country or volunteering in your community.
“There’s so much opportunity to give back during this time, and I think generosity is one of the best things we can do for our own well-being,” she said.
And if you’re grieving the death of someone close to you, the holidays can be the perfect time to reflect on that person’s legacy, said Dr. Ellen Lee, a geriatric psychiatrist at UC San Diego Health.
“Try to honor that person by visiting their grave site or doing something they really loved to do, and then find people to share those memories with,” Lee said. She also advises people not to tamp down feelings but to let yourself grieve.
If money is making you anxious, reach out
Gifts, dinners, decorations — it’s all a lot to keep track of around this time of year, and it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. Those extra expenses and get-togethers can put more stress on your mental health.
For milder symptoms of depression, anxiety or mood issues, lean on tried-and-true methods of self-care, experts said, such as spending time doing something you love or watching a movie.
But it’s important to reach out for help if you start to feel mounting financial anxiety or intensifying symptoms that impair your ability to function. Early intervention can keep them from intensifying, Mirgain said, adding that if you have suicidal thoughts, reach out to your provider. You can also call or text 988 or chat at 988Lifeline.org.
If you are overwhelmed, set realistic expectations
Remember, your holidays don’t have to be a Hallmark movie. Give yourself permission to do it differently this year, Lee said.
“We have so many goals, so many targets,” she said. “Getting all the gifts, decorating the house perfectly … sometimes it’s helpful to sort of focus on the most important part of it.”
That can look different depending on who you are: The most important part may be spending time with people you don’t get to see often, or having a nice meal with your favorite foods.
Lee emphasized that it is fine to have a low-key celebration.
“I ask people, ‘What’s the best part of the holiday?’” she said, “It’s not usually about the decorations or all these extra things that we all spend a lot of time worrying about.”
What makes some people more intelligent than others? While we know that genetics and environment play important roles, scientists are increasingly looking at brain connectivity — how different parts of the brain communicate with each other — to understand why some minds seem naturally sharper. Scientists conclude that it’s not just specific brain regions that matter for intelligence, but rather how the entire brain coordinates and shares information across vast neural networks.
Just as the internet isn’t located in any single server but emerges from countless connected computers, intelligence appears to arise from coordinated activity across brain-wide networks rather than residing in any particular area. This new study, led by Jonas Thiele and Dr. Kirsten Hilger from the Department of Psychology at the Julius Maximilian University of Würzburg (JMU), provides compelling evidence for this “distributed intelligence” view by showing how patterns of brain connectivity can predict different types of intellectual abilities.
The research team analyzed data from a large-scale data-sharing project based in the U.S. called the Human Connectome Project. Using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) – an imaging method that measures changes in brain activity – they examined 806 healthy adults between ages 22-37, both at rest and while performing various mental tasks. Using advanced machine learning techniques — computer algorithms that can learn to spot patterns in complex data — they were able to predict participants’ intelligence scores by looking at how different brain regions communicated with each other.
3 types of intelligence
What sets this study apart from previous research is its focus on understanding rather than just prediction. “Many studies predicting intelligence from brain connections have been published in the last years and they also achieve quite good predictive performance,” Dr. Hilger says in a statement. However, the researchers questioned the deeper meaning of these predictions, since they would never be as accurate as direct intelligence tests. Instead, they aimed to “move away from the pure prediction of intelligence scores and instead better understand the fundamental processes in the brain.”
The researchers examined three distinct forms of intelligence: fluid intelligence (the ability to solve novel problems independent of existing knowledge or learned skills); crystallized intelligence (knowledge and skills acquired through education and experience); and general intelligence, which is a combination of both fluid and crystallized intelligence.
To help understand these concepts, you might think of fluid intelligence as your brain’s raw processing power for tackling new challenges — like figuring out a puzzle you’ve never seen before. Crystallized intelligence, in contrast, represents your accumulated knowledge and learned skills — everything from vocabulary to historical facts to job-specific expertise.
Researchers found they could predict intelligence scores just by looking at patterns of brain connectivity without any actual intelligence testing. On a scale where 0 means no predictive ability (like random guessing) and 1 means perfect prediction (like copying from an answer key), brain patterns predicted general intelligence with a correlation of 0.31 – roughly a third of the way to perfect prediction. The predictions were slightly less accurate for crystallized intelligence (0.27) and fluid intelligence (0.20).
While these numbers might seem modest, they’re quite meaningful in brain research, where the sheer complexity of the human mind makes perfect predictions nearly impossible. It’s similar to weather forecasting: even a 30% chance of rain represents significant predictive power given all the complex factors involved. The fact that scientists could predict any portion of intelligence scores just by looking at how different parts of the brain communicate with each other provides strong evidence that intelligence emerges from these brain-wide connection patterns.”
Brain connectivity matters most?
The research, published in PNAS Nexus, also reveals specific patterns in how different mental states related to intelligence prediction. The data showed that brain connectivity patterns measured during language tasks were particularly good at predicting general and fluid intelligence, while patterns measured across multiple different tasks were best for predicting crystallized intelligence. This suggests that different types of mental activity might reveal different aspects of intellectual capability.
One of the study’s most significant findings challenges traditional views about the localization of intelligence in the brain. While some brain networks, particularly those involved in attention, cognitive control, and self-reflection, showed stronger predictive power, the researchers found they could still predict intelligence reasonably well even when excluding entire brain networks from their analysis. As Hilger notes, “The interchangeability of the selected connections suggests that intelligence is a global property of the whole brain. We were able to predict intelligence not just from a specific set of brain connections, but from different combinations of connections distributed throughout the brain.”
This finding presents an interesting challenge to established theories of intelligence that often focus on specific brain areas, such as the prefrontal cortex. “The connections of brain regions proposed in the most popular neurocognitive models of intelligence produced better results than randomly selected connections,” Dr. Hilger explains. “However, the results were even better when complementary connections were added.” This suggests our understanding of intelligence’s neural basis may be incomplete and that considering brain-wide connectivity patterns could provide a more complete picture.
How coordinated is your noggin?
Through their analysis, the research team identified approximately 1,000 key neural connections that were most relevant for predicting intelligence. These connections formed a widely distributed network spanning the entire brain, with different patterns emerging for different types of intelligence. Thus, it’s clear that intelligence relies on coordinated activity across many brain regions rather than being concentrated in a few key areas.
These findings could potentially have important implications for future research and applications. For instance, they suggest that approaches focused on enhancing overall brain network function might be more promising than those targeting individual brain regions, though this remains to be tested. The results might also inform future studies of neurological disorders and cognitive development, though much more research would be needed to establish practical applications.
Dr. Hilger hopes this study will inspire a shift in how researchers approach the study of human cognition, encouraging more studies designed to improve our conceptual understanding rather than just prediction accuracy. This work reminds us that when it comes to understanding something as complex as human intelligence, asking the right questions may be just as important as finding precise answers.
Paper Summary
Methodology
The researchers used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to measure brain activity in participants during rest and while performing seven different tasks. They then calculated how different brain regions communicated with each other by measuring the correlation between their activity patterns – essentially creating a map of brain connectivity for each person. The team used artificial intelligence algorithms to learn which patterns of connectivity were most predictive of intelligence scores, which were measured through a battery of cognitive tests. This process was validated through multiple steps to ensure the findings were reliable and generalizable.
Results
The study found that brain connectivity patterns could predict general intelligence with a correlation of 0.31, crystallized intelligence with 0.27, and fluid intelligence with 0.20 (on a scale where 1.0 would be perfect prediction). While these numbers might seem modest, they represent significant predictive power for such complex psychological traits. The researchers identified about 1,000 neural connections that were most important for prediction, which varied depending on the type of intelligence and mental state being examined.
Limitations
The study had several important limitations. The participant sample was restricted to young adults aged 22-37, so the findings might not apply to children or older adults. The brain imaging was also limited to measuring static patterns of connectivity rather than how these patterns change over time. Additionally, the study used a relatively coarse division of the brain into 100 regions, potentially missing finer-scale patterns of connectivity.
Discussion and Takeaways
The research suggests that intelligence emerges from coordinated activity across widespread brain networks rather than being localized to specific regions. Different types of intelligence appear to have distinct neural signatures, even though they’re closely related behaviorally. The finding that brain-wide connectivity patterns predict intelligence, even when excluding major networks, suggests the brain has multiple redundant systems for supporting intelligent behavior – a potential evolutionary advantage that could help maintain cognitive function even if some brain regions are damaged.
Funding and Disclosures
The study was supported by the German Research Foundation, the Heinrich-Böll Foundation, and Indiana University’s Pervasive Technology Institute. The researchers declared no competing interests. Data came from the Human Connectome Project and the Amsterdam Open MRI Collection, both publicly funded research initiatives.
A new long-term study challenges the long-held belief that cannabis use leads to cognitive decline. Researchers from the University of Copenhagen tracked over 5,000 Danish men for 44 years, from their early 20s to their mid-60s, assessing their cognitive abilities at two points in time using standardized intelligence tests.
The study, published in Brain and Behavior, found that men who had used cannabis actually experienced slightly less cognitive decline than non-users.
The researchers analyzed factors such as age of first use and frequency of use, finding no significant correlation between these factors and the rate of cognitive decline. Notably, participants completed the same intelligence test at both time points, allowing for direct comparison of cognitive changes.
While statistically significant, the 1.3 IQ point difference is considered modest and may not have a substantial impact in real-world scenarios.
The researchers acknowledged that cannabis users tended to have slightly higher baseline intelligence and education, and were more likely to use tobacco and alcohol, highlighting the complex interplay of lifestyle factors. They also pointed to recent animal studies suggesting potential positive cognitive effects of certain cannabinoids, though these mechanisms are not fully understood in humans.
In summary, the study suggests that moderate past cannabis use may not significantly impair cognitive aging in men.
A recent survey reveals that over half of Americans have had to employ their “resting gift face” (RGF) during the holiday season, a term used to describe the expression people wear when receiving a gift that fails to meet expectations. Conducted by Talker Research for Scotch Brand, this poll surveyed 2,000 U.S. adults who celebrate winter holidays.
### Key Findings
- **Average Disappointment**: Over the past three years, respondents reported receiving an average of two gifts they disliked. The top factors contributing to gift disappointment included:
- Poor wrapping (14%)
- Crumpled or outdated wrapping materials (13%)
- Mismatched holiday themes (12%)
- **Polite Responses**: Despite their feelings, many Americans choose to respond courteously. The most common responses include:
- "Thank you for thinking of me" (27%)
- "I love it" (23%)
- "I really appreciate this" (21%)
- **Signs of Discontent**: The survey identified several behaviors indicating dissatisfaction with gifts:
- Avoiding eye contact (24%)
- Putting on a fake smile (20%)
- Changing tone of voice or overly praising the gift (16% each)
- **Awareness of Others' Reactions**: A significant portion of respondents (53%) claimed they could quickly discern when someone dislikes a gift, highlighting the social complexities surrounding gift-giving.
### Presentation Matters
The study also emphasized the importance of presentation in gift-giving. A majority of respondents (81%) believe that how a present looks is crucial, with many expressing that they derive joy from giving gifts rather than receiving them. Notably, those who consider themselves skilled at wrapping are more likely to feel disappointed by poorly wrapped gifts.
### Emotional Connections
When it comes to what makes a gift special, thoughtfulness stands out as the most valued aspect, with 42% of respondents citing it as key. Other factors include:
- Memories associated with the gift-giver (16%)
- Sentimental value (15%)
Interestingly, only 5% attributed significance to the monetary value of gifts, indicating that emotional connections play a more substantial role in recipients' joy.
### Expert Insights
Amber Kemp-Gerstel, a gift-wrapping expert and spokesperson for Scotch Brand, commented on the ritualistic nature of wrapping gifts. She noted that each fold and ribbon adds to the excitement and anticipation surrounding the gift, emphasizing that thoughtful wrapping can enhance the overall experience of giving.
In conclusion, while many Americans strive to maintain a positive demeanor during gift exchanges, the survey highlights a prevalent struggle with managing expectations and emotional responses during the holiday season.