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Why you should rethink your Netflix binge
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All that "Netflix and chill" time might be taking a bigger toll than you think on your brain. - photo by Kenzie Inman
If you're one of Netflix's 40 million subscribers (or one of the many others who mooch off one of those subscriber's accounts) you've probably done your fair share of Netflix bingeing. While it's becoming more and more common, a new study from the journal JAMA Psychiatry published findings that the growing popularity of bingeing on your favorite TV shows on Netflix and other streaming sites isn't so great for your cognitive function as you age.

While it might be common knowledge that being a couch potato isn't a healthy behavior, the study is one of the first to find a definitive link between high amounts of television viewing and brain function.

The study evaluated 3,247 adults over the span of 25 years and assessed their "television viewing and physical activity" habits. The results of the study indicated adults with high amounts of television viewing (more than three hours a day) were almost two times "more likely to have poor cognitive performance" than active adults with low television viewing habits.

Considering that the average American starts these unhealthy television habits early with American children already at an average of "three to five hours of television every day" according to the Utah Department of Health, the results of the study are disconcerting. The Utah Department of Health's "Check Your Health" initiative also notes that "adults are just as affected, especially in regards to web-enabled cell phones and computer time at work."

But before you cancel that Netflix subscription, the results of the study weren't solely related to high amounts of television viewing. Instead it's a combination of those television habits with low physical activity (which is often a result of large amounts of television viewing) as "low physical activity was significantly associated with poor performance" on the assessments given to the participants of the study.

Although it may not be good news for all the binge watchers out there (anyone else watch a whole season of Gilmore Girls in one sitting?), it's just one more reason to follow your doctor's advice and stay physically active and exercise (as well as set that New Year's resolution to get in shape after the holidays too).
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Have You Seen This? Street musician slays with clarinet
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Better than almost every face-melting guitar or drum solo. - photo by Facebook video screenshot

THE BIG EASY — Yeah, yeah, we all know that New Orleans is stuffed to the gills will incredible musicians.

But knowing that fact and then hearing that fact are two different things. You can step into any number of jazz clubs on any given night on Bourbon Street, and you’ll probably be impressed with virtually every act. Or you can sit at home on your comfy couch and watch this featured video.

In the video, you’ll see a woman who is in the groove. She is swinging hard, and wailing on her clarinet with a practiced expertise that makes it sounds so easy.

From note one you’ll be drawn in; your appreciation will grow with every second, and then your face will melt off when you realize how incredible she really is.

If you’ve never played a woodwind or a brass, you may not know everything that comes with a performance like this. Lung capacity and breath control are huge factors in keeping your notes clear and loud, and hitting those high notes is especially difficult.

So when this woman hits that high note and holds it for several seconds, you know you’re dealing with an exceptional musician. It means she has worked hard for years to develop skill on top of her natural talent, and we get to benefit.

It kinda makes you wonder how we let people get away with mumble rap and autotune when talent like this exists in the world.

I wish this video were longer, and I wish I had more information about this woman, but as it is, we’ll just have to appreciate the little flavor of New Orleans jazz posted by the Facebook group Clarinet Life.

Street musician killing it on clarinet

She must have lungs of iron! Its inspiring hearing the upper registers being played so well.

Posted by Clarinet Life on Tuesday, December 11, 2018

Martha Ostergar is a writer who delights in the ridiculous that internet serves up, which means she's more than grateful that she gets to cruise the web for amazing videos to highlight for your viewing pleasure.
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