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This comedian makes such a great point about racism that David Letterman applauds him on camera.

Comedian Aziz Ansari deserves a gold star for what he just said about his recent beef with billionaire media magnate Rupert Murdoch.

A little background: Rupert Murdoch (owner of just about everything on earth) tweeted the following message after the Charlie Hebdo massacre:

I'm trying to ignore the way he spelled "Muslims." I'm failing miserably.

Aziz Ansari, who grew up in a Muslim household, was understandably upset. And he released a string of tweets showing how flawed that logic is.

When he talked about it on an episode of "The Late Show With David Letterman," Dave had to give credit where it was due, and he gave Aziz a hand. Here are some of the best #RupertsFault tweets from Aziz himself:

And my favorite:

Good stuff, Aziz. Stay hilariously relevant.

See a clip from Aziz's appearance on "The Late Show" below:

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Culture

Woman gives tour of her $650 New York micro apartment and people were unprepared

Could you live in this apartment?

incognito7nyc/Flickr & Canva Photos

A woman ruffled some feathers with a tour of her $650 NYC micro apartment.

They say New York City is the City of Dreams. Young people all over the world flock to the city when they're ready to start chasing after their biggest ambitions. If you have a passion for theater, television, or the arts, there's no better place to be. Want to become a successful and prestigious stock broker, lawyer, or investment banker? It's all New York, baby. It's a city of immense opportunity and tough competition, but that's what makes it full of life and culture for those who choose to live there.

But all of that doesn't come cheap. The average rent in New York for even just a small, studio apartment is $3,264 per month. That buys you less than 500 square feet. And, even though it seems like you're really pinching pennies by living somewhere so cramped, that price tag is enormous! Even if you account for the higher-than-average salaries in New York.

Most young people just getting started in their careers can't afford that. Not to mention, the competition for good-quality apartments in New York is cutthroat. Still, people are desperate to live there by any means necessary, which has given rise to some really fascinating (and, in some cases, slightly horrifying) micro apartments.

In 2023, one woman went viral for showing off her New York micro apartment. It clocks in at just 80 square feet and cost her, at the time, a meager $650 per month.

new york, new york living, NYC, tiny apartment, micro apartment, apartment tour, budgeting, gen z, millennials, american dream If you like spending all your money on rent, New York is awesome! Giphy

YouTuber Caleb Simpson interviewed the woman, Alaina, for his channel that specializes in featuring interesting and unique living spaces. Alaina's apartment definitely qualifies, though technically the square footage is 80x150, because she's including the vertical space. Every square inch counts!

"So really it just feels like a walk-in closet," Simpson remarks upon entering through the front door.

Alaina shows Simpson around the apartment, which includes a tiny living room slash kitchen area with a mini-fridge, a small sink, and a small stove and microwave. In the main living area, she's placed a fold-out sofa of sorts. Alaina's makeup and pantry foods are all crammed into one small cabinet.

From there...well, there's not much left to see. But Alaina and Simpson check out the loft, which holds Alaina's bed and a little extra storage in the form of hooks where she hangs her bags and purses.

The apartment has no windows. There is a storage cupboard under the stairs, but it's hard to access.

"Every time I want to get something out, something else has to move," Alaina says.

As far as a bathroom, Alaina is lucky enough to have her very own private bathroom complete with shower! Many New York micro apartments feature communal or shared bathrooms, so the private bath is a plus for this tiny space. However, hers is located separate from her apartment, down the hall. And, you might be surprised to hear, it's extremely tiny.

Alaina admits she previously lived in a "luxury" apartment that cost over $3,000 per month, but she wanted to free up money to travel, which prompted her to downgrade.

Watch the whole tour here:

- YouTube www.youtube.com

Alaina says her tiny apartment was a "hot commodity" when she signed the lease, beating out tons of other prospective renters.

Commenters on the video, which has a staggering 24 million views, were more or less horrified at the conditions that New Yorkers were competing over:

"Firetrap . No exits , no windows with fresh air . Cooking with no air flow . Crazy this is even happening"

"I can't even breathe looking at this tiny apartment"

"'In a van, down by the river' has never sounded better."

"NYC should be ashamed and embarrassed to relegate people to live in this kind of space. Not only does it look uncomfortable / unhealty but It looks extremely dangerous. NYC should do better in providing affordable housing with decent square footage."

It's cool and scrappy that Alaina makes the pint-sized apartment work for her as she pursues her dream of living in New York City. We might find it claustrophobic, but the fact that multiple renters were fighting over this space really says a lot about the way our culture is moving.

Younger millennials and Gen Z are sick of chasing after the American Dream of the single-family home with a white picket fence and a golden retriever.

new york, new york living, NYC, tiny apartment, micro apartment, apartment tour, budgeting, gen z, millennials, american dream The City That Never Sleeps Giphy

It's hopelessly out of reach for many of them anyway due to skyrocketing housing prices and stagnant wages. So, they can work their fingers to the bone with multiple jobs and maybe afford a slightly better apartment, but still not be able to save enough for the future—or they could actually enjoy their life with the money they do have.

NBC News writes, "Several years out of Covid lockdowns, younger Americans’ outlays on things like travel, recreation and dining out have been outpacing their older peers’ even as the economy slows. As of last summer, the average Gen Zer or millennial was dropping over $400 a month on nonessentials, compared to about $250 for Gen Xers and less than $200 for baby boomers."

In another YouTube interview, Alaina admits to spending big money on her monthly gym membership: over $300 per month, to be exact. Commenters chastised her for having her priorities mixed up, but honestly, there's nothing backwards at all about wanting to relax at your gym's spa after a long day of work, or travel to the far ends of the world, versus spending all of your money on an OK-but-still-crappy apartment.

In an update in the YouTube video's caption, Simpson writes that Alaina chose not to renew her lease in the micro apartment after filming. But that doesn't mean she regrets her stay.

"It's an adventure," Alaina says. "People need a lot less than they think they need."

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Gen Xers who feel their age creeping up share 25 wise tips for aging well

"55's the new 35."

Image via Canva

Gen Xers share their healthy aging tips.

Gen X (people born from 1965 to 1980) are currently 45-60 years old. While they're a generation known for living full, happy lives...aging is one thing they can't escape.

In a Reddit subforum of Gen Xers, member ggoptimus posed the question: "What’s your Gen X getting old pro tip?" They went on to add, "I’ll share mine. Make the clock app on your iPhone a widget so you can read the time without grabbing your reading glasses."

Fellow Gen Xers had lots of aging advice to give. These are 25 life hacks from Gen Xers for how to age well.

aging, aging well, aging hacks, aging tips, getting old Aging Matt Damon GIF Giphy

"Don’t make plans when you’re in a good mood." —porkchopespresso

"Put things, especially tools, where they belong when you're done using them. Otherwise, you will never find them now." —freshcoastghost

"This reminded me of Stanley Kubrick’s house rules. Stanley Kubrick’s House Rules at Abbot Mead:

  1. If you open it, CLOSE IT!
  2. If you turn it on, TURN IT OFF!
  3. If you unlock it, LOCK IT!
  4. If you break it, REPAIR IT!
  5. If you can't fix it, CALL IN SOMEONE WHO CAN!
  6. If you borrow it, RETURN IT!
  7. If you use it, TAKE CARE OF IT!
  8. If you make a mess, CLEAN IT UP!
  9. If you move it, PUT IT BACK!
  10. If it belongs to someone else, GET PERMISSION TO USE IT!
  11. If you don't know how to operate it, LEAVE IT ALONE!
  12. If it doesn't concern you, DON'T MESS WITH IT!" —mrbaggy
"I have a list in Apple Notes where I quickly jot down where I put things and other notes to myself. It’s a sea of randomness. But it’s searchable." —wallix

smart, hacks, life hacks, life advice, aging advice Dj Khaled Compliment GIF Giphy

"In my phone contacts there is an entry called 'Me' which is my own phone number. I text myself notes. It's searchable." —ImCaffeinated_Chris
"How many healthy years do we have left? No one knows, so do the thing now while you can. Take the trip. Have the experience. Create memories." —Riffman42
"Squat to pick shit up." —Beliliou74
"Do not stop moving. Exercise, while tedious and lame, is how we prevent sh*t from breaking down (from one who stopped moving...)." —GornoP

exercise, exercising, working out, workout, keep moving the simpsons exercise GIF Giphy

"You should exercise and stay fit, but you’re too old to help a friend move. Help them pack, send them 50 bucks or whatever, but you’re not lifting squat." —TravelerMSY

"Distance yourself from crazy." —xgenerd

"Lose weight now. It gets harder and harder the longer you wait. Don’t put it off. Set a routine. Seriously. Same bed time. Same wake time. Be strict with it. If you have sleep apnea, use the damn CPAP machine. Just get used to it. Throw a hydration tablet or powder with electrolytes in your water in the morning. Walk any time you get the the chance. And get good at getting yourself up off the floor. You would be shocked how many years this will give you." —liquilife

"See live music. Buy the ticket see that show. Have concert pals and a spouse who enjoys the same. This allows you to maintain your social connections and have the enjoyment of live music." —zionzednem

concert, concerts, go to concert, seeing concerts, live shows Excited Hell Yeah GIF Giphy

"Drink water, eat fiber, look at your poop." —Strong_Molasses_6679

"Stretch.....and often." —pcadv

"Get tested for cancer." —RockHopper707

"Never pass up an opportunity to go pee." —rink_raptor

"The wooden backscratcher I bought for $1 at Dollar Tree is one of my best purchases! It hurts to contort to get at the itch in the middle of my back, plus it’s great for retrieving items from under the bed or on the floor. Make the investment!" —MyThrowaway787

back scratcher, back scratch, scratching, scratch, scratch help Dog Pug GIF by The Dodo Giphy

"Stay curious. Keep your GenX youthful outlook on things. I saw a shirt that Johnny Knoxville was wearing that said something like, 'F*ck Politics. Let’s Dance'. Don’t take shit too seriously. Don’t believe the hype. Don’t trust the media. Don’t trust politicians. These were ingrained in us as kids when we realized we couldn’t trust our parents or our teachers or the clergy. Be cool. Help where you can." —Beneficial_Fix_7287

"Forgive those who have wronged you. Family, friends, whomever. Life is short, and bitterness is toxic." —AppropriateQuantity3

"A daily oil self-massage (or at least 3x weekly) is the best anti-aging routine you can have. It keeps the entire body healthy by promoting circulation, creates a positive parasympathetic healing response, makes the mind calm and keeps the joints and connective tissue lubricated and firm. Look up Ayurvedic abhyanga on YouTube for how to do it. Best done with raw sesame oil (messy but really good for bone and muscle)." —ahamasmi

"Now that you have the time, learn to grow, build, create, and fix again. Even if the civilization doesn't fly apart you'll have a bunch of skills that give you a sense of satisfaction and stable control of your own personal 'right now'." —Fulghn

learn, learning, learning gif, study, always learn Learning Studying GIF by Mad Monkey Media Inc. Giphy

"Do LOTS of different kinds of puzzles. Word, memory, number, mazes, jigsaw, Rubik's cube, and etc., NOT just one kind/type. Your brain will only use the connections it needs for that specific puzzle category, and won't use the existing ones nor make new ones. I got a traumatic brain injury from a bad car wreck at 30 where I nearly died (not my fault). Puzzles are the reason I don't have the mentality of a 12 yo, like the doctors told my mom I was going to be. I can't work at a job again, but I can do everything else adults need to do. My short term memory is still not great; however, I also have less of a risk for dementia and Alzheimer's because I keep my brain active. If you don't use it, you lose it has been my motto since high school and it's definitely true." —MsTyped

"It's ok to opt out of everything. You have a choice. Also, get up and get going. Life is a fatal condition." —justpuddingonhairs

"Shoe horn. Changed my life & my shoes!" —1Steelghost1

"I stop, take a few breaths & remind myself 'Go slower.' 'Be mindful.'" —Justify-my-buy

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Married couple says the '3-Hour Night' hack has totally improved their marriage

“It's been so fun and such...a game changer for how our evenings go.”

@racheleehiggins/TikTok

Want out of a relationship rut? The Three hour night might be the perfect solution.

Almost every long term relationship suffers from a rut eventually. That goes especially for married partners who become parents and have the added responsibility of raising kids. Maintaining a connection is hard enough in this busy, fast-paced world. Top it off with making sure kids are awake, dressed, entertained, well fed, oh yeah, and alive…and you best believe all you have energy for at the end of the day is sitting on the couch barely making it through one episode of your favorite show on Netflix.

And yet, we know how important it is to maintain a connection with our spouses. Many of us just don’t know how to make that happen while juggling a million other things. According to one mom, a “three-hour night” could be just the thing to tick off multiple boxes on the to-do list while rekindling romance at the same time. Talk about the ultimate marriage hack.

bored, couple, marriage hack, man ywaning, concerned woman A couple that has lost their spark.via Canva/Photos

What is the 3-Hour Night marriage hack?

The three-hour night was something that Rachel Higgins and her husband began incorporating into their lives at the beginning of 2024. And so far, “it's been so fun and such...a game changer for how our evenings go,” she says in a clip posted to TikTok.

Before using the three-hour night, the evening would look a bit like this: their daughter would go to bed, they would lounge on the couch, scroll through social media, then fall asleep. Sound familiar?

But with a three-hour night, Higgins and her husband divvy up the time before bed into three sections, each for a different focus.In the first hour, starting around 7 p.m., is what Higgins calls “productive time,” during which the couple sees to any household chores that might need to be done.

“So, start with like a quick cleanup of the kitchen or just like things that accumulated throughout the day, and then we try to do something that either ... has been being put off or cleaning the bathroom or like organizing the pantry or hall closet or something like, super random like sharpening the knives. Anything that's productive for the household,” she explains.


@rachelleehiggins

if you’re stuck in a rut with your evenings try this! i saw someone do something similar to this a while ago but can’t remember who! #marriage #1sttimeparents #newyearsgoals

Next, the second hour is geared towards re-establishing a physical or emotional connection in their marriage. The phones go away, and they focus only on enjoying one another.

“So, that could be things like showering together or ‘having fun’ together, playing a game together, or just like anything that's gonna get you guys talking and connecting or like debriefing from the day or just like talking about what you're doing and like the plans for tomorrow or like how work's going or whatever. So, anything that's gonna connect and strengthen and build your marriage,” Higgins says.

Lastly, the final hour of the night is dedicated to anything Higgins and her husband individually want to do, any sort of personal recharge activity. Since this is a judgment-free time, Higgins states that “If you just want to lie on the couch and scroll your phone and watch TikToks or whatever, like watch YouTube videos,” it’s totally acceptable.

happy coupe, couple in bed, young married couple, man with beard, smiling woman A happy couple in bed.via Canva/Photos

Higgins’ novel approach definitely interested viewers, who chimed in with their own questions. One major concern was how the heck this could be done every night. But even Higgins admits that she and her husband don’t succeed at having a three-hour night every night—they usually try for about 3-4 times a week. And honestly, even once a week could still probably be beneficial in building intimacy.

"Such a good idea. Good for us empty nesters too! The phone scrolling is outta control!"one commenter wrote. "This is really cool. The housework is equal. The emotional connection is equal and the self care is equal. No room for resentment," another added. "We don’t have kids yet but I love this and want to do it because the nights slip away so fast!!" a commenter added.

Others wondered how to have a three-hour night when things randomly popped up in their schedule, like when kids won’t magically go to sleep promptly at 7pm. Higgins shares that in these cases, they tend to just shorten each phase. The point being: these can and probably should be customizable, even fun, rather than yet another rigid chore.

Plus, a three-hour night (or whatever your version of a three-hour night may be) is a great way to remind yourself just how high a priority your relationship has in your life, no matter what else is going on at the time. Odds are you'll probably find you do have more time for it than you previously thought.

This article originally appeared last year.

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Man coins a new identity marker with his explanation of 'outsidey' vs 'outdoorsy'

Outsidey people finally have a word to describe themselves.

Photo credit: Canva

Walking in nature and going on a hike are two different activities.

When you hear the word "outdoorsy," what image forms in your mind? Someone wearing boots and a backpack? A family camping in the mountains? Maybe a person you know who surfs in the summer, skis in the winter, and hikes any chance they get? An advertisement for REI?

Outdoorsy folks are a special breed of humans who don't merely enjoy nature but strive to experience it fully. They don't just look at the Earth as a beautiful place; they want to explore every inch of it. So where does that leave those of us who like to be in nature but don't have a single ounce of adrenaline-fueled desire to become one with it?

walking, skiing, outside, outdoors, outdoor activity Walking in the snow = outsidey. Skiing down a mountain = outdoorsy.Photo credit: Canva

Brandon (@atlas_catawba on TikTok) has the answer, and it's surprising it's taken this long for someone to come up with it. In a video with over 2.4 million views, he explains the difference between being outdoorsy and being "outsidey," and it's spot on.

"I always tell people I'm 'outsidey' and not outdoorsy. Now, what do I mean by this?" he begins. Standing in a "babbling brook," he points out that he's in the shallow water that barely covers his feet. "I'm not going to go out there," he says, pointing to the deep water in the middle of the creek. "That's outdoorsy."

@atlas_catawba

learn the difference 🍹🌳 #babblingbrooke #hiking #nationalpark #metropark #trekking

"I'm outsidey," he continues. "I'm just gonna stroll. I like to peruse. I like to gander, okay? Now, would I swim in the babbling brook? Absolutely not. That's outdoorsy. Now, will I have a nice table out there with some chairs and have a nice charcuterie board? Absolutely. Outsidey. Hiking? No. Charcuterie? Yes."

Brandon also posted a follow-up video explaining further.

"Outdoorsy is nature for adventure. Outsidey is nature for leisure," he says, giving examples like swimming in the ocean as outdoorsy and strolling on the shore as outsidey. Hiking, he says, can be outdoorsy or outsidey, depending on how it's done.

@atlas_catawba

Replying to @amandahugandkiss14 #outside #trekking #nationalpark #outdoors #hiking

"I am here to stroll," he says. "I am here to dilly-dally. I'm here to lollygag. I'm here to saunter. Nobody saunters anymore…I am here to frolic upon the meadow, over the hill, through the woods, down the rickety bridge. I want the troll to say his little riddle to me, okay?"

"Both are equally valid," he says, "but at the end of the day, I am not here for a mud run. I'm here for mushroom foraging."

People who are outsidey and have never had a word to describe themselves celebrated being recognized and shared their own examples illustrating the difference between them and people who are outdoorsy.

walking on the beach, surfing, ocean, outdoors, outdoorsy Walking on the beach = outsidey. Surfing = outdoorsy.Photo credit: Canva

"Swimming laps? No. Floating? Yes. Tents? No. Cabin? Yes."

"Outdoor rock climbing? No. Pumpkin patch? Absolutely."

"Swimming in the ocean? No. Playing in the waves like a lil mermaid? Yes."

"Mountaineering, no. meandering, yes."

"Bug spray? Yes. Bear spray? No."

"Outsidey = wore Birkenstocks on a hike; Outdoorsy = wore Merrell hiking boots on a hike."

"Outdorsy is hiking, rock climbing, rafting in the Grand Canyon. Outsidey is sitting in the porch at sunset with ac in the house behind you. It’s going to the beach and sitting on the beach watching the water."

walking outside, nature walk, hiking, backpacking, outdoors, outdoorsy Strolling outdoors = outsidey. Backpacking = outdoorsy.Photo credit: Canva

"Okay yes…AND let’s makes sure Outsidey people aren’t asking their outdoorsy friends to 'take them on a hike,' the ask is to 'walk on a nice path amongst nature.'"

"I hate that people don't understand I don't want to go hiking in the woods. I want to go on a nature walk through the woods. Same location, same activity, drastically different vibes."

In reality, all of us benefit from being outdoors, whether we outdoorsy people or outsidey people. According to the University of California, Davis, spending time in nature can help improve our cognitive abilities, our physical wellness, and our mental health. So whether you climb the mountain or gaze at it while strolling through the foothills, go ahead and fully embrace your outdoorsy or outsidey identity. It's good for you.

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Formerly 'awkward' person shares the 5 tricks he learned to become 'engaging' in 30 days

"I decided to treat every convo like an experiment, collect data on what actually makes people light up."

via Canva/Photos

A man and woman having a good conversation.

Do you get nervous in social situations because you’re not quite sure what to say? Do you dread exchanging hellos and then having an uncomfortable silence follow? Are you impressed by people who walk through social situations with confidence, who never seem to be at a loss for words, and whose company everyone seems to enjoy?

The good news is that if you are someone who feels socially awkward, you can overcome your discomfort by learning some basic communication tips that'll drastically improve your conversations. All it takes is studying the habits social butterflies use to be engaging conversationalists.

conversation, party, drinks, social situation, attention, listening Some friends talking at a party.via Canva/Photos

A Reddit user named Turbulent-Photo, who was admittedly awkward, began using some new conversational techniques, and in only 30 days, they went from being “awkward” to engaging. They shared the new skills they learned in a post on the Social Skills subforum. “I used to panic when someone asked a simple question like 'how's your day?' I’d give a one-word answer, then dip out. Then I decided to treat every convo like an experiment, collect data on what actually makes ppl light up,” they wrote before sharing five conversation hacks that helped them become a better conversationalist.

Note: The conversation tips have been edited for grammar and clarity.

Five conversation hacks to help you go from awkward to engaging

1. Active listening: “Instead of planning my next line, I just focused on their words, body language, tone, and it worked, mirroring their posture or repeating a key phrase (‘you said u love hiking?’), making them feel heard, and they open up.”

This trick is backed by science. Research shows that if you ask someone a question and two follow-up questions, it dramatically increases how likable you are. “We identify a robust and consistent relationship between question-asking and liking,” the study's authors wrote. “People who ask more questions, particularly follow-up questions, are better liked by their conversation partners.”

conversation, party, drinks, social situation, attention, listening A man and a woman chatting at a party.via Canva/Photos

2. Asking open-ended questions: Ditch ‘Did u have a good weekend?’ Try 'What was the highlight of your weekend?’ Suddenly they share stories, not just yes/no crap, and you got real convo material to build on.”

3. Storytelling: “Once I shared a 10-second tale bout freezing at the coffee shop, then joking with the barista, and people actually laughed. Vulnerability + humor = instant connection feels real.”

4. Body language: “I used to cross arms, look at the floor, classic ‘go away’ vibes. Then I uncrossed my arms, leaned in, kept my chest open, and people mirrored me back. Conversations flow even before I talk.”

Research shows that when someone likes you, they mirror your body language and movements. For example, if you’re seated, and the person likes you, they will mirror your seated posture. If you change your posture and then they adapt, it could be a big clue that someone likes you.

5. Affirmations: “‘That's a great point’ or ‘I hadn't thought of it that way’ cost nothing but boosts rapport big time.”

The interesting part about the five rules the Redditor shared is that most of them don’t involve you being the center of attention or having to wow the room with your amazing stories and anecdotes. It’s just about being a good listener, standing with intentional body language, and asking the right questions. Then, when you do take a moment to speak up, you’ll have an attentive conversation partner hanging on every word. Because you made them feel so comfortable and heard, they're happy to extend you the same courtesy.

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