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New 3D posters lean into empathy and engagement—making it easier to help missing people

When technology meets compassion.

3d posters, missing persons
Photo by Ehimetalor Akhere Unuabona on Unsplash

A little AI can go a long way.

When the Amber Alert came out in the 1990s, pictures of missing children on the backs of milk cartons became a thing of the past. But still, we see posters of missing people line telephone polls, grocery store windows and community bulletin boards. And what’s more, they continue to be easily ignored. Perhaps it’s time for another revamp.

Missing People, a London based charity, created digital billboards showing moving 3D portraits rather than static photos. Blinking eyes, head tilts, the works. You remember the double-take you made when you first discovered iPhone’s “live photos”? It feels a bit similar.

Not only that, but each bright pink “poster” has a clear, easily scannable QR code that can be used to spread the word about a missing individual on social media. With its immediacy and global reach, social media has had an ever-growing role in recovering missing persons. Having an easy way to share across social media platforms seems like an obvious improvement already.

This combination of technology and eye-catching visuals is all part of an initiative to get people more engaged in the missing persons search. After all, our fast-paced modern world makes it easy to turn a blind eye to what pops up in our periphery. How many times have you strolled past a traditional missing persons poster before forgetting it the minute you go to TikTok?

You’ll also notice that the words “help find” replace the word “missing.” This too is by design.

Anita Braga, behavioral science consultant at Influence at Work, which led the research for the project, explained that this subtle tweak can create a distinctly different outcome. “Very often people do want to act, but they feel like they don't have the means to, they feel a bit overwhelmed by the situation,” she said, according to The Independent. “Giving a clear call to action is a way to make them feel empowered and also feel empathy towards the person they're looking for.”

3d missing person poster

An example of a traditional missing persons poster.

www.nps.gov

It makes sense. Usually a poster with the word “MISSING” in big bold letters feels … less than hopeful. In addition to dread, sadness and alarm, there tends to be this finality to the situation. This person is missing, if not worse. That’s that. Language is such a powerful tool. It’s pretty amazing that when used intentionally, language can turn passive sympathy into compassionate action.

These interactive posters are still too new to truly test their efficacy, but they are getting some buzz. The Independent also reported Steve Martin, chief executive of Influence at Work, saying, “Even if a couple of dozen extra people see that image, they connect with it, they feel some empathy towards it, that could make the difference and it could help a family who has had their whole life not just disrupted but destroyed because they don’t know where their loved one is.”

This project feels like innovation at its best. Technology often disconnects us from one other, but it also has the potential to bring us closer. Who knows what impact this revamp will have, but the very notion that minds are coming together to use AI in this way feels like a positive move forward.

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5 ways people are going "all in" this week

From the silliest to the most sentimental, there are so many ways people are going “all in” on the internet this week. Here are our five favorites.

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There's something truly special about watching someone go "all in." This could mean throwing an elaborately themed birthday party for a Chihuahua (see below) or something a little simpler, like surprising someone with a long-anticipated birthday present. Whatever it is, going "all in" means total commitment—no holding back, no second-guessing, just passion and full-throttle enthusiasm. It means being fully present in the moment and creating something truly special as a result.

In this roundup, we’ve scoured the internet for the best examples of people going all in—those moments where passion, creativity, and total commitment take center stage. Some are silly, some are sentimental, but all of them are a reminder that giving 100% is the only way to truly leave a mark on this world. Buckle up—these folks didn’t just show up, they went all in.

1. The guy who learned Mandarin to propose

@yinrun_hello He secretly learned Chinese to Propose 😭😭😭 #fiance #proposal #engagement #love ♬ pluto projector - ☆

Talk about commitment. Getting married is the ultimate example of being "all in," but this guy takes it to a whole other level. Shared to social media by content creator Yinrun Huang, the emotional video captures a marriage proposal that's completely in Mandarin from a non-native speaker. That's right—this guy learned a whole language (and executed it pretty well) to win his girlfriend's hand in marriage. Not only are the words beautiful, his dedication is, too.

2. Kid-approved snacks that help local communities  

It’s scientifically proven that kids are brutally honest, unfiltered, and don’t hold back—which is why our friends at All In couldn’t resist sitting down with this group and getting their honest opinion. Are these snack bars really that good?

The Bite Size Board has spoken—and they’re all in. Not only are these snack bars delicious, they’re also an easy way to help people in need: Every time you buy a bar, 2% goes to a community to help them get fresh food.

Want to try these Board-approved treats? Snag a free box by signing up with your phone number on Aisle. Then grab two boxes of All In bars at Sprouts, snap a picture of your receipt, and text it through Aisle. They’ll Venmo or PayPal you back for the cost of one box. Easy and delicious.

3. This Chihuahua’s extravagant birthday bash

@phoebeparsons__ Tell me you’re a DINK family without telling me #chihuahua #dink #mexican ♬ EVERLASTING LOVE - GROWS

Do you love your dog? Would you throw a birthday party for them? How about a full-out celebration in a Mexican restaurant that includes banners, party hats, and the entire restaurant serenading him? Yeah, we thought not. These pet owners are absolutely "all in" on this dog's birthday, and we love to see it. Not only is this celebration extravagant and clearly well thought-out, people in the comments section are jokingly pointing out that taking a Chihuahua to a Mexican restaurant is a nod to the dog's cultural heritage. If that was intentional, this might be the best dog birthday party we've ever seen.

4. Truly unhinged (and maybe true?) Taylor Swift theories

@grindcitymedia did taylor swift drop super bowl hints? 😲 #swifties #nfl #taylorswift ♬ original sound - grindcitymedia

OK, whether you love Taylor Swift or not, you have to admit that her fans (known as “Swifties”) have an incredible commitment to the fandom (and an eye for detail). Case in point: Last week on her boyfriend’s podcast, Taylor announced the upcoming release of her new album, The Life of a Showgirl. The news was responsible for breaking the internet, and also for spurring a ton of fan theories about the future album and her future performances. In case you didn’t know, Swift is famous for dropping “Easter eggs” that hint at things she’ll be doing in the future, such as when she kept flashing peace signs and dropping the number 2 in her instagram posts in the weeks leading up to her double album “The Tortured Poets Department” in April 2024. This time, Swifties have taken to social media to discuss potential Easter eggs that were hidden throughout her podcast appearance. The latest theory? Her constant references to sourdough bread were actually Easter eggs hinting at a 2027 Super Bowl Halftime performance. Only time will tell if that's accurate, but the enthusiasm, the attention to detail, and the hours of research that must have gone into all these fan theories is truly something to behold.

5. This dirt bike birthday surprise 

@dmndboys_

This is why I look forward to fatherhood 🔥

♬ original sound - dmndboys_

These parents didn't give their kid a birthday present—they gave him the best birthday present of all time. Not only did the setup require a lot of thought and planning, but check out this kid's reaction. You can tell this was something he'd been wanting for a long time. Going "all out" and getting such a great response in return—it's something amazing to see.


Snag your free (!!) snack bars here while this deal lasts.

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Man reluctantly lets teens use his door camera to film a music video. It turned into a masterpiece.

"This gives me hope about the next generation of music," one viewer wrote.

@maplespetdinosaur/Instagram

The kids are alright!

The ‘90s/’00s music scene, especially genres like emo, pop-punk, and nu-metal, have been making a comeback—since the peak of COVID 19, really. Which makes a lot of sense. These styles originally emerged from a time of political and social upheaval as a way for young people to process what insanity was happening all around them and find a healthy way to let out their rage. This music still serves that purpose today, but with the added nostalgic effect of an “old-school” feel.

One teen band, called Maple’s Pet Dinosaur, has perfectly captured this gritty, retro vibe, not just in their now mega-viral song, “Lego,” but in the way they shot their music video…which just so happened to be filmed entirely on a neighbor's ring camera.

In the video, we see lead singer Maple Johns asking though the camera, “is it okay if we use your ring to make a music video, please?” to which the homeowner reluctantly replies, “Uh…yeah I guess…” (Is this part staged? Who knows? Who cares! It adds an awesome touch)

The band then immediately rocks out to a snippet from their song, which very much aligned with their ‘90s inspirations, which include Faith No More, Beastie Boys, and L7.

Watch:

Wasn’t that rad? Having it filmed via the ring cam gives such a fish-eye lens vibe, which all of us olds know is very apropos for the vibe they were going for. Many were even reminded of punk rock icons like Paramore and Avril Lavigne.

All in all, the video left viewers inspired for the future.

“Kids these days, you absolutely have to love their ingenuity. This generation rocks.”

“This gives me hope about the next generation of music. I legitimately enjoyed this song. And I can’t wait to see the whole video.”

'90s, band, music video, music, kids, pop punk Music video shot in fish-eye lens. media4.giphy.com

“Kids making garage bands a thing again is making this year a little better for me.”

In the comments section, the band shared that, like a lot of teens during lockdown, they began watching—and falling in love with— 90s/00s music videos, and were definitely trying to tap into that aesthetic for their own music. Mission accomplished.

'90s, gen alpha, kids, teens, cool, kids, alright The kids are all alright. media0.giphy.com

Pop-punk music has always been a distinct blend of catchy, dance-able (or at least headbang-able) beats paired with pretty emotionally raw lyrics depicting angst, heartbreak, and rebelling against the status quo. “Lego” certainly follows suit, as Johns said the song is a “bully diss track.”

“It’s for anyone who’s ever felt targeted and wants to fight back. A lot of songs about this topic are ‘in your feelings’ type ballads but I wanted to deliver a bully-beat down, a heavy ‘f*** you’ to anyone out there who tries to kill another person’s vibe and confidence. Writing this song gave me the strength to set boundaries and find my own people. Now I want to build that community further through this music.” (Life without Andy)

Just when you thought rock was dead, the kids prove they’ve got it handled. Give “Lego” a listen on Spotify, Apple Music, iTunes, and more.

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Tributes pour in honoring the legacy of ‘America’s favorite judge’ Frank Caprio

“A modern saint, role model. He left a wonderful legacy of love and compassion.”

Stephanie R. Pereira via Wikimedia Commons

Tributes pour in honoring legacy of Judge Frank Caprio

If you've perused the Internet at any point over the last decade or so, you've likely come across a video of Judge Frank Caprio. His cheerful disposition, compassion and kindness when ruling on traffic cases quickly made him a viral sensation. People who were fortunate enough to have him as their judge appreciated his approach to doling out consequences.

Recently, Judge Caprio's family announced his passing at the age of 88 from pancreatic cancer on his social media page. The post has been shared over 450K times by people who stood in his courtroom and celebrities alike. He was beloved by many and it didn't take long for tributes to flood in from those who will miss his presence in the world.

Judge Frank Caprio; judge caprio; caught in providence; frank caprio; judge caprio funeral; judge caprio death Judge Frank CaprioScreenshot Judge Caprio's Facebook

Caprio served as a chief judge of the Providence, Rhode Island municipal court, where many of his court cases were televised on Caught in Providence. It was clips from that local show shared to the Internet that catapulted him to social media fame. People couldn't get enough of this kind judge and his witty sense of humor. He was known for offering assistance or reducing fees so dramatically the person on the receiving end would burst into tears from relief.

The judge took his time to hear everyone out and ensure that he provided them with a fair chance to pay their fees without going broke. This is something courtroom attendees and viewers both appreciated about Judge Caprio. It's always said that kindness goes a long way but looking at the tributes to the late judge, it's clear that his kindness was life-changing for some.

One man pens a heartfelt response to the news of Judge Caprio's passing, saying, "Its rare that the passing of one man can be such a tragic loss for humanity, but this is one of those cases. He was a rare, beautiful soul, who always thought before he acted. He was a master at perspective, and always put himself in the other person's shoes. The bench has been missing him since he left, and now America and the rest of the world will miss him. I believe there's a beautiful place in Heaven for such outstanding people. Until we see you again Judge, please keep us safe from up above, the same as you did when you were with us. God bless you, your legacy, and your family. Prayers with all rest in peace sir."

Another says, "I will always remember him for his empathy, compassion, kindness and his true nature of being a human. His philosophy 'Just because you have authority, it does not mean you have to exercise that authority in a bad way.' Frank Caprio was more than a judge—he became a symbol of mercy, warmth and understanding within the justice system. May his soul find peace. May his family find the strength to overcome this loss."

Someone else remembers, "I’ll never forget when he excused the 90-year-old man off a ticket when he was going over the speed limit to bring his special needs 65-year-old son to a medical appointment."

"I went before Judge Caprio for a parking ticket. I was parked in the handicap spot cause I had a kidney stone and couldn't wait to go find a regular spot, I needed to get pain medication fast. He told me he was waiving the fine and if I ever needed to go to the hospital for that again, don't worry about where to park just go inside and come back and he would waive that ticket as well. Anytime I ever needed to. God bless that man!" another shares.

One person sums up Judge Caprio best, saying, "Now this is what it means to live a fulfilling life... This is what it means to make impact and touch people's life... This is what life is all about."

Judge Caprio's son David shares that services will be held for his father in Providence, Rhode Island on August 28 for Calling Hours and August 29 for the Funeral Mass. The younger Caprio says that further details will be available at a later time. In the meantime, if you'd like to honor Judge Caprio's legacy of kindness, the Filomena Fund, named after Judge Caprio's late mother, accepts donations that go towards helping to pay traffic tickets to those in need.

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Bizarre photo of Adele's face explains the viral phenomenon called the Thatcher effect

The 45-year-old optical illusion is still astounding people.

Credit: Condé Nast (through Vogue Taiwan)

Prepare to get Thatcherized.

Adele has a face that is chiseled into the public's mind. She's been a global icon for two decades with a number of mega hit albums and songs. But this photo might be the most unforgettable of all. Perhaps you’ve seen the image in question previously (it seems to make the rounds every couple of years). But in case you missed it—it’s Adele’s face. Normal, just upside down.

Only it’s not normal. In fact, when you turn Adele’s face right side up, what you notice is that her eyes and mouth were actually right-side up THE ENTIRE TIME, even though the entire head was upside down. So when you turn the head right side up, the eyes and mouth are now UPSIDE-DOWN—and you can’t unsee it. Do you feel like you're Alice in Wonderland yet?

Just wait. Things get even more fascinating. Especially because this optical illusion is over 40 years in the making.

Below you’ll find the Adele photo in question. Go ahead. Take a look at it. Then turn the image upside down.


adele, thatcher effect, psychology Can't. Unsee.scontent-lax3-2.xx.fbcdn.net

Crazy right? And just a little terrifying?

As the Facebook post explains, this mind-boggling image highlights a phenomenon known as the Thatcher effect. Our brains, so much more used to recognizing faces that are right-side up, have difficulty detecting specific changes once a face is upside down.

margaret thatcher, colleage of thatcher photos, thatcher effect Image manipulation illustrating the Thatcher effect. Rob Bogaerts Image manipulation: Phonebox

Seeing that everything is more or less where it should be, our brains don’t notice anything out of the ordinary in Adele’s face until we turn her face back to a normal position.

The Thatcher effect got its name from British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, on whose photograph it was first demonstrated back in 1980 by Peter Thompson, Professor of Psychology at York University.

This demonstration was one of the first to explore just how facial recognition works, and certainly the first to suggest that humans (and monkeys, it turns out) process faces on a more holistic level, rather than by individual components like lips and eyes. There's even evidence that rhesus monkeys and chimpanzees experience the Thatcher effect, meaning it may have deep roots in the evolutionary biology of mammals.

Since its publication, there has been a wealth of research exploring how our brain takes in both subtle and striking facial configurations.


- YouTube www.youtube.com


Funny enough, it was once believed that this illusion only worked on the Prime Minister’s face. But as Adele has proven, anyone can be Thatcherized.

This article originally appeared two years ago.

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People 'cooking for one' share their 13 practical tips for saving money and reducing waste

"I batch-cook more, freeze more, and I’m way less anxious about stuff going bad."

Image via Canva/corelens

People who 'cook for one' share their best money-saving tips that minimize food waste.

Cooking for one is a culinary challenge. Not only can cooking for one be difficult financially, but it can lead to food waste.

Thankfully, mastering how to cook for one is something a lot of single people and solo at-home chefs have nailed. They offered their best tips for how to cook for one person while still saving money and minimizing food waste.

These are 13 of the most useful tips to help people who live alone grocery shop, prep, and store food when cooking for one.

- YouTube www.youtube.com

"Make your freezer your best friend. Cook larger portions (soup, chili, curry, lasagna, etc.) and freeze in single-meal containers. Portion things right away like meat, bread, even pasta sauce cubes in ice trays. Future-you will thank you. A vacuum sealer or silicone freezer molds ('Soupercubes') make it easier." - illeatmyletter

"For freezing 'leftovers'...instead of containers, I use zip lock bags. I freeze them flat(ish) and then once frozen, they can stand up, almost like a filing system. Saves heaps of room in the freezer and you can write what they are above the zippy bits for the full filing system effect." - P2X-555

"Plan meals around one ingredient. If you buy cabbage (or any big veg), plan 2–3 different meals with it that week e.g. gyoza, slaw, stir-fry, soup. Herbs and sauces? Try to use them in multiple recipes so they don’t die in the fridge." - illeatmyletter

@simplysarahhart

Cooking for one certainly takes some getting used to but when you utilize your freezer and batch cooking, it gets easier. Freezer meals aren’t just for large families. You can make them as a single person.

"Another tip is to buy whole if possible - whole heads of lettuce, cabbage, peppers, etc. Lots of fresh veggies last much longer when whole than sliced. You can peel off leaves as you need them or buy when on sale and eat later." - mopasali

"Have a 'use it or lose it' shelf. Keep soon-to-expire food in one visible spot in the fridge so you don’t forget it." - illeatmyletter

@simplysarahhart

Cooking for one certainly takes some getting used to but when you utilize your freezer and batch cooking, it gets easier. Freezer meals aren’t just for large families. You can make them as a single person.


"Shop with purpose. Make the meal plan first, then shop for just those items. Buy smaller quantities when possible (butchers can weigh exact portions, some stores sell single carrots, etc.). Shop more often in smaller amounts rather than giant stock-ups." - illeatmyletter

"Think with framework by Ethan Chloebowski is actually decent, of thinking about ingredient(s) in a framework does saving food and leftover. Personally I'm following this, as it's pretty flexible, can with with eastern/asia and western recipes." - mell1suga

- YouTube www.youtube.com

"Flexible recipes are gold. Stir-fries, soups, casseroles, fried rice, stews, all are perfect for tossing in whatever you need to use up." - illeatmyletter

"Don't go grocery shopping or ordering groceries while hungry. You will select far more than planned and appropriate. The same applies to filling your plate and portioning your batch-cooked stuff, do this after you've eaten. Half the plate is reserved for the veggies. And of course every meal starts with a salad (with self-made dressing, usually a vinaigrette variation)." - MaxTheCatigator

"Accept some waste. Several people said: you won’t get it perfect, and that’s fine. Even a little less waste makes a big difference." - illeatmyletter

@fitgreenmind

SINGLE HOUSEHOLD RECIPES 👩‍🍳 Cooking for only one person can be harrrrd, so stay tuned for the next 6 recipes… delicious stuff is coming.😌 - REZEPTE FÜR EINE/N 👩‍🍳 Für nur eine Person zu kochen kann schwer sein, also freu dich auf die nächsten 6 Rezepte … es kommen sehr schmackofatze Sachen.😌 #easyveganmeals #easyrecipes#easyveganrecipes #quickrecipes #vegancooking

"Experiment & preserve. Try homemade kimchi, sauerkraut, or pickling if you’ve got too much cabbage/veg. Blanch and freeze produce for later. Don’t be afraid to freestyle, curry paste + shredded cabbage = surprisingly good meal." - illeatmyletter

"Make sure your fridge is actually cold. Most vegetables can last over a week in a fridge without losing quality. Idk how long we have had the now nub of cabbage in the fridge but it's still fine. Meat will usually last 5-7 days too if it's kept cold enough (ours has a 4th door). You just don't want it so cold it freezes foods. Also there's hot spots and cold spots that can be leveraged. Also how to store food, just about anything that off gasses (potatoes, apples, onions, etc) can most of the time be stored on the counter for a while. Keeping them in the fridge will cause other produce to spoil faster. What you do keep in the fridge, keep the slider vent to closed. Wash lettuce and wrap it in a kitchen towel and it keeps a while." - permalink_save

Keeping food fresh means more flexibility to use it up."Use helpful tools. A few folks mentioned that apps like Oh, a potato! or Cooklist can make it easier to spot recipes that use up what you’ve already got.. Even just keeping a notes app list of what’s in your fridge can help a lot." - illeatmyletter

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Obsessed cat dad builds an entirely feline-friendly miniature subway system with all the frills

Next stop, "Moonwatch Terrace.” 😻

Xing's World/Youtube

Can I go live in Cat Town, please?

We’ve all seen a lot of ingenuity come out of humans who wish to give their feline friends the best life possible—from custom aquariums to Wes Anderson-esque bedrooms to mini hotels. But a kitty subway? Now we’ve seen everything.

Astonishingly, it only took YouTube creator, cat dad, and DIY extraordinaire Xing Zhilei to build an entirely functioning, eerily realistic-looking subway system—complete with a working train, synchronized platform doors, signage with directions to places like “Moonwatch Terrace,” tunnels, and even a miniature escalator. Everything was meticulously designed to give his kitties as much of an authentic city experience as possible…save for maybe the constant train delays.

Watch below as a cat named Mr. Nice and his family set aboard as the subway’s first passengers. It truly feels like something out of a whimsical kid’s book.

- YouTube www.youtube.com

Perhaps this amazing build shouldn’t come as too much of a surprise. After all, Zhilei has built an entire Cat Town, one that features a Cybertruck, a spa, a supermarket, garage, bank, cinema, billiards hall, theater…just to name a few amenities.

@xings.world Mr Nice drives a CyberTruck. #catspa #cute #cutepets #可愛 #可愛いペット #cats #catsoftiktok ♬ original sound - Xing’s World


@xings.world I built a billiards room for my Cat! #xingsworld #xingzhilei #catsoftiktok #mrnice #可愛いペット #cutecat #cute #poolhall #billiards #catsubway ♬ original sound - Xing’s World


@xings.world #CatTheater ! Thank you to all the new followers! Please enjoy more of my recent projects. #cutecat #kawaii #xingzhilei #xingsworld #可愛いペット #catsubway ♬ original sound - Xing’s World

This feline-centric passion project all began with creating a cat-size condo that offered his fur babies a taste of “luxury” that he never had. Considering that that initial home boasted an elevator that actually goes up and down, a light-up video doorbell, a sink with actual flowing water, and swanky interior decor, we’d say that mission is certainly accomplished.

@xings.world Why did i make the mini home for pets? #可愛 #可愛いペット #cute #cutecat #cutepet ♬ original sound - Xing’s World

A lifelong tinkerer, Zhilei still had to learn many new skills to make this one-man dream a reality, from 3D modeling and printing to carpentry, welding, sewing, and painting, not to mention video editing skills in order to share his journey with all of us.

We all know the importance of pet enrichment, which provides a stimulating environment and activities that fulfill an animal's physical, behavioral, and emotional needs. Without it, our pets often aim to quell their anxiety and boredom with destructive behaviors. It goes without saying that Zhilei’s Cat Town takes it to the next level, and 99.9% don’t have the time, skills, resources, or space to accomplish such an impressive feat.

However (and luckily for us all), animals don’t need miniature subways in order to gain enrichment. There’s a whole wide world out there on the interwebs filled with simple, clever ideas. Adding in some cat-friendly greenery, DIY food puzzles, the whole “cat concrete” thing. It's real.

Still, next time we pet owners are getting a bit lazy and tossing a cat toy in a corner, maybe we’ll use these videos as inspiration to kick it up a notch.

To stay abreast of all the latest Cat Town updates, give Zhilei a follow on TikTok and YouTube.

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