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Fans had the best response after Emilia Clarke was mocked by gamer for sharing candid selfie

The comment sparked a bigger conversation about how we react to women aging.

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Fandom.com, @MillerStream/Twitter

An innocent selfie became the subject of harsh criticism.

Emilia Clarke is best known for her portrayal of Daenerys Targaryen in HBO’s fantasy series “Game of Thrones.” Clarke was 24 years old when she took on the iconic role, and during the filming process, she survived two life-threatening brain aneurysms. The actress has since become an advocate for other survivors of brain trauma, not to mention a fabulous role model for relentless optimism.

It is now 12 years after “Game of Thrones” premiered. Understandably, Clarke does not look the same way she did when she was a younger woman (after a lengthy stint in the makeup chair and under well-curated lighting, no less). And yet, a candid selfie that was posted to her Instagram received multiple remarks lamenting that her face looked different than it did over a decade ago.

Fans were quick to rush to Clarke’s defense, and in the process it led to a more universal conversation about how society often views women as they grow older.

The post in question was a photo sharing a gift from Clarke’s mom—a mug which read “You’re doing f**king great.”

“Mum got me a mug. I felt it was important to share this new found wisdom. Use it and reap the rewards 🤌💪🏻🥳❤️” Clarke wrote in the post’s caption.

While many fans shared their appreciation for Clarke’s infectious positivity, a few were, shall we say…not so kind.

Gamer Jon Miller shared a screenshot of Clarke’s post to Twitter, writing, “Lmao wow Daenerys Targaryen didn’t just hit the wall she flew into it full speed on a dragon.” While Miller’s wasn’t the only rude comment, this one in particular went viral.

Many people felt this was further proof that, especially with the rising popularity of cosmetic procedures and extreme beauty filters on social media, we have collectively forgotten that aging is a completely natural process.

One person wrote in a Twitter comment: “The rise of surgical and procedural interventions has seriously warped people’s perception and acceptance of other people.....checks notes..... aging naturally.”

Another quipped: “hitting a wall apparently means your eyes wrinkle a little when u smile now.”

And another added: “This is a normal looking woman?? Do people not know anymore how people outside of edited social media posts look like?????????”

As many pointed out, Clarke is far from the only woman to be criticized for showing a wrinkle or two. “This trend of shaming women for aging (which is uncontrollable and happens to everyone) is really weird,” wrote one person.

Thankfully, plenty of people noted how bonkers this viewpoint is.

One fan wrote: “Emilia Clarke was beautiful when she was 22, she’s still an extremely beautiful woman here. She’s just aged…which hasn’t made her any less beautiful. I fail to see the problem with this picture.”

Another said: “Aging is a privilege and doing it so naturally and with such grace in a world of filters and plastic surgery is even more so.”

Clarke herself has previously shared her own thoughts on aging, telling Elle: "You've got this idea of aging, and then you've got the idea of what aging makes you look like. At 34, I am wiser, more intelligent, I've had more experiences, I've done all this stuff, and I'm proud of that. You can only do that because you are the age you are. Time is the only thing that allows you to do those things. So, if my face is gonna reflect the time that I've spent on this earth, I'm down for that.

While it seems like the Mother of Dragons is far from fazed by any criticisms of her appearance, many people are impacted (and harmed) by unfair beauty standards. That’s why it’s important to bring these types of conversations to light. For as much progress as there has been, clearly there is still some work to do if we want to collectively move past treating women as though their value comes with an expiration date, and instead, let them just live their lives.

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5 ways people are going "All In" this week

From the silly to the sentimental, there are so many ways people like to go “all in” on something. Here are our five favorite examples this week.

5 ways people are going "All In" this week
5 ways people are going "All In" this week
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When you hear the words “all in,” what do you think? You might think of getting groovy at a nursing home, a french bulldog having a total breakdown in the drive-thru, or maybe even a snack bar company promoting self care. Whatever you picture, the idea is the same: Going “all in” means doing something with total commitment—literally giving it your “all” and going completely over the top. No second guessing, no holding back—just full-throttle enthusiasm with some creativity and flair thrown in. That’s how we get those viral internet moments we can’t stop watching.

This DWTS dance trend 

If you’ve been watching TV or on the internet this week, you might have seen the viral dance move Dylan Efron and Daniella Karagach performed while on Dancing With The Stars (DWTS) last week. The one particular move, where Dylan holds Daniella as she does a mid-air horizontal walk, is going viral with over 8k videos using the sound. Some of my personal favorites include a mom and her baby, two girls or a girl and her cat, proving this dance trend is truly for anyone to try.

All In on Fiber

Speaking of trends, there’s one that really is about going “all in”, it’s called #fibermaxxing. After years of protein being the biggest nutrition trend, it looks like fiber might be taking over. For good reason too, while protein can cause issues with digestion, fiber can lead to better digestion, blood sugar management, weight control and reduced disease risk. Our friends at All In made a video explaining the #fibermaxxing trend. Each All In bar has 6 to 7 grams of fiber , plus they are delicious. Don't take our word for it, though: Click here to try it yourself (for free).

This child's long hair

This creator went all in… on pranking the audience. I don’t want to give away the contents of this video, but let’s just say it’s creative- and it made me quite literally laugh out loud. There are a lot of "momfluencers" out there who make content that uses their children, and as relatable and heartfelt as it is, sometimes a little satire break is worth appreciating.

Two entrepreneurs getting down to business


Lots of people dabble in entrepreneurship. These two went "all in" on helping others learn it. After four years of interviews with CEOs , research, edits, and a Penguin Random House book deal (yes, seriously), their book, Down to Business, has made its way into classrooms and libraries around the world. Now they are teaching other kids that age is not a barrier to entry in entrepreneurship; the earlier you start, the further you can go—and an entrepreneurial mindset will serve you no matter what you do in life.

Bridesmaids who went all in

Last on our list; two bridesmaids who committed to the bit. These ladies went “all in” in their remake of the legendary scene from the movie “Bridesmaids”. If you haven’t seen the original movie, starring Kristen Wig and Maya Rudolph, this might be your sign.

In the viral TikTok this bride, Caroline, had no idea what was coming when she put on her favorite movie while getting ready for her big day. The fact that she wanted to watch her favorite show before her bridesmaids surprised her, makes this going “all in” surprise all the better.

Snag your free (!!) snack bar here while this deal lasts. Just pick up a bar at Sprouts and text a pic ofv your receipt to get it for free. Enoy!

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Beavers were brought to the desert to save a dying river. Six years later, here are the results.

Their engineering feats are pretty dam incredible.

beavers, beaver dam, animals, wildlife, ecosystem, nature, earth, sustainability, deserts, waterways, rivers, pollution, climate change
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Can outsider beavers save this dried up river?

It's not easy being a river in the desert under the best of circumstances. The ecosystem exists in a very delicate balance, allowing water sources to thrive in the harsh conditions. These water sources in otherwise extremely dry areas are vital to the survival of unique wildlife, agriculture, and even tourism as they provide fresh drinking water for the people who live nearby.

But man-made problems like climate change, over-farming, and pollution have made a tough job even tougher in some areas. Rivers in Utah and Colorado part of the Colorado River Basin have been barely surviving the extremely harsh drought season. When the riverbeds get too dry, fish and other aquatic creatures die off and the wildfire risk increases dramatically.

About six years ago, one team of researchers had a fascinating idea to restore the health of some of Utah's most vulnerable rivers: Bring in the beavers.

beavers, beaver dam, animals, wildlife, ecosystem, nature, earth, sustainability, deserts, waterways, rivers, pollution, climate change Beaver on riverbank. Canva Photos

In 2019, master's student Emma Doden and a team of researchers from Utah State University began a "translocation" project to bring displaced beavers to areas like Utah's Price River, in the hopes of bringing it back to life.

Why beavers? Well, it just makes dam sense! (Sorry.)

In all seriousness, beaver dams restrict the flow of water in some areas of a river, creating ponds and wetlands. In drought-stricken areas, fish and other wildlife can take refuge in the ponds while the rest of the river runs dry, thus riding out the danger until it rains again.

When beavers are present in a watershed, the benefits are unbelievable: Better water quality, healthier fish populations, better nutrient availability, and fewer or less severe wildfires.

It's why beavers have earned the title of "keystone species," or any animal that has a disproportionate impact on the ecosystem around them.

beaver, dam, dam building, nature, ecosystem Pbs Nature Swimming GIF by Nature on PBS Giphy

Doden and her team took beavers who were captured or removed from their original homes due to their being a "nuisance," interfering with infrastructure, or being endangered, and—after a short period of quarantine—were brought to the Price River.

Despite the research team's best efforts, not all the translocated beavers have survived or stayed put over the years. Some have trouble adapting to their new home and die off or are killed by predators, while others leave of their own accord.

But sine 2019, enough have stayed and built dams that the team is starting to see the results of the effort. In fact, beaver projects just like this one have been going on all over the state in recent years.

- YouTube youtu.be

The water levels in the river are now the healthiest they've been in years. The fish are thriving and Utah residents are overjoyed with the experiment's results.

According to an early 2025 column in The Salt Lake Tribune (i.e. six years after the beaver translocation began) the revitalization of the Price River has "helped save [our] Utah town."

"A tributary of the Colorado River, the Price River runs through downtown Helper," wrote column authors Lenise Peterman and Jordan Nielson. "On a warm day, you’re likely to find the river filled with tourists and locals kayaking, tubing and fishing along its shore. A decade ago, it was hard to imagine this scene—and the thriving recreation economy that comes with it—was possible."

Of course, it wasn't JUST the beavers. Other federal water cleanup investments helped remove debris, break down old and malfunctioning dams, and place tighter regulations on agriculture grazing in the area that depleted vital plant life.

But the experts know that the beavers, and their incredible engineering work, are the real MVPs.

beavers, beaver dam, animals, wildlife, ecosystem, nature, earth, sustainability, deserts, waterways, rivers, pollution, climate change An actual beaver dam on the now-thriving Price River Public Domain

In other drying, struggling rivers in the area, researchers are bringing in beavers and even creating manmade beaver dams. They're hoping that the critters will take over the job as the rivers get healthier.

Utah's San Rafael River, which is in bleak condition, is a prime candidate. In one area of the river, a natural flood inspired a host of beavers to return to the area and "riparian habitat along that stretch had increased by 230%, and it had the most diverse flow patterns of anywhere on the river," according to KUER.

It's hard to believe that beavers nearly went extinct during the heyday of the fur trapping industry, and continued to struggle as they were considered nuisances and pests. Now, they're getting the respect they deserve as engineer marvels, and their populations have rebounded due to better PR and conservation programs.

It's about dam time!

This article originally appeared in June.

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Introverted career coach shares 4 tips for introverts that make small talk less painful

Introverts can master the art of small talk.

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Photo credit: Canva

Tips for introverts on how to master small talk.

Small talk can be especially hard for introverts. While conversation may flow and come easily for extroverts, it can create a lot more anxiety and awkwardness for their counterparts.

Mastering small talk, however, is totally possible for introverts. Self-proclaimed introvert and career coach Cherrie Kwok, M.Ed., CCDP, shared her insights on four mindsets introverts can focus on when it comes to small talk.

She shared, "What I've learned is that you don't need to be an extrovert, the most social, or the most interesting person in the room, nor do you always have to have the right words to say."

Instead, these are four mindsets that will help small people master small talk.

chat, chatting, talk, small talk, small talking A group of people chat with one another.Photo credit: Canva

1. Focus on who you're talking with, not what you're talking about

According to Kwok, introverts can get caught up in where their conversation is going and whether or not it's coming off as boring. She shares a story about interacting with a next door neighbor. "He never needed anything from us or wanted to talk about something in particular, he simply wanted to chat," she explained.

Essentially, she highlights that introverts should keep in mind that "not every conversation needs to have a purpose".

Instead, Kwok adds, "What's important is that with each interaction, you're creating an opportunity to appreciate and get to know the person in front of you."

2. Small talks builds the foundation for deeper conversations and relationships down the road

For introverts, small talk may be approached as simply surface-level conversation, but Kwok says that introverts who think this way may be missing out on developing a quality relationship.

"Small talk is like the glue that builds trust, which is at the core of any meaningful relationship. It cultivates trust by creating a safe space where you can put another person at ease and signal to them that you're a friend, not foe," she explains. "When you're talking to someone for the first time, start by finding common ground. Focus on the situation you're both in, keep the questions light and avoid overly personal topics."

small talk, small talking, awkward small talk, small talk convo, the simpsons small talk Awkward The Simpsons GIF Giphy

3. Shift the focus away from yourself

Introverts can feel less anxious during small talk by getting out of their own heads and focusing on the person they are talking to.

"Overthinking just makes things worse. The more you focus on yourself, the more awkward you'll feel," says Kwok. "Instead, flip the script. Shift your focus away from yourself and onto the person you're talking to. Let them take center stage and direct the attention away from you. When you listen intently and focus on the other person, you are no longer caught up in your own thoughts."

small talk, small talking, tell more, talking, conversation Keep Going Jimmy Fallon GIF by The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon Giphy

4. Don't take it personally if a conversation doesn't flow

Kwok shares a story about a small talk conversation that happened between her and a woman at her gym that received a short response.

"My initial thought was, 'Maybe I don't look friendly enough or I asked a lame question," Kwok shares.

Rather than criticize herself, though, Kwok chose to put herself in the woman's shoes. "You can't always know what someone's going through by just looking at them. So, if the small talk doesn't flow or your conversation partner seems uninterested, don't beat yourself up over it," she said.

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10-year-old girl walks into police station and brings officers to tears with 2 simple words

She's been handing out handwritten cards to officers all over the country ever since.

police, cops, police officers, law enforcement, heroes, 10-year-old, thank you letters, kindness
Photo credit: Canva

A 10-year-old has been handing out Thank You cards to police officers across the country for years.

10-year-old Savannah Solis knew she had to do something. Per KHOUN, the girl from Tyler, Texas had heard the tragic news that two local police officers in New York had been murdered. The news, all the way back in 2015, brought her to tears.

Solis knew that, as a kid, there wasn't much she could do, to stop the bad guys, to make the world safer. But she dreamed of one day being a police officer herself and being able to help. As a 5-year-old, Solis says her mother had a heart attack and the first person to arrive and offer help was a police officer. She never forgot that officer's kindness and bravery.

Savannah’s mom, Debbie, recalled the immense love and support the girl had for police officers all over the world. Inspired and mesmerized by their line of duty, she hoped and wished only the best for each of them. “We would drive by and see them stopping somebody and in the backseat she would pray, asking God to take care of them,” the mom recounted.

In the meantime, she wanted the heroes in her own community to know that she cared. So she decided to write personal letters. Hundreds of them.

police, cops, police officers, law enforcement, heroes, 10-year-old, thank you letters, kindness a piece of paper with a heart drawn on it Photo by Immo Wegmann on Unsplash

Her letters had two words recurring each time, “Thank you.”

Furthermore, the girl explained as best as she could what their service meant to her and how grateful she was to them for saving lives.

During her Christmas break, the girl went all out making these letters and posting them—she even delivered a few personally to police departments all over Texas.

“You are my heroes. I want to say don’t stop, please don’t give up. Many do not care or appreciate the sacrifices you make every day. But I do,” the girl remarked. Savannah added a note of inspiration which read, “Many are standing with me today to let you know that you matter. Officers across Texas, you matter to me. Officers in New York City, you matter to me. Officers all across America, you matter to me. Please keep taking care of us.”

One of Solis' deliveries was caught on video, per KXAN, where officers were moved to tears by her gesture.

- YouTube www.youtube.com

She went about taking autographs of as many officers as she could. Debbie noted that her daughter didn’t want celebrity or artist autographs but those of the cops. All the officers are seen shaking hands and getting teary-eyed as they read the cards colored and highlighted with the title, “My hero.”

Austin Police Department Assistant Chief Jessica Robledo felt proud of the girl’s gesture and of the fact that their role was so valued in someone’s eyes.

“The words she spoke from her heart touched every single officer. I noticed everyone was trying to blink back tears. That’s what it’s all about. She is an old soul. She knows the right thing to say and I don’t think she even realizes the impact of her words on these officers and this department,” she remarked.

That was 10 years ago. As Solis grew up, she continued her personal outreach to police officers all over the country, letting them know that their bravery was appreciated.

She visited a precinct in Manchester, New Hampshire as recently in 2021 where she brought cards to the officers, met the K9 dogs, and was introduced to the police horses as well. Commenters were blown away that Solis was continuing the gesture after so many years.

"Savanna. Officers need that inspiration with everything going on today. You're remarkable for doing this."

"Amazing young lady right, thank you Savannah I appreciate all your efforts to show your appreciation for our men, woman, dogs and horses in blue"

"What an amazing young woman thank you for sharing this post and thank you for your service to our city. And all the law enforcement officers all over the Country."

Bravo, Savannah!

This article originally appeared in July. It has been updated.

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Billionaire Warren Buffett shares the one simple investment 'formula' to make everyday people richer

You don't even need extra money to start.

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USA International Trade Administration/Wikimedia Commons

Warren Buffett at the 2015 SelectUSA Investment Summit

For those who haven't heard, Warren Buffett has a lot of money. In fact, according to Forbes, at the ripe old age of 95, his net worth is 160 billion dollars, give or take day-to-day. (Bloomberg's Billionaire Index clocks him at around 150 billion.)

The thing about Buffett is he's also an incredibly generous philanthropist. A large percentage of his wealth has been given, as part of "The Giving Pledge" alongside Bill and Melinda Gates, to charitable organizations. Success Reporter Preston Fore writes for Fortune, "At the time of launch, the trio asked members of the ultra-rich to donate at least 50% of their wealth to charity, and Buffett specifically pledged to donate more than 99% of his wealth to philanthropy during his lifetime or at death."

Fore also notes that Buffett has given a lot. "In total, Buffett’s giving has reached over $60 billion—much of it to the Gates Foundation, which focuses on fighting poverty, disease, and inequity." As time has gone on, Buffett is more focused on leaving his three children money so that they too can invest in people, ideas, and philanthropic organizations to make a difference.

Speaking of investment, Buffett is adamant about sharing his tips with others. Not only does he donate generously, he genuinely seems to love giving advice, even to those of us with very little to invest. He has written many books, imparting his wisdom on young investors ready to jump in and make their own personal fortunes.

And the main formula for investing? "Invest in knowledge." In Deputy Associate Editor Mithilesh Jha's piece for The Financial Express, it's shared that Buffett "himself reads more than 500 pages daily." Buffett insists that we should all "go to bed smarter than when you woke up."

Writer Caleb Naysmith notes in Yahoo! Finance that Buffett has expressed that his one addictive vice, reading, is the reason he became so successful. And because he stressed the idea of going down rabbit holes of subjects that actually interest him, it leads to greater success. Naysmith mentions a few super cool investments Buffett made, helping to garner him billions. A couple of them include: "Coca-Cola (KO): In 1988, Buffett invested heavily in Coca-Cola despite negative sentiment following the 'New Coke' fiasco. His extensive reading helped him recognize the enduring strength of the brand and its business model, leading to one of his most successful investments."

warren buffett investments, coke, coca-cola, money, brands A person pulls a Coke from the cooler. Giphy Coca-Cola Party Soccer Gig

Another of Buffet's investments, American Express, was also facing a tough time in the 60s. "After a major financial scandal in the 1960s, Buffett’s deep understanding—built through research and reading—allowed him to see value where others saw only risk. His investment in American Express became another legendary win."

Knowledge is power, so once one has that, they can start small and grow big, like Buffett did. According to Investing.com, "By age six, he was selling chewing gum door to door; by age eleven, his father helped him to purchase his first stock—three shares of Cities Service Preferred at $38 apiece."

"The rules are simple. Rule #1: Don't lose money. Rule #2: Don't forget rule number one."

And for those of us who don't have much to begin with? Small investment can equal higher returns.

William Buffett gives advice on investing. www.youtube.com, The Long Term Investor

But, it should be stated that even though the old adage is "money makes the world go round," even Buffett attests to the fact that if one is in reasonably good condition (has food, a place to live, is relatively healthy) that love is the most important factor. He believes that if one is surrounded by love, especially as they get into their Golden Years, that's the biggest key to success.

Warren Buffett shares the key to success. www.youtube.com, Yahoo! Finance

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Gen Xers and Millennials get nostalgic about the distinct smells of Mr. Sketch scented markers

"I can totally smell this picture."

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Images via Reddit/mikeyv683, Porkchopp33

Mr. Sketch scented markers were a nostalgic part of Gen X and Millennials' childhoods.

A nostalgic smell is bringing Gen X and Millennials straight back to their childhoods: Mr. Sketch scented markers. The colorful markers were first released by Sanford Manufacturing Company in 1965.

Over on Reddit, Gen Xers and Millennials shared their memories of using the fragrant markers in the1970s, 1980s and 1990s. "I can totally smell this picture," one commented. "I can still hear the sound of the Styrofoam tray sliding out of the box. squeeeeeek," said another.

One Gen Xer noted, "I can still remember the ole 'here smell this one' as you jab their nose with it. It never got old and people would still lean in to smell." Another added, "The memory of these is so strong that I swear I can feel the resistance and pop of taking off those caps."

@tessaquinones

Let’s try vintage Mr. Sketch markers! #markers #mrsketch #scentedmarkers #review #newtome #vintage

Others discussed the scents themselves: "These are partly how I learned to appreciate black licorice. I love my scented markers," one wrote. Another shared, "Watermelon was my favorite." One said, "Orange all day long," while another shared, "The light blue was my absolute favorite [blueberry]."

The Mr. Sketch markers also produced lots of funny core childhood stories for Gen Xers and Millennials. "A kid in my 4th grade class drew directly on his nostrils to smell these continuously," one wrote. Another shared, "Had a teacher in elementary who if you got a good grade on a test would mark your paper in whatever color scent you wanted right at your desk (she would mark it with a red unscented marker at her desk if it was bad). I would choose either purple grape, or dark green apple then spend a good 10-15 minutes smelling it until the scent went away as it dried."

@eightiesgirltok

What in the forever chemicals is going on here!? 😂 Shocked most of these still worked and kept their scents! Do you remember Mr. Sketch markers? #80s #90s #nostalgia #childhoodmemories #markers #mrsketch #scentedmarkers #totally80s #ilovethe80s #blastfromthepast #backintheday #eightiesgirls #80skid

The smell of Mr. Sketch markers brings Gen Xers and Millennials straight back to childhood. Which makes sense—smell is deeply connected to memory and nostalgia in our brains.

In a 2024 article for Harvard Medicine, Sandeep Robert Datta, a professor of neurobiology at Harvard Medical School, explained that, "Our ancient ancestors relied on smell to build maps of their surroundings and remember where they’d been." She added, "You can think of the original brain as being a sense of smell plus a sense of navigation plus a sense of memory. That explains why all those structures are so intimately connected, and why odor memories are so evocative."

And when the odor sensors in the nose are met with a familiar smell, Datta added it is "like a key being inserted into a lock" of memories.

@jennajennajenn

#fyp #foryoupage #childhoodmemories #markers #relateable #scents

According to USA Today, Mr. Sketch markers had a relaunch in 2014 when the brand released its first television advertising campaign with new marker sets, including a Movie Night pack (with smells like popcorn and nacho cheese) and a Holiday pack (complete with candy cane and sugar cookie scents). Mr. Sketch is now owned by Newell Brands.

Today, the Mr. Sketch brand boasts 12 core scents: raspberry, watermelon, cherry, orange, banana, mint, apple, fruit punch, blueberry, grape, cinnamon, and licorice. It has also expanded to scented crayons.

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