🪞 The effects of looking in the mirror

It’s Friday, November 10 — people are talking about green sludge sightings in NYC, the psychological effects of looking in the mirror, and more.

As always, we’ve summarized and organized the different shades of perspective, so you can see the big picture quickly. Here at Shades we believe that seeing multiple points of view is the best way to stay informed.

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- Jeff (co-founder of Shades)

🧪 In the news: Green sludge in NYC

NYC residents noticed green slime on some city streets. What is it?

🧪 Concerned city dwellers posted pictures of green sludge coming from the sewers, but ABC7 explained that the green goo is just a dye for leak detection.

🧪 But Outkick said there's a different, more plausible explanation for all this: a real-life scene from Ghostbusters or Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.

🧪 @uma_johnny had a different take: The goo is proof that New York City is a cesspit. The city is the worst.

🧪 But the NY Post said that it really is just evidence of plumbers using dye to trace leaks.

🧪 2023 isn't the first time that green slime lined the streets of nyc. Insider pointed out that it's happened several times since 2017.

🪞 Cultural trend: Looking in the mirror

Manufactured mirrors are roughly 8000 years old. Are they helpful tools for introspection, or do they just make us feel bad?

🪞 Does looking in the mirror harm us or help us? Psychology Today says they help: They improve our sense of self, allow us to shift our perspective, and ground us in our bodies.

🪞 And Mindful adds that mirrors trigger crucial introspection. Seeing your reflection promotes mindfulness and self-learning, and should be part of your daily ritual.

🪞 But a writer for Today avoided mirrors for a week and experienced a big positive change in her self-perception. She cared a lot less about her appearance, and found it really freeing.

🪞 So did a writer for Stylist, and she loved it too. Many people struggle with body image issues — taking a break from the mirror can open your eyes to insecurity and help you own your flaws.

Quick hits

🏳‍⚧ The Vatican said transgender people can be baptized, serve as godparents, and be witnesses at religious weddings. (Reuters)

📸 The Hubble Space Telescope and the James Webb Space Telescope captured a space phenomenon called “MACS0416” 4.3 billion light-years from Earth. (CNN)

🇨🇦 Canadian PM Justin Trudeau spoke out after shots were fired at two Jewish schools in Montreal. (Reuters)

🏀 Former NBA player Andre Iguodala was named acting Executive Director of the National Basketball Players Association. (NBC Sports Bay Area)