Science says taking selfies is good for you

It’s easy to hate on selfies and think they’re only for the self-obsessed. But a study from the University of Ohio and the University of Tubingen in Germany shows selfies can be more than just a way to show off your looks.

It’s deep, man

The study found that selfies can help capture moments’ deeper meaning and document physical experiences. In one experiment, participants rated the importance and meaningfulness of an experience by looking at a photo they weren’t in. 

Another group looked at photos featuring themselves — and that group was more likely to think of the bigger meaning of the moment. Makes sense when you think about it. When you see yourself there, you can picture a memory more clearly.

In real life

Maybe you don’t take many photos because you think selfies are silly. Hey, try it out. Next time you’re with loved ones, grab your phone and take a pic of everyone (you included)! That way, your selfies won’t just be alonies.

P.S. We all want to look good in pics. After all these years in broadcast, I’ve got the tricks that work.

20 happiest places to travel … based on selfies

We all get a limited number of vacation days each year, so when we travel, we’re all trying to get the most joy for our buck. 

Researchers used AI analysis of facial expressions in 63,000 Instagram photos taken at tourist destinations worldwide, showing that not all vacations are created equal — and some places are more grin-inducing than others. 

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You look good: The best selfies don’t have half the frame obscured by your arm. Instead of taking them the normal way, prop your phone against something and use the timer function to take your snap, giving yourself (and your pals) a few seconds to look your best.

New York's robot patrol fail

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Was a robot cop there to patrol or just to take selfies? Find out in this short podcast.

Think twice before snapping a ballot selfie: It might be illegal. Just ask Justin Timberlake, who posted a voting pic on Instagram in 2016, then deleted it after people in the comments schooled him on Tennessee law. Check your state here. Better yet, take a photo with your “I voted!” sticker instead.

5 major tech annoyances and how to fix them

If you’ve ever wandered around a hot parking lot searching for your car, you’ll love me for this tip.

These little tech tricks might make you think, “Why didn’t someone tell me that sooner?” I did! Tap or click for 10 incredibly useful iPhone and Android tricks that make your life easier.

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Delete your selfies from ID.me - You don't need this to do your taxes

Filing taxes is a chore that most people don’t want to deal with. Unfortunately, there is no way of getting around them. It should be a painless experience, but the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) made things more complex late last year.

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Gaza deepfake horror, Mac malware alert & IG small biz tricks

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Plus, too much phone time could be bad for your marriage. Bad news: Here’s how much your social media logins cost on the Dark Web. Also, how selfies could be a health risk and what’s up with AI hallucinations.

3 apps for couples to chat, share photos and leave love notes

The pandemic gave us more modern ways to connect with family and friends. Tap or click here to find out how to host a virtual get-together with friends and family. During the lockdown, physical contact was out of the question if you didn’t live with each other.

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Smile! Tricks to take better selfies

Selfies aren’t just a fad from the last several years. In fact, people have been taking them since as early as 1839, when Robert Cornelius took a self-portrait by sitting in front of an old-timey camera for an entire minute.

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