What does it mean to be truly intelligent? While IQ tests have long been used to measure cognitive ability, intelligence is often more about problem-solving and reasoning than test scores. A simple yet surprisingly effective way to assess logical thinking is the Cognitive Reflection Test (CRT)—a three-question challenge that has puzzled test-takers for years.
Representative Image Source: Pexels | Yan Krukov
Yale professor Shane Frederick introduced the CRT in a 2005 study published in the Journal of Economic Perspectives. Unlike traditional IQ tests, this one aims to determine whether a person relies on instinctive responses or engages in deeper analytical thinking. The questions appear straightforward, but their deceptive nature often leads to incorrect answers. Here they are:
A bat and a ball together cost $1.10. The bat is $1.00 more expensive than the ball. How much does the ball cost?
If five machines take five minutes to produce five widgets, how long would 100 machines take to make 100 widgets?
A lake contains a patch of lily pads that doubles in size every day. If the lake is fully covered on day 48, when was it half-covered?
The test’s simplicity is what makes it so tricky. According to Frederick’s research, the correct answers are 5 cents, 5 minutes, and 47 days. However, many people instinctively arrive at the wrong conclusions, demonstrating the difference between quick intuition and deliberate reasoning.
A detailed breakdown of the answers shows why so many get them wrong. For the first question, a common mistake is assuming the ball costs 10 cents. That response seems logical at first glance but doesn't hold up mathematically. If the ball were 10 cents, the bat would be $1.10, making the total $1.20 instead of $1.10. Setting up an equation—x + (x + 1) = 1.10—solves for x = 0.05, meaning the ball costs 5 cents.
"Despite the diversity of phenomena related to IQ, few have attempted to understand—or even describe—its influences on judgment and decision making."
— Shane Frederick
The second question follows a similar pattern of misinterpretation. Some test-takers assume that if 5 machines take 5 minutes, then 100 machines must take 100 minutes. In reality, productivity scales proportionally. If 5 machines make 5 widgets in 5 minutes, then 100 machines—working at the same rate—would still complete 100 widgets in 5 minutes.
Representative Image Source: Pexels | Pixabay
Perhaps the trickiest question of all is the lily pad problem. A frequent mistake is to assume the lake was half-covered at the halfway point—24 days. However, since the patch doubles each day, the correct answer is 47 days, because on the final day, the patch simply doubled from its previous size.
The original study conducted by Frederick gathered responses from 3,428 participants across 35 studies over a span of 26 months. Many of the test-takers were university students from various institutions, receiving $8 to complete a 45-minute questionnaire. The test was designed to measure time preference and risk preference, revealing how people make decisions based on instinct versus analysis.
"System 1 thinkers respond spontaneously, often making mistakes, while System 2 thinkers engage in effortful thought processes."
— Shane Frederick
The test aligns with the research of Nobel Prize-winning psychologist Daniel Kahneman, who identified two modes of thinking. System 1 is fast and automatic, leading to quick but often incorrect answers. System 2 is slower, requiring effort and analysis, but producing more accurate results. Participants who immediately responded with 10 cents, 100 minutes, or 24 days were engaging in System 1 thinking, while those who paused to think through the logic correctly used System 2.
Beyond just answering test questions, cognitive ability is linked to real-world outcomes. According to Frederick, individuals with strong cognitive skills tend to earn more, have better working memory, live longer, and react faster. While traditional IQ tests remain a benchmark for intelligence, the CRT offers a fascinating glimpse into how people process information and make decisions.
NASA’s SpaceX Crew-8 astronauts from right to left NASA astronauts Jeanette Epps, Matthew Dominick, and Michael Barratt, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Alexander Grebenki.
In late October 2024, SpaceX Crew-8 completed NASA’s latest commercial crew rotation mission to the International Space Station with a splashdown near Pensacola. But rather than an easy transition back to normal life, three of the returning astronauts landed briefly in the hospital. Once discharged, they faced reporters and described the unexpected difficulties of reacclimating to Earth after 235 days in space.
Photographers at NASA capture the night sky Tuesday, Jan. 30, 2024, on a beach near the agency’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.Photo by NASA/Glenn Benson via KSC
Speaking at a November 8 press briefing, NASA astronauts Matthew Dominick, Michael Barratt, and Jeanette Epps declined to share specifics regarding their hospital stay, citing “medical privacy.” Instead, they offered candid details about life on solid ground. Dominick, quoted by CNN, admitted, “I’m a first-time flyer, and fascinated by the readaptation. The big things you expect—being disoriented, being dizzy. But the little things like just sitting in a hard chair. My backside has not really sat in a hard thing for (235) days.” He recalled opting to lie on his lawn instead of continuing a family dinner, because “too uncomfortable” was how he described the chair.
"I’m a first-time flyer, and fascinated by the readaptation." — Matthew Dominick
NASA astronaut Matthew Dominick, commander of NASA’s SpaceX Crew-8 mission, is suited up to participate in a Crew Equipment Interface Test (CEIT) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida on Friday, Jan. 12, 2024.Photo by SpaceX
“You’re going to space,” he joked, “it’s going to be hard to sit on a hard chair.” Meanwhile, Epps—who served as a mission specialist—acknowledged the surprising “weight and heaviness of things” on Earth, confessing that lying down is her go-to whenever possible. “Every day is better than the day before,” she added.
"Every day is better than the day before." — Jeanette Epps
NASA astronaut Jeanette Epps, mission specialist of NASA’s SpaceX Crew-8 mission, is suited up to participate in a Crew Equipment Interface Test (CEIT) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida on Friday, Jan. 12, 2024.Photo by SpaceX
Noting the importance of regaining strength, Epps said, “You have to exercise every day, otherwise you don’t get those gains. You have to move regardless of how exhausted you feel.” She also thanked her supporters in Syracuse—her hometown—for an outpouring of encouragement, stating, “Life is different for me now just in the sense of how much I appreciate everything that Syracuse and my friends there have done for me.”
At the beginning of the press event, Barratt politely asked reporters to avoid grilling them about the hospital stay. Even so, multiple questions centered on the trio’s medical detour. Addressing one query, Dominick clarified that discussing the issue isn’t off-limits because he’s “uncomfortable,” but rather due to personal privacy. Later, NASA explained that rushing the astronauts to medical care was done “out of an abundance of caution.” The agency also revealed that one crew member remained hospitalized overnight with a specific medical concern, though all have since resumed recovery.
A TikTok video once raised alarms about hotel room security after demonstrating a device that could open doors from the outside. User braccozz posted a clip showing how a simple twisted wire could be inserted under a door, looped around the handle, and pulled to open the door. The video gained over 13.4 million views before being deleted, but not before sparking widespread concern.
"If you ever see this come under the door, run IMMEDIATELY."
— @braccozz
One woman’s real-life encounter with the hotel door hack
Before the original video disappeared, it reached TikTok user josiebowers10, who shared a terrifying experience from her teenage years. Bowers, from Canada, recalled how someone tried to break into her hotel room using the same method when she was 15 years old and on vacation in Ocean City, Maryland.
Representative Image: Using the chain and leaving a hanger are important steps. Canva
"I've actually had this happen to me before when I was on vacation," Bowers said in a TikTok video with over 10 million views. "I was staying in Ocean City, at the Hilton, right there on the waterfront, and I went to go shower before the rest of my family was done at the beach. So I was by myself. Before I could shower, I heard these noises. I went to see what it was, and it was this contraption. I was just standing there in my towel, and this man opened the door."
"I was just standing there in my towel, and this man opened the door."
— @josiebowers10
She immediately slammed the door shut and secured the deadlock, but she could still hear voices outside. Then, one of the men tried to trick her into opening the door by claiming to be hotel staff.
"They told me my 'key thing isn't working' and that they’d come to fix my 'keypad,'" she said. At first, she hesitated, but something didn’t feel right.
"Never let people know you are alone."
— @josiebowers10
Remembering advice from her stepdad, a police officer, Bowers quickly pretended to call out to her dad, saying someone was at the door to fix the keypad. The moment the men heard her, they left.
A similar case in San Jose
Bowers’ experience isn’t an isolated one. NBC Bay Area reported on a woman named Deborah who faced a terrifying situation at a Holiday Inn near the San Jose airport. She was in her room Wednesday around 9:30 PM when she noticed something strange: a long metal wire moving under her door.
"It looked almost like a coat hanger coming up under the door, but it had several pieces attached to it," Deborah said. "And then I saw that they were actually trying to move it over and reach for the door handle, and so that's when I tried to just stop it with my hand."
"I saw that they were actually trying to move it over and reach for the door handle."
— Deborah, via NBC Bay Area
Deborah immediately called the front desk, and hotel staff confronted a man and woman she had seen earlier that day. The couple claimed they had knocked on the wrong door while looking for a friend, but they escaped before police arrived.
The incident has made Deborah rethink her hotel safety habits. "So I think they were looking for any noise coming out of the hotel room, so I will definitely be more noisy. I will have more lights on, put the 'Do Not Disturb' sign on the doorknob, and hopefully those things will help in the future."
"I will definitely be more noisy. I will have more lights on, put the 'Do Not Disturb' sign on the doorknob."
— Deborah, via NBC Bay Area
Staying safe in hotel rooms
Both Bowers and Debra were lucky to escape unharmed, but their experiences highlight the importance of hotel security. Experts recommend always using additional locks, never opening the door for unexpected visitors, and keeping valuables secure. If something feels off, it’s better to trust your instincts and alert hotel staff or authorities.
With videos like the one from braccozz disappearing from social media, these firsthand accounts serve as critical reminders to stay vigilant while traveling.
"Looking for a book that can help me through a really hard time in life right now," she shared. "I’m going though a lot of changes and grief in my life right now. Getting very depressed and it’s hard for me to keep positive. I’m looking for a book that changed your life? Something that helps with perspective and makes you think." These are 46 of the best books that have helped people get through hard times.
Maybe You Should Talk to Someone by Lori GottliebLorigotltieb.com
Author, psychotherapist, and national advice columnist Lori Gottlieb shares a behind the scenes look into her life as a therapist as she navigates helping clients while also navigating her own personal challenges.
2. "When Things Fall Apart by Pema Chödrön." – Altruistic-Pause-890
3. "Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl; The Road Less Traveled by M. Scott Peck, How to Cook a Wolf by M.F.K. Fisher; Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte (VERY inspirational & lifechanging novel); Art of Loving by Erich Fromme; The Eden Project: In Search of the Magical Other (a Jungian analysis on Relationships) by James Hollis; Way of the Peaceful Warrior by Dan Milman; Women Who Run with the Wolves: Myths and Stories of the Wild Woman Archetype by Clarissa Pinkola Estés; Dying to Be Me by Anita Moorjani; A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens; Books by Irvin D. Yalom such as Becoming Myself, Staring at the Sun and Love's Executioner; Anatomy of an Illness: As Received by the Patient by Norman Cousins; On Becoming A Person: A Therapist's View on Psychotherapy, Humanistic Psychology, and the Path to Personal Growth by Carl Rogers; Love in the Time of Cholera by Gabriel Garcia Marquez; Persuasion by Jane Austen (themes of deep regret)." –bewell84 (This entry counts for a whopping 19 titles!)
4. "The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd." – Sweet_Sub73
5. "Illusions by Richard Bach. Was life changing for me." – xanaxnationx
6. "Well I’m not sure that this is what you’re looking for according to your post but Prozac Nation: Young and Depressed in America helped me a lot when my depression hit the roof years ago. If anything, it made me feel less alone." – mynameisipswitch2
Prozac Nation by Elizabeth WurtzelBookshop.org
Author Elizabeth Wurtzel's memoir highlights her experience with depression, drug use, and psychopharmacological treatment methods. She shares her raw journey towards mental health.
7. "Everything I Know About Love by Dolly Alderton." – mik-the-beachbunny
8. "Wild by Cheryl Strayed." – ciestaconquistador
9. "Jayber Crow by Wendell Berry. I find this book very soothing. It’s the story of a life lived simply. Hardships and tragedies are not missing or ignored, but they are lived through. Beauty is noticed. Choices are made and examined." – MaleficentMousse7473
The Year of Magical Thinking by Joan DidionBookshop.org
10. "If you’re down for something very emotional but extremely touching I recommend The Year of Magical Thinking by Joan Didion. It’s her reflections on the year when she lost her husband and how she experienced that grief. It’s amazing and I’ve heard many say it helped them process their own grief! I’m sorry you’re experiencing grief, books are great company in hard times <3." –Independent_Exam8274
This memoir by Joan Didion details the depths of love, loss and grief as she navigated simultaneous family tragedies regarding her daughter and husband. It was also named on the The New York Times’ list of 100 Best Books of the 21st Century.
11. "Currently reading Hector and The Search for Happiness (by François Lelord). Deals with a psychiatrist looking for the meaning of happiness. When I’m depressed sometimes it’s hard to have the motivation to do certain things and this book is nice because it has short chapters and reads quickly. I wish you luck on your journey through life." – NewAd5794
12. "C.S.Lewis, A Grief Observed. About his own grief after losing his wife." – Taffergirl2021
A Grief Observed by C.S. LewisBookshop.org
Author and literary scholar C.S. Lewis reflects on the life, death, and faith in A Grief Observed, written after the death of his wife Joy Davidman in 1960. Lewis grapples with how to survive devastating loss and his experience with bereavement.
13. "Maude by Donna Foley Mabry. This book saved me. I was at the worst point in my life when this book found me. Maude was a badass woman! What she survived in insane. Life was cruel to her, but that did not stop her from waking up every single day and trying. This book put my life in perspective. Yes. We all have problems. It is how we manage those problems that matter." – Cami_glitter
14. "The Let Them Theory by Mel Robbins." – suitable_zone3
15. "Hmm, if you're up for a short novel about unlikely friendship and humanity and finding meaning/purpose in life and overcoming a difficult past I'd recommend Sweet Bean Paste by Durian Sukegawa, it's a really touching and beautiful story and my go to comfort book that never fails to make me feel better about myself and the world and give me hope when I'm feeling low. As for “actual” grief, as in focusing on losing a person close to you, Kitchen (and the novella, Moonlight Shadow that's added at the end of most editions) by Banana Yoshimoto is a book that definitely helped me a lot in accepting my pain and sadness and giving myself time but at the same time finding my way back to a new life. Finally in terms of giving you perspective and making you think, you might find Hermann Hesse's Siddhartha helpful/interesting? It was quite life-changing for me. I'm not sure if any of these are quite up your alley, maybe not if you were looking more for self-help recommendations than fiction, but I'm sending you my love regardless, I hope you feel better soon!" – maedhreos
16. "The Mountain Is You: Transforming Self-Sabotage Into Self-Mastery by Brianna Wiest!!! 'if you really want to change your life, let yourself be consumed with rage. Not towards others, not with the world , but yourself.'"– Ill_Tangerine_7125
17. "The Wintering by Katherine May." – BhamsterPine
18. "The book Easier Than You Think by Sylvia Boorstein. I'm not a Buddhist, but years ago this Intro to Buddhism helped lighten my load." – Living_Screen9111
19. "The Obstacle is the Way by Ryan Holiday. Applied stoicism." – Strokesite
20. "I don’t know if it will help, but my go to book whenever I’m depressed is The Summerhouse by Jude Devereau. It reminds me that no matter how bad I feel, there are people who have faced worse problems than me. If I need to laugh I’ll read post apocalyptic novels which reminds me how much more insane it can be." – Crazy_Past6259
21. "The Testament by John Grisham." – LectureOk5523
22. "A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman. This book helped me process my dad’s death. I recommend it to everyone." – mcmesq
A Man Called Ove by Fredrik BackmanBookshop.org
This novel by Fredrik Backman follows the life of curmudgeon Ove whose solo life is transformed after he is befriended by two warm and friendly neighbors. It was turned into a film starring Tom Hanks in 2022 titled A Man Called Otto.
23. "The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck Book by Mark Manson." – Emotional_Ocelot969
24. "Piranesi by Susanna Clarke." – tofudelight13
25. "The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle. Oprah loved it." – textbandit
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Bride surprises husband with student messages at wedding reception.
Wedding reception speeches are always tearjerkers. And for Australian newlyweds Ryan and Chelsea Cox, their reception speech had the entire wedding crying. In a touching Instagram video shared by Euphoria Films, bride Chelsea surprises her new groom Ryan with a heartwarming surprise from his students.
"You are exactly in the career you're meant to be. Making a real difference. You should be so proud of the love, the care and support you bring to their lives," Chelsea says in the beginning of the speech. "I know how much you wanted them here today, so I'm just sharing a little love from your Class 5 Red."
Immediately, her husband Ryan begins to sob as he nuzzles and embraces his wife. Then, the messages begin to play. The first says, "Hey Mr. Cox, this is Izzy. Thank you for being the best teacher in the world. Thank you for helping me. You have changed my life."
The next one had some funny ribbing. "Hey Mr. Cox, it's Jacob. I just want to say you're really special because you come to school everyday and help us learn amazing new things and always support us no matter what. Do question the mullet, but it's fine. I'll leave it up to you. Hopefully you have an amazing wedding," he says. And there is another message from a student named Daniel. "Hi, it's Daniel. Thank you for helping me at all times. Have a good wedding."
The video then pans to the bridal party, who are all wiping away tears with tissues. Another message begins. "Hi Mr. Cox, it's Flynn. Thank you for being the best teacher and supporting me and everyone else, and helping me learn throughout this year. And thank you for helping me with my sport and improving. Thank you hope you have a good day."
Without missing a beat, another message begins. "Hi Mr. Cox, it's Kat. You make each day better by smiling and making learning fun. You're the best teacher in the world." Then another message starts. "Hi Mr. Cox, it's Brock here. You've changed my life because you've inspired me in sports and making me confident in Rugby Gala Days. Anyways thank you so much."
As the camera shifts to the wedding guests seated at tables, everyone is intently listening and wiping away tears. Then another message begins from Richard. "Hi Mr. Cox, it's Richard. I just wanted to say I think you're one of the best teachers in SJB because you taught me times and you would help me when I was having a bad. Thank you, congratulations on your marriage." Then another student named Flynn says, "Hi Mr. Cox, it's Flynn. You're my favorite teacher because you always comforted me and you're very kind. Congratulations."
That's not all! Peyton shares, "Hi Mr. Cox, it's Peyton. Thank you for making me smile everyday and letting me sit next to Immy for 3 terms. Also how come I'm not a bridesmaid?!" Then another plays. "Hi Mr. Cox, it's Ashton. Thank you for all the class parties last year. You're the best teacher in the world."
The video ends with Ryan saying, "Wow!!!" And the emotional video got lots of love in the comment section. "I hope the algorithm floods my feed with this type of content 100% of the time. ❤️," one commented. Another wrote, "This is amazing! We never appreciate enough the power and influence a teacher like you has over our children. Congratulations on your career success and on choosing an obviously amazing human to share you life with 🫶🏼." And another added, "The reaction to just hearing the voices of his students has me absolutely sobbing!
What a dream it would be for my little one to have a teacher that loves on him just as hard as Ryan loves his students. What an inspiring, passionate and incredible teacher you are! ♥️"
Job interviews are nerve-wracking experiences, and even the most prepared candidates can face rejection for unexpected reasons. While some employers turn applicants away for valid concerns, others seem to base their decisions on trivial factors. One Reddit user, u/Alikona_05, shared a frustrating hiring experience where a highly qualified candidate was rejected simply because of her hobbies.
The post, which has received over 1.9K upvotes and 211 comments, described how their boss was looking for a temporary employee to fill in during a medical leave. Since the boss had a scheduling conflict, the Reddit user was asked to sit in on the interview alongside a senior coworker—whom they described as a "boomer."
Representative Image Source: Pexels | Ron Lach
Initially, the interview went smoothly. The candidate spoke well, possessed the necessary skills, and seemed like a great fit for the role. The conversation remained positive until she mentioned one minor request: she needed a specific day off for a trip she had already paid for.
Her explanation proved to be her downfall.
"Her 'mistake' was going into detail about this trip. She's a big fan of Star Trek and she's going to a comic con to see an actor she likes."
— @Alikona_05
Rather than simply noting the scheduling request, the senior coworker took offense to her passion for science fiction. Viewing her enthusiasm for Star Trek as a "red flag," they deemed her unfit for the role, assuming she was lazy or unmotivated.
Shocked by the reaction, u/Alikona_05 admitted they now felt even more hesitant to share their own hobbies at work.
Reflecting on their personal experience, the Reddit user pointed out that their own interests—like listening to European power metal about space wizards and playing video games—had never affected their job performance.
"Literally has 0 effect on my job performance other than the fact that I tend to be a better problem solver."
— @Alikona_05
This incident sparked widespread discussion online, with many people sharing similar frustrations about outdated hiring practices.
One user, u/overkillsd, said they make a point to mention their own hobbies during interviews to expose judgmental employers: "I bring up my gaming and death metal fandom in interviews so potential employers can out themselves if they suck."
Others noted that arbitrary hiring decisions are a major issue in the job market. u/That_White_Wall commented, "People wonder why it's so hard to get hired. When the people deciding to hire you are insane, this is why people never hear back."
A double standard?
Some users pointed out the hypocrisy in dismissing a candidate over sci-fi fandom while other, more passive hobbies might be more socially acceptable.
u/Scizmz made an interesting observation, writing: "Meanwhile if she said she watches 8 hours of TV a night to keep up to date on her shows, boomer would be vibing with that."
Another user, u/thedaj, highlighted how being a Star Trek fan should actually be seen as a positive trait: "That'd be considered a justification to hire in any logical environment. I don't think I've ever met a dumb Star Trek fan."
The situation raises an important question—why do some hiring managers still judge candidates based on personal interests rather than professional qualifications? While some may view niche hobbies as unprofessional, others argue that passion and dedication in any area of life can translate into valuable workplace skills.
At the end of the day, the best hiring decisions should be based on skills, experience, and character—not whether someone enjoys a sci-fi convention on the weekend.