There is a flurry of non-evidence-based approaches used by individuals as medical remedies and therapies. Albeit these solutions might be mostly harmless, believing in these assumptions is wrong. This includes all herbal medicine, acupuncture, homoeopathy, energy healing and anti-vaccination beliefs.

This is just one of the many examples of practices with no scientific underpinning and clinical evidence still used by millions of people around the world. This is a practice which cures by using small amounts of a substance that invokes symptoms of the disease that it is to be treated, with application from common cold and allergies to severe conditions like heart disease and cancer. It is a low cost, generic, non-patented attributes make it an ideal for those who want a ready treatment. Homoeopathic treatment can ease symptoms and offer therapeutic effects; however, they do not justify top-quality medicine with proven scientific validity and effectiveness for patients. 

This is a sentiment strongly associated with conspiracy thinking and denials of individual liberties and freedoms. The dogma behind an anti-vaccine ideology is that vaccines cause autism and other lousy health impacts. Government and the pharmaceutical industry knowingly hide this information from the public. Social media acts as an essential conduit helping claims, anxieties and thoughts to manifest across. It is your choice on whether you are for or against vaccines, but there should be no denial of the proven facts. It is wise to remember that immunisation can help stop the spread of diseases in communities. 

You can spot pseudoscience everywhere - from your shampoo bottle to the ads which pop up in your Twitter feed. Bold statements with scientific jargon help spread misleading information which claims to be supported by laboratory-research and hard facts. It can be difficult to challenge these beliefs with cognitive biases at play. For example, as a consumer, we may have already made the purchase on the cosmetics product for other reasons. This makes it a cost that cannot be recovered. Alongside the human satisfaction of being right, our minds are hooked on patterns, and make sense of the world by seeking them out. These phenomena relate to sunk cost and confirmation and selection bias.

The global wellness industry is worth trillions of dollars, topping the global pharmaceutical industry by over four times. It can be noticed that a large number of consumers and patients favour alternative moreover traditional medicines despite the lack of empirical evidence and medical backing. This is perpetuated by figureheads such as celebrities and influencers who flaunt themselves as wellness gurus. A single celebrity endorsement can very much change the fortune of a business; therefore, many businesses adopt this as part of their marketing strategy. The wellness industry frequently targets people who are vulnerable and likely to have been failed by traditional medicine. These individuals might also have strong ideological opinions against big pharma. 

“Pseudoscience” was previously an ad targeting category used by advertisers now removed by Facebook in bid to curb misinformation on Covid-19. According to Reuters, an estimate of over 78 million users was interested in the “pseudoscience” category. The company has now incorporated several initiatives to stop the proliferation of false information which can cause imminent physical harm. It is suspicious why Facebook had such a category available in the first place where advertisers were profiting from ads which targeted people that the company believes are interested in pseudoscience. 

Throughout years, decades and even centuries, the world of science has slowly overcome pseudoscience allowing the triumph of sense over nonsense. From the 16th and 17th century, the writings of Copernicus, Galileo, Kepler and Newton have helped overturn ancient cosmology. Astrology was scientifically defeated in the 18th and 19th century although it still manages to attract attention even today. Young-earth creationism was scientifically overturned in the early 20th century although there is much discourse around evolution theory today.    

"The wish to believe, even against evidence, fuels all the pseudosciences from astrology to creationism." – Isaac Asimov

— Trueblogposts (@trueblogposts) November 27, 2020

Political left or right 

Politicians and scientists making bold claims and throwing accusations at one another on how scientific or unscientific something is enough to make our heads swim, especially to those who have had little to no exposure to science past highschool. This is very much true for most of our politicians who create and enforce our laws. Hot topics like the anti-GMO movement, the paleo movement, anti-vaccination movement, the global climate change movement are just a few of the areas which affect our individual lives. To prevent the abuse and exploitation of citizens, we should look for more robust scientific education and look to further empower scientific research. 

There is a significant issue with how pseudoscience is prescribed with relevant and irrelevant connotations. Pseudoscience has a hazy definition. Many things get labelled pseudoscientific such as astrology, alchemy, divinations - the list does not stop. This makes it tricky to differentiate between what is scientific nonsense versus something which remains debatable. We can always expect pseudoscience to be present in its complex forms.

With the focus on depth over breadth, there are certainly numerous reasons for why individuals might opt more towards the specialist pathway. Perhaps they wish to invest time and effort in becoming the go-to person for their niche or have a desire to stand out with a competitive edge when applying for a job role or maybe they just love their subject area so much that they want to be a true expert in their field. This section would explore some up and downsides on pursuing the specialist approach. 

People opting to specialise have spent large amounts of time focusing on their niche/field. This makes it more advantageous for them to seek scarce job vacancies. It is said that a specialist is more likely probable to earn a higher salary even for entry-tier jobs simply due to their advanced technical abilities. Therefore for those with bigger financial goals could benefit from following this pathway especially if they are motivated financially.

People more often listen to experts for advice on specific problems than generalists. Having strong subject knowledge can be more advantageous than just leaving it for the generalist's guess-work. Not only does being a specialist increases the opportunities to earn a higher salary, the specialist might also gain a greater sense of internal power. For instance, when a company looks to implement particular organisational reforms, the specialist could find themselves being called upon to negotiate in these situations.  

It is said that the skills gained by a specialist can be more valuable as they are harder to teach. Many experts claim that there has been a shift in the recent shift of organisations who look to achieve more for the cost of less. This is especially true in this pandemic where many professions have become redundant. Furthermore, clients may also recognise the value of good service offered from a specialist expert. They might feel more persuaded by an individual who can offer high expertise at a reasonable price. 

When the job market shifts, specialists could find themselves losing enthusiasm about their work. Being able to adapt to different professions under these circumstances can be very difficult and at that point, it may be nonsensical to continue hunting for the same type of role. A person is not fully confined to a specific job title but it can be expected for there to be fewer job opportunities available. Strategies like interleaving can help at times like this where an individual spends their spare time learning other subjects, skills, or methods.

Although a specialist person is likely to be the go-to expert in their field of work, their opinion on other issues might not be as valid. A scenario could be that the specialist's input and opinion is appreciated but only if the topic at hand involves their direct area of expertise. It is always recommended for someone to have other things under their belt such as extracurricular activities or personal projects. This could greatly help to enhance an individual's employability and character. 

Search for the multitasker 

Specialists also have a risk of being replaced. If we refer back to history, there are plenty of instances where some form of human skills had been taken over by technology. Take printing technology as an example which has now been substituted by computers. A focused specialist could also find themselves falling short when applying for job positions at a company with a distinct company culture. The company might value employees with a resume including recent extracurricular activities as it shows they have a strong work life balance. 

These days it is all about personal style and self-expression. There is beauty in both the thoughtful simplicity of a minimalistic space and also the vibrance of a more eye-catching mix of tones and textures that can be found in a more maximal one. But it does not just stop there. These art forms can also manifest as part of the day-to-day choices we make and the way we live our daily lives. Here is a simple guide helping you decide on your style by considering the benefits and drawbacks of each approach. 

The notion behind this idea is that "less is more". By only placing the most essential things in a space, you can make those elements more stand out. This helps to increase the attention and focus of particular material goods or elements in one's life. Minimalism is not just about owning the bare essentials, it is about living with greater simplicity. It goes beyond just design but is also a part of mental philosophy and lifestyle that looks to distinguish what is important in one's life. 

One of the many reasons budgeting can be difficult these days is because we accumulate so many extra bills on services and spend so much buying products we might not need. We can cut down on these habits by implementing minimalist style budget systems. For example, using just one credit card could help towards earning points that convert into rewards. This would be quite impossible if you are frequently using more than one card for transactions. Keeping a savings account can be a useful as a reserve for your money.

In a world of endless opportunities, it can be hard to say no to things. One of the big reasons for this is the fear of missing out. We might find ourselves acting with an impulse on opportunities thinking that it is better than what we could plan to do now and then find ourselves feeling more moments of boredom indulging on Netflix and social media. Why not take it back to basics, clear out any pre-plans and start to enjoy your own company? You prioritise on what is important and on things which add lasting value to your life. Following a simple approach to life can make time feel more rewarding and joyful. 

Living a minimalist lifestyle centres around the aspect of reducing. An individual typically spends more time on experiences than using material goods. Placing priority towards experiences like planning activities with loved ones, hitting the gym, reading a good book can help support personal development and strengthen relationships. This is a more meaningful way to spending time than spending it at shops making purchases on things of short-term value.

Although minimalism revolves around valuing experiences rather than things, experiences can cost as much, or more than the things that we accumulate. Take theatre tickets or travelling as examples. All great experiences but you need the cash to do this. Sometimes experiences can cost just as much or even more than the things we accumulate. Therefore being aware of your finances is key to make better decisions.

It can be easy to slip into an obsessive way of thinking where you turn manic-like on counting things, getting rid of things or just owning the basic essentials. It could lead to missing out on the purpose of minimalism altogether. Minimalism is not about counting everything or leaving it all behind and it is definitely not about obsession. It should be applied as a guiding principle to navigate oneself through excess so that they can focus on the important things in life instead.

There are all sorts of guru experts who claim to know how to solve all your issues and bring you a happy life. But life as you know it is not easy and there are always challenges and hurdles along the way. In this case, you could consider minimalism as a tool helping to free up the mind. It can be used as a guide to having gratitude for even the small things in life.

 

At the opposite end of the scale to minimalism is maximalism. The philosophy behind this idea follows that "more is more". This idea moves away from keeping this of pure utility to a more lavish lifestyle of more opulent taste. Maximalism let's vibrance, shapes and texture set the scene. It works by grabbing your attention from the use of both complementary and clashing colours. It could be said that we might all lean further towards this side as life is not picture perfect.

Following a maximal lifestyle gives you good reason to splurge out now and then. Not only do you get to try out new things, but you also become much more price-conscious about things. We all love promotional offers and keeping loyalty with brands can be a fast track for amazing exclusive discounts. Life is short so why not enjoy and make the most of it? If shopping is one's thing then so be it.

A common misconception is that maximalism encourages hoarding items and overstuffing rooms. Although it is centred around the idea of excess, it is not all as it seems. For those who love to mix and match different styles, maximalism is the way to go. You are free to decorate with all sorts of colours, layers and period pieces to your heart’s content. It is also an opportunity to learn in embracing imperfections.

Maximalism follows the accord of abundance and delight. Everyone loves a good story so showcasing your life experiences makes an interesting conversation starter. If you have ever been to the house of an individual who has travelled a lot, you might notice many souvenirs and small things placed on displays. Maximalism gives you a chance to tell a story and share across your personality to others. 

You might soon realize how little you need to hold onto things. The truth is you need the things that you use on a daily or regular basis. If you are relaxed with your standards then you might end up losing control and verge towards hoarding behaviour. You should only buy what you need over instead of what you may want as you might not make the most use of it. It is important to remember that consumerism can lead to a vicious cycle of short term happiness.

For those who love to shop all the time can most likely lose sight of keeping savings. Thinking frugally becomes tough and often a person might end up missing out on doing or achieving the things that could add value to them. Developing the habit to spend less can not only free up time but it can help boost one's health. It can help take away stress and free up room for the important things in life like building true relationships between people and achieving new milestones. 

The reality is that many things begin to lose their lustre which leads to a danger of feeling easily underwhelmed. This is why everything should be in moderation. This is the key. If you get what you need you can appreciate it more so to overcome these habits you can: engaging your attention to areas like spending time with loved ones, focus on your skills or work towards self-improvement.

While we are likely to lean greater towards a particular side of the scale, many people fall somewhere in- between. For a majority of individuals, it can be hard to live up to a pristine picture-perfect minimalistic environment especially in the presence of small children or pets. Most people end up giving up on living to an ideal and resort to something they feel more comfortable and familiar with.

Memes can be anything and everything. They may take the form of words, phrases, quotes, animals and real/fictional characters. As they are of no specific origin, it means that almost anyone can create one and proceed to share it on social sites and feeds in hope to become to go viral. For those who look for their memes to catch on, posting it on sites like Reddit, Tumblr, TikTok, Twitter and Facebook can increase the chances. It is also good to remember that the best memes have short, quippy, and relatable body text. According to wikiHow, there is an assortment of different types including but not limited to traditional types, dank types, edgy types and even wholesome types.

As we all know, content is the keystone in bridging the gap between brand and user. Information that is released on the internet can stay forever on the internet. This is very important for those who use memes as part of their content strategy to assess the relevance of the content they put out with their brand. It has to feel authentic in order to evoke action from the consumer. It never ends well brands who wish to jump on the latest trend for publicity. For those looking to use memes for political and social agenda should remember to back up their commentary with references and evidence. 

 

In today’s world of instant information gratification, we have easy hands-on opinions, rationalizations, and superficial descriptions. This vast access makes it easier for us to make quick judgement and assumptions but harder for a layman to grasp the factual knowledge of a topic. Some individuals use memes in the disguise of darker messages. This could be in the form of hate speech, fake news and propaganda or even as content evoking harm. According to Chelsea from NBC news, memes can attribute to ‘caustic humour, bigoted hostility and fetishistic flattening’ in people, bringing out the worst in them.

The copy-rights rules surrounding memes                                                                                          

There is much debate around copyright, sharing, authorship/anonymity and fair use and several creators have now started to or threaten to sue for copyright infringements with memes. In Europe particularly in Germany, the current copyright laws permit private copying of copyright work if there is sufficient remuneration provided to the owner such as attributions, levies and so on. This opens up to discourse on the effectiveness of this rule. What if the meme was not infringing any copyright laws or those who are taking legal action were not the original proprietary owner of the meme or related attributes? This adds complexity to the matter and a need to investigate things from a case-by-case basis which can be difficult and tiresome.