Happy Friday dudes. Here’s a fun fact to kick things off: On this day in 1965, the iconic Days of Our Lives soap opera first aired, bringing drama into living rooms for decades. Now, don’t worry—we’re not diving into soap operas today, but we do have some stuff lined up that is almost as entertaining. Let’s jump in.

Dude of the Week

Ryan Hreljac – The Kid Who Dug Wells and Changed Lives

Most six-year-olds are busy figuring out what they want for lunch, but not Ryan Hreljac. At that age, he was already on a mission to change the world. After learning that many people in Africa lacked access to clean water, Ryan decided to take action. With some serious kid determination, he raised $70, enough to build his first well in Uganda. That might sound like the end of the story, but for Ryan, it was only the beginning.

What started as a one-time effort spiraled into something much bigger. Ryan’s mission grew into the Ryan’s Well Foundation, which has now provided clean water to over a million people in 17 countries. His journey shows that you don’t need to be a billionaire to change the world—you just need grit and a refusal to back down. Oh, and maybe a few bake sales to get you started.

Now, Ryan’s story is the kind that makes you question why you haven’t done something epic lately. He didn’t stop after one well or a few projects—he kept at it, creating lasting impact in communities that desperately needed help. And the kicker? He’s not in it for the fame or accolades. He’s in it because, sometimes, solving a problem is more important than getting recognized for it.

So next time you turn on a faucet, remember Ryan Hreljac—the dude who saw a problem, grabbed a shovel (literally), and started digging his way to a better world. Pretty cool for someone who hadn’t even hit double digits when it all started, right?

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Check This Out

Giant Firework

Quick Stuff

Why Yawning is So Contagious

Ever noticed how, when someone in the room yawns, it’s game over? Suddenly, everyone’s fighting off the yawn urge, no matter how hard they try. Scientists have been scratching their heads about this phenomenon for years, and it turns out, it’s all about empathy and survival instincts.

Yawning: More Than Just Tiredness

Yawning is actually a pretty complex biological response. Sure, we tend to yawn when we’re tired or bored, but it’s also our body’s way of getting a quick burst of oxygen to the brain, a mini "wake-up" call, if you will. Some studies even suggest it’s a way to cool down the brain. But when it comes to contagious yawning, things get even more interesting.

Contagion through Empathy

Humans are naturally empathetic creatures, and yawning seems to be tied to that empathy. When you see someone yawn, your brain unconsciously mirrors their behavior. Basically, it’s a reflex connected to something called “mirror neurons”—the same neurons that fire up when you see someone smile, laugh, or even tear up. We feel what others feel, and our brains just can't help but join in.

A Group Survival Thing?

One theory suggests that contagious yawning could have deep roots in evolution. In the wild, synchronizing activities—like sleeping or waking up—could have helped groups stay safer together. If one animal yawns, the rest start to follow suit, kind of like saying, “Alright, it’s time for us all to rest” or “Wake up, everyone, let’s go!”

So next time someone hits you with the yawn bug, remember—you’re just showing off your deeply wired social skills. And if you’re yawning right now, well... welcome to the club.

Picture of the Week

Colossus of George Washington for the 1939 New York World's Fair

History Stuff

The Game That Started It All

Befoe Fortnite, Mario, and even Pac-Man, there was Pong. Released in 1972 by Atari, Pong wasn’t just a game; it was a revolution. This simple tennis-style arcade game is considered the first commercially successful video game, and it paved the way for the multi-billion-dollar gaming industry we know today.

The Birth of Pong

The story of Pong begins with Atari founder Nolan Bushnell. Bushnell saw potential in a game that everyone could understand and play, no matter their age or gaming experience. Inspired by an electronic ping-pong game he’d seen, he assigned engineer Allan Alcorn to create a simple version as a training project. Alcorn’s result was Pong, a game where two players controlled paddles to bounce a pixelated ball back and forth.

Pong Hits the Arcade

Atari placed the first Pong machine in a local bar, Andy Capp’s Tavern. Within days, the machine jammed—not from malfunction, but because it was too full of quarters! The game was an instant hit, and soon bars, arcades, and restaurants wanted their own Pong machine. By the end of 1974, Atari had sold over 8,000 units, and Pong became a cultural icon. As more people crowded around these machines, the hype fueled the growing interest in arcade gaming, leading to the explosion of the arcade industry.

From the Arcade to the Living Room

Atari didn’t stop at arcades. Seeing how popular Pong had become, they released a home version of the game in 1975. Known as Home Pong, this system allowed players to plug into their television and play right at home—a groundbreaking concept at the time. Retailers quickly sold out, with Home Pong setting the stage for the home gaming console boom that would follow. Soon, Pong clones popped up everywhere, and competing companies started designing their own gaming systems.

A Legacy of Pixels and Paddles

Although its graphics were primitive by today’s standards, Pong tapped into something special: simplicity and competition. It became a social experience, as people lined up to challenge friends and prove their skills. The game’s success showed that video games could attract a massive audience, sparking a new era in entertainment.

Today, Pong lives on as a retro symbol of gaming’s humble beginnings. You’ll find modern homages, updated versions, and even a giant Pong machine in museums dedicated to video game history. Without Pong, who knows what the gaming industry might look like?

Try Pong out for yourself (it’s Friday you’ve earned a little you time)