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Those creative lightning strikes hit each of us occasionally. We know we can’t rely on their appearance. But what if we could? Creativity exercises foster conditions that make inspirational lightning strikes more likely. You see, our minds continually try to find patterns, manifesting dogs in clouds and faces on potatoes. Our brains want to find the order of a pattern in the chaos of our experience. This need promotes the formation of new connections. By introducing yourself, your mind, your body to new patterns, you can find inspiration anywhere and anytime. Creativity exercises encourage these new connections. Here are some...

On Monday, Sony unexpectedly announced a reversal of the company's widely criticized decision to shut down the storefronts used to buy games for the PlayStation 3 and Vita. Just hours before the news hit, however, I'd received a press release with a pretty sensational headline: "TOP HAT STUDIOS, INC. TO RELEASE THE FINAL EVER PS VITA GAMES." The release itself was more ambiguous. "May be the last ever releases," read a more carefully worded line buried beneath the headline. But according to this news, the visual novel Synergia would be the penultimate game for Vita, and horror game Sense: A...

That can be harder to quantify, but oftentimes, the answer is that memory is priceless. On the other hand, a material thing fades in value, loses its shine, and frequently ends up unused. Think about the happiest times of your life. Whether it was an amazing first date, a career milestone, or something else, it’s always the experience you’ll cherish the most. According to a San Francisco State University study, people who spent money on experiences instead of material items were happier and more satisfied with their purchasing decisions. “76 percent of all consumers would rather spend their money on...

Caitlyn Jenner is officially throwing her name into the hat: The former Olympic decathlete is running for governor of California. “California has been my home for nearly 50 years. I came here because I knew that anyone, regardless of their background or station in life, could turn their dreams into reality,” reads a statement from Jenner on her campaign site, which launched on Friday. “But for the past decade, we have seen the glimmer of the Golden State reduced by one-party rule that places politics over progress and special interests over people. Sacramento needs an honest leader with a clear...

The Best Games and Toys for 12-Year-Olds 2021 Marquee Lightbox by Tricase This fun color-changing lightbox is powered by either batteries or USB, and comes with 167 black letters and numbers and 185 emoji fragments. Plus, it has its own remote control. Of course it does. $28.99 USB 2.0 Digital Microscope by Plugable Budding scientists will be obsessed with this USB microscope, which delivers up to 250x magnification. You simply pick what you want to look at, put it under the scope, and see it on your computer screen. It's magnificent. The perfect gift for an aspiring NASA employee, the...