Scientists have found that our favorite moments in music are preceded by a prolonged increase of activity in the caudate. They call this the "anticipatory phase" and argue that the purpose of this activity is to help us predict the arrival of our favorite part. There is evidence of greater dopamine activity during the anticipation.3
The Harmonized Index of Consumer Prices tracks the prices of goods such as coffee, tobacco, meat, fruit, household appliances, cars, pharmaceuticals, electricity, clothing and many other widely used products. Austria’s is at an all-time high even though their inflation rate is only approximately 2.0%. Austria has maintained one of the highest credit ratings in the world for many decades. 4,5,6
Work by women artists makes up only 3–5% of major permanent collections in the U.S. and Europe. 7
The Academy of Fine Arts Vienna has been a leading European training center for artists for more than 300 years. It’s currently led by Eva Blimlinger whose staff and student body are 50% female. Students come from 50 different countries. 8,9
They rejected Hitler’s entrance application twice. 10
+ These expansive points of reference are intended to enhance neuroplasticity, positive thinking, empathy and situational awareness – to supplement the mainstream with some upstream.
