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Refinery29
12 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Refinery29
I Charged My Old iPod — & Found Unexpected Comfort In The Nostalgia
Every time I board a plane and the person sitting next to me is a stranger, I notice them clock the noughties relic in my palm: my iPod Classic. Yes, I still have the same one from over 15 years ago, and I still have my even older Nano too. They both work and they both house a collection of my favourite music from way back when. Some songs are cringeworthy to scroll past using the click-wheel (does anyone remember watching 'Britannia High'? Well, I have the soundtrack), others are a nice trip down memory lane, and some are surprises — apparently I was already into Oasis and The xx while still listening to Hilary Duff and Jamelia. Who knew? It's not just me; there's a lot of people with an appetite to press rewind when it comes to our tech. Gen Z has brought back the digi camera from my youth; brick phones are cool; and there's increasingly been discourse around owning media again instead of renting or streaming it, so DVDs are no longer defunct. As for iPods, my colleague Esther Newman has purchased a secondhand one so she doesn't have to worry about seeing texts or emails come in while connecting with nature on walks and listening to The Last Dinner Party. Gadgets like iPods gave us freedom to carry lots of the music we loved around with us. The iPod is the perfect spot in history: not so far back that you have to carry bulky CDs and a Walkman, but just far enough that texts, calls and emails won't interrupt your listening. Years' worth of bangers (and memories) all on one small device — magic. Old tech is helping us disconnect from the always-on bombardment of the present, while reconnecting with our younger selves and less overwhelming pasts. I love my iPod for this reason too. It doesn't rely on the internet, I don't need to frantically download stuff for a long flight, and the cool feeling of the stainless steel in my hand is oddly comforting. Essentially it gives me a deep sense of who I was as a child. It's a reminder of a time when my biggest concern was which albums to spend my pocket money on; building a wishlist on iTunes I slowly worked through. Lady Gaga's Telephone music video? Bought it. Soundgarden's Black Hole Sun? A gateway to the dad rock I'd be hooked on for the next decade. None of the jazz-adjacent genres I listen to now feature, but my iPod is a sweet reminder of how much my tastes have evolved with my personality. When there's so much to digest and absorb constantly — be it through social media, search engines, news alerts and seemingly endless notifications — it's a luxury to be able to turn it all off for a moment. Maybe old devices are an antidote to some of the mental health problems connected with modern tech. The BBC reported that people had turned to dumbphones to lower their screentime and be more present, which contributes to improved mental health, relationships, sleep quality, and general wellbeing. Having written about how hard reducing your screen time can be with a smartphone, I can only imagine how much less stressed and time-rich I would be if I made the switch to an old-school phone. On Reddit, people have discussed how swapping has helped them enjoy activities more, like going on a hike without the internet featuring. Nostalgia helps with our wellbeing. Research from 2023, conducted by the Human Flourishing Lab at the Archbridge Institute, found that 84% of people use nostalgia to help them remember what's important in their lives, and 60% said nostalgic memories offer guidance when they feel stuck in life. 'After studying this topic for more than 20 years, I've discovered that nostalgia actually helps people move forward,' said social psychologist Clay Routledge, PhD, vice president of research and director of the Human Flourishing Lab, to the American Psychological Association. 'It makes people more optimistic about the future, it boosts wellbeing, it reduces anxiety, it increases positive mood and self-esteem and meaning in life. But more than that, it makes people thankful, and it energises them.' Using old tech isn't a meaningless decision, or a trend for trend's sake. Whether we realise it or not, we can benefit from both the nostalgia it brings and the remedy it delivers when modern tech feels too much. When I use my iPod, I get to have the decisions about what to listen to made by my younger self for present day me. I can hit 'shuffle' and avoid incoming notifications on other devices. It's just me, the music, and the inevitable memories that appear as each song begins to play. It's the soundtrack of my early teens.
Mint
a day ago
- Business
- Mint
Biggest deals on refrigerators during the monsoon sale on Amazon: Up to 55% off
Amazon's Appliance Upgrade Days have officially kicked off and will run till June 23, bringing you some of the biggest deals of the season on top refrigerator brands. With up to 55% off on a wide range of models from LG, Samsung, Whirlpool, Godrej and more, this is the ideal time to bring home a fridge that fits your needs and budget. Product Rating Price LG 655 L Frost Free Smart Inverter Double Door Side by Side Refrigerator (GL-B257HWBY, Western Black, Express Freezing | Multi Air-Flow) View Details Godrej 223 L 3 Star Convertible Freezer 6-In-1, Nano Shield Technology, Inverter Frost Free Double Door Refrigerator(RT EONVALOR 260C RCIF ST RH, Steel Rush) View Details Samsung 419 L, 3 Star, Convertible 5-in-1, Digital Inverter, Frost Free Double Door, Bespoke AI WiFi Enabled Refrigerator (RT45DG6A4DB1HL, Black Matte/Black DOI) View Details Godrej 194 L 5 Star Turbo Cooling Technology Ensuring Faster Cooling Direct Cool Single Door Refrigerator With Advanced Inverter Technology (RD EMARVEL 215E THI FS ST, Fossil Steel) View Details Samsung 653 L, 3 Star, Frost Free, Double Door, Convertible 5-in-1 Digital Inverter, Side By Side AI Enabled Smart Refrigerator with WiFi (RS76CG8003S9HL, Silver, Refined Inox) View Details View More Eyeing a smart inverter double-door refrigerator for your family or need a single-door, energy-efficient model for a smaller space, the sale has you covered. These models come loaded with features like convertible modes, stabiliser-free operation, toughened glass shelves, inverter compressors and even AI-powered cooling in premium variants. With the monsoon season just around the corner, this sale is perfectly timed to help you upgrade your kitchen essentials. Looking for a spacious and powerful fridge during the Amazon Appliance Upgrade Days? This 655L LG Side-by-Side Refrigerator is a great pick in the Amazon refrigerator sale with a 38% discount during the monsoon sale. It's perfect for large families, offering generous storage with features like Express Freezing, Multi Air-Flow cooling, and Smart Diagnosis. The inverter compressor ensures energy savings while keeping your food fresh for longer. Configuration Side-by-side, Frost Free Compressor Smart Inverter Compressor Special Features Multi Air Flow, Express Freezing If you're hunting for an affordable and energy-efficient fridge during the Amazon refrigerator sale, this Godrej 223L double-door refrigerator is a solid pick. After a 41% discount, it's a great option for small families during the Amazon Appliance Upgrade Days. With a 6-in-1 convertible freezer, Nano Shield Technology, and Cool Balance Tech, this model keeps your food fresh for up to 30 days. It's also equipped with a quiet inverter compressor, making it both smart and economical. Capacity 223L (173L fridge + 50L freezer) Freezer 6-in-1 Convertible Compressor Inverter with Multi Inverter Tech Special Features Cool Balance, Nano Shield, Moisture Control This Samsung 419L Bespoke AI refrigerator is one of the smartest picks in the ongoing Amazon Appliance Upgrade Days. With 31% off during the Amazon refrigerator sale, it's packed with features like Convertible 5-in-1 modes, AI Energy Mode, and SmartThings app control. Perfect for a family of 3-4, it offers efficient cooling, flexible storage, and up to 15 days of food freshness. Plus, its Digital Inverter Compressor comes with a 20-year warranty. Capacity 419L (324L fridge + 95L freezer) Cooling System Twin Cooling Plus, Frost Free Convertible Modes 5-in-1 with SmartThings App Compressor Digital Inverter with 20-Year Warranty Special Features AI Energy Mode, Power Freeze/Cool, WiFi Enabled If you're looking for a compact and energy-efficient fridge during the Amazon refrigerator sale, this Godrej 194L Direct Cool model is a great fit for small families or individuals. With a 37% discount in the monsoon sale, it features Turbo Cooling for faster bottle chilling and ice-making, along with Farm Fresh crisper tech that keeps fruits and vegetables fresh for up to 24 days. Its 5-star rating ensures low power bills, and the advanced inverter compressor adds durability and silent operation. Capacity 194L (179L fridge + 15L freezer) Cooling Tech Turbo Cooling, Advanced Capillary Compressor Inverter with 10-Year Warranty Special Features 24-Day Farm Freshness, Large Bottle Shelf This 653L Samsung Side-by-Side refrigerator is currently available with 29% off during the Amazon refrigerator sale. It features a Convertible 5-in-1 mode, WiFi connectivity, and AI Energy Mode, making it suitable for larger households looking for flexible storage. The digital inverter compressor aims to offer stable performance with lower noise. It also supports app control via SmartThings. Capacity 653L (409L fridge + 244L freezer) Compressor Digital Inverter with 20-Year Warranty Convertible Modes 5-in-1 with SmartThings App Energy Rating 3 Star | Annual Use: 547 kWh Special Features Twin Cooling, WiFi Enabled, AI Energy Mode Part of the Amazon Appliance Upgrade Days, this 396L Samsung refrigerator offers flexible storage with Convertible 5-in-1 modes and WiFi-enabled AI features. It comes with a Digital Inverter Compressor, 3-star energy rating, and tech like Twin Cooling Plus and AI Energy Mode. It supports app-based control via SmartThings, and offers stabiliser-free operation, but doesn't go overboard on features beyond cooling essentials. Capacity 396L (301L fridge + 95L freezer) Compressor Digital Inverter with 20-Year Warranty Convertible Modes 5-in-1, AI & App Controlled Energy Rating 3 Star | 249 kWh/year Special Features Twin Cooling, SmartThings App, Power Freeze This 600L Godrej side-by-side refrigerator is part of the ongoing Amazon refrigerator sale, currently offered at 40% off under the monsoon sale. It features smart convertible zones that allow temperature control based on the type of food stored, and uses AI-powered cooling to adjust operations based on usage. With a toughened glass door, inverter compressor and 3-star rating, it's suitable for larger families. Capacity 600L (387L fridge + 213L freezer) Compressor Inverter with 10-Year Warranty Convertible Zones Smart adjustable (-3°C to 5°C) Special Features AI Freshness, Toughened Glass Door, Frost Free This LG 380L double-door refrigerator is available at a 24% discount as part of the Amazon appliance upgrade days. It comes with a convertible freezer, Express Freeze function, and Smart Inverter Compressor, making it suitable for households needing moderate storage and basic smart features. With a 3-star energy rating, it balances power use with performance. It includes flexible shelves, a 33L vegetable box, and basic inverter compatibility for power cuts. Capacity 380L (290L fridge + 90L freezer) Compressor Smart Inverter with 10-Year Warranty Cooling Frost-Free with Multi Air Flow Convertible Function Yes, with Express Freeze Energy Rating 3 Star | Stabilizer Free (100~310V) This LG 322L refrigerator, part of the ongoing Amazon appliance upgrade days, is listed at a 21% discount during the monsoon sale. It features a convertible freezer, Express Freeze option, and Smart Inverter Compressor for stable and energy-efficient cooling. With auto defrost, two tempered glass shelves, and a 28L vegetable box, this model is suited for mid-sized households. It also includes Smart Diagnosis, deodoriser and inverter compatibility. Capacity 322L (241L fridge + 81L freezer) Compressor Smart Inverter with 10-Year Warranty Cooling Frost-Free with Multi Air Flow Convertible Mode Yes, with Express Freeze Energy Rating 3 Star | Stabiliser-Free Operation If you're browsing Amazon deals on refrigerators during the monsoon sale, this 183L Samsung fridge could be a practical pick for small families. It's a Direct-Cool single-door model with a Digital Inverter Compressor, known for energy-efficient, low-noise performance. The base stand drawer adds extra storage for dry items, and the interior is kept simple with two toughened glass shelves, a vegetable box and an antibacterial gasket. Capacity 183L (165L fridge + 18L freezer) Compressor Digital Inverter, 20-Year Warranty Energy Rating 4 Star | 148 Units/year Extra Feature Base Stand with Drawer Disclaimer: Mint has an affiliate marketing partnership, which means we may get some commission on purchases you make through the retailer sites links provided. These partnerships do not influence our editorial content, which is free from any bias or marketing pitch. We strive to provide accurate and unbiased information to help you make informed decisions. We recommend verifying details with the retailer before making a purchase.
Mint
12-06-2025
- Climate
- Mint
‘Can we unlock 16 degrees by paying more than 28% GST?' Netizens react as govt proposes to cap AC temperatures
Amid soaring temperatures and extreme weather conditions across India, the government is planning to standardise the temperatures of air conditioners by restricting the minimum temperature to 20°C and maximum temperature to 28°C, said Union Minister of Housing & Urban Affairs, Manohar Lal Khattar, on Tuesday. His announcement sparked a range of reactions from social media users. Most users took a funny jibe at the proposal, while a few explained how the government would implement this move. Here's how social media users reacted — One of the users questioned if there is a provision to set the AC temperature at 16 degrees. 'We are already paying 28% GST for AC. Can we unlock 16C by paying extra GST(sic)?' Another user added, 'AC will come with Nano chip. Once you lower the temperature below 20°C, signal will go to the nearest police station and your AC will be taken away. Masterstroke(sic).' One of the social media users wrote, 'The Government is also planning to ask the Sun to control its temperature between 30-40 degrees in summers. This is in line with temperature control on ACs. A formal meeting planned with AC companies & Sun during monsoons(sic).' Another user suggested, 'Best would be if we link AC temperature with Aadhar (sic)!!' A user proposed a name for the policy and wrote, "One Nation One Temperature!" Here are some other memes shared by social media users — Speaking to the media on Tuesday, Union Minister Khattar said, "Regarding air conditioning standards, a new provision is being implemented soon. The temperature standardisation for ACs will be set between 20°C to 28°C, meaning we won't be able to cool below 20°C or warm above 28°C. This is a first-of-its-kind experiment, aiming to standardise temperature settings. This is a first-of-its-kind experiment, aiming to standardise temperature settings.' He further added, 'We have decided the minimum temperature of ACs will be fixed at 20 degrees Celsius and the maximum at 28 degrees Celsius to bring uniformity to air conditioning use and help reduce excessive power consumption due to extremely low cooling settings.'
The Hindu
07-06-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
No shortage of fertilisers in Andhra Pradesh for kharif season, says official
Agriculture Director S. Dhilli Rao has said there is no shortage of fertilisers in the State. A plan has been drawn to supply 16.76 lakh tonnes of fertilisers for the Kharif-2025 season for all crops. This includes Urea – 6.22 lakh tonnes; DAP – 2.60 lakh tonnes; MOP – 0.70 lakh tonnes; SSP – 0.94 lakh tonnes; Complex – 6.30 lakh tonnes, he says. As on April 1, a quantum of 7.14 lakh tonnes of fertilisers (Urea – 2.98 lakh MT, DAP – 0.46 lakh MT, MOP – 0.65 lakh MT, SSP – 0.45 lakh MT, Complex – 2.59 lakh MT) were available in the opening stock, he said. From April 1 to June 6, a quantum of 3.95 lakh tonnes was supplied (Urea – 1.42 lakh MT, DAP – 0.46 lakh MT, MOP – 0.12 lakh MT, SSP – 0.27 lakh MT, Complex – 1.68 lakh MT), while the requirement was 2.07 lakh tonnes, he said. By June 6, a total of 11.09 lakh tonnes of fertilisers (Urea – 4.39 lakh MT, DAP – 0.92 lakh MT, MOP – 0.77 lakh MT, SSP – 0.72 lakh MT, Complex – 4.27 lakh MT) were made available to the farmers. During April 1 to June 6, 2 lakh tonnes of fertilisers were sold (Urea – 0.92 lakh MT, DAP – 0.15 lakh MT, MOP – 0.14 lakh MT, SSP – 0.18 lakh MT, Complex – 0.62 lakh MT), he said. As of June 6, a total of 9.09 lakh tonnes of fertilisers (Urea – 3.48 lakh MT, DAP – 0.77 lakh MT, MOP – 0.64 lakh MT, SSP – 0.54 lakh MT, Complex – 3.65 lakh MT) were available in cooperative societies, Rythu Seva Kendras, MARKFED warehouses, retail/wholesale shops, and company godowns, he said. By June 6, 2.01 lakh tonnes of various fertilisers were available in MARKFED and cooperative societies, ready to be distributed to farmers in the upcoming kharif season through societies and RSKs, he said. In addition to the above stocks, for June 2025, the Government of India allocated 2.35 lakh tonnes of fertilisers to Andhra Pradesh (Urea – 0.67 lakh MT, DAP – 0.42 lakh MT, MOP – 0.08 lakh MT, Complex – 0.93 lakh MT, SSP – 0.24 lakh MT). The supply was being monitored by the State government, he said. These fertilisers were being made available to the farmers in villages through cooperative societies, RSKs, and private shops. 'So far, there is no shortage. All domestic fertiliser manufacturing plants are actively producing, and imports from abroad are also satisfactory,' he added. Nano Urea and Nano DAP, newly developed and technically advanced fertilisers, were also being made available. The Central and State governments were promoting these as 100% alternatives to conventional fertilisers, he said. 'Hence, all farmer brothers are advised to check the MRP (Maximum Retail Price) printed on the fertiliser bag while purchasing, and pay only that price, and collect a receipt from the dealer,' he advised. 'If any dealer violates regulations, creates artificial shortage, diverts fertilisers, or sells them at prices above the MRP, their licence will be cancelled and action will be taken against them under the Fertiliser Control Order, 1985,' he warned.
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Business Standard
04-06-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
Fertiliser sector needs policy clarity to attract investment: FAI chairman
The fertiliser industry needs clarity on policies related to subsidies to attract more investments into the sector, the newly appointed chairman of the Fertiliser Association of India (FAI) and chairman and managing director of Deepak Fertilisers and Petrochemicals Corporation, Sailesh C Mehta, said. He said for more than a decade, the P&K (phosphorus and potash) sector was working under the Nutrient-Based Subsidy (NBS) regime in true letter and spirit. The Centre was even planning to bring urea under the NBS regime. 'The core thought under NBS was fixed subsidy with free MRP. This was the first step towards full decontrol. However, in the last few years, no actions have been taken to bring urea under NBS, but instead, tacit controls on the retail price of P&K have crept in. Moreover, lack of clarity on the formula or basis or logic behind the subsidy support and lack of clarity on its actual mechanism has impacted decision-taking by the industry,' Mehta said. He said in the current volatile and dynamic global pricing scenario, this lack of clarity makes it difficult for the industry to take timely actions. 'Moreover, these uncertainties preclude industry from making any long-term commitments or investment decisions that could ensure long-term improvement in the supply of fertilisers,' Mehta said. He said that to ensure the sector continues to attract investments, the government needs to gradually reduce subsidies on urea and make it more market-oriented, which has not been done for more than a decade now. On skewed retail pricing, Mehta said in India one kilogram of common salt costs around Rs 27 but a kilogram of urea is sold at just Rs 5.5. 'Someone should realise that after spending Rs 10,000 crore-plus for setting up an ammonia-based urea plant, the returns are dismal,' Mehta said. On the recent statements made by a senior industry official on not-so-encouraging sales of Nano fertilisers despite being launched some time back, Mehta said that Nano as a concept is very interesting, but its efficacy at the ground level would need some more time to prove itself. India, in the FY26 Budget, pegged fertiliser subsidy at Rs 168,000 crore, which was around 2 per cent more than the Revised Estimate of FY25. It had crossed Rs 251,000 crore in FY23 in view of the Russia–Ukraine crisis. He said apart from investments, the skewed subsidy regime has also created a clear imbalance in the soils in terms of the NPK ratio. Quoting a paper by noted agriculture economist Ashok Gulati, Mehta said that despite spending around $22–25 billion over the last three years on fertiliser subsidies, outcomes remain suboptimal—both in terms of productivity and soil health. 'The imbalance in fertiliser use has also resulted in a dramatic decline in the fertiliser-to-grain response ratio, dropping from 1:10 in the 1970s to a mere 1:2.2 today,' Mehta said. He said a solution to all these could be found in Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT), which could be implemented after allowing a proper grace period for transition using digital platforms.
