We achieved the holy grail of clean energy?!

☢️ Energized by a breakthrough. For the second time in under a year, California-based researchers have achieved a major breakthrough in nuclear fusion. They managed to create a fusion reaction that produced more power than it used, resulting in a net energy gain.

Why is this important? Nuclear energy is a zero-carbon energy source, meaning the ramifications of a net energy gain could be substantial as we search for cleaner ways to power our lives.

Now, I know what you’re thinking. Chernobyl….that wasn’t so chill? Or more topically, Oppenheimer didn’t seem that hyped about the breakthroughs he spearheaded on the way to the atomic bomb.

Chernobyl, however, was powered by nuclear fission rather than fusion; fission produces dangerous, lingering waste as a byproduct. That’s the kind of reaction at the center of Oppenheimer’s work as well. Put it this way, in terms of clean energy:

There’s a very long road to engineering these breakthroughs for broad, impactful use, but we’ll be hoping the fallout (oof, questionable word choice) is more Barbie than it is Oppenheimer. Point is: we’re edging ever closer to the “holy grail” of clean energy.

And by “we”, I of course mean scientists. Can’t emphasize how impossibly far away I personally am from achieving that feat.

⭐️ Star moves with Ken. You’re never too old to leave a legacy.

At the age of 86, Ken Harris a veteran of the Royal Army Ordinance Corps in the 1950s, excitedly started an exercise class at the Royal Star & Garter in 2021. The Royal Star & Garter is a facility in England providing care to veterans and their partners living with disability or dementia.

The class - called “Star Moves with Ken” - focused on low-impact exercises for individuals over 60. Sadly, Ken passed away late last year, but his peers have eagerly continued “Star Moves with Ken” in his honor, mainly because they were so grateful to have benefitted from Ken’s enthusiasm. One resident called his classes “a gift from heaven,” while another 101 year old resident labeled him an inspiration.

Ken’s legacy will live on thanks to the energy and passion he brought to those around him at an advanced age. He was clearly more than Kenough. Truly a star if there ever was one, may he rest in peace.

🧞‍♂️ Invisible man grants wishes. If you’ve ever seen a meme about John Cena, the popular wrestler-turned-actor, it’s probably been a play on his “you can’t see me” catchphrase. For example:

The reality is - literally more than anybody in history - John Cena has shown up for those in need. He recently became the Guinness World Record holder for granting the highest number of heartfelt wishes, a nod to his incredible dedication to the Make-A-Wish foundation. Cena has selflessly granted a staggering 650 wishes since 2002. That’s a feat far too legit to bury further down the page in the records section, and it’s all the more incredible that an unseeable man made so many people feel so seen.

About his experiences with the foundation, Cena said:

We see you John, and we celebrate you.

🛒 Savings in your shopping cart. The cost of groceries rose 11.4% last year, which was the largest increase in almost 50 years. And my goodness did we feel it.

Organic bananas? What are we, Mr. Deeds? Did we win a contest and get one of those comically large checks?! No, no. Regular is fine.

Thankfully, good news is on the way. The USDA released its forecast for grocery prices in 2024, and the midpoint of those estimates suggests the cost of groceries will rise only 1% next year, way below recent averages. It’s worth noting the estimates are ranges, but since we’re a positivity newsletter, we’ll go ahead and neglect the high end entirely while blindly emphasizing the low end.

Guys….there’s a chance grocery prices could fall 7% next year!

On this day in 1945, President Truman announced that Japan had surrendered unconditionally, bringing an end to the Second World War. Allied cities erupted into joyous celebration, leading to one of the more famous photographs in history in Times Square.

If I could time travel, Times Square would rarely be a destination of choice, but you can count me in for August 14th, 1945. One pit stop on the way: the early 2010s to pick up some of the now-banned Four Lokos - can’t show up to the party of the century empty-handed.

Here’s hoping this date marks the end of all World Wars, not just II.

Thanks to several great Samaritans in Tulsa, Oklahoma, six abandoned puppies will have new, caring homes. The puppies were left in a plastic tote down a dead end street. That’s a devastatingly sad start to a story in a good news newsletter, but stick around - it only gets better from here, we promise.

An Amazon driver made a very fortunate wrong turn down the dead end street and spotted the puppies. In what was likely a busy day of deliveries, he stopped and called Tulsa Police. And that’s when we meet our star, Sergeant Darrell Ross.

Sgt. Ross came to the scene and took on the responsibility of orchestrating next steps for the puppies. That very night, he got two of them adopted to neighbors and then fostered the rest himself. Sergeant Ross just gave his neighbors their best friends for the next 15 years! Total happiness, born from a once-sad situation.

Honey who was that?

Oh just Darrell. He’s making the rounds, delivering rescued puppies again. By the way, meet Ollie. 

The next morning, Ross took the dogs to Tulsa Animal Welfare to be checked out and prepared for adoption. They’ll be ready to find their new homes August 15th. If you’re looking for a new pup, take it from Sgt. Ross: “I’ll tell you guys, come check them out. They’re absolutely adorable, full of energy, and they would make great companion dogs.”

We don’t deserve dogs or Sergeant Ross, but we’re sure glad to have ‘em anyways.

🍫 S’more of what? Not all world records are individual achievements. In fact, we prefer the opposite.

It seems 891 Texans feel the same way, as they recently came together to set the Guinness World Record for the most people to simultaneously make s’mores. We’d imagine it was also a record for the most people to quote Ham Porter from The Sandlot at one event.

Ok, pay attention. First you take the graham, you stick the chocolate on the graham. Then you roast the 'mallow. When the 'mallows flaming... you stick it on the chocolate. Then cover with the other end. Then you scarf.

Ham Porter aside, in an era of increasing isolation and declining sense of community, it’s heartening to know we can still rely on the warmth of mallow atop chocolate atop graham to bring people together.

🍿Double feature…and then some. There have been a lot of impressive single season achievements through the years. Barry Bonds hit 73 home runs. Peyton Manning threw 55 touchdown passes. And Zachariah Swope saw 777 movie screenings in a year.

Our guy Zach went to the theater and saw 16 to 17 movies from beginning to end every single week. To achieve the record, he wasn’t allowed to eat or drink, as that would be considered multitasking. Uh yeah, it’s multitasking, and I further multiply that multitasking by shoveling popcorn and sampling candy simultaneously. Not Swope though.

Dude saw Puss in Boots: The Last Wish 47 times! With no snacks! This might be the craziest record we’ve ever featured, and last week we chronicled the record for most walnuts cracked using your head.

You have to admire the resolute commitment of our guy, who wanted to accomplish something to raise mental health awareness. Nothing will make you more aware of your mental health than pushing yourself to the absolute brink of insanity by watching Puss in Boots 47 times. But Zachariah Swope emerged unscathed, and now he’s a world record holder.

🎽 The shirt off their backs. To children, professional athletes are larger-than-life superheroes. While they’ll eventually realize they’re just humans, the gestures that reinforce their status as exceptional role models always bring smiles.

Just look at what it meant to this young Australian girl to receive the jersey of superstar Sam Kerr after the lady Socceroos’ dramatic triumph over France.

That’s a jersey a lot of players would keep, and she happily gave it away to a fan who was even happier to receive it.

Similar kindness and generosity was displayed by Liverpool’s Brazilian goalkeeper Alisson Becker.

It’s not just the gift of the shirt, but the patience, care, and sincerity he packaged with it that will create a lasting memory.

I don’t know, maybe these two are larger-than-life superheroes after all.

⚾️ You can meet your heroes. It’s the nightmare for so many parents and so many children: losing track of each other in a crowded public place, like a sports stadium. That nightmare became a reality for seven-year-old Caleb at the Phillies game last week, as he became separated from his brothers while they sought photos with the players.

Phillies superstar Bryce Harper spotted the boy in distress and came to his aid, sitting with him and later reuniting him with his brothers for a photo. Let that be a lesson to all you youngsters out there. If you find yourself separated from your family, do not seek out a stadium usher. Do seek out any two-time MVPs in the vicinity.

⚽ Grace under (literal) pressure. What started as an incredibly ugly incident in the Women’s World Cup became an incredible demonstration of sportsmanship and grace.

In a Round of 16 clash between England and Nigeria, England midfielder Lauren James intentionally stepped on Nigeria’s Michelle Alozie after a clash. James was shown a red card and suspended, and the internet did not take kindly to the incident, unleashing scores of anger onto the rising English star.

Who came to her aid? None other than Michelle Alozie.

The kind gesture was met with reciprocation, gratitude, and an apology from James.

The incident should never have happened, but in its aftermath, we’re reminded that even excessively fiery competition on the field can become grace and collegiality off it. Like Alozie said though, it’s still a red!