Naked Mole Rat Self-Esteem
January is weird. We make resolutions (or at least are told we should be doing so) with the aim of bettering ourselves, and we’re marketed a slew of diets, fitness club memberships, and exercise equipment to lose our holiday weight, so it all takes on a negative tone pretty fast.
By Katie McKissick
This article was published in Scientific American’s former blog network and reflects the views of the author, not necessarily those of Scientific American
On supporting science journalism
If you're enjoying this article, consider supporting our award-winning journalism by subscribing. By purchasing a subscription you are helping to ensure the future of impactful stories about the discoveries and ideas shaping our world today.
January is weird. We make resolutions (or at least are told we should be doing so) with the aim of bettering ourselves, and we're marketed a slew of diets, fitness club memberships, and exercise equipment to lose our holiday weight, so it all takes on a negative tone pretty fast. You're not good enough, so you should be resolved to improve.
While I was thinking about silly hypothetical resolutions from around the tree of life (like a sea turtle trying to reunite with its offspring), I switched gears. I rarely hear from people whose new year's resolution is self-acceptance. And what animal--if it knew what we said about it--would need to practice self-acceptance more than the naked mole rat, or Heterocephalus glaber. This East African rodent needs a break!
It’s Time to Stand Up for Science
If you enjoyed this article, I’d like to ask for your support. Scientific American has served as an advocate for science and industry for 180 years, and right now may be the most critical moment in that two-century history.
I’ve been a Scientific American subscriber since I was 12 years old, and it helped shape the way I look at the world. SciAm always educates and delights me, and inspires a sense of awe for our vast, beautiful universe. I hope it does that for you, too.
If you subscribe to Scientific American, you help ensure that our coverage is centered on meaningful research and discovery; that we have the resources to report on the decisions that threaten labs across the U.S.; and that we support both budding and working scientists at a time when the value of science itself too often goes unrecognized.
In return, you get essential news, captivating podcasts, brilliant infographics, can't-miss newsletters, must-watch videos, challenging games, and the science world's best writing and reporting. You can even gift someone a subscription.
There has never been a more important time for us to stand up and show why science matters. I hope you’ll support us in that mission.
