Every week, we scour the web to bring you interesting bits and pieces from around the world. Enjoy!

IT TAKES A VILLAGE

There’s fascinating research in this article on how humans and parenting have evolved over the millennia. Turns out, our ancestors babysat each others’ children all the time, the literal source of the idiom “It takes a village to raise a child.” A refreshing take on childcare in an era that tends to shame mothers for seeking support from daycares and nannies!

CHEATING HIS WAY TO MILLIONS

Ashley Madison, the social media site founded in 2001 to facilitate affairs, had a revenue of US$ 150 million last year and is attempting to raise more funds in a public share sale in London. Ostensibly empowering women, according to founder Noel Biderman, the site’s goal is to open infidelity — long considered a domain of men and “fallen” women — to all women. But it begs the question: is copying men’s bad behavior empowerment? Or is it just more bad behavior? Read more about the business here.

STRUGGLING TO BREATHE

While a little dramatic and expat-heavy for our liking, Gardiner Harris’ account of raising his children in Delhi and his concerns around the city’s air pollution contains enough food for thought to temper his perspective. The experts he cites are part of a growing chorus of voices discouraging raising children in toxic environments. But the New York Times correspondent has the luxury and comfort of returning to his home. For some of us, for whom Delhi is home, we’d rather he focused more on what to do, not how to leave.

THE FRENCH APPROACH TO ADHD

In the US, 9% of children are diagnosed with ADHD; in France, it’s just 0.5%. Why the disparity? This article first looks at the countries’ medical communities’ philosophy behind childhood disorders, then at the cultures’ parenting philosophies. The result is an interesting critique of American culture and medicine and a proposed alternative treatment of ADHD in children through therapy and nutrition.

STILL WATERS NOT SO DEEP

Under the surface, 500 meter-high waves are roiling across oceans worldwide. This is not a new phenomenon; in fact, it has long played a major role in marine ecosystems. But now scientists have been able to document a more detailed view of how these waves form, play out, and die, giving new insights into everything from marine diets to pollution to climate change.

CYBER SECURITY COULD USE A BOOST

You know those security questions your bank asks you every time you pay for something via Net Banking? Turns out those questions aren’t so great defenses. Google research indicates that a hacker could guess the answers in 10 tries or less. Google and other web giants are moving toward SMS-based or alternate email address-based solutions. Hopefully our banks and other institutions will follow suit soon!

ZONE OUT TO FOCUS IN BETTER 

Daydreaming is more important than we think. Our brains have evolved to focus on one thing at a time, but in the Great Age of Multitasking, this just isn’t possible anymore. This psychologist explains what happens to your brain when it gets overloaded — and how daydreaming acts as a natural ‘reset.’ He also suggests ways of managing interruptions from constant communication, whether via social media, text, or email, as “an unread email in your inbox can lower your effective IQ by 10 points.” Who knew that tuning out could make us smarter?

WHO RUN THE WORLD? GIRLS!

We’ll be the first to call out our patriarchal culture here at The Swaddle. That said, it’s a relief to see international media highlighting another side of our rich and diverse culture. The photos Karolin Kluppel of the girls of matriarchal Mawlynnong, Meghalaya, are striking in their simplicity and power. Flip through the whole slideshow — it’s worth it, no matter how long you have to wait for the photos to load.