• Richard Branson and Ray Dalio Have No Tolerance for Office Gossip: Why Some Billionaires Are Willing to Fire Employees Over It

  Men who gossip about their colleagues behind their backs could be putting their careers at risk. A new study by the University of Iowa and the University of New Mexico has found that men who gossip are perceived as less competent and are less likely to be seen as leadership material than women who engage in exactly the same behavior....

• Threw a Plate of Spaghetti in Her Face: Bride Explodes After Bridesmaid Refuses to Gain 120 Pounds

  A bride sparked an outrageous row after demanding that her best friend gain more than 120 pounds (54kg) so she could look like the slimmest woman at her own wedding. The bizarre story has gone viral, with thousands of social media users rallying behind the woman who shared her experience, the New York Post reports...

• A Touch That Makes You Want to Cry: What Is “Sad Nipple Syndrome”?

  A sudden wave of sadness, anxiety or even profound grief triggered by touching the nipples is an unusual experience reported by people around the world. Known as Sad Nipple Syndrome, the phenomenon remains poorly understood, and scientists have yet to establish exactly what causes it, The Guardian reports...

• Groom's X-Rated Antics at the Altar Turn Wedding Kiss into Scandal, Leaving Guests Stunned

  A video showing a groom's outrageous behavior at his own wedding has taken social media by storm. In a rather unconventional way of celebrating his big “I do,” the man skipped the traditional altar kiss, buried his face in his bride's cleavage and began shaking his head. His provocative stunt made the newlywed burst into laughter but left etiquette experts outraged...

• A $89,000 Robot Learns to Interact with People in New York, with Hopes of Becoming a Nanny

  Parkgoers in New York were in for an unexpected encounter when they came across an unusual participant in their stroll: a humanoid robot worth $89,000 that sang to children, danced with visitors and learned how to interact with people...

• Three Hours for Makeup and Household Chores: Japanese Prime Minister’s Admission Sparks Public Debate

  Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has said her daily schedule is significantly more demanding than those of her male predecessors. In addition to her official duties, she spends several hours a day on makeup, bathing, cooking and other household tasks. Her remarks have sparked a heated debate about gender stereotypes and the expectations placed on Japanese women, The New York Times reports...

• “Grandparents Now Need Permission to Hug”: Controversial Ad Pulled After Backlash

  A controversy has erupted in Ireland over a public awareness campaign urging grandparents to ask their grandchildren for permission before hugging them. The video, created by the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre and funded by the Department of Justice, sparked accusations of absurd political correctness, disrespect toward older people and the misuse of public funds. The justice minister eventually demanded that the video be taken down...

• The Pharaohs Forgot to Sign the Paperwork: Scottish Museum Removes Mummies Over Lack of Consent

  A scandal worthy of a museum exhibit of its own has erupted in Scotland: ancient Egyptian remains have been removed from a Glasgow museum because people who died thousands of years ago never gave permission for their bodies to be displayed in public. Visitors are now greeted by explanatory signs instead of mummies — apparently the safest exhibit in an era when even pharaohs have suddenly been found to have personal-boundary issues...

Our sedentary lifestyle isn’t just laziness—it could seriously damage our health and appearance. Experts at the step-tracking app WeWard created a digital visualization showing what we might look like in 2050 if we never left the couch, and the results are… alarming.

The character, named Sam, or the “couch goblin,” is a medically-informed projection of how inactivity affects your body and overall health. The model was created using data from the WHO, CDC, and other sources, processed with ChatGPT.

The Risks of Sitting Too Much

WeWard warns that we’re in the midst of a global inactivity epidemic. According to the WHO, 80% of teenagers don’t get enough physical activity. Experts note: “In a culture of convenience, even simple tasks—ordering food, attending a meeting, chatting with friends—can be done straight from the couch. Add endless scrolling through social media, and you’re spending an abnormal amount of time sitting in front of a screen.”

Prolonged sitting increases the risk of stroke, heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and even dementia.

Sam’s Future Self

• Excess Weight: Unused energy turns into fat, especially around the belly, raising the risk of heart disease and diabetes.

• Poor Posture: Hours bent over screens create “tech neck,” rounding the upper back and causing chronic neck and shoulder pain.

• Tired Eyes: Endless scrolling accelerates skin aging, causes dry eyes, blurry vision, and headaches. Experts recommend the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds.

• Swollen Legs & Feet: Poor circulation leads to fluid retention, varicose veins, and higher risk of blood clots.

Other potential issues include stiff joints, arthritis, hair loss, skin problems, and under-eye bags.

WeWard encourages users to upload photos to see a glimpse of their future selves if they don’t start moving. Sam is a stark reminder that while the couch may be comfortable, sitting too much could come at a high cost to your health and appearance.

Follow NEWS.am STYLE on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram