02.16.2024

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Sunrise 6:40 a.m. | Sunset 5:17 p.m.

🧠 Your brain on Boston

What does geopsychology say about a city’s personality?

Pedestrians hold their phones up to get a picture of the sun, which is rising between buildings in downtown Boston.

Locals like you help Boston’s personality shine. | Photo by @andrewreed.jpeg

Does where we live have any bearing on our personalities? A growing field of psychological research called geopsychology says “yes.”

According to geopsychology, those from, say, Sacramento, CA are likely more extroverted than their friends across the nation in Boston. And while you may have heard about that good ol’ southern charm, now there may be a form of scientific proof to back it up.

What is it?

ResearchGate defines geopsychology as “the relationship between the complex matrix of static and time-varying geophysical and geochemical variables within a locality and human behavior.”

In other words, there’s a correlation between one’s geophysical space and one’s mind. In particular, research on the “Big Five” traits — conscientiousness, agreeableness, neuroticism, openness, and extroversion — has led researchers to create a set of personality maps for the US.

Conscientiousness

Those in the South overwhelmingly display characteristics of discipline and diligence, but the map shows small spots with a high concentration of conscientious people all over the US.

Here in Boston, we’re more flexible — and perhaps a bit more careless — according to the map. Who knows, that flexibility might just be why we have so many fantastic yoga studios in town.

Agreeableness

The South also leads the map in terms of agreeableness — people living in cities like Greenville or Charleston, SC may be more considerate or willing to compromise than those in New York, NY or western cities.

Bostonians tend to be less agreeable, meaning we’re often more rational or critical. Use those critical talents for good by getting involved to make our city better.

Openness

Like trying new things or learning new ideas? You probably live in the West — or one of the pockets throughout the US that also show openness, like Austin, TX or Richmond, VA.

Boston is an open book, at least compared to much of the Northeast. We’re more likely to try new things and often have a decent awareness of our own feelings. If you’re looking for an interesting new activity, try a staycation at one of these unique accommodations.

Asked

Does your personality match Boston’s?

Is your personality all Boston, or do you bring your own spin to the City on a Hill?

Take our personality test

Events

Friday, Feb. 16

Matcha Workshop with Ko-Kyoto | Friday, Feb. 16 | 2 p.m. | Bow Market, 1 Bow Market Way, Somerville | $70 | Participate in a tea ceremony class that includes a whisk and a tin of matcha powder from Kyoto.
Sour Power Brewery Party | Friday, Feb. 16 | 5-9 p.m. | Lamplighter Brewing, 284 Broadway, Cambridge | Free | Support the nonprofit Climable at this mouth-puckering evening with classic brewery games and special sour beers.

Saturday, Feb. 17

The Melanin Roll | Saturday, Feb. 17 | 12-3 p.m. | Chez Vous , 11 Rhoades St., Dorchester | Free | Register the whole family for this 90s-themed roller skate night hosted by Racial Justice.
Boston Bruins vs. Los Angeles Kings | Saturday, Feb. 17 | 12:30 p.m. + 5 p.m. | TD Garden, 100 Legends Way, Boston | Prices vary | Cheer on the B’s in the first of their back-to-back games against the Los Angeles Kings.
Dan Soder | Saturday, Feb. 17 | 7 p.m. | Wilbur Theatre, 246 Tremont St., Boston | $37-$47 | See the stand up comedian, best known for his role on the Showtime drama series “Billions.”

Sunday, Feb. 18

ICA: Forecast Form Exhibition Tour | Sunday, Feb. 18 | 2-3 p.m. | Institute of Contemporary Art, 25 Harbor Shore Dr., Boston | Free with admission | Deepen your understanding of “Forecast Form: Art in the Caribbean Diaspora, 1990s-today” through guided tour and discussion.

Events calendar here

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News Notes

Jobs

Mayor Wu announced the City’s Life Sciences Workforce Initiative, a plan to place Boston residents into life sciences careers. The $4.7 billion initiative includes training, apprenticeships, grant funding, and support for workers underrepresented in the industry.

Civic

A new bust was unveiled this week in the Massachusetts Senate chamber, the first to be added since 1898: Frederick Douglass. It occupies one of two spaces left empty during renovations — one for a woman and one for a person of color, according to Senate President Karen Spilka. (WBUR)

Opening

Yume Ga Arukara, a new udon restaurant, will open at The Superette this Monday, Feb. 19. The original location has been serving cold + hot udon in Cambridge since 2017. (Boston Restaurant Talk)

Read

justBook-ish announced a potential June opening. We covered the upcoming Dorchester bookstore, co-owned by Porsha Olayiwola and Bing Broderick, earlier this month, along with two other new bookstores. (Dorchester Reporter)

Watch

ShortsTV and Magnolia Pictures will present every Oscar-nominated short film at Coolidge Corner Theatre. Animated and Live Action shorts will be shown tonight + this afternoon, while Documentary shorts will be shown on Friday, March 1.

Concert

The Grand Kyiv Ballet will visit Boston on its 60-city tour on Friday, Feb. 23 at 7 p.m. at Emerson Colonial Theater. Dancers will perform “Giselle,” a 19th-century tale of love and vengeance. Buy tickets.

Try This

Preview VIVI’S Tapas Bar at Dryft on Monday, Feb. 19 at 6 p.m. Enjoy a six-course menu by executive chef Adriano Silva paired with wine. Then, give your feedback to help finalize the restaurant’s opening menu. Tickets are $110.

The Buy

The Buy 2.16.24 (Affiliate + Six & Main)

Cute, matte black shower shelves that stick to your shower wall + give you way more room to store products. Our favorite feature: The shelves are 100% rust-proof, meaning they’ll last over time and allow for easy cleaning.

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The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Dayten

From the editor

A tidbit from my college days: Politeness theory is a field in linguistics that studies “positive” politeness (that’s “I’m cooking you dinner” politeness) versus “negative” politeness (that’s “I’m leaving you alone so you can cook dinner” politeness). Colder climates, like Boston, tend to be more negatively polite.

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