Autumnal equinox arrives in Northern Hemisphere

Stuart Clark 15 September, 2025

Summer comes to a close for us in the Northern Hemisphere this week on 22 September 2025, as we enter the autumn. The moment is marked by the autumnal equinox, which is the moment when the sun crosses the celestial equator, moving south, and then, gradually, the days become shorter than the nights. The exact moment this happens is 19:19 BST (British Summer Time) on 22 September and it is caused by the movement of Earth along its orbit, gradually moving the Northern Hemisphere away from the sun.

The name equinox comes from the Latin aequus, meaning equal and nox, meaning night. So, it is said that the equinox is when day and night are the same length, which would be true if Earth had no atmosphere.

(www.theguardian.com/science/2025/sep/15/why-the-autumn-equinox-isnt--actually-when-day-and-night-are-equal. Acesso em 18.09.2025. Adaptado)

Consider the following text to answer the question

Sophomaniac: The Danger of an Obsession with Wisdom

Have you ever met someone who seems to have mastered every subject but refuses to be questioned? These individuals are known as sophomaniacs, and their attitudes can be quite challenging.

What Is a Sophomaniac?

The term “sophomaniac” describes someone obsessed with demonstrating their supposed intellectual superiority. The word originates from Greek: “sophos” means wisdom, while “mania” refers to an obsession or madness. Thus, a sophomaniac behaves as if they are the ultimate authority on any subject, even when they lack deep or genuine knowledge about it.

According to psychologist Daniel Goleman, author of the book Emotional Intelligence, this behavior might be an unconscious attempt to mask insecurities.

“When someone insists on appearing wiser than they are, they are often compensating for feelings of inadequacy” (Goleman, 1995).

This explains why sophomaniacs struggle to accept criticism or admit mistakes—their identities are deeply tied to the need to feel superior.

A practical example of this behavior can be observed in debates or meetings, where the sophomaniac monopolizes the conversation and belittles others’ ideas. It’s common for these individuals to use jargon or technical terms to impress, even when out of context. As Carol Dweck, psychologist and author of Mindset, highlights:

“A fixed mindset prevents a person from seeking true learning since their priority is to appear intelligent, not to be intelligent” (Dweck, 2006).

Understanding what drives someone to be a sophomaniac is essential for dealing with such individuals. Recognizing that their behavior often reflects internal vulnerabilities allows us to adopt a more empathetic approach. After all, as Socrates famously said: “True wisdom lies in recognizing one’s ignorance.” A sophomaniac still has that path to walk.

General Behaviors

Sophomaniacs exhibit behaviors that quickly become evident to those who interact with them. Among their main traits, two stand out and help explain their personality: an incessant need for validation and an intolerance for opposing opinions.

The Need for Validation

This is practically a compass for sophomaniacs. They are constantly seeking recognition for their supposed intellectual superiority, whether at work, on social media, or even in casual interactions. According to Brené Brown, author of Daring Greatly:

“External validation may feel like temporary relief, but it often masks a sense of vulnerability” (Brown, 2012).

Contempt for Divergent Opinions

On the other hand, contempt for opposing views is another defining characteristic. For the sophomaniac, hearing ideas that challenge their perspective is more than uncomfortable—it feels like an attack on their identity. Often, they react aggressively, using sarcasm or dismissing the other person. As Adam Grant highlights in Originals, “resistance to contrary ideas limits growth and stifles innovation” (Grant, 2016). This inflexibility causes sophomaniacs to miss valuable learning opportunities, perpetuating a cycle of intellectual isolation. Recognizing these behaviors is not only useful for understanding sophomaniacs but also for devising effective interaction strategies. Knowing that validation and narrative control are pillars of their behavior helps establish healthy boundaries and maintain productive conversations without fueling draining conflicts.

Available at: https://fersnewsletter.substack.com/p/sophomaniac-the-danger-of-an-obsession?

utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web. Accessed: 08 apr. 2025.

Consider the following text to answer the question

Sophomaniac: The Danger of an Obsession with Wisdom

Have you ever met someone who seems to have mastered every subject but refuses to be questioned? These individuals are known as sophomaniacs, and their attitudes can be quite challenging.

What Is a Sophomaniac?

The term “sophomaniac” describes someone obsessed with demonstrating their supposed intellectual superiority. The word originates from Greek: “sophos” means wisdom, while “mania” refers to an obsession or madness. Thus, a sophomaniac behaves as if they are the ultimate authority on any subject, even when they lack deep or genuine knowledge about it.

According to psychologist Daniel Goleman, author of the book Emotional Intelligence, this behavior might be an unconscious attempt to mask insecurities.

“When someone insists on appearing wiser than they are, they are often compensating for feelings of inadequacy” (Goleman, 1995).

This explains why sophomaniacs struggle to accept criticism or admit mistakes—their identities are deeply tied to the need to feel superior.

A practical example of this behavior can be observed in debates or meetings, where the sophomaniac monopolizes the conversation and belittles others’ ideas. It’s common for these individuals to use jargon or technical terms to impress, even when out of context. As Carol Dweck, psychologist and author of Mindset, highlights:

“A fixed mindset prevents a person from seeking true learning since their priority is to appear intelligent, not to be intelligent” (Dweck, 2006).

Understanding what drives someone to be a sophomaniac is essential for dealing with such individuals. Recognizing that their behavior often reflects internal vulnerabilities allows us to adopt a more empathetic approach. After all, as Socrates famously said: “True wisdom lies in recognizing one’s ignorance.” A sophomaniac still has that path to walk.

General Behaviors

Sophomaniacs exhibit behaviors that quickly become evident to those who interact with them. Among their main traits, two stand out and help explain their personality: an incessant need for validation and an intolerance for opposing opinions.

The Need for Validation

This is practically a compass for sophomaniacs. They are constantly seeking recognition for their supposed intellectual superiority, whether at work, on social media, or even in casual interactions. According to Brené Brown, author of Daring Greatly:

“External validation may feel like temporary relief, but it often masks a sense of vulnerability” (Brown, 2012).

Contempt for Divergent Opinions

On the other hand, contempt for opposing views is another defining characteristic. For the sophomaniac, hearing ideas that challenge their perspective is more than uncomfortable—it feels like an attack on their identity. Often, they react aggressively, using sarcasm or dismissing the other person. As Adam Grant highlights in Originals, “resistance to contrary ideas limits growth and stifles innovation” (Grant, 2016). This inflexibility causes sophomaniacs to miss valuable learning opportunities, perpetuating a cycle of intellectual isolation. Recognizing these behaviors is not only useful for understanding sophomaniacs but also for devising effective interaction strategies. Knowing that validation and narrative control are pillars of their behavior helps establish healthy boundaries and maintain productive conversations without fueling draining conflicts.

Available at: https://fersnewsletter.substack.com/p/sophomaniac-the-danger-of-an-obsession?

utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web. Accessed: 08 apr. 2025.

Consider the following text to answer the question

Sophomaniac: The Danger of an Obsession with Wisdom

Have you ever met someone who seems to have mastered every subject but refuses to be questioned? These individuals are known as sophomaniacs, and their attitudes can be quite challenging.

What Is a Sophomaniac?

The term “sophomaniac” describes someone obsessed with demonstrating their supposed intellectual superiority. The word originates from Greek: “sophos” means wisdom, while “mania” refers to an obsession or madness. Thus, a sophomaniac behaves as if they are the ultimate authority on any subject, even when they lack deep or genuine knowledge about it.

According to psychologist Daniel Goleman, author of the book Emotional Intelligence, this behavior might be an unconscious attempt to mask insecurities.

“When someone insists on appearing wiser than they are, they are often compensating for feelings of inadequacy” (Goleman, 1995).

This explains why sophomaniacs struggle to accept criticism or admit mistakes—their identities are deeply tied to the need to feel superior.

A practical example of this behavior can be observed in debates or meetings, where the sophomaniac monopolizes the conversation and belittles others’ ideas. It’s common for these individuals to use jargon or technical terms to impress, even when out of context. As Carol Dweck, psychologist and author of Mindset, highlights:

“A fixed mindset prevents a person from seeking true learning since their priority is to appear intelligent, not to be intelligent” (Dweck, 2006).

Understanding what drives someone to be a sophomaniac is essential for dealing with such individuals. Recognizing that their behavior often reflects internal vulnerabilities allows us to adopt a more empathetic approach. After all, as Socrates famously said: “True wisdom lies in recognizing one’s ignorance.” A sophomaniac still has that path to walk.

General Behaviors

Sophomaniacs exhibit behaviors that quickly become evident to those who interact with them. Among their main traits, two stand out and help explain their personality: an incessant need for validation and an intolerance for opposing opinions.

The Need for Validation

This is practically a compass for sophomaniacs. They are constantly seeking recognition for their supposed intellectual superiority, whether at work, on social media, or even in casual interactions. According to Brené Brown, author of Daring Greatly:

“External validation may feel like temporary relief, but it often masks a sense of vulnerability” (Brown, 2012).

Contempt for Divergent Opinions

On the other hand, contempt for opposing views is another defining characteristic. For the sophomaniac, hearing ideas that challenge their perspective is more than uncomfortable—it feels like an attack on their identity. Often, they react aggressively, using sarcasm or dismissing the other person. As Adam Grant highlights in Originals, “resistance to contrary ideas limits growth and stifles innovation” (Grant, 2016). This inflexibility causes sophomaniacs to miss valuable learning opportunities, perpetuating a cycle of intellectual isolation. Recognizing these behaviors is not only useful for understanding sophomaniacs but also for devising effective interaction strategies. Knowing that validation and narrative control are pillars of their behavior helps establish healthy boundaries and maintain productive conversations without fueling draining conflicts.

Available at: https://fersnewsletter.substack.com/p/sophomaniac-the-danger-of-an-obsession?

utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web. Accessed: 08 apr. 2025.

INSTRUCTIONS: Read the text below to answer the following question.

What is fatal familial insomnia?

In the mid-1980s, a family with a mysterious problem lived in a small town in Italy. For many years, members of this family had trouble sleeping, but no one knew why. One day, a family member named Silvano decided to find out what was causing this strange problem. Silvano traveled to the city of Bologna to meet with the best sleep doctors. He told them all about his family’s mystery.

The doctors were intrigued by Silvano’s story and immediately began to study his case. After much research, the doctors discovered something never seen before: a tiny change in a special gene passed down from generation to generation in Silvano’s family, which stopped them from sleeping. They called this disease fatal familial insomnia (FFI).

Fatal familial insomnia is an extremely rare disease. Like many other rare diseases, FFI is passed on through the DNA from parents to their children. The symptoms of FFI start slowly and get worse over time. People with FFI start to have difficulty falling and / or staying asleep, and then, as it gets worse, they may suddenly fall asleep without warning. People with FFI also tend to develop other problems like a fast heartbeat; high blood pressure; hormonal, mood and behavior swings; anxiety; excessive sweating; and trouble thinking clearly and moving their bodies. The symptoms usually start between the ages of 51 and 60, although rarely they can start as early as 18 – 20 years old. FFI affects both men and women equally. To date, more than 70 families around the world have been found to have FFI.

[...]

Although there is still no cure for FFI, research is happening all over the world. Researchers are working to find new pieces to help them solve the complex puzzle of FFI and to develop treatments that can improve the lives of those affected. Ongoing research aims to understand the underlying mechanisms of FFI, especially how genetic mutations change healthy prion proteins into abnormal ones and how the buildup of abnormal prions in the brain causes FFI symptoms. This understanding is essential for developing effective therapies.

Additionally, researchers are searching for biomarkers of FFI. Biomarkers are things that can be measured through blood tests or brain scans, for example, that indicate the presence of a disease or the risk of developing it. Biomarkers could help doctors to diagnose FFI earlier and to track how it changes over time.

In terms of developing therapies for FFI, gene therapy is a promising approach that aims to fix or replace defective genes. Gene therapy could eventually improve patients’ quality of life. Researchers are also studying drugs that might stop or slow down the buildup of PrPSc in the brain. New drugs are first tested on animals to see if they work and are safe, and drugs that pass these initial tests are then tested on people. With effective new medicines, it might be possible to slow down or even stop FFI.

Available at: https://kids.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/frym.2025.1523273. Accessed on: Aug 4th, 2025. [Adapted]