The Know Daily - Monday 16 March 2026

_{Read in 4m 12s ∙ Listening to Sienna Spiro ∙}

Astronomers in Chile have managed to capture one of the most detailed images yet of the centre of the Milky Way, revealing never-before-seen streams of gas and dust where new stars are forming. It’s a framer, for sure! 😍

🎧 The “always on” effect

From podcasts on our morning commute to playlists powering our workday, modern life is rarely silent – but what does this constant stream of sound do to our brains?

What does “always on” mean?
It’s the experience of living with a near-constant stream of audio – music, podcasts, videos, traffic noise, notifications and background chatter. Neuroscience suggests our brains adapt to these sound environments over time, gradually shaping how we focus and process information. But this constant adaptation may also mean that sustained silence becomes rarer and, for some people, slightly uncomfortable.

How has our soundscape changed?
For most of human history until the Industrial Revolution, everyday sound was relatively intermittent – voices, animals, tools, weather – and so quiet moments were common. But now, many people move through the day with man-made sounds from the moment their alarm wakes them, to the hum of traffic and construction on the daily commute, listening to work playlists, and then spending the evening with more digital entertainment.

The scale of exposure is significant. In Europe alone, more than 110 million people are exposed to noise pollution, with around 5 million experiencing sleep disturbance because of it.

Why are we constantly listening?
Many people use sound to manage how they feel and perform: to drown out distractions, stay motivated, reduce stress or make demanding tasks feel easier. Streaming platforms even label audio for specific mental states, like “deep focus” or “lo-fi study”. The goal isn’t just entertainment, but productivity or mood regulation. Globally, people now spend around 20.7 hours a week listening to music on average.

What are the positives of it?
Carefully chosen sound can make repetitive work feel less monotonous, improve mood and create a sense of comfort. Music and ambient sound can also help mask unpredictable background noise, something especially useful in busy offices or urban homes.

And the other side?
Constant audio can crowd out silence, which has cognitive benefits as quiet moments support reflection, memory consolidation and deeper thinking. Over time, noise can make sustained concentration feel more effortful because the brain is regularly filtering incoming signals.

So, is it possible to redesign your soundscape?
Absolutely! A few simple habits can help rebalance your daily audio environment:

⏰ Schedule intentional silence: short quiet breaks during the day help reset attention.
🤫 Match sound to the task: instrumental or ambient audio for routine work, silence for complex thinking.
🎧 Use headphones selectively: avoid defaulting to them for every activity.
🫸 Notice your sound triggers: if you always play audio when bored or stressed, pause before pressing play.
🌳 Seek natural soundscapes: walks in quieter environments can provide restorative listening experiences.

💰 Money Monday: Lifetime ISAs (LISAs) are set to be phased out and replaced with a new savings product focused on first-time buyers.

• The bigger story: The current LISA lets people aged 18–39 save up to £4,000 a year, with the government adding a 25% bonus to contributions. Under the plans, the replacement scheme – set to launch in 2028 – would focus solely on helping people buy their first home rather than also being used as a retirement savings option. Existing LISA holders are expected to be able to keep their accounts under the current rules, even as the government develops the new product.

🎭 The Oscars took place last night, with Jessie Buckley becoming the first Irish winner of the Best Actress category 👏

💡 Energy Secretary Ed Miliband has said that the government will intervene if the public’s energy bills surge due to the US-Israel conflict in Iran, as petrol prices have climbed to an 18-month high.

🐜 An accidental discovery in a lab has uncovered what bed bugs dislike the most, offering a simple solution to avoid them.

🗳️ French voters have taken to the polls for local elections that are seen as a key indicator for the presidential race next year. 

🚝 A new low-cost train service is set to connect these two cities for less than £30 per go… we might have to rethink our summer holidays!

🔗 Last week’s most clicked: A scientist’s guide to calm an overstimulated mind, this city’s tourist tax is doubling and rare pink daffodils.

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Trivia answer: B) Fish & Chips Lake Mývat in Iceland has won the “International Fish and Chip Operator” prize.

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