CATS AS SPIES? PROBABLY NOT, BUT MAYBE A BEETLE THE CIA’S MOST PURR- PLEXING MISSION
FESTIVE OR FRACTURED How Narcissists Use Family Holidays Against You The holidays should be a time of joy, comfort, and closeness, but if you are married to a narcissist, they can quickly turn into a stage for manipulation. A celebratory family gathering can become a minefield of gaslighting, guilt trips, and performances that make them look like the perfect partner, leaving you feeling invisible or anxious. By knowing what these tactics look like, you can avoid this carefully designed bait-and- switch to enjoy what should be a happy time with your loved ones. SABOTAGE IN DISGUISE Narcissists have a knack for undermining plans in a way that makes you question if it was your fault. They may go back on something they agreed to, pointing the finger at miscommunication from you in front of everyone. Maybe they agreed to bring the stuffing for Thanksgiving but show up to the gathering with nothing, claiming you were supposed to bring it. They could wait until the last minute to tell you they can’t make it, leaving you to explain to everyone else. Respond calmly, because they are just looking to get a rise out of you. Talk to your family beforehand. SPOTLIGHT STEALERS The holidays are a high-stress time, and narcissists will be seeking even more validation than usual, especially with a meaningful family dynamic they can twist. They crave attention and may use a celebration as a chance to make everything about them. They might dominate the conversation, dismiss or disrespect other people’s feelings, or create drama to overshadow you. This could even take the form of showy or insulting gifts. Before the holidays, you can develop boundaries and a script you can use when the conversation turns into attention-seeking behavior from your partner. TRASHED TRADITIONS Narcissists often try to create tension during special moments because it gives them an emotional weapon. They could refuse to participate in a beloved family tradition, like decorating the tree or refusing to smile in the annual holiday photo. They could openly criticize or ignore you during something that should be joyful, like saying you burned the turkey or giving you the silent treatment. Take a few deep breaths and focus on your family. Remember that your partner is trying to put you off-balance, and their behavior doesn’t reflect yours.
The CIA once tried to turn a cat into a spy. No, really.
In the 1960s, the agency launched a project called Acoustic Kitty. The idea was to implant listening devices into live cats so they could eavesdrop on foreign officials. One unlucky feline became their test subject. A surgeon embedded a microphone in the cat’s ear, ran an antenna through its fur, and tucked a transmitter into the base of its skull.
The CIA planned to train the cat to sit near targets and secretly transmit conversations. The outcome? Let’s just say things didn’t go as planned.
For the first trial run, CIA agents released the wired-up cat near a park bench where two men were talking. Instead of heading toward the bench, the cat unfortunately wandered into traffic and was immediately hit by a taxi. The mission was over before it began. It turned out cats weren’t very good at following orders. In a later memo, the CIA admitted that the program wasn’t practical or suited to its “highly specialized needs.” No surprise there. If you’ve ever tried to get a cat to do anything it doesn’t want to do, you understand. Still, the idea of using animals for covert missions didn’t die with Acoustic Kitty. In the 2000s, the Pentagon’s Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) picked up the baton and funded experiments with remote-controlled insects. Researchers at UC Berkeley managed to control
a beetle’s flight using neural implants. They could steer it left and right and make it start and stop in mid-air. It was like a bug-size drone. Science has shown that bugs might make better spies than cats. And unless your housecat suddenly develops a taste for espionage, your conversations are probably safe. So, if your feline friend stares
blankly at you while you share secrets, don’t worry. That’s not surveillance. That’s just a cat being a cat.
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