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For some people dying alone is not such a bad thing – here’s why

<div class="theconversation-article-body"><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/glenys-caswell-142188">Glenys Caswell</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-nottingham-1192">University of Nottingham</a> It seems so obvious that no one should die alone that we never talk about it, but people do often die when they are alone. Sometimes they die in a way that suggests they prefer to be alone as they are coming to the end of their lives. So is it really such a bad thing to be alone when you die? When a person is dying in a hospital or a care home it is common for the nurses caring for them to summon their family. Many people will have the experience of trying to <a href="http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.2190/OM.55.3.d">keep vigil beside a family member</a>. It is hard – as everyday life goes on regardless – and it can be emotionally exhausting. Sometimes, the relative will die when their family have gone to make a phone call or get a cup of tea, leaving the family feeling distressed and guilty for not being there when they died. There is plenty of research literature, from many countries, devoted to trying to decide <a href="http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0885392415001578">what makes a good death</a>. There are differences to be found between countries, but similarities too. One similarity is a belief that <a href="http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S106474811600138X?via%3Dihub">no one should die alone</a>. This idea sits well with the view of dying that can be found in many different places. When interviewed as research participants, health professionals – and <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2904589/">nurses in particular</a> – commonly say that no one should die alone. There are also many cultural references that suggest that to die alone is a bad thing. Consider, for example, the death of Ebenezer Scrooge in Dickens’s <a href="https://www.gutenberg.org/files/46/46-h/46-h.htm">A Christmas Carol</a>, or the death of Nemo, the law writer in <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/1023/1023-h/1023-h.htm">Bleak House</a>. These are both sad, dark, lonely deaths of a kind to be avoided. Celebrity deaths, such as those of comedian and actress <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2016/apr/20/victoria-wood-dies-aged-62-comedian">Victoria Wood</a> or <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-35278872">David Bowie</a>, are described in the news as peaceful or good when they are surrounded by family. Ordinary people who die alone make the news when the person’s body is undiscovered for a long time. When this happens the death is likely to be described in <a href="http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S027795360300577X?via%3Dihub">negative terms</a>, such as shocking, lonely, tragic or as a sad indictment of society. <h2>Some people prefer to be alone</h2> Of course, it may be the case that many people would prefer to have their family around them when they are dying. But there is <a href="http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/21582041.2015.1114663">evidence</a> that suggests that some people would <a href="http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0277953615003482?via%3Dihub">prefer to be alone </a> as they are coming to the end of their lives. My own <a href="http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/13576275.2017.1413542">research</a> found that while hospice-at-home nurses believe that no one should die alone, they had seen cases where a person died after their family members had left the bedside. The nurses believed that some people just want to be on their own when they are dying. They also thought that people may have a measure of control over when they die, and choose to do so when their family are not around. In the same study, I also talked to older people who were living alone to find out their views about dying alone. I was intrigued to learn that dying alone was not seen as something that is automatically bad, and for some of the older people it was to be preferred. For some people in this group, dying was not the worst thing that could happen – being trapped in a care home was considered to be far worse than dying alone. Cultural representations of dying suggest that being alone while dying is a dreadful thing. This view is supported by healthcare policy and the practices of health professionals, such as nurses. But we all know people who prefer to be left alone when they are ill. Is it so surprising then that some might wish to be alone when they are dying? It is time we began to talk about this and to accept that we want different things in our dying as we do in our living. Openness created through discussion might also help to remove some of the guilt that family members feel when they miss the moment of their relative’s death.<img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/90034/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/glenys-caswell-142188">Glenys Caswell</a>, Senior Research Fellow, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-nottingham-1192">University of Nottingham</a> Image credits: Shutterstock This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/for-some-people-dying-alone-is-not-such-a-bad-thing-heres-why-90034">original article</a>. </div>

Caring

6 extra items to pack when travelling by yourself

Travelling alone can be a life changing experience, but it also requires a few extra precautions. Pack these six things to keep yourself safe. 1. Doorstop A simple wedge of wood or plastic can give you priceless peace of mind in a hotel room. Even if you lock the door, people might be able to break the lock or use a cloned key. A doorstop quickly and easily wedges it shut so you can sleep easy. If you want to go one step further, you can get special doorstop alarms that will emit a loud siren if anyone tries to force the door. 2. Extra lock There are endless uses for an extra padlock or bike lock-style cable. You can double up on your hotel door, secure your train carriage or ship cabin, double lock your suitcase or chain it to something sturdy. Compact, sturdy locks are relatively cheap and easy to carry with you, and will deter most thieves or intruders looking for an easy mark. 3. First aid kit If you don’t have a travel buddy to send down to the chemist, a simple first aid kit can be a lifesaver. Keep it stocked with band aids, basic bandages, pain killers, antibiotics, antihistamines and gastro meds, along with anything else you think will be useful. If you are really unwell, you’ll obviously need to see a doctor, but having the first line of defence within easy reach is always smart. 4. Whistle or personal alarm If you will be walking through unfamiliar cities at night (or even in the day), a whistle or personal alarm can give you a feeling of security. If anyone unsavoury approaches you, a loud noise will startle them and generally scare them off. It also draws the attention of other people and makes them aware of your predicament. 5. Small torch Never underestimate the power of a little light to make you feel safe. It’s great for finding your way through dark streets, looking for your keys in your bag or seeing the lock on your hotel door. You can get small lights that attach to a keychain or wallet and give out a surprisingly bright light. People are less likely to approach you if they feel they will be seen. 6. Fake wedding ring This one is for the ladies – in some countries an unmarried woman is seen as an easy target. Buying a cheap, fake wedding ring can give you a simple cover. Men may be less likely to approach you and, if they do, you can simply say your husband is in the next shop or waiting for you back at the hotel. Image credits: Shutterstock

Travel Tips

Who will look after us in our final years? A pay rise alone won’t solve aged-care workforce shortages

<a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/stephen-duckett-10730">Stephen Duckett</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/the-university-of-melbourne-722">The University of Melbourne</a> Aged-care workers will receive a significant pay increase after the Fair Work Commission <a href="https://www.fwc.gov.au/documents/decisionssigned/pdf/2024fwcfb150.pdf">ruled</a> they deserved substantial wage rises of up to 28%. The federal government <a href="https://ministers.dewr.gov.au/burke/fair-work-decision-aged-care">has committed to</a> the increases, but is yet to announce when they will start. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> Tens of thousands of aged care workers will receive a major pay rise after the Fair Work Commission recommended the increase. <a href="https://t.co/NeNt1Gvxd9">https://t.co/NeNt1Gvxd9</a> — SBS News (@SBSNews) <a href="https://twitter.com/SBSNews/status/1768557710537068889?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 15, 2024</a></blockquote> But while wage rises for aged-care workers are welcome, this measure alone will not fix all workforce problems in the sector. The number of people over 80 is expected to <a href="https://treasury.gov.au/sites/default/files/2023-08/p2023-435150.pdf">triple over the next 40 years</a>, driving an increase in the number of aged care workers needed. <h2>How did we get here?</h2> The Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety, which delivered its <a href="https://www.royalcommission.gov.au/aged-care/final-report">final report</a> in March 2021, identified a litany of tragic failures in the regulation and delivery of aged care. The former Liberal government was dragged reluctantly to accept that a total revamp of the aged-care system was needed. But its <a href="https://www.health.gov.au/ministers/the-hon-greg-hunt-mp/media/respect-care-and-dignity-aged-care-royal-commission-452-million-immediate-response-as-government-commits-to-historic-reform-to-deliver-respect-and-care-for-senior-australians#:%7E:text=Minister%20for%20Senior%20Australians%20and,%2C%20dementia%2C%20food%20and%20nutrition.">weak response</a> left the heavy lifting to the incoming Labor government. The current government’s response started well, with a <a href="https://theconversation.com/anthony-albanese-offers-2-5-billion-plan-to-fix-crisis-in-aged-care-180419">significant injection of funding</a> and a promising regulatory response. But it too has failed to pursue a visionary response to the problems identified by the Royal Commission. Action was needed on four fronts: <ul> <li>ensuring enough staff to provide care</li> <li>building a functioning regulatory system to encourage good care and weed out bad providers</li> <li>designing and introducing a fair payment system to distribute funds to providers and</li> <li>implementing a financing system to pay for it all and achieve intergenerational equity.</li> </ul> A government taskforce which proposed a <a href="https://theconversation.com/what-will-aged-care-look-like-for-the-next-generation-more-of-the-same-but-higher-out-of-pocket-costs-225551">timid response to the fourth challenge</a> – an equitable financing system – was released at the start of last week. Consultation closed on a <a href="https://media.opan.org.au/uploads/2024/03/240308_Aged-Care-Act-Exposure-Draft-Joint-Submission_FINAL.pdf">very poorly designed new regulatory regime</a> the week before. But the big news came at end of the week when the Fair Work Commission handed down a further <a href="https://www.fwc.gov.au/documents/decisionssigned/pdf/2024fwcfb150.pdf">determination</a> on what aged-care workers should be paid, confirming and going beyond a previous <a href="https://www.fwc.gov.au/documents/sites/work-value-aged-care/decisions-statements/2022fwcfb200.pdf">interim determination</a>. <h2>What did the Fair Work Commission find?</h2> Essentially, the commission determined that work in industries with a high proportion of women workers has been traditionally undervalued in wage-setting. This had consequences for both care workers in the aged-care industry (nurses and <a href="https://training.gov.au/Training/Details/CHC33021">Certificate III-qualified</a> personal-care workers) and indirect care workers (cleaners, food services assistants). Aged-care staff will now get significant pay increases – 18–28% increase for personal care workers employed under the Aged Care Award, inclusive of the increase awarded in the interim decision. <figure class="align-center "><figcaption></figcaption>Indirect care workers were awarded a general increase of 3%. Laundry hands, cleaners and food services assistants will receive a further 3.96% <a href="https://www.fwc.gov.au/documents/decision-summaries/2024fwcfb150-summary.pdf">on the grounds</a> they “interact with residents significantly more regularly than other indirect care employees”.</figure> The final increases for registered and enrolled nurses will be determined in the next few months. <h2>How has the sector responded?</h2> There has been no push-back from employer groups or conservative politicians. This suggests the uplift is accepted as fair by all concerned. The interim increases of up to 15% probably facilitated this acceptance, with the <a href="https://theconversation.com/what-does-the-budget-mean-for-medicare-medicines-aged-care-and-first-nations-health-192842">recognition of the community</a> that care workers should be paid more than fast food workers. There was <a href="https://www.accpa.asn.au/media-releases/accpa-welcomes-further-aged-care-wage-rises">no criticism from aged-care providers</a> either. This is probably because they are facing difficulty in recruiting staff at current wage rates. And because government payments to providers reflect the <a href="https://www.ihacpa.gov.au/">actual cost of aged care</a>, increased payments will automatically flow to providers. When the increases will flow has yet to be determined. The government is due to give its recommendations for staging implementation by mid-April. <h2>Is the workforce problem fixed?</h2> An increase in wages is necessary, but alone is not sufficient to solve workforce shortages. The health- and social-care workforce is <a href="https://www.jobsandskills.gov.au/data/employment-projections">predicted</a> to grow faster than any other sector over the next decade. The “care economy” will <a href="https://theconversation.com/care-economy-to-balloon-in-an-australia-of-40-5-million-intergenerational-report-211876">grow</a> from around 8% to around 15% of GDP over the next 40 years. This means a greater proportion of school-leavers will need to be attracted to the aged-care sector. Aged care will also need to attract and retrain workers displaced from industries in decline and attract suitably skilled migrants and refugees with appropriate language skills. The <a href="https://theconversation.com/demand-driven-funding-for-universities-is-frozen-what-does-this-mean-and-should-the-policy-be-restored-116060">caps on university and college enrolments</a> imposed by the previous government, coupled with weak student demand for places in key professions (such as nursing), has meant workforce shortages will continue for a few more years, despite the allure of increased wages. A significant increase in intakes into university and vocational education college courses preparing students for health and social care is still required. Better pay will help to increase student demand, but funding to expand place numbers will ensure there are enough qualified staff for the aged-care system of the future. <img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/225898/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/stephen-duckett-10730">Stephen Duckett</a>, Honorary Enterprise Professor, School of Population and Global Health, and Department of General Practice and Primary Care, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/the-university-of-melbourne-722">The University of Melbourne</a> This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/who-will-look-after-us-in-our-final-years-a-pay-rise-alone-wont-solve-aged-care-workforce-shortages-225898">original article</a>. Image: Getty

Retirement Income

Why you should travel solo this summer

<a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/claire-mccamley-446927">Claire McCamley</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-huddersfield-1226">University of Huddersfield</a> When you think about booking a summer holiday, you might think of trips with partners, friends or family. The idea of going on holiday alone can be daunting, or even unappealing. It raises all kinds of questions – who will you talk to? Who will you eat with? Will you be safe? There has long been a <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/0267257X.2015.1073170?journalCode=rjmm20">stigma against solo consumption</a>. Societal norms encourage us to be with someone – leisure experiences are billed as something to <a href="https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/IJCHM-06-2019-0584/full/pdf?title=dining-alone-improving-the-experience-of-solo-restaurant-goers">share with others</a>. There may also be a level of guilt or self-indulgence associated with solo travel, feeling as if you are shirking responsibility or abandoning time with family. An increase in <a href="https://www.euromonitor.com/article/single-person-households-to-record-128-percent-growth-by-2030">single-person households</a>, however, means the hospitality industry is now serving solo consumers in addition to families and couples. The continuously <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/adigaskell/2020/05/11/is-a-blurred-work-life-balance-the-new-normal/?sh=5c9db6341813">blurred line</a> between work and play, particularly for Millennials and younger generations, makes it easier to work remotely or travel as part of our jobs. We are more transient than ever, and have more opportunities to work and travel alone without feeling completely disconnected from the rest of our lives. In recent years, people have been <a href="https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/comment/whats-behind-the-rise-in-solo-travel/">increasingly</a> travelling alone – including younger vacationers. They also share their experiences to a large audience on social media – the hashtag #SoloTravel has over 7 million posts associated with it on Instagram. Solo travellers are taking part in the growing <a href="https://www.futuresplatform.com/blog/solo-economy-new-consumption-patterns">solo economy</a> – new products and services targeting the lone consumer. Hotels, <a href="https://www.ncl.com/uk/en/freestyle-cruise/solo-cruising">cruises</a>, restaurants, tourism <a href="https://www.flashpack.com/">companies</a> and festivals are showing how design, staff and technology can be tailored to accommodate – and even encourage – solo consumption in travel. <a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/14705931211017184">Our research</a> into the experience of solo consumers in coffee shops offers insight into how solo consumption can be as pleasurable and fulfilling as going with a partner or friend. Through <a href="https://www.research.ucsb.edu/sites/default/files/RD/docs/FREEWRITING-by-Peter-Elbow.pdf">freewriting</a> exercises, these consumers shared their own experiences. Their words offer some reasons you should try it too. <h2>Be together, alone</h2> Our research participants highlighted key factors that help them enjoy their solo experience – high seats and window views allowing them to sit back and observe others’ lives without any direct interaction or connection. You don’t need to arrive with others to feel part of a social environment. Alone in a crowded square or on a busy beach, the proximity of other people and their conversations can be a source of comfort, distraction or even entertainment. <blockquote> The seat is important -– I like the window especially a stool and “shelf” table facing out … I see people, imagine their lives, see cars and life pass by. I watch other customers, I watch the street out the window, the cliché of “watching the world pass by”. The setting, context and environment of the café are important to that moment of pause. </blockquote> <h2>Take time for yourself</h2> Being alone can be a <a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/14705931211017184">therapeutic experience</a>, a time to process thoughts, feelings and emotions and leave you ready to tackle the world again. Perhaps take time to write, draw or practice another creative activity in your own time. Bask in your own thoughts without feeling pressure to please anyone else or force a conversation. <blockquote> Sitting alone with my thoughts can be a comforting experience; picking a seat, getting comfy…I can find silence with my thoughts and don’t feel any pressure to act for anybody or involve myself in a conversation that doesn’t interest me. </blockquote> <h2>Get out of your comfort zone</h2> Being able to do your own thing, without needing to consider others can be relaxing and can also give you the opportunity to do something you’ve never done before, free of judgement. You might want to go to some sort of class, shop or have a complete chill-out day. Findings from our research indicate that time spent doing things alone can relieve some of the pressures that companions can bring. Alone time gives you the space to experience things in your own time and take in your surroundings without distraction. In doing this, you may find yourself in new situations, away from your comfort zone – an energising and enthralling experience. <h2>Embrace solo traveller culture</h2> Solo travellers have their <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0278431921002516">own way of doing things</a>, they have a shared behaviour and process and often become a collective in themselves. They acknowledge the process of travelling alone and respect others doing the same, and may even seek out spaces to be alone, together. Solo travellers can engage in a shared experience and dialogue while maintaining their own individualism – helping each other when needed, but also leave one another alone. <blockquote> We search for places where we feel we fit … We are happy to smile at one another. We don’t need to chat to engage. We are happy on our own with a coffee. I am amongst my tribe.<img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/184000/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> </blockquote> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/claire-mccamley-446927">Claire McCamley</a>, Senior Lecturer in marketing, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-huddersfield-1226">University of Huddersfield</a> Image credits: Getty Images This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/why-you-should-travel-solo-this-summer-184000">original article</a>.

Travel Tips

Dreading footy season? You’re not alone – 20% of Australians are self-described sport haters

<a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/hunter-fujak-290599">Hunter Fujak</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/deakin-university-757">Deakin University</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/heath-mcdonald-92440">Heath McDonald</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/rmit-university-1063">RMIT University</a> With the winter AFL and NRL seasons about to start, Australia’s sporting calendar is once again transitioning from its quietest to busiest period. For many, the return of the AFL and NRL competitions is highly anticipated. But there is one group whose experience is very different: the approximately 20% of Australians who hate sport. We are currently conducting research to better understand why people feel this way about sport and what their experiences are like living in a nation where sport is so <a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/1329878x15616515">culturally central</a>. We have completed surveys with thousands of Australians and are now beginning to interview those who have described themselves as “sport haters”. <h2>Australia, a ‘sports mad’ nation</h2> Australia has long been described as a “<a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/14660970902955588">sports mad nation</a>”, a reasonable assertion given the Melbourne Cup attracted crowds of <a href="https://catalogue.nla.gov.au/catalog/2178266">more than 100,000 people</a> as far back as the 1880s. Australia’s sport passion is perhaps most evident today from the number of professional teams we support for a nation of 26 million people, one of the highest per capita <a href="https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Heath-Mcdonald/publication/326140082_Are_Sport_Consumers_Unique_Consumer_Behavior_Within_Crowded_Sport_Markets/links/5e9465fd92851c2f529c4322/Are-Sport-Consumers-Unique-Consumer-Behavior-Within-Crowded-Sport-Markets.pdf">concentrations</a> in the world. In addition to our four distinct football codes – Australian rules football, rugby league, rugby union and soccer – we have professional netball, basketball, cricket and tennis. In all, there are more than <a href="https://www.clearinghouseforsport.gov.au/kb/structure-of-australian-sport">130 professional sport teams in Australia</a> today (across both genders). Australia also hosts – and Australians attend – major sport events at a rate wildly disproportionate to the size of our population and economy. <a href="https://www.blackbookmotorsport.com/news/f1-australian-grand-prix-record-crowd-melbourne-albert-park/">Formula One</a>, the <a href="https://ausopen.com/articles/news/record-breaking-australian-open-ao-2024-numbers">Australian Open</a>, the <a href="https://nbl.com.au/news/nbl-sets-new-season-attendance-record">National Basketball League</a>, the <a href="https://www.smh.com.au/sport/nrl/nrl-attendance-records-tumble-as-fans-flock-back-to-footy-20230902-p5e1ib.html">National Rugby League</a> and <a href="https://mumbrella.com.au/64-of-aussie-population-watched-matildas-new-deakin-research-claims-797902">Matildas</a> have all recently broken attendance or television viewership records. <h2>Why people hate sport</h2> The ubiquity of sport in our culture, however, conceals the fact that a significant portion of people strongly and actively dislike sport. Recent <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1080/14413523.2023.2233342">research</a> by one of the co-authors here (Heath McDonald) has begun to shine light on this cohort, dubbed “sport haters”. Sport haters account for approximately 20% of the Australian population, according to two surveys we have conducted of nearly 3,500 and more than 27,000 adults. Demographically, this group is significantly more likely to be female, younger and more affluent than other Australians. Their strong negative sentiments are reflected in the most common word associations <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1080/14413523.2023.2233342">study participants</a> used to describe sport. In the case of AFL, these were: “boring”, “overpaid”, “stupid/dumb”, “rough”, “scandal” and “alcohol”. While the reasons for disliking sport vary from person to person, research shows there are some common themes. The first is in childhood, where negative experiences participating in sport or attending games or matches can lead to a life-long dislike of all sport. As one professed sport hater said in an <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskMen/comments/1zxfyt/guys_who_do_not_like_sports_can_you_explain_why/">online forum devoted to men who don’t like sport</a>: "My brother would force me to play soccer against my will all the time as children. I think that is where my resentment for physical sport comes from because the choice was taken away from me by my twat of a brother." Sport hatred can also derive from social exclusion or marginalisation. Sport has historically been a male-centric domain that <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/0277539587900525">celebrates</a> masculinity and can lead to <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-02-20/taylor-swift-effect-sports-fandom-nfl/103486274">toxic behaviour</a>, which can exclude many women and some men. Sport has also had to overcome racism, perhaps most symbolically visible by AFL player Nicky Winmar’s <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-04-17/nicky-winmar-indigenous-afl-racism-anniversary/102222960">iconic protest</a> in 1993. In addition, individuals with a disability still face <a href="https://www.sportaus.gov.au/integrity_in_sport/inclusive-sport/understanding-our-diverse-audiences/people-with-disability#:%7E:text=People%20with%20disability%20receive%20the,than%20adults%20who%20don't.">barriers</a> that result in lower rates of sport participation. Here, the current <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-02-20/taylor-swift-effect-sports-fandom-nfl/103486274">Taylor Swift effect</a> is noteworthy. The singer’s attendance at National Football League games, including the Superbowl, resulted in huge spikes in television viewership. Through her association, Swift helped make the sport more <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S096969892300317X#bib122">psychologically accessible</a> for many women and girls. The <a href="https://books.google.com.au/books?hl=en&lr=&id=AvjrDwAAQBAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PT125&dq=Contesting+national+Culture&ots=1_lQuBpKK7&sig=dMb-5s0PgpUumUTSFeEKZiNq0dg#v=onepage&q=Contesting%20national%20Culture&f=false">cultural dominance</a> of sport also fuels its detractors, with many critical of sport’s media saturation and its broader social and even political prioritisation. (The <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-02-16/macquarie-point-stadium-dominates-election-campaign-day-one/103473124">debate in Tasmania</a> over the controversial AFL stadium proposal is a good case in point.) From a media perspective, Australia’s particularly strict <a href="https://theconversation.com/regardless-of-the-rules-sport-is-fleeing-free-tv-for-pay-and-it-might-be-an-avalanche-154640">anti-siphoning</a> laws have ensured that sport remains front and centre on free-to-air television programming. Sport’s cultural dominance also fosters resentment for overshadowing people’s non-sporting passions and pursuits, as well as creating societal out-groups. Journalist Jo Chandler’s <a href="https://libraryedition.smedia.com.au/lib_a/Default.aspx#panel=document">2010</a> description of moving to Melbourne is no doubt shared by many: "In the workplace, to be unaligned is deeply isolating. Team tribalism infects meetings, especially when overseen by male chiefs. In shameful desperation, I’ve played along." In life, it’s fairly easy to avoid most products you might dislike. But given sport’s ubiquity, simply tuning out is sometimes not an option. <h2>The Anti-Football League, a club for haters</h2> In 1967, two Melbourne journalists, Keith Dunstan and Douglas Wilkie, launched an anti-sport club in response to this growing cultural dominance. In his founding address to the <a href="https://www.academia.edu/7584522/Football_is_a_Fever_Disease_Like_Recurrent_Malaria_and_Evidently_Incurable_Passion_Place_and_the_Emergence_of_an_Australian_Anti_Football_League">Anti-Football League</a>, Wilkie made clear who the club was for: "All of us who are tired of having football personalities, predictions and post mortems cluttering our newspapers, TV screens and attempts at alternative human converse – from beginning-of-morning prayers to the last trickle of bed time bathwater – should join at once." Membership quickly reached the thousands. Soon, a Sydney branch was launched, bringing national membership to a high of around 7,000. According to sport historian Matthew Klugman, members found joy in being “haters”. "…they wanted to find a shared meaning in their suffering, not to extinguish it, but to better enjoy it." This led to some curious rituals, with members ceremonially cremating footballs or burying them. An Anti-Football Day was also launched, taking place on the eve of the Victorian Football League Grand Final. The club would go on to experience periods of both prosperity and hiatus over the years, but has been dormant since <a href="https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/vale-keith-dunstan-gentle-footy-hater-cyclist-and-master-of-words-20130911-2tklh.html">Dunstan’s death</a> in 2013. With eight more years to go in Australia’s so-called “<a href="https://this.deakin.edu.au/career/golden-decade-of-sport-ahead-for-australia">golden decade of sport</a>”, which began with <a href="https://www.fiba.basketball/womensbasketballworldcup/2022">2022 Women’s Basketball World Cup in Sydney</a> and culminates with the 2032 Brisbane Olympics, it may be time sport haters to start a new support group. If you consider yourself a sport hater, and are interested in contributing your experience to our ongoing research, please provide your contact information <a href="https://researchsurveys.deakin.edu.au/jfe/form/SV_a4CqHyqipjYj5SC">here</a>.<img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/223733/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/hunter-fujak-290599">Hunter Fujak</a>, Senior Lecturer in Sport Management, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/deakin-university-757">Deakin University</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/heath-mcdonald-92440">Heath McDonald</a>, Dean of Economics, Finance and Marketing and Professor of Marketing, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/rmit-university-1063">RMIT University</a> Image credits: Shutterstock This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/dreading-footy-season-youre-not-alone-20-of-australians-are-self-described-sport-haters-223733">original article</a>.

"I was not alone": Another royal diagnosed with cancer

Not long after King Charles announced his <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/health/caring/palace-reveals-king-charles-serious-health-diagnosis" target="_blank" rel="noopener">cancer diagnosis</a>, Crown Prince Alexander of Yugoslavia felt inspired by his "dear cousin and friend" and decided to go public with his own prostate cancer diagnosis. In a statement, Prince Alexander shared that he was moved by Charles’ courage in sharing his diagnosis with the public, as royal health matters are usually kept private. The 78-year-old royal then shared details of his own medical intervention. "The love of all of us who know him, and of his people, we deeply care for him, will support His Majesty in persevering and winning this most important battle. The news that it is early stage gives high hope," he said. "The unfortunate news about cancer is not something you wish to hear. "And I can say it personally, as I very well know how you feel once you hear it. How frightening and terrifying it is also for the family, how all the feelings get mixed up, and how you cannot think about anything else." He then revealed: "I can say it now because I only recently defeated cancer. "I had avoided speaking about it, as it is a personal matter concerning only me and my family, but King Charles' openness moved me and encouraged me to also speak up," he added. "I am sharing this now, because this kind of tragic news can encourage people to react and take care of their health." He added that news of King Charles' cancer diagnosis and his honesty about getting a check-up had resulted in a rise in online searches and appointments for medical check-ups in the UK. “That is why people should hear my story, to see it is something that can happen to all of us,” he said. “But when we are responsible, the outcome can be good.” He shared details of his own treatment, which began two years ago, after results from an MRI found a cancerous growth. "At that moment, I was terrified. But I was not alone. "I am not speaking about family and friends who knew this and shared their support, which meant so much and cannot be described in words, but also all the other people who are fighting this disease." He then underwent pre-intervention tests, surgery, and mandatory checkups, and has since received “the most joyous words from my doctor — ‘All is clear now’.” He then urged the public to be more vigilant about their health, and to not put of their doctors appointment any further. “Be responsible with yourself, listen to the doctor’s advice, and monitor your health,” he said. “Preserve it and nurture it as the greatest wealth and gift you will ever receive.” Images: Getty

Caring

"Losing his speech": Home Alone star's major health update

Home Alone star Ken Hudson Campbell's daughter has shared a health update for fans after the actor underwent surgery to remove a tumour in his mouth. Speaking to People Magazine, Michaela revealed that her father is "doing well" after his 10-hour surgery last week, but there are still a few challenges their family will have to face, as Campbell will need to have radiation treatment five times a week. "I think the hardest part of this is going to be him losing his speech and his ability to talk. So speech therapy is going to play a big role in it," she told the publication. "We're kind of playing it one step at a time, depending on how debilitated he is. "If he needs extra help, we might put him into a nursing home for a little while, but if not, we're going to take him back home and we still will be hiring post-op care help with that." This comes after Michaela and her family managed to raise $102,000 USD ($AU 152,000) for their father's treatment through crowd-funding, after the actor lost his SAG-AFTRA health insurance in January last year. Campbell, who played Santa Claus in Home Alone, "burst into tears" when he saw the messages and well wishes on the crowd-funding page. He was diagnosed with Squamous cell carcinoma - or oral cancer, on October 27. His family are hoping for a full recovery for the actor who they described as "a loving father of two children with an admirable lust for life, and a passion for acting, writing, & sports." Images: Instagram

Caring

"Leave the icebergs alone!": Absurd response to innocent Martha Stewart post

It just goes to show that you literally cannot post anything these days without someone, somewhere, finding a reason to be outraged. Martha Stewart, the domestic diva who's known for her knack at turning the mundane into the majestic, took her talents to the high seas recently on a luxury cruise to Greenland. And boy, did she leave a wake of icy commotion. At the ripe age of 82, Martha decided to shake things up (literally) by embarking on a nautical adventure that had some of her fans doing double takes into their morning coffee. Martha's Instagram carousel began innocently enough, with Martha gleefully showcasing her maritime escapade. There she was, drink held high, posing with the glacial wonders of the frozen north. But the pièce de résistance was the snapshot of her 'boozy iceberg' – the crucial ingredient in her icy concoctions, plucked straight from the chilly embrace of Greenland's waters. Sure enough, the comment section of her post became hotter than a sauna at a polar bear convention. Martha's loyal 1.9 million followers swiftly chimed in, and boy, was the temperature rising. Concerns over climate change flooded the scene, with plenty of followers quick to label Martha "tone deaf", wondering if the cocktails were chilled with obliviousness rather than glacier fragments. Martha's post read, "End of the first zodiac cruise from @swanhelleniccruises into a very beautiful fjord on the east coast of Greenland. We actually captured a small iceberg for our cocktails tonight." Oblivious to the fact that this is a completely standard part of such tours – and that the tiny "iceberg" fragments in question are plucked innocently from the ocean, the negative responses came crashing in. "Martha, leave the icebergs alone!" wrote one follower. "Martha the ice caps are melting don't put them in your drink," another "fan" chimed in. "I generally love Martha and the excesses of her life because [she's] about beautiful gardens, homes, food, but wealthy white people drinking their iceberg cocktails while the planet is in flames in a bit tone deaf," added another. "Global warming and melting ice caps but we need glacier ice for cocktails? Talk about tone def (sic). Been a fan for years but I've seen enough caviar lately as I struggle to buy groceries I'm out," another wrote. Talk about a tempest in a teacup – or perhaps, in this case, a tumbler. Martha's icy escapade melted some hearts and raised some temperatures, proving that even the most seasoned party thrower can stir up quite the social media storm. Images: Instagram

Travel Trouble

Keen to get off gas in your home, but struggling to make the switch? Research shows you’re not alone

<a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/sangeetha-chandrashekeran-330214">Sangeetha Chandrashekeran</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/the-university-of-melbourne-722">The University of Melbourne</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/julia-de-bruyn-1250694">Julia de Bruyn</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/the-university-of-melbourne-722">The University of Melbourne</a> More than five million households in Australia are connected to the gas network. Tackling climate change requires homes and businesses to move away from gas, and instead embrace electric appliances as the power grid shifts to renewable energy. People can <a href="https://grattan.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Getting-off-gas-why-how-and-who-should-pay.pdf">save</a> considerable money by switching away from gas – even more so if they have solar panels installed. But still, millions of Australians haven’t yet made the move. Why? Our new research, <a href="https://www.bsl.org.au/research/publications/enabling-electrification/">released today</a>, seeks to shed light on this question. We focused on lower-income households in Victoria and found while most participants supported the transition from gas, few owned electric appliances for heating, cooking and hot water. There were two main barriers: people couldn’t afford the upfront cost of buying new electric appliances, or were renting and so had little or no say over what appliances were installed. Overcoming these and other challenges is crucial to ensure no-one gets left behind in Australia’s energy transition. <h2>Making it fair for all</h2> Victoria has <a href="https://www.climatechange.vic.gov.au/climate-action-targets">committed</a> to net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2045. To help achieve this, the state government is developing a <a href="https://www.energy.vic.gov.au/renewable-energy/victorias-gas-substitution-roadmap">plan</a> for the state to electrify. Other states and <a href="https://www.climatechoices.act.gov.au/energy/switching-from-gas#:%7E:text=The%20ACT%20will%20transition%20away%20from%20fossil%20fuel,ACT%20during%203%20March%20%E2%80%93%2020%20April%202023.">territories</a> are also moving in this direction. But to date, not enough research and policy attention has been paid to making this transition fair and equitable for everyone. Low-income households <a href="https://www.bsl.org.au/research/publications/energy-stressed-in-australia/">spend</a> a larger proportion of their income on energy bills compared to higher-income households. This is despite those households using less energy. The affordability of gas will become worse as more households electrify. That’s because part of a gas bill includes the fixed cost of running gas infrastructure – so as progressively fewer people use gas, the remaining users pay more. And those who don’t make the move away from gas miss out on the long-term economic benefits. <a href="https://www.energy.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0039/579882/Victorias-Gas-Substitution-Roadmap-Embracing-electricity-to-cut-your-bills-at-home.pdf">Analysis</a> last year suggested a typical Victorian household could reduce its annual energy costs by A$1,020 by replacing gas heating, cooking and hot water systems with electric ones. The figure rises to $1,250 for those with solar power. These savings will be amplified if the price of gas continues to rise relative to electricity. That’s why it’s important to help as many lower-income people as possible to make the switch to electric appliances. Our research set out to understand what might prevent or enable that shift. We studied households in Victoria: the state with the highest prevalence of residential gas use in Australia and where plans for an economy-wide transition away from fossil gas are underway. <h2>What we found</h2> We conducted an online survey, which received 220 eligible responses. We also undertook focus groups with 34 people. All participants were from lower-income households. Most participants – 88% – used gas in the home, reflecting its prevalence in Victoria. More than two-thirds indicated some level of support for a transition away from household gas to cleaner energy sources. Support was greater with higher levels of education. There was no significant difference based on financial stress, housing tenure, location or age. But this support had not translated into action. Just one in ten surveyed households had replaced gas appliances with electric ones within the past five years. Among those who had switched or planned to switch, the main reasons were lower running costs and environmental benefits. Respondents considered electric appliances to be safer and better for the environment. Gas appliances were considered better for heating and cooking. Many respondents were unsure about the relative benefits of electric versus gas appliances when it came to cost, reliability, safety and the environment. <figure class="align-center "><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/538548/original/file-20230720-15-61nj78.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/538548/original/file-20230720-15-61nj78.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=175&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/538548/original/file-20230720-15-61nj78.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=175&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/538548/original/file-20230720-15-61nj78.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=175&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/538548/original/file-20230720-15-61nj78.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=221&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/538548/original/file-20230720-15-61nj78.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=221&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/538548/original/file-20230720-15-61nj78.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=221&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" alt="" /><figcaption>Graph showing the benefits of gas versus electric appliances, as perceived by participants in the study. Author provided</figcaption></figure> Preferences were strongly linked to what people were currently using. Most people preferred gas cooktops over electric ones, because of the perceived speed, ease and flexibility. However, few participants had used electric induction stoves, which can also offer these benefits. People who spoke a language other than English were significantly more likely to prefer gas for heating and hot water. For those who had not replaced gas appliances, being a renter was one of the biggest barriers to electrification. Some renters said they lived in poor housing, but were unwilling to request improvements in case the landlord increased the rent or evicted them. Respondents also said they would struggle to afford the upfront costs of electrification, such as buying new appliances and, in some cases, wiring upgrades and other building modifications. Many participants were aware of and had received state government assistance to help with energy bills. But far fewer people knew about or had used <a href="https://www.solar.vic.gov.au/home-heating-cooling-upgrades?redirectSrc=heatingupgrades.vic.gov.au">programs</a> that could support them to adopt electric appliances. <h2>Embracing the switch</h2> An overall strategy is needed to help all households make the shift to electric appliances and technology. Our research suggests this must include specific measures for lower-income households, such as: <ul> <li> targeted and well-promoted electrification programs </li> <li> more evidence-based information on the benefits of electric appliances </li> <li> incentives for landlords and standards requiring efficient electric appliances in rental homes </li> <li> means-tested rebates for electric appliances such as reverse cycle air-conditioners and heat pump hot water, and where appropriate, no- or low-interest loans. </li> </ul> These measures should, where possible, be linked to measures to improve household energy efficiency. And lower-income households, as well as others facing barriers to getting off gas, must be included when planning the transition. Researchers David Bryant and Damian Sullivan from the Brotherhood of St Laurence contributed to this article and co-authored the research upon which it is based.<img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/209589/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/sangeetha-chandrashekeran-330214">Sangeetha Chandrashekeran</a>, Senior Research Fellow, Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Children and Families over the Life Course, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/the-university-of-melbourne-722">The University of Melbourne</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/julia-de-bruyn-1250694">Julia de Bruyn</a>, Associate Investigator, ARC Centre of Excellence for Children and Families over the Life Course, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/the-university-of-melbourne-722">The University of Melbourne</a> Image credits: Getty Images This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/keen-to-get-off-gas-in-your-home-but-struggling-to-make-the-switch-research-shows-youre-not-alone-209589">original article</a>.

Home & Garden

5 international cities you should never visit alone

It’s no secret that there are plenty of corners of the world that, while incredible to experience as a tourist, aren’t particularly safe to visit if you’re travelling alone. From taxi scams to pickpockets, gang violence and civil unrest, these locations present threats many travellers aren’t aware of when they’re booking their flight. We’re going to look at five cities you shouldn’t travel alone in. If one of these cities finds its way into your itinerary, make sure you bring a friend (and travel insurance)! 1. Mexico City, Mexico One of the largest metropolitan areas in the world, Mexico City fascinates first time visitors with its size and scope. And while it’s generally easily accessible, the city has something of a violent streak at night with muggings and pickpockets a constant problem. 2. Lima, Peru The gateway to Machu Picchu, Lima has a vibrant food scene and many enchanting attractions for anyone looking to experience South America. But, due partly to the high tourist numbers, illegal taxi services and hijackings have become a big problem. 3. New Delhi, India Sprawling, chaotic, yet endlessly fascinating, New Delhi is a must-visit location for anyone exploring the ins and outs of the sub-continent. Unfortunately however, it’s not the safest place to visit by yourself, with sexual assaults a huge problem in the city. 4. Jakarta, Indonesia A popular destination for many holidaymakers, Jakarta offers travellers a unique tropical getaway. That being said, there are many threats that can turn a dream holiday into a nightmare. Terrorism and kidnappings in the region are particularly problematic. 5. Bogota, Colombia The vibrant, historic capital of Colombia produces some of the finest coffee in the world. However, it’s also one of the most dangerous places for western travellers, with terrorist organisations, drug cartels and armed street gangs a persistent problem. Image credit: Shutterstock

International Travel

5 ways to meet people when travelling alone

The fear of being along on the road keeps a lot of people from enjoying the liberating experience of solo travel. Which is a shame, because solo travel is actually a great way to meet people! We’ve put together five tips and tricks for meeting people when you’re travelling by yourself. Group tours Group tours are probably your best bet. By their very nature more than anything else, you’ll meet a new group of people as you take in an experience together. See if the place you’re visiting offers a free walking tour and if you meet someone you like invite them to lunch or dinner after. Couchsurfing Contrary to popular belief, Couchsurfing isn’t just about free accommodation. This online community brings together members passionate about travel, and often they’re keen as mustard to meet up with a new solo traveller. Just make sure you weed out the good ones from the crazies. Take a course or class This one’s a really good idea, particularly if you’re planning on staying somewhere for a longer period of time. These classes are full of people looking to bond with other people and join in some interesting travel experiences. Plus you may pick up a new skill in the process. Talk to the locals This one can be a little intimidating (particularly if you don’t know the local language), but if you’re feeling brave try striking up conversations with the people you interact with over your day. This can be anyone from hostel employees, bartenders to people just sitting in a café. Find another travel mate There is a range of websites available now where people can chart their travel plans and find people with similar ideas to join them for a section or more of their trip. But, as with Couchsurfing, make sure you spend enough time weeding out the crazies before you send them your passport details. Embrace the solitude Sometimes it’s nice to just be alone. This sort of thing can give you time to reflect on your trip and how it’s taking shape, the amazing sight you’re witnessing. Some of the most profound moments of solo travel are those that you experience by yourself, in your own company. So there you have it, five ways to meet people as a solo traveller. In the end of the day, it comes down to you. And while it might seem intimidating striking up a conversation with a stranger, remember that there are a lot of good people in this world. You owe it to yourself to meet as many of them as possible. Image credits: Getty Images

Travel Tips

“Sitting alone in my house and in sadness”: Melissa Leong opens up about her grief

Masterchef Australia’s Melissa Leong has spoken publicly about the grieving process for the first time since losing her friend and fellow chef, Jock Zonfrillo. In a piece for Stellar, Melissa reflected on both life and loss, alluding to her own experiences “with this most enveloping of emotions” - though she notes early on that it is “too soon, too private and too raw” to address Jock’s passing specifically. Instead, Melissa writes of her experience “sitting alone in my house and in sadness as I attempt to articulate some of my thoughts, I can tell you it is indeed a strange experience for someone who usually writes from the crystal-clear perspective of hindsight, but here goes … “Firstly, we all deal with loss differently, and we need to honour that. People talk about the various stages of shock, disbelief, anger, bargaining and acceptance, and while that much is probably true, everyone deals with these exceptional times differently, and at different speeds. “As you navigate reaching out to someone who’s grieving, know that a message of support left unread isn’t the recipient rejecting you - sometimes the deluge of support can be more than one can bear. And what people bear can be a lot, because grief often stirs up remnants of other loss, compounding it into something that feels insurmountable. “While some go to pieces, others go to work, finding momentum to cope. This isn’t because they aren’t feeling, it’s because sometimes focusing on tasks is a way to find purpose in an impossible situation.” From there, she went on to detail that while some “need to talk in order to process emotions”, others take longer to put their thoughts into words, “if they can at all”. And while some need to surround themselves with other people, just as many need to be alone. “There is no right or wrong way to be in these moments,” she wrote, “just what is true to you. And whether you’re the person going through it, or the friend on the sidelines feeling helpless, be kind and try not to take things personally. “The passing of someone from life is a powerfully shared experience. Even more so when that person lived a huge life and touched the lives of many. “In their passing, a community struggles to come to terms with saying goodbye. Outside of immediate family and 'framily' (friends who are like family) members, whose privacy and consideration are paramount, grief is beautifully democratic. “We must look outwards as well as inwards when it comes to our experience, checking in on the people in our lives who are also coping with loss.” And after stressing the importance of taking care of yourself during such difficult periods with the likes of eating and hydrating, and a personal anecdote about her appreciation - as “a feeder by nature” - for comfort food, she brought her thoughts to a close. “To feel grief is to know that the one we lost meant something important to us,” she said, adding that “what we feel in grief is proportionate to the joy and light that person gave you – a bittersweet reminder that in life, as we connect to each other, the more that’s given, the greater the loss is felt. “In its own way, grief is a poignant tugging at the heart to remind us that we are alive, that we are human – and to be human is to feel.” Images: Instagram

Caring

"Leave the kids alone": WorldPride mural vandalised

A controversial mural in Sydney’s CBD has been vandalised with black paint in the midst of Sydney’s 2023 WorldPride festival. The mural features Vladimir Putin wearing a teddy bear mask drinking a white Russian in bondage straps, located on York Street in Wynyard. The topless man caused controversy as it was “kink and BDSM-inspired”. Vandals painted over it, as well as writing “leave the kids alone”. NSW Police said they were informed the paint was splashed over the mural around 9:30pm. "Police attended the scene, seizing a number of items which have been taken for further examination," NSW Police said in a statement. "About four hours later, police were called back to the scene after more paint was splashed onto the artwork.” An investigation is underway, and police are appealing for anyone with information to contact Day Street Police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/sydney/comments/118x5ud/as_a_gay_guy_im_disappointed_in_this/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">An image of the mural prior to the vandalisation</a> appeared on Reddit, and it received a lot of engagement. The original poster captioned the photo, “As a gay guy, I’m disappointed in this advertisement. There’s kids everywhere, that would definitely traumatise me as a child … It’s for Mardi Gras, marketing fail in my opinion.” “Yeah it's not really appropriate for kids.” Another said. “It’s not appropriate, period.” Read another comment. <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@peterconway/video/7202935518064135425?q=sydney%20mural%20vandalised%20moeyreacts&t=1677192736805" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A video of the graffitied mural</a> then appeared on TikTok, with most users seemingly happy it had been defaced. “Not all heroes wear capes,” one user commented, referencing the vandals. "Looks so much better." Another added. The mural had been commissioned by YCK Laneways, which operates retail, hospitals and entertainment business in Sydney’s CBD. The City of Sydney and WorldPrise organisers stated they did not commission the mural. Image credit: Reddit/TikTok

Legal

“Those attackers will be after me. I know they will.”: Horrifying social media trend leaves woman scared to shop alone

A disturbing social media trend is prompting teenagers to attack unsuspecting victims in public while others record the violence. Videos of the attack involving South Australian teenagers were posted in Facebook groups where members are encouraged to continue the violence and upload more footage. In one video, a woman shopping at a Woolworths store is brutally assaulted by a teenage girl as her friend records and encourages the beating. In the video, the teenage girls can be seen strolling into the supermarket before picking a target - Jessica Burke, an unsuspecting shopper who happened to walk in front of the girls with her trolley. “Bash the s*** girl, bash her,” the girl recording says to her friend. The violent attack then begins with the teenager grabbing Ms Burke by the hair; dragging her to her knees. After Burke is on the ground, the teenager proceeds to kick and punch her in the head repeatedly in front of horrified shoppers, including children screaming in fear. To see the harrowing footage in full, <a href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-11731143/Woolworths-shopper-bashed-teens-social-media-trend-urges-attack-civilians.html#v-4575687196736504272" target="_blank" rel="noopener">head here</a>. Caution: disturbing footage; viewer discretion advised. The woman suffered injuries to her head but says the psychological effects have been the most painful. “I can't go down to the shops like Woolies, Coles or Big W without someone with me because I'm too scared,” Ms Burke told 9News. "Those attackers will be after me. I know they will.” Several other videos online show the same attacker to be the main offender, assaulting other teenagers in parking lots and in the street. South Australian Police commissioner, Greg Stevens, said people encouraging the violence can also be charged, not just the attacker. “It is an offence to incite an offence,” he said. “If people are actively engaging in an activity that encourages other people to commit a crime then they can be held accountable for that.” Some local residents believe that even though the teenagers are being charged, they are then released on bail. “These days it's just a slap on the wrist and send you on your way,” Ms Burke's partner, Tarquin Gray said. “The system has just gone backwards.” “It is very complex and it is made more complex when it involves young people committing offences,' Mr Stevens said. Image Credit: Getty

Legal

“You are not alone”: Prince Harry pens emotional letter to bereaved children

Prince Harry has penned a letter to children whose parents have died as a result of being in the military, telling him they share a bond in losing a parent and experiencing grief. The former royal wrote of how he learnt to cope with grief and encouraged the children to “lean into your friends” in his letter, which was shared by the charity Scotty’s Little Soldiers on Remembrance Sunday. “As many of us observe and reflect on Remembrance Sunday, I wanted to write to you and let you know you are all in my thoughts and heart today,” he began. “We share a bond even without ever meeting one another, because we share in having lost a parent. I know first-hand the pain and grief that comes with loss and want you to know that you are not alone. <img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/11/prince-harry-nov-letter.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /> Prince Harry penned a letter to children supported by the charity Scotty’s Little Soldiers for Remembrance Sunday. Image: Scotty’s Little Soldiers "While difficult feelings will come up today as we pay tribute to heroes like your mum or dad, I hope you can find comfort and strength in knowing that their love for you lives and shines on. Whenever you need a reminder of this, I encourage you to lean into your friends at Scotty’s Little Soldiers. "One of the ways I've learned to cope has been through community and talking about my grief, and I couldn't be more grateful and relieved that you have amazing people walking beside you throughout your journey. "We all know some days are harder than others, but together those days are made easier." Scotty’s Little Soldiers, a charity that supports children who have lost a parent in the military, was founded in 2010 by Nikki Scott, whose husband Corporal Lee Scott was killed in Afghanistan in 2009 and left behind two young children. On Sunday, 55 children and their parents took part in the Remembrance Sunday parade wearing black and yellow scarves. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> A proud moment for Scotty’s 💛 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RemembranceSunday?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RemembranceSunday</a> <a href="https://t.co/CsD7wL9BQP">pic.twitter.com/CsD7wL9BQP</a> — Scotty's L Soldiers (@CorporalScotty) <a href="https://twitter.com/CorporalScotty/status/1591767075567333378?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 13, 2022</a></blockquote> In his letter, Prince Harry acknowledged that taking part in the parade would be “hard but equally important to do” to raise awareness for others. “Today you will bring new awareness to young people, just like you, who will benefit from this community of support,” he wrote. “I salute you for serving others in need, in the most honourable memory of your parent.” The Duke of Sussex has long supported the charity, which was one of the organisations chosen by Harry and Meghan Markle to benefit from donations they received as gifts for their 2018 wedding. In 2017, he met with children who’d lost a military parent at a special party on the grounds of Buckingham Palace. This year, he and Meghan attended a service on Remembrance Day to pay their respects to those who died in war across the US and the Commonwealth. Image: Getty Images

Caring

If you experienced ‘Blursday’ during lockdown, you’re not alone

After two years of mask-wearing, hand sanitising, lockdowns and social distancing, it’s safe to say we’re all experiencing some side effects of going through a global pandemic. If you feel like time has slowed down or Mondays feel like Wednesdays and Wednesdays feel like Fridays, you’ve likely experienced a feeling recently dubbed ‘Blursday’ - and you’re not the only one. A team of scientists have now captured what living in ‘Blursday’ is like, and have published their findings in the journal <a href="https://doi.org/10.1038/s41562-022-01419-2" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Nature Human Behaviour</a>. Using data from surveys conducted in nine countries - gathered through 14 questionnaires and 15 behavioural tasks - during the first two years of the pandemic, the team of researchers found that feelings of isolation affected our sense of time, including feelings of time grinding to a halt. Maximilien Chaumon, a researcher at the Institut du Cerveau et de la Moelle Épinière in France and coauthor on the study, told <a href="https://www.the-scientist.com/news-opinion/it-s-not-just-you-lockdowns-had-us-living-in-blursday-study-says-70422" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Scientist</a> of how a fellow researcher saw COVID as an opportunity to gain an insight into the complex phenomenon that is our perception of time. “When we talk about our senses, [not] our sense of time but our sense of vision, touch, and so on, we think about those sensory receptors,” he explained. “And time perception does not have such receptors. It is a psychological construct, actually, that has a very multifactorial origin that is very complex.” Chaumon said the pandemic provided the perfect chance to collect data on this concept, explaining that our sense of time is incredibly influenced by our environment, emotional state and how isolated we are, which in turn can affect our wellbeing and mental health. “This is sort of the angle that triggered this study, in the sense that this massive disruption that COVID-19 created, with its lockdown, on our daily routine, the way we use our time, the way time unfolds during the day, and initial reports of people reporting being lost in their week, not knowing whether it was today or whether it was Monday or Tuesday and so on,” Chaumon added, By compiling a range of tasks to measure different aspects of our time perception, along with psychological scales that measure anxiety and depression, the team hoped to correlate the tasks and measures. Wibbly wobbly time causes wibbly wobbly health problems Theirs isn’t the first to study our perception of time or the effects the pandemic have had on it. <a href="https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fu7061146.ct.sendgrid.net%2Fls%2Fclick%3Fupn%3D4tNED-2FM8iDZJQyQ53jATUaUp6sA-2BpAvcl9YHzVa412QC1m3ibG-2FC3WQYczSIN1ZeXjTw-2F-2FSDFk4BOzJ4zXx-2Fvw-3D-3DLypt_LUT5diG96CqPUCpHtTdEJL2b31V0MmXDDBFBEm0nPEbHc8MtQdGxiyqTf-2FzdAPZDSx9IaeyAwnFz9OTaNQFX-2BXQLL8NMAAKx-2FL8IrpwUjzdetB7ZKmCghKO52pZka6HGYFTMHI-2B-2Fe-2BJS6LfwGws67A744zSx8i0Vtoc20FSpJ-2FY8ZMNMbQJlM8bC-2FeElv-2B99BECt8HWdJ0JCLCokbTc4kBOuKcR5lBaDkTG2apoJrHyzEYaHEX-2Bx1-2B-2F82umfOSV3S2GvH5vXKwhUg7158G3vtov5dTRfjj5yJu2iMqiZQRyCHDmZg-2Bz4smKOIckwZVBpH-2BFGnRcww1nHSSSRxw-2FRTNWsefWy1jyO4slKTgvThQY-3D&data=05%7C01%7Clilly.nguyen%40latimes.com%7C9f19770ffc344ce0549a08da853c1f96%7Ca42080b34dd948b4bf44d70d3bbaf5d2%7C0%7C0%7C637968790511475387%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=bumpnIH0Ne%2BwT6N9Sv850G8Sd44L7vlbxB9aHIcysko%3D&reserved=0" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Another study</a> published in 2022, based on surveys conducted in just the US, found that people have been losing their sense of time because of the pandemic, collective trauma caused by it, and additional challenges we’ve faced in recent times, including unemployment, financial hardships, supply shortages, death, and climate change. E. Alison Holman, a professor in nursing at UC Irvine who has been studying the relationship between trauma and time perception and is a co-author on the study, said in a recent interview that not addressing this change in how we sense time can put us at greater risks in terms of our mental health. “Having your sense of time get messed up to the extent that it really screws you up in terms of where you see yourself going in your life, in the context of the loneliness that people were experiencing and the social isolation, it’s an open question now that I’m trying to address,” Holman <a href="https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2022/08/220823170747.htm">said</a>. “How does that alter your sense of time? How might the social isolation of the pandemic have contributed to that alteration in your sense of time because you’re spending all of this time by yourself? "Given that distortions in time perception are a risk factor for mental health problems, our findings have potential implications for public health.” What can we do to readjust our sense of time? According to Holman, regaining a sense of time relies on reintegrating our past and present, as well as rebuilding our future. “When you think about your life and who you are, you have a past. Your past is a big part of who you are today. We have a past, a present, which we are doing right now, and a future that we hope to get to,” Holman said. “What happens to people is they end up getting stuck in the trauma. As time moves on, they don’t mentally move on. “Being able to reintegrate one’s past with the present — knowing where I am now and where I’m going, the future. That’s really important for mental health.” Image: Getty Images

Mind

9 warning signs your elderly parent shouldn’t be living alone anymore

Keep an eye out for these issues Ageing can be difficult, but it’s particularly challenging when the person who is ageing is a parent. Over time, life-long relationships can be upended and the parent – who has presumably spent a lifetime caring for a child – becomes the one who needs help. However, crossing that boundary is tricky and exposes all kinds of feelings and emotions for both the parent and adult child. Older people may want to stay in their home and maintain their independence, and that’s completely understandable. An adult child may not want to fight with a parent who’s determined to live on their own. But there may come a time when a living arrangement needs to change for a parent’s safety and welfare. Role reversal is difficult to navigate and it might be a challenge to know exactly when and how much help an elderly parent needs. Keep an eye out for these warning signs that an older parent or relative probably shouldn’t be living alone anymore. They’ve suddenly lost weight If you notice your parent is looking thinner than usual, it may be a sign that they’re not eating well, which could be a sign of the beginning of a cognitive illness. Lisa Gwyther, director of Duke University’s Family Support Program, explains that people suffering from memory impairment, such as Alzheimer’s disease, often either forget to eat certain meals or forget how to properly manage and cook their food, causing them to lose weight. If this is the case, you might want to discuss the possibility of having a home aide to make sure they receive adequate nutrition each day. You may also consider moving your loved one into your home, if that’s possible, or to an assisted living facility. Their home is stacked with unopened mail Towering heaps of unopened mail can be another clear indication of growing cognitive impairment. Gwyther says to keep a close eye out for unopened envelopes from creditors or charities your parents wouldn’t normally donate to. This can be a red flag that they’ve lost control of their judgement when it comes to smart spending, which can drive them into debt rapidly if it goes unnoticed. They’re ignoring their personal hygiene For someone with dementia or Alzheimer’s, remembering all of the cognitive steps involved with taking a shower every day can be challenging. It may be difficult for them to understand why they need to take a shower and how to do it, leaving them with an unhealthy hygiene routine. “‘You can tell them that it looks like they need a shower, but they just don’t see it,” Gwyther says. They get lost when going to familiar places Common destinations like the supermarket, the bank, or their place of worship should be familiar and easy to remember for your parent. If you find they can no longer find their way to these destinations, it’s a big red flag that something is wrong. Gwyther explains that if you can no longer trust your loved one’s ability to navigate their own town, it might be time to discuss moving or having live-in help for safety’s sake. You notice changes in their home A cluttered house isn’t necessarily a bad sign if your parent was always a bit messy, explains Peter Lichtenberg, PhD, director of the Institute of Gerontology and Merrill Palmer Skillman Institute. However, if they suddenly begin letting order slide after a lifetime of cleanliness, it might be a sign of an underlying cognitive issue. Additionally, watch out for items showing up in strange places around the home, like a litre of milk in the dishwasher instead of the refrigerator. According to Dr Lichtenberg, changes like these are often some of the clearest signs of dementia, and they could be a clue that your loved one is no longer in a position where it’s safe for them to be home alone. Their Internet habits have shifted For those with Internet-savvy parents, be on the lookout for any strange or unusual new online habits, as this could signal dementia or another similar illness. “People who are cognitively declining are at a real risk of ordering things they don’t need, taking on debt, and facing identity theft,” Gwyther says. “Even if they had been on the Internet and had been perfectly fine before, families need to be looking out for that.” You should also take a look at their Facebook or other social media accounts from time to time to make sure they aren’t accidentally befriending people who could be potentially dangerous. Gwyther explains that this is a common issue for people with cognitive disorders, as it’s hard for them to tell who’s a friend and who’s a foe. They’re always exhausted Dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, and other chronic conditions can disrupt circadian rhythms, keeping your loved one up all night and drowsy all day. As Gwyther explains, sleep is absolutely vital for both cognitive and physical functioning, and missing out on much-needed z’s can make a person’s condition even more serious. (Or a health condition could be the reason they aren’t sleeping.) If it seems like your parent’s lack of sleep is putting a significant crimp in their wellbeing, you may consider more supervision or help. Your parent may also benefit from seeing a geriatric psychiatrist who can help manage sleep issues. They have a strange collection of new medications If your parent’s medicine cabinet is suddenly filled with unusual or possibly unnecessary medications, a cognitive impairment could be the explanation. Gwyther explains that many patients with diseases like dementia or Alzheimer’s disease often accidentally misuse over-the-counter medications, as they’re trying to treat something that isn’t really the problem. She also says to make sure your parent is taking the medications they do need, and that they’re taking them at the appropriate times. If month-old bottles of their daily medication are sitting around completely full, it might be because they no longer can remember to take them. They’re defensive With a disease like dementia, people can become combative or suspicious of those around them – including family – as they can’t distinguish who’s trying to help and who’s trying to hurt them. If they are acting aggressively or appear to be collecting weapons in the house, flag it as a sign that they should no longer be living alone. How do you start the conversation? Bringing up the possibility of having a home aide or moving your parent into a nursing home or assisted living facility can be difficult. Dr Lichtenberg says to approach the topic delicately by asking your parent how they’re feeling and what their goals are, and asking whether or not they’ve noticed any changes in their behaviour. From there, you can introduce the idea of getting help, explaining that it’s a smart first step to achieving those goals. People with declining cognition often can’t understand that something is wrong, so it’s important to take it slow and account for their perspective. Written by Abbey Schubert. This article first appeared in <a href="https://www.readersdigest.com.au/true-stories-lifestyle/relationships/9-warning-signs-your-elderly-parent-shouldnt-be-living-alone-anymore" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Reader’s Digest</a>. For more of what you love from the world’s best-loved magazine, <a href="http://readersdigest.innovations.com.au/c/readersdigestemailsubscribe?utm_source=over60&utm_medium=articles&utm_campaign=RDSUB&keycode=WRA87V" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here’s our best subscription offer.</a> Image: Getty Images

Caring

10 Best Original Score winners that are worth watching for the soundtrack alone

Films move us in many ways, whether it’s from incredible performances, striking cinematography or great storytelling. But there’s one component that strikes a chord in all of us: great music. From the looming danger of deep strings as a massive great white shark closes in, to the swelling chorus of violins as two lovers part on a runway in Casablanca, the film score has the power to move us, terrify us and even make us weep. While the Oscar for Best Original Score has had a few name changes over the years, it’s always been about the same thing: recognising the movie industry’s best musical talent. Some winners might not be in your daily rotation, but their scores stand the test of time, and continue to enchant listeners generations over. The Sound of Music (1965) What’s more iconic than Julie Andrews as Maria twirling on a mountaintop? Maybe a family of singing children bidding you farewell, or perhaps a Do-Re-Mi lesson in the idyllic countryside? Released in 1965 to both critical and commercial acclaim, The Sound of Music quickly became a phenomenon – and it’s not hard to see why. The film is chock full of hit after hit thanks to the incredible songwriting of Rodgers and Hammerstein, along with the help of Irwin Kostal’s screen arrangements. Give it a watch and you’ll likely be humming the tunes for days to come. The Wizard of Oz (1939) A lion, a scarecrow, a tin man and a girl from Kansas walk into Oz. This Technicolor wonder needs no introduction; from Dorothy’s dazzling red shoes to the terrifying flying monkeys and everything in between, it’s an established classic that’s ascended into a league of its own. While songs like “Over the Rainbow,” “We’re Off to See the Wizard,” and “Ding-Dong! The Witch Is Dead” have edged their way into the cultural zeitgeist – even for those unfamiliar with the source material – composer Herbert Stothart’s score helps flesh out L. Frank Baum’s fantastical world. It’s a beautifully moving and unabashedly classic Hollywood score. West Side Story (1961) Electrifying choreography, glorious set design and music that’s stood the test of time – Shakespeare, eat your heart out. This loose adaptation of Romeo and Juliet brings the Bard’s classic tragedy to 1950s New York City, freshly updated with prescient social commentary and enchanting work from Saul Chaplin, Johnny Green, Sid Ramin and Irwin Kostal. Despite deserved criticism for its flagrant use of Brown-face, West Side Story has remained a landmark entry in the musical film canon, and even inspired a remake that’s nominated for seven Oscars this year. The Last Emperor (1987) What happens when you combine the talents of a Japanese electronic-music pioneer, a celebrated Chinese composer and one of the most influential musicians to come out of New York City’s new wave scene? A score worthy of accompanying Bernardo Bertolucci’s sprawling epic! The film follows the life of China’s last emperor, Puyi, from his coronation at the age of two through to the cultural and political upheaval of China in the 20th century. Ranging from grand and bombastic to soft and serene, this Best Original Score is an incredibly moving component of an already-impressive film. The Little Mermaid (1989) Back in the ’80s, Disney was a far cry from the entertainment powerhouse of the present. Coming off of one of their biggest box office failures with 1985’s The Black Cauldron, the company needed a hit. Corporate restructuring eventually led the team to two prominent members of the Broadway music scene: Alan Menken and Howard Ashman – both of whom had made a name for themselves with The Little Shop of Horrors. Despite being his first foray into film, Menken helped usher in the Disney renaissance of the ’90s, pumping out a score filled to the brim with magic and wonder – thanks in part to infectious lyrics by Ashman. Midnight Express (1978) The orchestral score goes hand in hand with the Oscars, but every now and then something a little more experimental breaks through. Case in point: Italian electronic-music legend Giorgio Moroder’s synthesizer-heavy score for the 1978 prison-drama, Midnight Express. Moroder’s work with artists like Donna Summer helped pioneer an iconic sound of the late ’70s and ’80s, filled with grooving synth hooks and infectious beats. Look no further than the track “Chase” for a taste of Moroder’s magic; the frenetic melody puts you right in the middle of Midnight Express’s most nail-biting scene. While other artists at the time had dabbled with electronic film scores – like fellow Italian group Goblin and their work with horror legend Dario Argento – few achieved Midnight Express’s critical acclaim. Purple Rain (1984) In 1984, the world found out what it sounds like when doves cry. A landmark entry in the musician-turned-actor film canon, audiences delighted in seeing the mononymous superstar in his first acting role. Not only did the film lead to one of Prince’s most iconic – and unabashedly purple – outfits, it would also go on to be his best-selling album – and forever shape his legacy. With hits like “Let’s Go Crazy,” “When Doves Cry” and the titular “Purple Rain,” it may not be the typical Best Original Score recipient, but it’s certainly well deserved. The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001) Adapting one of the most celebrated fantasy series in the history of literature was a tall order for director Peter Jackson and his creative team. While it had been done in the past with varied success, Jackson’s efforts led to one of the most successful film trilogies of all time. A large part of that success was due to the masterful work of Canadian composer Howard Shore. At times quaint and idyllic, grandiose and menacing, Shore’s score effortlessly provided a sonic backdrop for Middle Earth and all its inhabitants. Shore would also go on to win the same award two years later for his work on The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003). The Social Network (2010) If you went back to the ’90s and told moody teens that the guy from Nine Inch Nails would turn out to be one of the most exciting composers in Hollywood, they’d never believe you. Not only did The Social Network’s score mark an exciting development in Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross’s careers – the two having previously collaborated on a number of projects – the electronically driven tracks also helped carry the torch from Giorgio Moroder. This Best Original Score perfectly transplanted the sensibilities of Nine Inch Nails into a work that mirrored the story of Facebook’s contentious rise, and also gave a taste of the duo’s future success in Hollywood. Star Wars (1977) Ten words on a black background about a galaxy far, far away, followed by a brief pause. And suddenly, trumpets blaring triumphantly alongside two words in big yellow letters: Star Wars. It’s one of the most memorable intros in movie history, and one that still resonates with fans around the world. Taking inspiration from composers like Gustav Holst and his “The Planets” suite, alongside the swashbuckling scores of films like The Adventures of Robin Hood (1938), John Williams helped usher in a new era reminiscent of the golden age of Hollywood. These days, Star Wars is a cultural institution, and there’s no doubt that’s partly due to the unforgettable score. Image credits: Getty Images This article was originally published on <a href="https://www.readersdigest.com.au/true-stories-lifestyle/entertainment/10-best-original-score-winners-that-are-worth-watching-for-the-soundtrack-alone?pages=1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Reader's Digest</a>.

Music

Hanging out for a cruise? You’re not alone

It feels like a lifetime ago when we were actually able to book cruises for a relaxing getaway. Thanks to Covid, that all stopped about two years ago to help stop the spread of the infectious disease. And let's not forget about the Ruby Princess fiasco…but we won’t go there. The ban on foreign cruises in and around Australian waters was extended until April 17, and cruise ship owners are hoping they can hit the waters once again. Marguerite Fitzgerald, the newly appointed President of Carnival Australia and P&O Cruises Australia believes a return to the seas is on the horizon. “Once the ban is lifted, we expect there will be a lot of excitement and demand, and we want to be ready for that,” she told <a href="https://cruisepassenger.com.au/news/well-be-back-better-than-ever-new-carnival-boss-vows-a-party-to-celebrate-the-return-of-ships/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Cruise Passenger</a>. She predicts the cruise ban will be lifted by the middle of the year and is preparing a complete makeover of the ships following a grueling two-year break. “We are cancelled through to the end of May. It takes a while to ramp ships back up, when you think about having to bring crew over and suppliers have a lead time to be ready to supply the ships. “So a middle of the year return, assuming we continue to make good progress, that's what we are aiming for.” Watch this sea (space). Image: Carnival Australia

Cruising

Ashamed of asking for technical support? You are not alone!

The spread of new technologies tied to a race for innovation, products and services’ growing interdependence and, more generally, <a href="https://theconversation.com/will-services-be-the-saviour-of-manufacturing-70081" target="_blank" rel="noopener">the transformation of products into services</a> can also make them more complex to use. To help consumers, companies are introducing a wealth of instructions, tutorials and pictograms that can be difficult to understand, all too often leaving consumers even more <a href="https://theconversation.com/confusopoly-why-companies-are-motivated-to-deliberately-confuse-39563" target="_blank" rel="noopener">confused</a>. The scene is all too familiar: who has never scratched their head in front of a machine, a new device or trying to complete an online booking? While many innovations are often designed and implemented to ease the consumer’s daily life, they may also be the source of new problems. Consumers adopt various strategies to cope with these difficulties of use: online tutorials, help from neighbours or friends, but many, perhaps surprisingly, also end up dropping their new product or service altogether. The reasons for not seeking help may be psychological. In the field of social psychology, over the last 40 years, researchers have been exploring help-seeking in various contexts, mostly focusing on medical and psychological help or on help-seeking in the classroom. It appears that not everyone is <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/wellness/asking-help-coronavirus-hard-shame/2020/04/17/e1d3ef90-7e91-11ea-8013-1b6da0e4a2b7_story.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">comfortable asking for help</a> and that some individuals systematically seem to avoid seeking help. Indeed, help-seeking may be perceived as threatening, as it may call into question the applicant’s personal competence in his or her own eyes. But he or she may also fear appearing incompetent in the eyes of the helper. Help-seeking also conflicts with important values for Westerners: autonomy and control. Finally, it may restrict one’s freedom of choice, for example when feeling forced to accept a commercial offer in return for the help given. Fear of appearing incompetent In our article to be published in the journal <a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/home/rme" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Recherches et Application en Marketing</a>, we explored one of the possible responses for the modern troubled consumer: seeking the supplier’s help. Although it appears to be a fairly obvious solution, it is not often used by consumers. Through a series of studies, we sought to understand whether avoiding to seek help exists in a consumption context when a customer finds it difficult to use a product or service. A qualitative study and four quantitative studies (samples between 150 and 450 individuals) led us to the conclusion that more than a third – a significant and seemingly large proportion – of consumers tend to avoid asking for help. These studies also enabled us to build a psychometric measurement tool to assess the tendency of each individual to be more or less avoidant. The common behaviour of help-seeking avoidance is based on two dimensions, stemming from the qualitative part of the study. The first dimension is the refusal to ask for help because it causes embarrassment or even shame for the asker, as one consumer we interviewed explained: <blockquote> “Sometimes you feel ashamed, because you are afraid that the person you are talking to might think you don’t understand anything.” </blockquote> The second dimension lies in the evaluation of the interlocutor. More specifically, in both their perceived willingness and their perceived ability to help, as illustrated by this statement of a consumer: <blockquote> “[Companies] are all the same, they are always rude and they never solve your problems.” </blockquote> These two dimensions contribute to explain consumers’ intention to seek help or not. This research also highlights the relationship between the avoidance tendency and specific psychological traits such as an external <a href="https://dictionary.apa.org/locus-of-control" target="_blank" rel="noopener">locus of control</a> (the tendency to attribute the cause of events outside one’s control to others, a specific context, for example), <a href="https://dictionary.apa.org/state-orientation" target="_blank" rel="noopener">state orientation</a> (the tendency not to act) and <a href="https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/conditions/social-anxiety/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">social anxiety</a>. Companies can take action Difficulties encountered are admittedly damaging for the consumer, but they are also ultimately damaging for the company. Indeed, a customer who cannot have full use of one’s product may abandon not only the product, but the brand. One may also express dissatisfaction or frustration and spread negative word of mouth. Incidentally, there is a high failure rate for high-tech product launches. What can companies do to ease and encourage requests from their customers? First of all, they can act on the potential embarrassment. Indeed, it appears that help requested through a screen leads to less discomfort. In this respect, live chat is a very interesting tool to encourage the triggering of requests. In addition, companies can communicate about their willingness and ability to assist their customers – and dedramatise assistance requests. Indeed, many companies still do not advertise on means available to contact them, often for fear of having to manage too many customer contacts. According to our research, this is interpreted by consumers as unwillingness to help. Moreover, communicating the positive results of customers requesting help or, more generally, of contacts with the customer service would also be an effective lever. Finally, in addition to being beneficial for customer satisfaction, requests for help can have another positive impact: for example, they allow improvements to be made to products and services.<img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important; text-shadow: none !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/173716/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/marion-sangle-ferriere-1220471" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Marion Sanglé-Ferrière</a>, Maître de conférence en marketing, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/cy-cergy-paris-universite-2217" target="_blank" rel="noopener">CY Cergy Paris Université</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/ben-voyer-110420" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ben Voyer</a>, Full Professor, Department of Entrepreneurship, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/escp-business-school-813" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ESCP Business School</a> This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/ashamed-of-asking-for-technical-support-you-are-not-alone-173716" target="_blank" rel="noopener">original article</a>. Image: Getty Images

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