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Scottish Sun
19-05-2025
- Health
- Scottish Sun
How I stuck a £3.99 patch on my body to turbo boost my flagging libido… but did it help spice up sex life?
All recommendations within this article are informed by expert editorial opinion. If you click on a link in this story we may earn affiliate revenue. We also reveal four libido boosting alternatives t o the patches to rev things up in the bedroom SEXUAL HEALING How I stuck a £3.99 patch on my body to turbo boost my flagging libido… but did it help spice up sex life? NO matter how much you love and fancy your partner, there are times when you just don't feel sexy. I've been with my husband Bryn, 42, for 17 years and our sex life looks a lot different to when we first met, especially since having our two daughters, now ten and three. 9 Clio Wood, with husband Bryn, finds out if a stick-on supplement can rev up things in the bedroom Credit: Lorna Roach 9 She tested out The Patch Collection's Libido version Credit: Lorna Roach 9 The patches contains a variety of plant extracts and herbs Credit: Supplied Recent research by Higher Nature found one in four women aged over 50 has no interest in sex, while 81 per cent say their libido has declined since menopause. But it isn't just Gen X struggling – studies have shown Millennials and Gen Z have less sex than previous generations at their age. A 2018 study by counselling Relate found that 61 per cent of people in their 30s were having less sex than they would like and 31 per cent said they've 'lost their libido since having children'. I can relate to this. After a traumatic birth with my first daughter, sex was painful for a long time due to scarring and pelvic floor issues. It took months for me to find out what the problem was and years to recover. Thankfully we've put in a lot of work to get back to enjoying sex. Bryn and I have a happy balance, both favouring quality over quantity, and trying to avoid comparisons with other couples. Sometimes we have sex three times a week, particularly just after I've ovulated and my hormones are telling me to get busy making babies. But at other times things are a bit quiet in the bedroom department and it might not be for weeks or months. Forget vibrators and sexy lingerie - perk your sex life up with a libido-enhancing supplement This tends to be because we're tired and busy. On top of raising our kids, we are moving house, Bryn has changed jobs and I'm running my own business. These are all some of the most stressful things you can do in life and there's little time to switch off, let alone find an extra hour to get turned on. We all know sex can be fun, but it's also about connecting with your other half and even with yourself - which isn't always easy. For us, the times when we are both in the mood are when sparks really fly. But the tricky part is getting our libidos in sync, especially of late. I'm not expecting a long-term relationship like ours to feel like a teen romance – but finding an easy way to kickstart arousal would be welcome, especially when we know we have a child-free few hours to enjoy ourselves. Luckily, there's a growing market for products that claim to boost your libido. I'm not expecting a long-term relationship like ours to feel like a teen romance – but finding an easy way to kickstart arousal would be welcome Rather than drugs like Viagra, designed to get things up and ready for action, these are more subtle. They contain ingredients that claim to stimulate your desire for getting intimate. One of the most affordable options is patches that you stick onto your body half an hour before you'd like to jump into bed. They enter your bloodstream topically through the skin, for faster absorption and no impact on the gut. I was sent a pack from The Patch Collection, who produce patches to aid with everything from jetlag and metabolism to insect bites and period pain. Their Libido version contains a variety of plant extracts and herbs - fo-ti, damiana, gotu kola, saw palmetto, tribulus terrestris, Siberian ginseng and L-arginine. These ingredients lay claim to benefits like increased energy and better mental clarity. Saw Palmetto may balance hormones while L-arginine could increase blood flow. Cringe-free A single patch costs £3.99 – or you can get a pack of 15 for £19.99, working out at just £1.33 each, with extra discounts if you subscribe. Generally, we enjoy vanilla sex but with a few sprinkles thrown in. It's not unusual for us to try a new toy and we have tried libido boosters in the past - with some success, so we are both up for trying these. They're discreet, arriving in the post in anonymous and cringe-free packaging. The instructions are straightforward. You simply peel off the back, stick on a hairless area of skin and you're done. They are barely noticeable, with no pulling when you take it off. The first time I use them, the instructions say to put the patch on around 30 minutes ahead of time to feel the effects. I do this after dinner, a bit ahead of going to bed. As I wait, there's a little shift in my libido - but not much. 9 There wasn't the real oomph of arousal that I was hoping, says Clio of the patches Credit: Lorna Roach 9 Bryn says there wasn't the impact he'd expected either from the £3.99 product Credit: Lorna Roach I give it a little longer but don't get the hoped-for turbo boost and luckily (or not), Bryn slept badly the night before so our planned sexy session doesn't happen. It's a disappointing start. The second time, after a few days apart from each other, we both try the patches - they are unisex. It's not just women whose libido fluctuates. According to the NHS, one in five men suffer with loss of libido at some point in their lives. We try to keep things as 'normal' as possible to make the experiment fair, so we avoid having romantic or sexy touches, like a special dinner or lacy underwear. We go to bed at the usual time and this time we do have sex. It's enjoyable. It's not just women whose libido fluctuates However, we're often more turned on when we've been away from each other so it's hard to tell if the change is due to that absence or the boost from the patches. We decide to give it one last shot. Maybe 30 minutes before a roll in the hay just isn't long enough to light our fires? We choose a weekend when we are away together with friends, both wearing our patches for the whole day. The result? Well, we do have sex - we're away without the kids, after all. We had spent quality time together, in grown-up company, not worried about the kids all day, and had a delicious dinner date. This can make all the difference. However, there wasn't the real oomph of arousal that I was hoping for. Bryn says there wasn't the impact he'd expected either. We've used other libido boosters before which, in our experience, have worked better. Hanx's Libido Lift - which is £3 per sachet - works fast, and lasts for ages. When I tried that I was stunned by how quickly I felt turned on. I had gulped it down mixed with water before bed and it worked wonders. We also once experimented with libido boosting chocolates by the brand ForPlay. Gold-flecked, they brought on an intense feeling which lasted well into the next day. So much so that the second time we used them I only ate half a square of chocolate so I wasn't left turned on the next morning. For me these libido patches did not have the same effect. Maybe the placebo effect of using the patch may be stronger than the work of its ingredients. When I felt a twinge of arousal, it could have been from circumstances as much as the patch itself. This might be due to the delivery method – I don't think you can get as much active ingredient as you need via the skin. I also wonder if different people will respond to the ingredients better than others or need a stronger dose of one element to have an effect? But it's still worth giving a go, as even just the thought of getting frisky with your partner might be the bedroom boost you need. And if it doesn't work, give a different one a try! Clio is the author of Get Your Mojo Back: Sex, Pleasure and Intimacy After Birth, £14.99, Watkins. 4 MORE LIBIDO BOOSTING BUYS Hanx Libido Lift, £14.99 for five sachets, 9 Hanx Libido Lift are peach-flavoured supplement easily dissolvable in water or cocktails Credit: Supplied This peach-flavoured supplement is easily dissolvable in water, smoothies or cocktails, containing traditional aphrodisiac maca root powder, as well as vitamin B6, Tribulus terrestris, L-arginine and maritime pine bark extract. ForPlay Chocolates, £28, 9 ForPlay Chocolates includes three for him and three for her, plus six play cards Credit: Supplied There's a luxury vibe to these adaptogen-infused treats to enjoy together. Includes three for him and three for her, plus six play cards. Available in milk or dark. Oh Collective Date Night Chocolates, £14.95, 9 Oh Collective Date Night Chocolates include a truth or dare card Credit: Supplied These dark chocolate and strawberry treats have extra oomph thanks to maca, panax ginseng, damiana and cayenne. Box includes four chocs plus a truth or dare card. Novomins Turn Me On Gummies, £19.99, 9 The Novomins Turn Me On Gummies are a classic vitamin supplement boost wellbeing Credit: Supplied These gummies are more of a classic vitamin supplement, containing maca, damiana and L-arginine as well as zinc and vitamins B6 and B12 to boost wellbeing.
The Sun
19-05-2025
- Health
- The Sun
How I stuck a £3.99 patch on my body to turbo boost my flagging libido… but did it help spice up sex life?
NO matter how much you love and fancy your partner, there are times when you just don't feel sexy. I've been with my husband Bryn, 42, for 17 years and our sex life looks a lot different to when we first met, especially since having our two daughters, now ten and three. 9 Recent research by Higher Nature found one in four women aged over 50 has no interest in sex, while 81 per cent say their libido has declined since menopause. But it isn't just Gen X struggling – studies have shown Millennials and Gen Z have less sex than previous generations at their age. A 2018 study by counselling Relate found that 61 per cent of people in their 30s were having less sex than they would like and 31 per cent said they've 'lost their libido since having children '. I can relate to this. After a traumatic birth with my first daughter, sex was painful for a long time due to scarring and pelvic floor issues. It took months for me to find out what the problem was and years to recover. Thankfully we've put in a lot of work to get back to enjoying sex. Bryn and I have a happy balance, both favouring quality over quantity, and trying to avoid comparisons with other couples. Sometimes we have sex three times a week, particularly just after I've ovulated and my hormones are telling me to get busy making babies. But at other times things are a bit quiet in the bedroom department and it might not be for weeks or months. This tends to be because we're tired and busy. On top of raising our kids, we are moving house, Bryn has changed jobs and I'm running my own business. These are all some of the most stressful things you can do in life and there's little time to switch off, let alone find an extra hour to get turned on. We all know sex can be fun, but it's also about connecting with your other half and even with yourself - which isn't always easy. For us, the times when we are both in the mood are when sparks really fly. But the tricky part is getting our libidos in sync, especially of late. I'm not expecting a long-term relationship like ours to feel like a teen romance – but finding an easy way to kickstart arousal would be welcome, especially when we know we have a child-free few hours to enjoy ourselves. Luckily, there's a growing market for products that claim to boost your libido. I'm not expecting a long-term relationship like ours to feel like a teen romance – but finding an easy way to kickstart arousal would be welcome Rather than drugs like Viagra, designed to get things up and ready for action, these are more subtle. They contain ingredients that claim to stimulate your desire for getting intimate. One of the most affordable options is patches that you stick onto your body half an hour before you'd like to jump into bed. They enter your bloodstream topically through the skin, for faster absorption and no impact on the gut. I was sent a pack from The Patch Collection, who produce patches to aid with everything from jetlag and metabolism to insect bites and period pain. Their Libido version contains a variety of plant extracts and herbs - fo-ti, damiana, gotu kola, saw palmetto, tribulus terrestris, Siberian ginseng and L-arginine. These ingredients lay claim to benefits like increased energy and better mental clarity. Saw Palmetto may balance hormones while L-arginine could increase blood flow. Cringe-free A single patch costs £3.99 – or you can get a pack of 15 for £19.99, working out at just £1.33 each, with extra discounts if you subscribe. Generally, we enjoy vanilla sex but with a few sprinkles thrown in. It's not unusual for us to try a new toy and we have tried libido boosters in the past - with some success, so we are both up for trying these. They're discreet, arriving in the post in anonymous and cringe-free packaging. The instructions are straightforward. You simply peel off the back, stick on a hairless area of skin and you're done. They are barely noticeable, with no pulling when you take it off. The first time I use them, the instructions say to put the patch on around 30 minutes ahead of time to feel the effects. I do this after dinner, a bit ahead of going to bed. As I wait, there's a little shift in my libido - but not much. 9 9 I give it a little longer but don't get the hoped-for turbo boost and luckily (or not), Bryn slept badly the night before so our planned sexy session doesn't happen. It's a disappointing start. The second time, after a few days apart from each other, we both try the patches - they are unisex. It's not just women whose libido fluctuates. According to the NHS, one in five men suffer with loss of libido at some point in their lives. We try to keep things as 'normal' as possible to make the experiment fair, so we avoid having romantic or sexy touches, like a special dinner or lacy underwear. We go to bed at the usual time and this time we do have sex. It's enjoyable. It's not just women whose libido fluctuates However, we're often more turned on when we've been away from each other so it's hard to tell if the change is due to that absence or the boost from the patches. We decide to give it one last shot. Maybe 30 minutes before a roll in the hay just isn't long enough to light our fires? We choose a weekend when we are away together with friends, both wearing our patches for the whole day. The result? Well, we do have sex - we're away without the kids, after all. We had spent quality time together, in grown-up company, not worried about the kids all day, and had a delicious dinner date. This can make all the difference. However, there wasn't the real oomph of arousal that I was hoping for. Bryn says there wasn't the impact he'd expected either. We've used other libido boosters before which, in our experience, have worked better. Hanx's Libido Lift - which is £3 per sachet - works fast, and lasts for ages. When I tried that I was stunned by how quickly I felt turned on. I had gulped it down mixed with water before bed and it worked wonders. We also once experimented with libido boosting chocolates by the brand ForPlay. Gold-flecked, they brought on an intense feeling which lasted well into the next day. So much so that the second time we used them I only ate half a square of chocolate so I wasn't left turned on the next morning. For me these libido patches did not have the same effect. Maybe the placebo effect of using the patch may be stronger than the work of its ingredients. When I felt a twinge of arousal, it could have been from circumstances as much as the patch itself. This might be due to the delivery method – I don't think you can get as much active ingredient as you need via the skin. I also wonder if different people will respond to the ingredients better than others or need a stronger dose of one element to have an effect? But it's still worth giving a go, as even just the thought of getting frisky with your partner might be the bedroom boost you need. And if it doesn't work, give a different one a try! Clio is the author of Get Your Mojo Back: Sex, Pleasure and Intimacy After Birth, £14.99, Watkins. 4 MORE LIBIDO BOOSTING BUYS Hanx Libido Lift, £14.99 for five sachets, 9 This peach-flavoured supplement is easily dissolvable in water, smoothies or cocktails, containing traditional aphrodisiac maca root powder, as well as vitamin B6, Tribulus terrestris, L-arginine and maritime pine bark extract. ForPlay Chocolates, £28, There's a luxury vibe to these adaptogen-infused treats to enjoy together. Includes three for him and three for her, plus six play cards. Available in milk or dark. Oh Collective Date Night Chocolates, £14.95, These dark chocolate and strawberry treats have extra oomph thanks to maca, panax ginseng, damiana and cayenne. Box includes four chocs plus a truth or dare card. These gummies are more of a classic vitamin supplement, containing maca, damiana and L-arginine as well as zinc and vitamins B6 and B12 to boost wellbeing.
Telegraph
17-05-2025
- Health
- Telegraph
Nine surprising sex tips that will save your marriage
Things cooled off in the bedroom? We spoke to three experts with differing perspectives for practical ways couples can regain intimacy. According to experts, a sexless marriage is defined as a couple having sex less than ten times per year, and couples in sexless marriages consider divorce more often than couples who have regular sex. Research from Relate suggests that up to half of all marriages in the UK fall into this category. So what can you do if you're one of them? 1. Take intercourse entirely off the table 'One of the most surprising pieces of advice sex therapists give to married couples who are struggling in the bedroom, is to temporarily stop having sex,' says Dr Justin Lehmiller, a senior research fellow at the Kinsey Institute and author of Tell Me What You Want. 'If the sex you're having isn't really working for anyone, having more of it isn't going to help. Sometimes the answer is to take a break and focus instead on just connecting with your partner. Focus on physical intimacy that doesn't have any sexual expectations or pressure attached. For example, take turns giving each other a massage, or just gently tracing the contours of their body. Relax, and focus on sensation and sensuality. Taking sex off of the table for a little bit to provide an opportunity to rebuild your connection is one of the most powerful things couples can do to get their sex lives back on track.' 2. Remember the things you first found attractive. And don't be embarrassed to flirt like it's your first date While it's healthy for couples to feel relaxed around each other, be mindful that comfort is the killer of lust, warns Peter Saddington, a relationship therapist. 'Instead of watching Netflix and breaking wind in front of one another, try channelling the excitement you once had. Start by sitting together for an evening, perhaps over wine, telling the other person what you liked back in the day. Focus on the small details of attraction – from the way they smelt to how they wore their hair. Then, the next time, dress up, go out for a meal and make an effort to feel and look special for them. What you're likely to find is that flirting will return, which will lead to feeling more sexual, and you can reignite something that's perhaps been lost for a while.' 3. Great sex doesn't have to spontaneous – it's usually the opposite In between the demands of work, children or grandchildren, cooking and general modern life, it's common for 'nookie' to take a back seat. But as Saddington says, 'scheduling in regular time to be intimate – yes even booking it in your Apple calendar – is often the only way it's going to happen for couples in 2025'. This isn't making sex boring, he insists, instead it's making a commitment to maintaining the relationship. 'It's acknowledging that even when we may not feel like it, we understand the importance of being connected sexually. So if Saturday nights are 'your night', you'll put effort in making it special, whether that's showering together, or just making sure you have a house free of children and interruptions. Above all it's making a statement that your physical relationship is important, and it doesn't let gaps appear which can then normalise not having sex at all. Rarely do two people hit their sexual peaks simultaneously without some planning.' 4. Bring back the everyday affection Once you start feeling taken for granted, you in turn stop making an effort and it becomes a vicious circle, says Saddington. That needs to be broken. 'You can't go from a sex drought to suddenly expecting to be swinging from the chandelier together. Any frostiness that's developed between you needs to be thawed, starting with a gentle simmering of affection – that isn't in a pressuring sexual manner,' he adds. Saddington suggests that every time you leave the house (and come back) make a point of having a kiss or a cuddle, and find a way to compliment them, making sure it's personal and genuine. 'Whether it's an arm squeeze, or a tender kiss on the mouth, it's done without any intention of it leading to sex, but more getting you both used to reclaiming intimacy with small gestures. 'Make a point of saying, 'that colour looks good on you,' or send a WhatsApp saying, 'can't wait to see you later' or send a picture of something silly you've noticed saying 'this made me think of you'. Recreate some of the behaviours from the beginning of your relationship – sending the message 'I'm thinking about you'. Feeling closer to the other person emotionally is when intimacy starts creeping back in.' 5. Slow sex doesn't mean it has to drag on for hours Lose the idea of always having an end goal. Having the best time together in the bedroom (or car, kitchen counter, whatever your preference) isn't always about the orgasm, says dating expert Fidel Beauhill, aka the Modern Man Coach. 'Most couples don't have bad sex because they're doing something wrong, they have bad sex because they're trying to get somewhere,' says Beauhill. 'We're obsessed with goals in the bedroom – the orgasm, the climax, the big finish – but often these pressures are exactly the thing that's getting in the way of genuine intimacy.' Slowing it down, he suggests, will benefit both parties, especially from midlife onwards. ' Tantric teachings have known for centuries that the act of making love is less about achievement and more about connection. For that to happen you need to take orgasms off the table, at least temporarily.' Both partners might explore the concept of 'edging' together (purposely delaying the point of gratification), not just to improve the intensity of any eventual climax, but to deepen the bond. 'Men might assume edging is mostly about them lasting longer, while this is generally helpful as women do biologically take longer to climax, it's also about savouring the build-up and growing a sense of anticipation. Anticipation is a real aphrodisiac in sex.' And slow sex doesn't mean it has to drag on for hours. 'If you've only got 10 minutes, it can still be powerful. Use it to tease, to kiss, to breathe together, to share proper eye contact, to giggle and hug, let it be about the moment, not the outcome. Long-term desire needs tension, not pressure. Notice that difference.' 6. Learn to be selfish in bed Loving sex is a game to be shared and enjoyed together, but not necessarily always in the same session. 'Modern lovers can fall into the mistake of attempting to make sure both parties are always catered for. Of course you should think about each other. But it's also OK – and even preferable – to sometimes take it in turns to be selfish. One night is all about her, and she returns the favour another time.' This makes the art of giving and receiving less transactional, says Beauhill. 'Instead of my turn, your turn, this builds more trust, generosity and playfulness in relationships.' 7. Sharing fantasies keeps things from getting stale Tracey Cox, the author of Great Sex Starts at 50, says that just sharing fantasies together can be just as exciting (and potentially less damaging) than trying out risqué scenarios in real life. 'Both parties need to be reassured that wanting variety is different than being bored,' says Cox. 'It doesn't mean your partner is unhappy with the sex you're having if they're having thoughts about a very different kind of sex or dreaming about something new. Instead of feeling threatened, embrace it and be curious.' The key here, she says, is avoiding judgement or ridicule. 'Whether you want to allow them to talk about it or actively play into it, say, by introducing role play or dressing up, is up to you. Let yourself go a little. If it doesn't float your boat, don't fear that's what your partner really wants. One of the greatest myths about fantasies is that they're suppressed wishes. They're not. Most are conjured up purely for sexual entertainment, and very few of us have any desire to act them out.' If you're too shy to speak it out loud, Cox suggests writing it down and swapping pieces of paper when you're having some intimate time and are feeling playful to maintain the spark. 8. Chemistry is great but technique can be more important The initial flush of lust carries you a long way initially, says Cox, but once that wears off, technique becomes paramount she insists. 'At the start, when we were frisky and getting to know someone physically, we likely 'checked in' with sentences such as 'does that feel good?' and naturally offered feedback, 'Aaah, that's so nice..'. But as we get used to each other – we get lazy.' Happily, insists Cox, sex skills can be learnt or mastered. 'It's never too late to refresh the basics, ask what they want and follow instructions. Their preferences may have changed over time and it's worth both being updated.' You might think 'manually pleasuring' someone (shall we say) is an activity best left for teenagers, but sharing these small, low effort pleasures together can pay dividends for feeling connected overall in any marriage. Cox suggests the best way of making sure your technique is good is by asking your partner to show you how they like to masturbate and copy it as closely as you can. And neither should couples relegate oral sex to being 'something they used to do'. 'Of all the sex acts, it's arguably the most intimate and of the first things to fall by the wayside over time – it shouldn't. Have a bath together and build-up from there, it's about not shutting the door on things and rediscovering pleasures together. ' It's how most women have their orgasms and a great thing to do when one of you wants sex and the other isn't so keen on participating themselves, but are happy to give pleasure. 9. What you do after sex matters Sex shouldn't end with the act of orgasm, a post-coital cuddle will cement the happy hormones, says Dr Lehmiller. 'If you like to spoon, cuddle or otherwise express intimacy for each other, the odds are you are happier in your relationship.' In longitudinal research on couples' post-sex behaviour, it was found that being affectionate after sex increases both sexual and relationship satisfaction over time. 'Interestingly, there was no difference in gender, with both men and women reporting a satisfaction boost in post-sex cuddles, in fact it may even be more important than the duration of felt satisfaction during foreplay or sex,' adds Dr Lehmiller. It goes without saying, of course, that the more satisfied a couple are post-sex, the more likely they will be motivated to have more sex.
Forbes
29-04-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Here Comes The Customer Service Resolution Revolution
When Mikkel Svane and his co-founders, Morten Primdahl and Alexander Aghassipour, founded Zendesk in 2007, they aimed to revolutionize customer service by creating beautifully simple software that enabled businesses to easily interact with their customers and act on their feedback. Eighteen years later, one could argue that they have been successful. However, Tom Eggemeier, CEO of Zendesk, hopes they will be one of those rare companies that can reinvent an industry for a second time. However, this time around, they want to start a resolution revolution because, according to Eggemeier, 'The only metric that matters in customer service is resolution.' He's not wrong. Who wouldn't want to be able to resolve their problems faster and easier? Customers definitely would. In fact, research finds that most customers in the UK and the US are frustrated with the effort required to find answers to their questions. #revolution. Central to Zendesk's resolution revolution is its new Resolution Platform, which it launched at its recent annual customer event, Relate, held in Las Vegas. The Zendesk Resolution Platform is built on five core components: While all of these five core components are impressive and make sense, the Knowledge Graph component stood out to me. Why? Well, for two reasons: Firstly, customers have long complained about how difficult it is to find answers to their questions and to serve themselves. The research cited above isn't groundbreaking; it simply provides even more evidence that customers are and remain frustrated. Secondly, the comprehensive knowledge graph is an idea that has been long in the making. I remember talking to Adrian McDermott, Zendesk's CTO, back in 2018 about a new AI-powered knowledge management product they had developed. At that time, their application was based on Content Cue technology, which uses artificial intelligence and supervised learning to proactively identify gaps in existing knowledge and identifies where new content needs to be developed. While impressive, one of the big problems it didn't solve was the actual writing of the new content. And anyone who has been involved with customer service and knowledge base development knows that getting already pressurized agents to write articles is hard and using third-party agencies or other resources takes time, effort, and resources that they often don't have. That was more than four years before ChatGPT burst onto the scene. Now, their new knowledge graph product can, as Eggemeier explains, 'analyze all of your articles, all of your tickets, and all of your voice data to identify any gaps in your knowledge base. We then use generative AI to create articles for you to approve, to help you plug those gaps in your knowledge center. Those new articles can then be automatically translated across languages.' As someone who has been working on this problem for some time, McDermott adds that he is 'really excited about Knowledge Builder because I think it will take some of the grind out of knowledge gap identification, creation and maintenance.' In a world of ever-expanding and changing product portfolios, new service lines, new customers and new geographies, keeping up with the creation of knowledge to help customers help themselves, empower agents and enable AI agents is no small task. As McDermott points out, 'If the AI revolution is the latest industrial revolution, knowledge is the coal.' I've seen a demo of the Knowledge Builder in action. It was impressive and will go a long way toward solving that problem.
Telegraph
26-04-2025
- General
- Telegraph
Let men have their own single-sex spaces: they are welcome to their sheds
This summer, my husband and I will be celebrating our 20th wedding anniversary. I can't quite believe we've made it this far, when so many marriages seem to fail these days. In England and Wales, the divorce rate is around 42 per cent. I'm certainly not one for doling out marital advice, but I think my husband would agree that having separate interests has so far helped us to avoid resorting to Relate. Indeed, playing doubles tennis with him this week served as a salient reminder that couples really shouldn't do everything together. Okay, we won, but I'm not sure any wife needs to put up with a husband questioning her volleying at the net when he can't get any of his first serves in. Anyway… I couldn't help but notice a story about a little known initiative called Men In Sheds. There are more than 1,000 such projects running across the country, aimed at reducing loneliness and combating social isolation among elderly men. Members get together to learn new skills, such as repairing and refurbishing furniture and other household items, which would otherwise be sent to landfill. Great idea, right? Except women, seemingly not content with being given a man-free morning, are now trying to muscle in on it. One group in Loughborough, Leicestershire, has taken the decision to admit women after one member's wife complained that they felt excluded. For the love of God, women: take the blue tickets when you can get them. I dearly love my husband, but those four hours when he plays cricket on a Sunday give me full command of the remote control. They're the only period of the week I don't spend looking for the stuff he's lost because I've tidied it away. Moreover, if women insist on having same-sex spaces, the least we can do is afford men the same privilege.
