Latest news with #stubborn
Irish Times
17 hours ago
- General
- Irish Times
The trouble with always being right
We've all had a loved one – parent, partner, sibling – who other people might charitably describe as stubborn. Perhaps that's not quite the right word. They're the family member someone will always warn newcomers to the house about: 'If you disagree with anything she says, do yourself a favour and let it go. Auntie Bridget is a steamroller.' 'If he brings up immigration/trade unions/birth rates/the British/his soccer glory days, just try to change the subject. My brother would give your behind a headache. We call him 'Jockrates' behind his back. But ... don't tell him I said that.' Growing up, I had a great aunt who would interrupt anyone who disagreed with her on any subject (however trivial) by scoffing and declaring, in clipped tones, 'Don't tell me. Ask me!' The phrase soured every interaction it featured in. Being unbelievably obnoxious, it would. My great aunt made a fantastic apple tart, nurtured a spectacular, flourishing garden and was a very kind and generous woman, but happened to be wildly unreasonable in the face of any mild challenge or disagreement. We all know someone whose self-respect rests on winning . Their very identity becomes enmeshed in this brief disagreement about whether Italy has a better hospitality culture than Spain, or whether Bertie Ahern should be resurrected from the political grave to vie for the presidency (please, no), or whether a vegan sponge cake can feasibly pass for 'a proper one' made with eggs. They will die on this hill. It doesn't matter if their point has been thoroughly counterargued, or if evidence has been presented which makes their position indefensible. There doesn't even have to be a particularly contentious or important issue under discussion. READ MORE When people engage in the world of ideas in this proprietary, insecure way, they become someone others will no longer talk to like a reasonable adult. Those who need it most are thus often insulated from sincere, good faith debate or even relevant information that might challenge their view. They're left, socially and intellectually, trapped within a septic tank of confirmation bias and sanctimonious overconfidence. It doesn't make for an enjoyable, relaxed Sunday lunch with the family, but it's not a catastrophe. When their influence is limited to pontificating at your poor, hard-of-hearing granny across a dish of green beans, there's little harm done apart from a tasty lunch spoiled and a few balled fists concealed under the table. 'Jockrates', at it again. However, this approach to forming and defending beliefs can be harmful when something important is at stake, or when it's the chosen operating system of someone with actual influence or power over others. We'd prefer our elected public representatives to be open-minded, willing to reconsider when there's good reason to do so, and to be capable of evolution of their ideological positions as circumstances and times change. We should probably consider those who think at 45 what they thought at age 15 with a good deal of wariness. To live 30 years in the belief that every experience merely confirms what you thought before is stronger evidence of being an ideologue than erudite. It's a little embarrassing. It's kind of insane. [ Cognitive bias can prevent us from knowing when to quit Opens in new window ] It's strange, then, that we often by default denigrate people who change their minds. The couple who decide after careful thought that they no longer want kids (hopefully before having them rather than after). The friend who quits their corporate job at 48 to become a yoga teacher and paint watercolours. The Fine Gael voter who switches to Labour, or vice versa. We'll accuse a politician who changes their position based on conscience of flip-flopping and treat someone who converts to a new religion with patronising suspicion. We'll view a person who openly admits to thinking they were wrong before as therefore more likely to be wrong now, while someone who sticks intransigently to the same set of ideas with the impermeable resistance of a sea wall is viewed as stalwart and reliable. [ Critical thinking training can reduce belief in conspiracy theories, study by UCC psychologists finds Opens in new window ] Yet changing your mind is surely an inevitable consequence of thinking. Of being more interested in what is true than what is convenient, advantageous or popular. Life experience, education (formal or self-taught) and exposure to new ways of thinking about old ideas should challenge the assumptions we walked in with. A long-standing unexamined belief is indistinguishable from a habit, and no more deserving of respect than a recently adopted one. We should treasure our most difficult, infuriatingly closed-off and overconfident loved ones as symbols of what happens when we lose interest in being challenged, really listening to other people, or braving judgment or disapproval for changing our view when there's good reason to. It may be minor comfort, but perhaps Auntie Bridget and 'Jockrates' may have something to teach us over the green beans after all.
North Wales Live
2 days ago
- Business
- North Wales Live
Light £80 Amazon cordless vacuum people with 'back pain' use to clean the house
Hoovering up around the house can often be the most challenging of chores when trying to get your home in order. Amazon is now offering 38% price slash on a six-in-one cordless vacuum cleaner which users claim can solve issues with back pain when cleaning. The VACTechPro V15 Cordless Vacuum Cleaner typically retails at £129.99, boasting a 45-minute cordless runtime with a removable battery. This product is designed to be lightweight and compact, making it easy to handle around every room and store when the job is done. Compared to rivals, price is a stand out feature too with many shoppers raving about the £80 price tag. "I recently purchased this cordless hoover, and I couldn't be happier with it," said one satisfied customer. They continued, and said: "From the moment I unboxed it, I was impressed by the sleek design and lightweight build. It's incredibly easy to manoeuvre, making vacuuming quick and painless, even in tight corners and under furniture. "The suction power is surprisingly strong for a cordless model." Others have hailed the 'fantastic product ', as one shopper notes: "I suffer with back pain following a back injury and this has made daily cleaning effortless. It works particularly well on hard floors, picking up those stubborn crumbs. "Its light and flexible design makes it easy to whizz around the house. It's simple to use & the suction is great. You'll still need a Henry or something to do a deep clean of the carpet occasionally, but this is great for daily cleaning needs and getting in the nooks and crannies." Elsewhere, similar products such as the Shark PowerPro Cordless Stick Vacuum also offer powerful suction and a lightweight stick design. The PowerPro product also features a sizeable price drop, from £249.99 to £179.99. 88% of the VACTechPro V15 's reviews include either a five or four-star rating, though a three-star analysis points out its performance on carpets could be improved. The customer wrote: "This is okay on wood or laminate flooring, but doesn't touch carpets. It can also not lock into the upright position when not in use, which is a pain. "Will keep it as useful for our hardwood flooring and for taking outside to vacuum the car, but disappointed that it's not adequate to thoroughly vacuum the whole house. Battery seems ok though, and if you're after a cheap vacuum for hard flooring, it'll do the job."
The Herald Scotland
21-07-2025
- Sport
- The Herald Scotland
Josh Taylor should be remembered as one of Britain's greatest boxers
The tone of Taylor's valedictory statement made clear he was doing so reluctantly rather than through his own free will, that stubborn streak that has served him so well throughout a storied career barely yielding, even to the last. This, though, was the correct outcome if not for the reasons Taylor would have wanted. At 34 years old and with a hoped-for second wind at welterweight having faltered at the first hurdle, there was nothing left for the self-styled Tartan Tornado to prove, little value in continuing to plough on gamely and risk further damage to a reputation that has suffered more than a few dents in recent years. Even the greatest warriors need to be told sometimes that it is best to stop rather than plodding on in the forlorn hope that they can defy the ageing process and once more scale previous heights. Taylor's legacy was never in any danger of being tarnished by his determination to keep searching for the next fight but the finality of retirement ensures it is now encased forever, his achievements untouchable, a body of work that deserves to see the Scot recognised as one of the greatest fighters to ever hail from these shores. And what a career it has been. A relatively late convert to the sweet science after a childhood spent in martial arts, his boxing potential was hinted at by the Commonwealth Games silver and then gold medals acquired as an amateur. In between those two milestones, Taylor also pulled on a Team GB vest to box at the London 2012 Olympic Games, still the last Scottish boxer to perform on that stage. That the southpaw from Prestonpans was going to turn over was never in doubt after learning his trade under the careful eye of Terry McCormack at Lochend Boxing Club. It was just the where and when that needed to be settled. The answer was July 2015 under the stewardship of Barry McGuigan and his son, Shane, meaning Taylor heads into retirement after exactly a decade spent in the professional ranks. Riding the tailcoats of Cyclone team-mate Carl Frampton, Taylor's route to the top began in unconventional fashion. While most new pros start out on small hall shows being walked through their debuts by gnarled journeymen, Taylor's first start came in El Paso, Texas just hours before Frampton would go on to win a world title. It meant that from the earliest days, Taylor was immersed in what it takes to reach the very top. Powerful with both fists and tall for the weight class with a lengthy reach, he was soon showcasing that he had what it took to reach that level, too. Taylor claimed the Commonwealth title aged just 25 with a stoppage of Dave Ryan at Meadowbank in just his seventh professional fight and retained the belt against Warren Joubert, at the same venue two bouts later. Having someone as famous and loquacious as McGuigan Sr. in his corner did not harm his cause, either, the Northern Irishman quick to speak about an all-Scots tear-up with then world champion, Ricky Burns, one contest that sadly never materialised. Still, there were other appealing fights to occupy Taylor, most notably an all-British bout with Ohara Davies, the mouthy Englishman who vowed to stop the Tartan Tornado in his tracks. Instead, it was Davies who would be left humiliated after infamously turning his back in the seventh round, unwilling and unable to continue. It was another sign that Taylor was the real deal as he pushed ever closer to world honours. He would be given a massive helping hand on that front by the creation of the World Boxing Super Series (WBSS), a tournament that pitted the best of the best from each weight division in knockout – no pun intended – format. It created a clear path for each of the eight participants, with none of the usual prevaricating that often gets in the way of potential big fights becoming a reality. Taylor would take up residency at the Hydro in Glasgow, the venue where he had won Commonwealth Games gold in 2014. Victories over Miguel Vazquez – that one at Ingliston for the WBC silver belt – Winston Campos and Viktor Postol saw the Scot enter the tournament bursting with confidence and determined to fulfil his destiny. The previously unbeaten Ryan Martin was stopped in the quarter-final setting up a meeting with Ivan Baranchyk in May 2019, with the Belarussian's IBF strap on the line. Taylor had caused a brief flutter of anxiety when he weighed in over the limit but the desperate need to quickly boil down to shift those two pounds clearly had no effect on his capabilities as he floored Baranchyk twice on his way to a unanimous points victory. In just his 15th fight, Taylor was a fully-fledged world champion. He wasn't done, there, however. The WBSS final took him next to the O2 in London to fight Regis Prograis, another undefeated American, a clash where the WBA, IBF and Ring titles would all be on the line. It was another close content but Taylor deservedly shaded it to take a majority decision to become unified super-lightweight champion, immediately calling for a fight with the WBC and WBO title holder, Jose Carlos Ramirez. The Prograis victory would prove to be the Scot's final fight with the McGuigans – an acrimonious split took place early in 2020 – with Taylor teaming up with trainer Ben Davison for a first-round stoppage of Apinun Khongsong later that year. By this point the Covid pandemic had descended – Taylor was an outspoken critic of many of the lockdown restrictions as well as a vaccine sceptic – making it tricky to finalise the undisputed bout with Ramirez. Eventually it was set for May 2021 in Las Vegas, with barely a smattering of spectators there to see it. Those fortunate to be present or watching at home on Fite TV – none of the major broadcasters elected to show it – saw history unfold as Taylor followed in the footsteps of his hero, Ken Buchanan, by becoming a Scottish undisputed world champion. Ramirez started on top but Taylor would move into the ascendancy in the middle of the contest, knocking down his opponent in the sixth and seventh rounds on his way to a unanimous decision. In doing so he became just the third fighter in history – after Terence Crawford and Oleksandr Usyk – to hold all four of the major world straps at the same time. What elevated the achievement was the standard of the opposition, rising in difficulty every time and with Taylor also becoming unified and then undisputed champion on the road. The collective record of his opponents from Postol to Ramirez – at the time of fighting each one – was a staggering 136-1. All succumbed to Taylor's power, precision and indefatigable dogged spirit. It would be a source of eternal regret for Taylor that more people were not present to witness his greatest achievement and that none of the major UK broadcasters felt it was worth showing. A feeling endured throughout his career that large swathes of England just couldn't quite take to this cheeky and at times spiky Scotsman, and that he wasn't promoted as well as he could have been by those looking after his interests. This was a talent that shouldn't have gone under the radar. In hindsight, beating Ramirez should have been the catalyst for a step up to welterweight to see whether he could go on to also dominate that division. Instead, what followed was a hugely unsatisfactory final few years in the ring. Taylor had once quipped that taking on Jack Catterall in February 2022 after beating Ramirez was like scaling Everest then returning to saunter up Arthur's Seat. His motivation having dipped, Taylor ought to have lost all his belts that night in Glasgow – a hometown decision undoubtedly went his way – but it would prove to be the start of the end as poor decisions and long periods of inactivity took their toll. Teofimo Lopez claimed his last remaining strap in New York in June 2023 before Catterall got his revenge a year later to settle an often spiteful and bitter relationship between the pair. A match-up with Ekow Essuman in May this year was meant to be start of a new chapter at welterweight but Taylor looked a shadow of himself on his way to a unanimous points defeat. It is a sad way for such a notable career to conclude but shouldn't take away from how bright Taylor's star shone when he was at his peak. His place in the pantheon of Scottish and British boxing greats is assured.
Time of India
20-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Michelle and Barack Obama get candid as they address divorce rumors and more
Source: X/ Michelle Obama Former US President Barack Obama made a surprise appearance on the podcast IMO with Michelle Obama and Craig Robinson, where he joined Michelle Obama and her brother Craig Robinson for a heartfelt and often humorous conversation. The episode, which aired last week, saw the couple directly address the swirling rumors about their marriage and reaffirm their bond in front of millions of listeners and viewers. The conversation comes after months of speculation about the Obamas' relationship, fueled by several public events where Michelle was notably absent, notably Donald Trump's presidential inauguration in January and former President Jimmy Carter's funeral. Social media chatter and tabloid headlines amplified the gossip, prompting Michelle and Barack to break their silence. Source: X/ Michelle Obama 'There hasn't been one moment in our marriage where I've thought about quitting on my man,' Michelle said, addressing the rumors head-on. Barack chimed in with a playful tone: 'She took me back! It was touch and go for a while.' Michelle's brother Craig, who co-hosts the IMO podcast, joked during the episode: 'It's so nice to have you both in the same room together.' Michelle responded with a knowing laugh: 'I know because when we aren't, folks think we're divorced.' She continued, reflecting on their journey together: 'There hasn't been one moment in our marriage where I've thought about quitting on my man. And we've had some really hard times and we've had a lot of fun times, a lot of adventures and I have become a better person because of the man I'm married to.' Source: X/ Michelle Obama Michelle also addressed the assumptions people made about her decision to skip Trump's inauguration. On a separate episode of IMO aired earlier this year, she clarified: 'My decision to skip the inauguration, what people don't realize — or my decision to make choices at the beginning of this year that suited me were met with such ridicule and criticism,' she said. 'People couldn't believe that I was saying no for any other reason that they had to assume that my marriage was falling apart.' A fun couple's challenge If there were still any lingering doubts about their relationship, a now-viral video posted on IMO's official social media accounts put them to rest. In the video, the Obamas take part in a couple's challenge, answering 'who is more likely to…' questions while standing next to each other. To the question 'Who apologizes first after a fight?' both pointed to Barack. When asked 'Who's the funny one?' they both pointed to Michelle. Barack picked up several playful titles during the challenge, including 'most romantic,' 'most patient,' 'grumpiest in the morning,' and 'biggest baby when sick.' They both agreed Michelle takes longer to get ready, is more stubborn, and needs more attention. They didn't always see eye-to-eye, however, especially on who's the better cook, who said 'I love you' first, who's the bigger social butterfly, and who's the messier one.
France 24
27-06-2025
- Business
- France 24
US inflation edges up as Trump renews criticism of Fed chief
"We have a guy that's just a stubborn mule and a stupid person," Trump told an event at the White House, referring to Fed Chair Jerome Powell. "He's making a mistake." With Powell's term as Fed chief coming to an end next year, Trump hinted at his choice of successor: "I'm going to put somebody that wants to cut rates." The president's remarks came after government data showed the personal consumption expenditures (PCE) price index climbing 2.3 percent last month from a year ago in May. This was in line with analyst expectations and a slight acceleration from April's 2.2 percent increase, but still a relatively mild uptick. Excluding the volatile food and energy sectors, the PCE price index was up 2.7 percent, rising from April's 2.6 percent uptick, the Commerce Department's report showed. But consumer spending declined, after Trump's fresh tariffs in April dragged on consumer sentiment. PCE dropped by 0.1 percent from the preceding month, reversing an earlier rise. While Trump has imposed sweeping tariffs on most US trading partners since returning to the White House in January -- alongside higher rates on imports of steel, aluminum and autos -- these have had a muted effect so far on inflation. This is in part because he held off or postponed some of his harshest salvos, while businesses are still running through inventory they stockpiled in anticipation of the levies. But central bank officials have not rushed to slash interest rates, saying they can afford to wait and learn more about the impact of Trump's recent duties. They expect to learn more about the tariffs' effects over the summer. 'Clear weakening' "The experience of the limited range of tariffs introduced in 2018 suggests that pass-through to consumer prices is intense three-to-six months after their implementation," warned economists Samuel Tombs and Oliver Allen of Pantheon Macroeconomics in a note. They flagged weakness in consumer spending, in part due to a pullback in autos after buyers rushed to get ahead of levies. And spending on services was tepid even after excluding volatile components, they said. "There has also been a clear weakening in discretionary services spending, notably in travel and hospitality," said Michael Pearce, deputy chief US economist at Oxford Economics, in a note. This reflects "the chilling effect of the plunge in consumer sentiment," he added. Between April and May, the PCE price index was up 0.1 percent, the Commerce Department report showed. As a July deadline approaches for higher tariff rates to kick in on dozens of economies, all eyes are also on whether countries can reach lasting trade deals with Washington to ease the effects of tariffs. For now, despite the slowing in economic growth, Pearce said risks that inflation could increase will keep the Fed on hold with interest rates "until much later in the year."
