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The voice in your head may help you recall and process words. But what if you don’t have one?

<div class="theconversation-article-body"><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/derek-arnold-106381">Derek Arnold</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/the-university-of-queensland-805">The University of Queensland</a></em></p> <p>Can you imagine hearing yourself speak? A voice inside your head – perhaps reciting a shopping list or a phone number? What would life be like if you couldn’t?</p> <p>Some people, including me, cannot have imagined visual experiences. We cannot close our eyes and conjure an experience of seeing a loved one’s face, or imagine our lounge room layout – to consider if a new piece of furniture might fit in it. This is called “<a href="https://theconversation.com/a-blind-and-deaf-mind-what-its-like-to-have-no-visual-imagination-or-inner-voice-226134">aphantasia</a>”, from a Greek phrase where the “a” means without, and “phantasia” refers to an image. Colloquially, people like myself are often referred to as having a “blind mind”.</p> <p>While most attention has been given to the inability to have imagined visual sensations, aphantasics can lack other imagined experiences. We might be unable to experience imagined tastes or smells. Some people cannot imagine hearing themselves speak.</p> <p>A <a href="https://www.sciencealert.com/we-used-to-think-everybody-heard-a-voice-inside-their-heads-but-we-were-wrong">recent study</a> has advanced our understanding of people who cannot imagine hearing their own internal monologue. Importantly, the authors have identified some tasks that such people are more likely to find challenging.</p> <h2>What the study found</h2> <p>Researchers at the University of Copenhagen in Denmark and at the University of Wisconsin-Madison in the United States <a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/09567976241243004">recruited 93 volunteers</a>. They included 46 adults who reported low levels of inner speech and 47 who reported high levels.</p> <p>Both groups were given challenging tasks: judging if the names of objects they had seen would rhyme and recalling words. The group without an inner monologue performed worse. But differences disappeared when everyone could say words aloud.</p> <p>Importantly, people who reported less inner speech were not worse at all tasks. They could recall similar numbers of words when the words had a different appearance to one another. This negates any suggestion that aphants (people with aphantasia) simply weren’t trying or were less capable.</p> <h2>A welcome validation</h2> <p>The study provides some welcome evidence for the lived experiences of some aphants, who are still often told their experiences are not different, but rather that they cannot describe their imagined experiences. Some people feel anxiety when they realise other people can have imagined experiences that they cannot. These feelings may be deepened when others assert they are merely confused or inarticulate.</p> <p>In my own <a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychology/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1374349/full">aphantasia research</a> I have often quizzed crowds of people on their capacity to have imagined experiences.</p> <p>Questions about the capacity to have imagined visual or audio sensations tend to be excitedly endorsed by a vast majority, but questions about imagined experiences of taste or smell seem to cause more confusion. Some people are adamant they can do this, including a colleague who says he can imagine what combinations of ingredients will taste like when cooked together. But other responses suggest subtypes of aphantasia may prove to be more common than we realise.</p> <p>The authors of the recent study suggest the inability to imagine hearing yourself speak should be referred to as “anendophasia”, meaning without inner speech. Other authors had suggested <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8551557/">anauralia</a> (meaning without auditory imagery). Still other researchers have referred to all types of imagined sensation as being different types of “imagery”.</p> <p>Having <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0010945222000417">consistent names</a> is important. It can help scientists “talk” to one another to compare findings. If different authors use different names, important evidence can be missed.</p> <h2>We have more than 5 senses</h2> <p>Debate continues about how many senses humans have, but some scientists reasonably argue for a <a href="https://www.sensorytrust.org.uk/blog/how-many-senses-do-we-have#:%7E:text=Because%20there%20is%20some%20overlap,sensation%20of%20hunger%20or%20thirst.">number greater than 20</a>.</p> <p>In addition to the five senses of sight, smell, taste, touch and hearing, lesser known senses include thermoception (our sense of heat) and proprioception (awareness of the positions of our body parts). Thanks to proprioception, most of us can close our eyes and touch the tip of our index finger to our nose. Thanks to our vestibular sense, we typically have a good idea of which way is up and can maintain balance.</p> <p>It may be tempting to give a new name to each inability to have a given type of imagined sensation. But this could lead to confusion. Another approach would be to adapt phrases that are already widely used. People who are unable to have imagined sensations commonly refer to ourselves as “aphants”. This could be adapted with a prefix, such as “audio aphant”. Time will tell which approach is adopted by most researchers.</p> <h2>Why we should keep investigating</h2> <p>Regardless of the names we use, the study of multiple types of inability to have an imagined sensation is important. These investigations could reveal the essential processes in human brains that bring about a conscious experience of an imagined sensation.</p> <p>In time, this will not only lead to a better understanding of the diversity of humans, but may help uncover how human brains can create any conscious sensation. This question – how and where our conscious feelings are generated – remains one of the great mysteries of science.<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/230973/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /></p> <p><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/derek-arnold-106381">Derek Arnold</a>, Professor, School of Psychology, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/the-university-of-queensland-805">The University of Queensland</a></em></p> <p><em>Image credits: Shutterstock</em></p> <p><em>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/the-voice-in-your-head-may-help-you-recall-and-process-words-but-what-if-you-dont-have-one-230973">original article</a>.</em></p> </div>

Mind

Everything you’ve always wanted to know about the inner workings of your cruise ship

<p dir="ltr">When it comes to life on board a cruise ship, travellers will usually look for features like great food options, fun shows, activities to keep busy, and a comfortable bed.</p> <p dir="ltr">What many don’t think about, however, is the thought and precision that goes into building and designing a cruise ship. </p> <p dir="ltr">Charlie, a cruise ship designer from Florida, has worked in the industry for over a decade and had a hand in helping put together the design for two huge cruise ships.</p> <p dir="ltr">Charlie said that the main mission is to make guests feel comfortable and safe by any means necessary. </p> <p dir="ltr">Speaking to <a href="https://travel.nine.com.au/cruising/cruise-ship-designer-what-travellers-should-know-exclusive/b1c6f650-cb17-408d-9b91-9c67282c54b5" target="_blank" rel="noopener">9Honey Travel</a>, Charlie said, "If you notice things, we're not doing our job correctly."</p> <p dir="ltr">"Our job is to make you feel at ease with the space."</p> <p dir="ltr">A cruise ship takes several years to design, with a lot of planning, care and thought going into the most intricate details. </p> <p dir="ltr">"Cruise ships are so large scale and that even though a lot of the designs are replicated from each room or ship, you have to ensure that the design fits each area and it's not just copy paste."</p> <p dir="ltr">There are four main things Charlie says to keep an eye out for on your next cruising adventure, which make all the difference to your journey.</p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>Safety first</strong></p> <p dir="ltr">Above all else on a cruise ship, the safety of the passengers and the crew must come first. </p> <p dir="ltr">Aside from the practical elements such as bullet-proof glass and lounges that have the potential to turn into flotation devices, there are psychological considerations as well.</p> <p dir="ltr">"Everything when it comes to cruise ship design comes from a safety standpoint, and how you make sure guests feel safe at all times," Charlie says.</p> <p dir="ltr">"Like the fact there's handrails almost everywhere you look. Down to whether the height of a table will be at a height where if you need to lean down, it's probably a little bit taller than the average table, just so that you have something to grab onto."</p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>Nothing moves unless it’s supposed to</strong></p> <p dir="ltr">Due to the constant movement on a cruise ship, everything onboard the vessel must be secured, which can make design aspects difficult. </p> <p dir="ltr">"You have to keep in mind how things function within a space. So if you go to a restaurant, you can't join tables, or move tables because they're literally secured to the floor.</p> <p dir="ltr">"And it's one of those things where it actually becomes very difficult in planning. The lighting plan, for example, also has to incorporate that because the lights overhead can't move. So your interior designers and your lighting designers have to be working together probably at least three to four years before you would actually install any of those."</p> <p dir="ltr">So you're less likely to see things like pendant lights, unless they are on a rod fixed to the ceiling.</p> <p dir="ltr">"You don't want to have that ability to see something in motion, because then that gives you the idea that you aren't safe," Charlie adds.</p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>Quick repairs are a rarity </strong></p> <p dir="ltr">Charlie shared that longevity needs to be considered when designing a cruise ship, as repairs can often take a long time to complete. </p> <p dir="ltr">"What's the lifespan and what's the duration of time it would take for someone to repair it. And are you able to store that stuff on a ship?</p> <p dir="ltr">"Nothing is off the shelf. Nothing is just 'oh, I can go to the store and get that'. A manufacturer would produce that specifically for them. So if something does break, getting it replaced is going to be a lot more difficult.”</p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>Long hallways are a big no</strong></p> <p dir="ltr">"Guest flow and how people move through a space is very key," Charlie points out.</p> <p dir="ltr">"In most modern day ships, you wouldn't directly have a linear path except down your guest room hallway. Nowadays, you'd have little jogs (or alcoves) so that you can't just see all the way to the end of a floor.”</p> <p dir="ltr">And the reasoning for this design choice is two-fold.</p> <p dir="ltr">"Being able to have an end point or something to focus on helps to establish equilibrium. You have something to focus on if the ship starts to move a little bit," he explains.</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p>

Cruising

Sunrise star's $2 million reno project up for grabs

<p>Sunrise star Edwina Bartholomew’s luxury $2 million home is up for sale.</p> <p>The channel 7 TV presenter has owned the remarkable three-bedroom Dulwich Hill home in Sydney’s inner west for six years and has renovated the historic brick property in that time.</p> <p>“A superbly renovated historic home in one of the Inner West’s most desirable locations,” the marketing collateral for the home reads.</p> <p>“Architecturally designed interiors are complemented by beautiful landscaping front and back, including a glasshouse-style terrace for entertaining. A storybook home of finely crafted luxury.”</p> <p>The two-bathroom home sits on 221sqm and has been valued at $2 million.</p> <p>The median house price for properties in Dulwich Hill sits around $1.855 million, down 4.1 per cent over the past year.</p> <p>According to property records, Bartholomew paid $1.59 million for the house in March 2017.</p> <p>Since purchasing the property, she has done some major renovations to spruce up the home, which is one of the oldest properties in the suburb, for a more contemporary lifestyle.</p> <p>“Our dog ran through the back door at one point chasing a possum, so we had cardboard and gaffa tape holding it together for a bit. It’s much nicer now,” Bartholomew told <em><a href="https://thedesignfiles.net/2023/02/on-the-market-edwina-bartholomew-1-abergeldie-st/?fbclid=IwAR1Iyb5XjhwD3YFzi0Pk8H6ZmxW60oDNDSyENKe_AHBuL8OI21WduOO9wSU&mibextid=Zxz2cZ" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Design Files</a></em>.</p> <p>“I’ve loved sitting in the study at the front reading a book with the big bay window, or playing up on the terrace with the kids.</p> <p>“We love that we have not only renovated a house, but resurrected a house to last for another century, and countless other families.”</p> <p>The home is scheduled for auction on March 18.</p> <p>Bartholomew is now planning another renovation project in hopes of turning a rural guesthouse into a boutique hotel.</p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty/BresicWhitney</em></p>

Real Estate

Rebel Wilson's inner-west mansion has finally sold

<p>Rebel Wilson’s Sydney home, located in the water front suburb of Birchgrove on the Balmain peninsula has sold.</p> <p>Rebel scored an eye-watering $9.5 million which was $500,000 more than the $9 million price tag on its March listing. She had paid $3.76 million for the Louisa Road, home, back in 2015, followed by a major rebuild overseen by architect Paul Connor for a three-level home with a lift.</p> <p>It features a north-facing aspect overlooking the Parramatta River. It was previously owned by author Peter Carey, who sold in 1992 for $810,000 when moving to New York, and then later by former Goldman Sachs operative Robert Tsenin and his wife Estelle.</p> <p>The latest owners of the Birchgrove home have emerged as Nick Smart, who founded the perfume distribution company Agence de Parfum in 2008, and his husband, Todd Graham, who launched Australia’s first certified organic pet and supplement range for dogs and cats in 2021.</p> <p>The Birchgrove record has stood since 2019 at $14.25 million when developer John Gobbo bought a waterfront mansion with jetty, which was challenged earlier this year by the 1899 Yurulbin, when sold to anaesthetist Dr Thomas Theodorou and Dalai Clarke for $13.68 million.</p> <p>Wilson’s investment company paid $3.6 million earlier this year for a nearby four bedroom property, said to be a home base for her mother.</p> <p><em>Images: Instagram</em></p>

Real Estate

"Steal the Suite" hotel evokes your inner shoplifter

<p dir="ltr">A hotel chain has invited guests to come with an empty bag and “steal” luxurious items from them.</p> <p dir="ltr">For a limited time only, The Prince Hotel in Melbourne has invited members of the club for a “one-of-a-kind stay”.</p> <p dir="ltr">“At The Prince, you could never overstay your welcome. In fact, we want you to put your feet up, open your bags and home on in,” the invite read.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Delicious debauchery, utter self-indulgence. We’re inviting you to a one-of-a-kind stay at The Prince, where you leave with more than you came.”</p> <p dir="ltr">The Prince is collaborating with luxury brands to deck the rooms with “cool and coveted items” such as towels, toiletries, and goodies from the mini bar.</p> <p dir="ltr">“We’re inviting you to stuff your suitcase with Grown Alchemist skin and body care, Marloe Marloe handmade ceramics, Cultiver Linen bedware, extra soft Hommey cushions and slides,” they continue.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Plus, leave deliciously nourished and boozed up with a mini-bar packed full of goodies from the European grocer, Little Prince Wine and Mitchelton Wines.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Guests are asked to bring an empty bag for the $999 a night room, which will have goods worth up to $2,000 and more. </p> <p dir="ltr">Hotel manager Ben Chan explained the reasoning behind Steal the Suite was thanks to watching guests occasionally stealing items from them</p> <p dir="ltr">“We have seen some guests go to extraordinary lengths to smuggle items out of their hotel room, so we decided to expose this guilty pleasure,” he said.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Steal the Suite lets guests steal items that are truly worth it.”</p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>What each Steal the Suite room includes: </strong></p> <ul> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation">Grown Alchemist - Toiletries, valued at over $200</p> </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation">Hommey - Cushions and towels valued at over $350</p> </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation">Marloe Marloe - Ceramic vases, valued at over $300</p> </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation">Cultiver Linen - Robes, tote and linen sheet set, valued at over $1,000</p> </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation"><span style="font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif;">Mitchelton Wines - 12 bottles of wine valued at over $150</span></p> </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation">Little Prince Wine - Cheese and charcuterie selection – priceless</p> </li> </ul> <p dir="ltr"><em>Images: The Prince Hotel</em></p>

Travel Trouble

Tom Gleeson's fiery monologue takes no prisoners

<p>Tom Gleeson mercilessly came for Pete Evans at the <em>AACTA Awards</em>, along with a few other Australian celebrities.</p> <p>The comedian did not hold back on the controversial chef during his opening monologue at the awards on Monday night.</p> <p>“I’m your host for this evening, I’ll be taking you through the night and I’ll be choosing my words very carefully because TV shows used to get cancelled, (but) now people get cancelled … like Pete Evans,” Gleeson began.</p> <p>“He was dropped from<em> I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here</em>. It’s a missed opportunity for Channel 10 though, the first challenge could have been ‘try this vaccination’ … or ‘stand under this 5G tower’ … or ‘be credible’.”</p> <p>The comedian also targeted the programs at <em>SAS Australia</em>, and <em>Plate of Origin.</em></p> <p>“SAS Australia was a huge success this year for Channel 7. Congratulations, they put celebrities through their paces.</p> <p>“It was so entertaining that they almost forgot about the war crimes,” Gleeson said.</p> <p>“This year Channel 7 also poached Gary Mehigan and Matt Preston. They left <em>MasterChef </em>to launch <em>Plate Of Origin</em>, which I suspect completed its only season,” he said about the low-rating show.</p> <p>“Plate of Origin was a TV competition where Gary Meighan and Matt Preston unknowingly competed to answer the question, ‘Was MasterChef’s ratings success due to the talent or the format?’ Spoiler alert, it was the format.”</p> <p>The Australian comedian also hilariously roasted former Studio 10 host Kerri-Anne Kennerly.</p> <p><em>“Studio 10 </em>on Channel 10 had a big clean out. Joe Hildebrand gone, Natarsha Belling gone. Kerri-Anne gone,” he said. </p> <p>“After getting a Gold Logie, Kerri-Anne called me a wimp for not going to<em> Studio 10,</em> so I’d just like to say to Kerri-Anne, who is probably watching from home because she’s not invited, or on air …</p> <p>“I’d just like to let you know Kerri-Anne that I didn’t go on<em> Studio 10 </em>because I enjoy performing to an audience!”</p> <p><img style="width: 0px; height: 0px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7823058/kerri-anne-kennerley.png" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/1c5010d5012b4711a96811d661b190e2" /></p> <p>“There are more people in this room socially distanced than who watch <em>Studio 10.</em></p> <p>“Going to <em>Studio 10</em> is like yelling your opinions into an empty shoebox. It’s pointless behaviour.</p> <p>“If a tree falls in the forest and no one is there to hear it fall, you’re on <em>Studio 10.</em></p> <p>The AACTA Awards presented by Foxtel Ceremony will air on Foxtel Arts, December 6 at 7.30 pm AEDT.</p>

“Best two minutes of Australian TV ever”: Q&A monologue for the ages

<p><span>A two-minute monologue at the end of last night’s episode of </span><em>Q&A</em><span> has been hailed as the “best two minutes of Australian TV ever”.</span></p> <p><em>Neighbours</em><span> actor Meyne Wyatt, a Wongutha-Tamatji man from Kalgoorlie, spoke passionately against injustice towards Indigenous Australians in the emotionally charged episode, which focused on racism and black deaths in custody, following the weekend’s nationwide Black Lives Matter protests.</span></p> <p><span>But it was his words towards the end of the show that really resonated with viewers, resulting in an influx of support.</span></p> <p><span>In a chilling speech from his play, City of Gold, Wyatt condemned police brutality and spoke about black identity as he became visibly emotional.</span></p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr">Meyne Wyatt closes <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/QandA?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#QandA</a> with a monologue from his play, City of Gold. <a href="https://t.co/9ALFIYRAnq">pic.twitter.com/9ALFIYRAnq</a></p> — QandA (@QandA) <a href="https://twitter.com/QandA/status/1269982640494411776?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 8, 2020</a></blockquote> <p><span>“I’m always going to be a black friend, aren’t I? That’s all anyone ever sees. I’m never just an actor, I’m an Indigenous actor. Hey, I love reppin’, but I don’t hear old Joe Bloggs over here being called ‘white Anglo-Saxon actor blah di blah,’” Wyatt began.</span></p> <p><span>“I’m always in the black show, the black play. I’m always the angry one, the tracker, the thief. Sometimes I just want to be seen for my talent, not my skin colour, not my race. I hate being a token, box to tick, part of some ‘diversity’ angle. ‘Oh, what are you whingeing for, you’re not a real one, anyway – you’re only part.’</span></p> <p><span>“Well, what part then? My foot? My arm? My leg? You’re either black or not. You wanna do a DNA test, come suck my blood.</span></p> <p><span>“’But how will we move forward if we dwell on the past?’ That’s your privilege. You get to ask that question. Ours, we can dance and be good at sport. You go to weddings, we go to funerals.</span></p> <p><span>“‘No no, you’re not your ancestors, its not your fault you have white skin’ – but you do benefit from it.</span></p> <p><span>“You can be OK – me? I have to be exceptional. I mess up, I’m done. There’s no path back for me, there’s no road to redemption. Being black and successful comes at a cost. You take a hit whether you like it or not, because you want your ‘blacks’ quiet and humble.</span></p> <p><span>“You can’t stand up, you have to sit down. Ask a brother boy, Adam Goodes. A kid says some racist sh*t – not ignorant, racist – calling a blackfella an ‘ape’. Come on man, we were flora and fauna before 1967 – no actually, we didn’t exist at all.</span></p> <p><span>“He got it. It was a kid – this was a learning moment, he taught that kid a lesson. But they didn’t like that – a black man standing up for himself, no, they didn’t like that.</span></p> <p><span>“‘You shut up boy, you stay in your lane, every time you touch a ball we’re going to boo your a**e’. So he showed them a scary black, throwing imaginary spears and sh*t – but did they like that? Oh, nah nah nah, they didn’t like that.</span></p> <p><span>“Every arena, every stadium, they booed him. ‘It’s coz the way the flog plays football’ – bulls**t. No-one booed him the way they booed him until he stood up and said something about race.</span></p> <p><span>“The second he stood up, everyone came out of the woodwork to give him sh*t. And what, he’s supposed to sit there and take it? Well I’ll tell you right now – Adam Goodes has taken it. His whole life, he’s taken it.</span></p> <p><span>“I’ve taken it. No matter what, no matter how big, how small, I’ll get some racist sh*t on a weekly basis, and I’ll take it. You know, it used to be that in your face – ‘You boong, you black dog, coon’ kind of sh*t, ‘Gonna chase you down the ditch with my baseball bat’ skinhead sh*t … when I was 14 years old.</span></p> <p><span>“But nah, ‘We’ve come forward, we’re progressive, we’re going to give you that small subtle sh*t’. Sh*t that’s always been there, but it’s not that obvious, in your face s**t, it’s that, ‘Ooh no we can’t be seen to be racist’ kind of sh*t.</span></p> <p><span>“Security guard following me around the store, asking to search my bag. Walking up to the counter first, and being served second, or third or last kind of sh*t. Hailing down a cab to see it slow down, look at my face, then drive off. More than once, more than twice – more than once, twice, on any one occasion, yeah, that sh*t I’ll get weekly.</span></p> <p><span>“Sometimes I’ll get it days in a row, if I’m really lucky. And that’s the kind of sh*t I’m letting them think they’re getting away with, because to be honest, I can’t be bothered. I can’t be bothered teaching their ignorant a**es on a daily basis. I don’t have the energy or the enthusiasm. It’s exhausting, and I like living my life.</span></p> <p><span>“But on occasion, when you’ve caught me on a bad day, where I don’t feel like taking it, I’ll give you that ‘angry black’ you’ve been asking for and I’ll tear you a new a**ehole. Not because of that one time, but because of my whole life. At least Adam (Goodes) danced … and they still p**sed and moaned.</span></p> <p><span>“But it’s not about that one time, it’s about all those times. And seeing us as animals and not as people, that sh*t needs to stop. Black deaths in custody, that sh*t needs to stop.</span></p> <p><span>“I wanna be what you want me to be, I wanna be what I wanna be. Never trade your authenticity for approval. Be crazy. Take a risk. Be different. Offend your family. Call them out. Silence is violence. Complacency is complicity.</span></p> <p><span>“I don’t wanna be quiet, I don’t wanna be humble, I don’t wanna sit down.”</span></p> <p><span>The monologue quickly caught traction on Twitter, with comedian Nazeem Hussain describing it as “the best two minutes of Australian television ever”.</span></p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr">Ummm did we just watch <a href="https://twitter.com/meynewyatt?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@meynewyatt</a> deliver the best two minutes of Australian TV ever??! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/QandA?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#QandA</a></p> — Nazeem Hussain (@nazeem_hussain) <a href="https://twitter.com/nazeem_hussain/status/1269973514515124226?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 8, 2020</a></blockquote> <p><span>Others also praised the actor.</span></p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-conversation="none"> <p dir="ltr">Thank you <a href="https://twitter.com/QandA?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Qanda</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/meynewyatt?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@meynewyatt</a> This has to go global. This is more than a statement from the heart. This is a roar from a people a roar from history through a man who will be heard. Let it rip Tweeps!! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/blacklivesmatteraustralia?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#blacklivesmatteraustralia</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/TheDailyShow?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TheDailyShow</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/colbertlateshow?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@colbertlateshow</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/sethmeyers?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@sethmeyers</a></p> — DavidW2035 (@DavidW2035) <a href="https://twitter.com/DavidW2035/status/1269985307098705920?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 8, 2020</a></blockquote> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr">That monologue by <a href="https://twitter.com/meynewyatt?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@meynewyatt</a> might be the most incredible and shattering thing I’ve seen on <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/qanda?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#qanda</a>.</p> — Benjamin Law 羅旭能 (@mrbenjaminlaw) <a href="https://twitter.com/mrbenjaminlaw/status/1269973645398388736?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 8, 2020</a></blockquote> <p><span>“Powerful monologue … strong, enriching, empowering, graphic and sadly one that reflects something all to real with how we view and treat Indigenous Australians,” one person tweeted.</span></p> <p><span>Another tweeted a video of Wyatt’s speech, and wrote: “‘Silence is violence.’ Watch ALL of THIS. Sit with the discomfort, the reality, all of it. Sit with our racism. Understand the privilege and complicity of having a choice to ignore it. Act, do, learn, DO NOT be silent.”</span></p> <p><span>Earlier in the program, Wyatt told the panel – which included Sydney actor and writer, Nakkiah Lui, lawyer and human rights advocate Nyadol Nyuon, Federal Shadow Treasurer Jim Chalmers and NSW Liberal Senator Andrew Bragg. – that he was tired of sitting and being “the nice guy” while Australia’s institutions were “killing us”.</span></p> <p><span>“It’s been continuous since Captain Cook landed on these shores. It’s still happening. It’s a denial of our existence,” he said.</span></p> <p><span>“We’re demanding. We’re demanding justice. And those protests in America – they’re not protests, they’re demanding it.</span><br /><span>“There are riots and people are talking about order. Who cares about order if there’s no justice? We want justice. I’m sick of talking about being in order – you know what? It doesn’t work. Being peaceful – peaceful protests – don’t work. You’re never saved. You’re never happy for what we do.”</span></p> <p><span>Wyatt continued to raise his voice as the audience sat silent.</span></p> <p><span>“I’ve got to sit here and be the nice guy,” he said. “I don’t want to be the nice guy no more. I’m sick of it. Everyone sits there and listens to you be this animal. I don’t want to be an animal no more.”</span></p>

Mind games: How to silence your inner critic

<p>We all have an ‘inner critic’ who second-guesses our choices, and lobs insults about our perceived shortcomings.<br /><br />The good news is the more we recognise this internal enemy, the easier it will be to shut him or her up, so we can be our best selves.<br /><br />To become more aware of your negative thoughts or critical inner voice, follow these steps.</p> <div id="section"></div> <div class="view view-article-slider view-id-article_slider view-display-id-article_slider_block view-dom-id-5df8456ff79250452678b5618a27cad2"> <div class="view-content"> <div class="views-field views-field-field-slides"> <div class="field-content"> <div class="field-collection-view clearfix view-mode-full field-collection-view-final"> <div class="entity entity-field-collection-item field-collection-item-field-slides clearfix"> <div class="content"> <div class="field field-name-field-slide-title field-type-text field-label-hidden"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item even"><strong>Pay attention next time a bad mood hits</strong></div> </div> </div> <div class="field field-name-field-slide-content field-type-text-long field-label-hidden"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item even"> <p>Ask yourself what you were thinking about yourself at the time your mood shifted. </p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="views-field views-field-field-slides"> <div class="field-content"> <div class="field-collection-view clearfix view-mode-full field-collection-view-final"> <div class="entity entity-field-collection-item field-collection-item-field-slides clearfix"> <div class="content"> <div class="field field-name-field-slide-title field-type-text field-label-hidden"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item even"><strong>Recognise situations that set off your negative thinking</strong></div> </div> </div> <div class="field field-name-field-slide-content field-type-text-long field-label-hidden"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item even"> <p>Such as a phone call from your dad or a friend sharing good news.</p> <p>Become aware that you have turned against yourself.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="views-field views-field-field-slides"> <div class="field-content"> <div class="field-collection-view clearfix view-mode-full field-collection-view-final"> <div class="entity entity-field-collection-item field-collection-item-field-slides clearfix"> <div class="content"> <div class="field field-name-field-slide-title field-type-text field-label-hidden"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item even"><strong>Notice the occasions when your mind takes over</strong></div> </div> </div> <div class="field field-name-field-slide-content field-type-text-long field-label-hidden"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item even"> <p>Pay attention to when you are thinking people don’t like you and examine the thoughts you imagine they’re having about you.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="views-field views-field-field-slides"> <div class="field-content"> <div class="field-collection-view clearfix view-mode-full field-collection-view-final"> <div class="entity entity-field-collection-item field-collection-item-field-slides clearfix"> <div class="content"> <div class="field field-name-field-slide-title field-type-text field-label-hidden"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item even"><strong>Be alert to any cynical thoughts towards other people</strong></div> </div> </div> <div class="field field-name-field-slide-content field-type-text-long field-label-hidden"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item even"> <p>They may be valuable clues as to how you attack yourself.</p> <p>Once you become aware of these specific thoughts, consider what prompted them in the first place.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="views-field views-field-field-slides"> <div class="field-content"> <div class="field-collection-view clearfix view-mode-full field-collection-view-final"> <div class="entity entity-field-collection-item field-collection-item-field-slides clearfix"> <div class="content"> <div class="field field-name-field-slide-title field-type-text field-label-hidden"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item even"><strong>Think about what or whom these voices sound like</strong></div> </div> </div> <div class="field field-name-field-slide-content field-type-text-long field-label-hidden"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item even"> <p>To understand where your negative thoughts come from.</p> <p>People tend to find important connections between their voice and someone significant from their past.</p> <p>Once you have done this, you can begin to identify where your voice started and separate it from your own point of view.</p> <p>The next step is to change your thoughts with the following actions.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="views-field views-field-field-slides"> <div class="field-content"> <div class="field-collection-view clearfix view-mode-full field-collection-view-final"> <div class="entity entity-field-collection-item field-collection-item-field-slides clearfix"> <div class="content"> <div class="field field-name-field-slide-title field-type-text field-label-hidden"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item even"><strong>Challenge your critical inner voice</strong></div> </div> </div> <div class="field field-name-field-slide-content field-type-text-long field-label-hidden"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item even"> <p>The most important step to silencing it is to respond to it from a realistic and compassionate perspective. Say aloud or write down a more congenial, honest response to each of your put downs. </p> <p>Use 'I' statements.</p> <p>“I am a worthy person with many good qualities and have a lot to offer."</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="views-field views-field-field-slides"> <div class="field-content"> <div class="field-collection-view clearfix view-mode-full field-collection-view-final"> <div class="entity entity-field-collection-item field-collection-item-field-slides clearfix"> <div class="content"> <div class="field field-name-field-slide-title field-type-text field-label-hidden"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item even"><strong>Connect your voice to your actions</strong></div> </div> </div> <div class="field field-name-field-slide-content field-type-text-long field-label-hidden"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item even"> <p>Your critical inner voice has plenty of bad advice.</p> <p>"Don't say anything. No-one wants to ear what you have to say."</p> <p>As you learn to recognise your critical inner voice, you can start to catch on when it's starting to influence your behaviour. </p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="views-field views-field-field-slides"> <div class="field-content"> <div class="field-collection-view clearfix view-mode-full field-collection-view-final"> <div class="entity entity-field-collection-item field-collection-item-field-slides clearfix"> <div class="content"> <div class="field field-name-field-slide-title field-type-text field-label-hidden"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item even"><strong>Change your behaviour</strong></div> </div> </div> <div class="field field-name-field-slide-content field-type-text-long field-label-hidden"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item even"> <p>Once you see how the critical inner voice influences your behaviour, start to consciously act against it.</p> <p>The process of ‘not listening’ to your inner critic and strengthening your own point of view can be uplifting, but it can also cause anxiety.</p> <p>The more you oppose the voice, the weaker it will become.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="views-field views-field-field-slides"> <div class="field-content"> <div class="field-collection-view clearfix view-mode-full field-collection-view-final"> <div class="entity entity-field-collection-item field-collection-item-field-slides clearfix"> <div class="content"> <div class="field field-name-field-slide-title field-type-text field-label-hidden"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item even"><strong>Reflect on your negative thoughts</strong></div> </div> </div> <div class="field field-name-field-slide-content field-type-text-long field-label-hidden"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item even"> <p>Determine if there is any truth to them. It's important to recognise that even though there may be a kernel of truth to them.</p> <p>It's important to recognise that even though there may be a kernel of truth in a specific critical voice , nothing can be gained by attacking yourself.</p> <p>This not only fails to change a behaviour you may dislike in yourself, it also makes you feel bad, which increases the likelihood that the behaviour will recur.</p> <p>The best strategy is to take an objective and compassionate look at any negative behaviour or traits you have and work at changing them.</p> <p>To a large extent, you have the power to re-create yourself to become a person you like and admire. </p> <p>There is always anxiety as people grow, but it is worthwhile to struggle through it to come out the other end.</p> <p><em>Written by <span>Dr Robert W. Firestone</span>. This article first appeared in </em><span><em><a href="http://www.readersdigest.com.au/healthsmart/conditions/mental-health/mind-games-how-silence-your-inner-critic">Reader’s Digest</a></em></span><em>. For more of what you love from the world’s best-loved magazine, </em><span><em><a href="http://readersdigest.innovations.com.au/c/readersdigestemailsubscribe?utm_source=over60&utm_medium=articles&utm_campaign=RDSUB&keycode=WRA87V">here’s our best subscription offer.</a></em></span></p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <p><img style="width: 100px !important; height: 100px !important;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7820640/1.png" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/f30947086c8e47b89cb076eb5bb9b3e2" /></p>

Mind

4 ways to silence your inner critic

<p>I really should start exercising more. I wish my thighs weren’t so wobbly. I wish I had a bigger house like my brother.</p> <p>If thoughts like this swirl around your head, you’re not alone. But this negative chatter can have a detrimental effect on your well-being.</p> <p>If you’re ready to stop beating yourself up, read on to discover how our tips can help. </p> <p><strong>1. Make a list</strong></p> <p>If the idea of a gratitude journal makes your stomach turn, why not try this instead. Simply make a list of all the good things about you. Perhaps you have nice ankles, are good with crosswords, have a new pair of shoes to wear this weekend, or maybe you have the best curry recipe to try out for your next dinner party. Making a list of positive things is a great way to drown out the voice in your head that tries to tell you that you don’t look right/feel right/do the right things.</p> <p><strong>2. Try positive self-talk</strong></p> <p>It’s so easy to drift into the negative, but this can pull us down into a bad mood that has a knock on effect for the rest of the day. The same can be said for adopting positive self-talk. After brushing your teeth, try staring in the mirror and saying something life affirming such as ‘you are very good at your job’ or ‘you have a strong body that can do anything’ – you might be surprised by how much this gives you a lift.</p> <p><strong>3. Turn the criticism into action</strong></p> <p>Instead of lamenting on the size of your behind, why not try taking steps to make a positive change. For instance you could make a list of the things you aren’t happy with and then come up with an actionable to-do list. Start walking to the shops instead of driving. Start putting $20 a week into a high interest account. This will help you shut down the inner critic, because you know you are doing something to change things for the better.</p> <p><strong>4. Talk back as a friend</strong></p> <p>Think about what you would say to a friend who was saying these negative things about themselves. If you best pal complained about their waist size, you might say something like ‘well you have grown three children in there, and they are pretty wonderful.’ Or if they were telling you that they are hopeless with keeping the house in order, you might remind them how they helped their partner with their business, or even tell them that there’s more to life than a tidy kitchen.</p> <p>Have you got rid of any negative thoughts by employing these tips? We would love to hear your story in the comments.</p>

Mind

Rent drops in popular inner Sydney suburbs

<p>Real estate prices in Sydney have been notoriously high. Luckily for renters, prices in several popular suburbs have recently dropped.</p> <p>In suburbs such as Neutral Bay, Bondi, Waterloo, Surry Hills, and Manly, average weekly advertised rents have decreased by a substantial $50-plus. This means an annual savings of at least $2600 for lucky renters.</p> <p>The lowered cost of rent comes as a result of a rise in inner city vacancy. Landlords have had no choice but to lower their advertised rent or risk lacking tenants.</p> <p>In April, vacancy rates were at 1.7 per cent. By late July, that percentage had risen to 2.6, according to the Real Estate Institute of NSW.</p> <p>This is not the case, however, for outer suburbs, whose vacancy rates have dropped down to 1.7 per cent. This could mean increased rates for outer renters.</p> <p>Below is a list of the average decrease in advertised rents per inner suburb:</p> <ul> <li>Manly houses $125</li> <li>Bondi Junction houses $75</li> <li>Killara houses $70</li> <li>Milsons Point units $53</li> <li>Avalon Beach houses $50</li> <li>Neutral Bay houses $50</li> <li>Little Bay houses $43</li> <li>Peakhurst units $27</li> <li>Surry Hills houses $25</li> </ul> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong><a href="/finance/money/2015/07/renting-versus-buying/">Buying or renting? 6 things to consider when it’s time to move</a></strong></em></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong><a href="/finance/money/2015/07/how-to-save-on-insurance/">This one simple task that could save you hundreds</a></strong></em></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong><a href="/finance/money/2015/08/make-money-from-junk/">How to make money from things you don’t want</a></strong></em></span></p>

Money & Banking

Why you should “date” yourself first

<p>By the time you reach your 60s and beyond, you’ve got a fair few experiences under your belt – you’ve dated, you’ve been in a couple relationships and you’ve likely been married. It’s why jumping in the dating pool can seem so daunting – there’s a past you simply can’t forget whether you want to or not. And it doesn’t help when the first foray back into dating is generally not the best. But don’t be put off forever, maybe the antidote you need is to “date” yourself first.</p><p>It might seem like a strange concept but when you “date” yourself – when you invest time, energy and money into yourself, you are rewarded with a better understanding and love for yourself. Often when we’re single after decades of a relationship, we might not know ourselves as well as we once did. Taking the time to “date” yourself is a way of reconnecting with yourself and rediscovering who you are and what makes you a wonderful person, a person that anybody would be lucky to date! If you still need convincing, here are five more reasons why “dating” yourself is worth it.</p><p><strong>Gets you out of your comfort zone</strong> – If you want to go see the latest movie in the cinema but not gone simply because you couldn’t find someone, just go by yourself! Don’t stop doing activities you like because you can’t find company, go by yourself and enjoy your own company. It’s not about sitting home alone bored but actively planning and pursuing activities and interests you like. And don’t even think about cancelling – after all, you wouldn’t stand up a date!</p><p><strong>Happiness starts from within</strong> – Of course, a love one enhances happiness but a relationship shouldn’t be solely responsible for your happiness. Making that effort to do things you love and makes you happy will show you that you don’t need anyone else to live a happy and fulfilling life. If someone does come along, it’s great to share that happiness but it’s not a requisite!</p><p><strong>Know yourself better</strong> – Now you have all these “dates” planned with yourself just think how much more you can discover yourself. When you get out of your comfort zone, you’ll be surprised what else will interest you. Don’t be afraid to try new things and strike up a conversation with the coffee shop girl or that other dog owner!</p><p><strong>Feel better about yourself –</strong> When you actively value and care for yourself – just like you would if you do for someone else in a relationship – your self-esteem and self-worth will increase. Learn to value your strengths and experiences and don’t dwell on weaknesses or struggles. It helps form healthy relationships down the track because you know what you deserve and won’t settle for.</p><p><strong>How to be independent</strong> – Dating yourself teaches you to enjoy alone time and be independent – remember just because you’re alone doesn’t mean you have to be lonely. Also when we spend time by ourselves we better develop our own opinions, passions, goals and memories.</p><p><strong>Related link: <a href="http://oversixty.com.au/lifestyle/dating/2014/09/signs-that-you-are-ready-to-date/" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Signs that you are ready to date</span></a></strong></p>

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