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Surprising facts about Barbie (she’s kept quiet all this time)

1. Her fame is global, but she’s a small town girl. According to brand lore, Barbara “Barbie” Millicent Roberts was officially born on March 9, 1959, in the fictional town of Willows, Wisconsin. 2. She’s just one of seven kids. Over the years, her siblings for sale have included: Skipper, Stacie, Chelsea, Krissy, Tutti and Todd. 3. Barbie digs younger men. Her longtime BF Ken is two years younger than Barbie, debuting in toy stores in 1961. 4. She has had more than 150 careers, including paleontologist, Canadian Mountie, McDonald’s cashier, Desert Storm medic, business executive, secretary, Catwoman, and, regrettably, rapper. 5. She’s been to space three times. Astronaut Barbie debuted in space in 1965 (four years before the moon landing), then returned in 1986 and 1994. 6. Her house is a zoo. Barbie has owned more than 40 pets, including 21 dogs, 14 horses, three ponies, six cats, a parrot, a chimpanzee, a panda, a lion cub, a giraffe, and a zebra. 7. She’s got friends in the fashion industry. Gucci, Versace, Vera Wang, Dolce & Gabbana, and Givenchy have all contributed designs to Barbie’s wardrobe. 8. Her wardrobe is house-sized. Barbie has had more than one billion outfits (with shoes to match) designed for her. Image credits: Shutterstock This article originally appeared on <a href="https://www.readersdigest.com.au/true-stories-lifestyle/entertainment/8-Things-You-Probably-Didnt-Know-About-Barbie" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Reader's Digest</a>.

Beauty & Style

Tips to filter out the noise in your life

The modern world can make you feel like you are in a constant state of busyness. Here’s how to filter out the noise and take back some time for yourself. 1. Begin your day with some quiet They way you start your morning can determine your whole day. When you wake up, take a few minutes to centre yourself in silence. This could be meditation or even just some quiet reflection in bed. You will be amazed at how it can change your outlook. 2. Declutter your digital Technology is a wonderful thing, but it also means we are constantly tied to our smartphones, email accounts or the latest news updates. It can be hard to switch off when you are constantly connected. You don’t have to switch off completely, but set yourself limits – only check social media once a day, don’t check emails on the weekend or leave your phone at home if it’s not essential. 3. Limit TV time It’s amazing how quickly an hour (or two or three) can go by when you are sat mindlessly in front of the TV. Don’t automatically turn it on as soon as you walk in the house. Set a time for TV (say after 7pm) and then use your new free time to read a book, do some gardening or take a walk. You’ll be amazed at how much free time you suddenly have. 4. Get out into nature Never underestimate the power of connecting with the physical world. Head out for a walk through the park or along the beach. Leave your phone and iPod at home so you can listen to the sounds around you. You can clear your mind in a sort of moving meditation, plus the physical exercise will give you an extra boost. 5. Find meaningful activities In our busy life we rarely take time for the activities we love, like drawing, reading, singing or yoga. These activities can bring meaning to our lives, and encourage us to slow down and find stillness. It is worth setting aside some time each day or week to do something you really love. 6. Practice inner stillness Too often we are our own worst enemy. So, even if we can quiet the external noise, we persist with the internal noise. We constantly run over to do lists, fret over mistakes we’ve made, berate ourselves for not loosing weight. When you feel yourself falling into these patterns, stop. Relax, reset and feel grateful for what you have. Image credits: Getty Images

Mind

Lawyer sued for ‘quiet quitting’

A legal firm in New York have sued one of its own lawyers, accusing her of using remote work as a way to “quiet quit” while she started a new venture. Quiet quitting is a relatively new term that refers to employees who do nothing above the bare minimum in their role, often leading them to end up on the chopping board. Defendant Heather Palmore then filed a countersuit against Napoli Solnik accusing the firm of mistreating minority employees, “brazen bullying” and seeking to “intimate people who stand up to them”. The lawsuit, which was filed in late February 2023 in a state court, accused Palmore of “breach of fiduciary duty of loyalty, aiding and abetting breach of fiduciary duty of loyalty, injurious falsehood, unjust enrichment, declaratory judgement and constructive trust”. According to the firm’s lawsuit, Palmore “misrepresented her skill set, experience, and book of business to obtain a position with Napoli Shkolnik, where she took advantage of the new remote work environment to ‘quiet quit’ her job, and simultaneously worked for two law firms at once,” The firm also accused her of “performing little to no work for Napoli Shkolnik while directly competing with the firm by simultaneously running Defendant Palmore Law Group”. Palmore said in her counterclaim that partner Paul Napoli recruited her to be the firm’s chief trial counsel in October 2021. “Ms Palmore has been subjected to and witnessed egregious race and disability discrimination by senior management as part of their standard operating procedures,” she said in a lawsuit filed in Manhattan federal court. Palmore said she agreed to engage in mediation to settle her claims but claimed the firm used the time to “fabricate its own bogus lawsuit to file before Palmore could file her lawsuit — and gain some ill-conceived strategic advantage by filing first”. The firm claims Palmore was never committed to her job and that she established her own company almost as soon as she was hired. “Further, not even one month after defendant Palmore was hired by the plaintiff, defendant Palmore established her own separate law firm, The Palmore Group, PC, which she was operating and marketing while claiming to work on a full-time, attention, and energy basis for the plaintiff,” it said. Image credit: Instagram

Legal

"A kind of meditative peace": Quiet hour shopping makes us wonder why our cities have to be so noisy

The idea behind “quiet hour” shopping is to set aside a time each week for a retail experience that minimises noise and other sources of sensory overload. It is aimed at people who are <a href="https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2022/10/explainer-neurodivergence-mental-health/">neurodivergent</a> – an umbrella term for people with autism, ADHD and other sensory-processing conditions. What began as a boutique or specialist retail strategy has become more mainstream. Major <a href="https://www.coles.com.au/about-coles/community/accessibility/quiet-hour">supermarket</a> <a href="https://www.woolworthsgroup.com.au/au/en/media/news-archive/2019/woolworths-rolls-out-quiet-hour-to-select-stores-across-australia.html">chains</a> and <a href="https://insideretail.com.au/news/westfield-tuggerah-introduces-quiet-hour-for-people-with-dementia-autism-201907">shopping centres</a> in Australia and overseas have introduced it in recent years. In newly published <a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/07255136221133188">research</a> we explored quiet hour as an aspect of the impacts of sound on how people experience city life. As expected, we found it did benefit people who are neurodivergent. But other people also welcomed the relief from sensory overload once they’d overcome the feeling of having wandered into an eerily quiet “post-apocalyptic scene”. Our work has made us question the acceptance of urban noise and light as being part and parcel of a vibrant city. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> As families around Australia prepare for Santa’s arrival Coles and Woolworths supermarkets become a centre of activity. Both stores offer ‘Quiet Hour’ on Tuesday for a low sensory shopping experience. Coles hours: <a href="https://t.co/jZV0f5bGwm">https://t.co/jZV0f5bGwm</a> Woolworths hours: <a href="https://t.co/X5iMm05cOr">https://t.co/X5iMm05cOr</a> <a href="https://t.co/R5CyXcB9R3">pic.twitter.com/R5CyXcB9R3</a> — NDIS (@NDIS) <a href="https://twitter.com/NDIS/status/1458706093492817923?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 11, 2021</a></blockquote> <h2>What does quiet hour involve?</h2> Quiet hour is intended to make retail spaces more inclusive or sensory-friendly. Its features include retailers or mall managers agreeing to: <ul> <li> switch automatic doors to open </li> <li> pause collection of trolleys </li> <li> turn off the PA and music </li> <li> fix flickering lights and turn off as much lighting as practicable </li> <li> remove scented reeds and pause automatic scent dispensers </li> <li> switch off hand dryers </li> <li> turn down the volume on checkout scanners. </li> </ul> One of the tools we used for mapping quiet hour was a <a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/07255136221133188">thematic analysis</a> of reports about it in Australian print media from 2017 to 2019. We found the following themes: <ul> <li> an emphasis on the kinds of discomforts associated with retail environments </li> <li> the importance of providing a “low-sensory environment” as a form of inclusion </li> <li> while lighting was often mentioned, the main recurring theme was the reduction of sound. </li> </ul> <h2>Why does reducing sound matter?</h2> Sound and sensory hypersensitivity are important themes in neurodivergent people’s accounts of how they struggle with everyday experiences others take for granted. Leading autism researcher and advocate Sandra Thom-Jones <a href="https://www.mup.com.au/books/growing-in-to-autism-paperback-softback">writes</a> that neurodivergents’ sensitivity to sound is complex. It’s affected by “what the sound actually is, how loud it is, whether I am expecting it, and whether I can control it”. People might assume everyone has the ability to <a href="https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.4324/9780203033142-4/radio-texture-self-others1-jo-tacchi">frame which sounds are important</a> and which are “irrelevant to what we are listening to or doing”. However, the ability to single out sound sources and block out background noise is a major point of differentiation between neurotypicals and neurodivergents. Thom-Jones, who received her autism diagnosis at age 52, <a href="https://www.mup.com.au/books/growing-in-to-autism-paperback-softback">reports</a> that when she is “in an environment with multiple sounds” she tends to “hear all of them”. Thus, when she is catching up with a friend in a café, she may be “listening intently” to what her friend is saying but she will also be “hearing the piped music, the people talking at the next table, cars driving past, the coffee machine”. <h2>Others welcome quiet hour too</h2> Given how neurodivergents process sound, quiet hour is likely to increase their sense of comfort in retail spaces. However, quiet hour also suspends or – to use a term coined by <a href="https://www.google.com.au/books/edition/Frame_Analysis/XBpmAAAAIAAJ?hl=en">Erving Goffman</a> – “rekeys” the <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/symb.506">sensory frames</a> of all shoppers. A quiet hour could benefit lots of people who may not have a specific condition but simply prefer a quieter retail environment. We found this is an under-researched area, but did find anecdotal accounts to suggest this. Take the <a href="https://thespinoff.co.nz/society/12-07-2020/the-quiet-hours-in-praise-of-supermarket-serenity">case</a> of New Zealand actress and author Michelle Langstone. She reports visiting stores across Auckland and Rotorua that offer quiet-hour shopping. She stumbled upon it by “sheer luck”. At first, she admits, it felt “a bit like a post-apocalyptic scene”. Once she adjusted to the unfamiliar sensory environment, she felt herself succumbing to changed supermarket routines, “I cruised every single [aisle], taking in the quiet for nearly 45 minutes, at the end of which I felt a kind of meditative peace come over me.” Langstone also <a href="https://thespinoff.co.nz/society/12-07-2020/the-quiet-hours-in-praise-of-supermarket-serenity">reports</a> avoiding impulse buying. That first time she left with “only [the] bread and eggs” she had gone to the shop for. She was able to focus on shopping rather than “multi-tasking”, and quiet hour left her with a “feeling of goodwill towards all shoppers”. In other words, even if the strategy is about levelling the sensory playing field for neurodivergents, it seems to <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/soin.12232">change the shopping experience</a> for other people too. <h2>Why the bias towards the noisy city?</h2> As researchers interested in sound and space, quiet hour made us reflect on how we think about these issues and our attitudes to noise. It made us question, for example, why one of the most cited texts in our field is entitled <a href="https://www.upress.umn.edu/book-division/books/noise">Noise: The Political Economy of Music</a>? Studies of silence or quietude are rare in urban or spatial studies. One has to turn to fields such as the study of <a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/1466138109339041">meditation practices</a> or the silence associated with <a href="https://www.wiley.com/en-au/A+History+of+Silence:+From+the+Renaissance+to+the+Present+Day-p-9781509517350">nature or sacred spaces</a> to find positive accounts of reduced noise. This needs correcting. Sound intensity matters if cities, buildings or public spaces are to foster hospitality and “<a href="https://www.metrolab.brussels/publications/the-qualities-of-hospitality-and-the-concept-of-inclusive-city">support people in their activities by facilitating their stay</a>”. What quiet hour teaches us is that an inclusive or welcoming city is a city that “<a href="https://www.wiley.com/en-us/Resonance%3A+A+Sociology+of+Our+Relationship+to+the+World-p-9781509519927">resonates</a>” with different kinds of minds, bodies and styles of sensory processing. Quiet hour might therefore be both an inclusion strategy and an experiment that forces us to think more deeply about our cities and how they sound. Image credits: Getty Images This article originally appeared on <a href="https://theconversation.com/a-kind-of-meditative-peace-quiet-hour-shopping-makes-us-wonder-why-our-cities-have-to-be-so-noisy-193461" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Conversation</a>.

Travel Tips

"Absolutely awesome": Woolies ushers in brilliant new store policy

Next time you’re in a Woolworths on a Tuesday, you might notice things are a little quieter than usual, and there’s a good explanation. The supermarket giant has introduced Quiet Hour, which is being introduced across the country after successful initial trials. The “low sensory” shopping hour was designed for people who are sensitive to the usual supermarket environment, aiming to offer customers a calmer in-store experience. “Our customers have told us there’s a need in the community for a low-sensory shopping experience,” a Woolworths spokesperson told Yahoo News Australia. “Our team takes great pride in ensuring the store is quieter and less stressful for customers who want to shop during Quiet Hour and we look forward to welcoming them in store.” The Quiet Hour will bring temporary changes to the store to reduce the anxiety and sensory stress for people with autism, chronic fatigue syndrome and other specific needs. Running every Tuesday from 10.30am to 11.30am, stores will turn down music, reduce lighting, lower the volume on store phones and registers, turn off bakery oven and chicken cooker buzzers, clear store entryways and stop all PA announcements except in cases of emergencies. The initiative is already in place in 264 stores and was first developed with disability service providers at Life Without Barriers. “Quiet Hour is a great example of large commercial brands recognising the diversity of our community and changing their practices to embrace their community more,” Life Without Barriers Chief Executive Claire Robbs said. It comes after Coles introduced a Quiet Hour to some of its stores in partnership with Autism Spectrum Australia.

News

"You need to be quiet": MP with fringe COVID views taken to task

Government backbencher Craig Kelly has come under fire after being told to be quiet on national television in an interview with Today. Pressure is mounting on the government to rein in the MP for undermining the country’s pandemic response. Mr Kelly has been accused of promoting debunked coronavirus remedies, and questioning the need for a vaccine. He’s also been slammed for spreading misinformation and conspiracy theories about Covid-19. Labor has fiercely gone after the Liberal MP for his controversial words. Appearing on Today on Wednesday morning, Mr Kelly said he was “very disappointed about the Labor party making this a partisan issue”. He went on to defend his numerous posts on social media that he claims were peer reviewed studies pushed by “experts”. Today host Allison Langdon was quick to refute the broad claim. “That’s not true, Craig,” she said. “I spent some time online last night and I managed to debunk every one of your theories. They’re not peer reviewed. “Don’t you need to pull your head in?” she asked the Liberal member. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> "You need to be quiet." Allison Langdon SLAMS Liberal MP Craig Kelly over his unfounded and inaccurate comments about COVID-19. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/9Today?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#9Today</a> <a href="https://t.co/Vudxqcqzw8">pic.twitter.com/Vudxqcqzw8</a> — The Today Show (@TheTodayShow) <a href="https://twitter.com/TheTodayShow/status/1356718211081904134?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 2, 2021</a></blockquote> Mr Kelly’s main theories claim the use of hydroxychloroquine and another drug ivermectin to treat Covid-19 – one of his only causes that has had minor support in the medical community. He referred to Emeritus Professor Robert Clancy of the University of Newcastle on the issue, and claimed the drug combination could be used in conjunction with a vaccine. Australia’s Chief Medical Officer Paul Kelly has previously said however that there is “no evidence” the drugs should be used in Australia. He also suggested the MP’s views in general were “not scientifically based”. The interview between Langdon and Kelly quickly turned into a shouting match after Kelly promoted a Covid study pushed by a Bangladeshi plastic surgeon. Kelly defended his position that enforcing children to wear face masks is tantamount to child abuse. “When you read the science, it says it causes them harm,” he said. Langdon fierily shot back: “Craig, we have seen deaths from Covid, we've seen sickness. We've seen mass job losses, hundreds of billions of dollars spent in government stimulus, all our hopes are riding on a vaccine,” she said. “You need to be quiet.”

News

Royal snub: Prince Charles' quiet decision against Prince Harry

Christmas is approaching and Prince Harry has been served the ultimate royal snub by his father Prince Charles. Each year, the royal family releases Christmas teddy bears that are named after members of The Firm. However, Harry is nowhere to be found on the website this year. <img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7838341/prince-harry.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/c0a04e8d080a4650ab628eb06a7ab02c" /> It follows after an intense year for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex who announced their intention to resign as senior royal members at the beginning of the year. The couple are now perched in their California mansion with their son, Archie, as they pursue their own career paths. The teddy bears are sold through the Highgrove Gardens store along with other products. All funds raised going towards the Prince of Wales Charitable Fund. The 'William' and 'Louis' teddy bears are selling for £125 (AUD$227) and are made of alpaca hair and feature a gold-embroidered Highgrove emblem on its paw. <img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7838339/prince-harry-2.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/4bfcfb9ac42541ce8df3bb72580046b0" /> The 'William' bear is described as: "Handmade by Merrythought, the last remaining British teddy bear manufacturer, William is a classically designed teddy bear crafted from the highest-quality pale gold alpaca hair. "Featuring a gold embroidered Highgrove emblem on his sandy-beige silk paw, he has honeyed coloured eyes, a beautifully simple smile and is wonderfully soft and cuddly. "His look is complete with a large green and gold satin bow – a perfect accessory for a grand looking bear. "An ideal companion for anyone who loves bears, William arrives in a presentation box with a certificate of authenticity. "William Bear is an exquisite piece of British heritage and a loyal companion to both adults and children alike." Only 200 William bears have been made and each comes in an easy-to-wrap presentation box. <img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7838339/prince-harry-2.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/4bfcfb9ac42541ce8df3bb72580046b0" /> In 2019, a limited edition 'Harry' bear made from mohair from goats was withdrawn from sale after concerns were raised about animal cruelty. The gift shop told The Mirror: "We will no longer be selling products manufactured using mohair once current stocks have sold out." Since then though, a more ethical version of the 'Harry' bear has not been produced. All items relating to Prince Andrew have been entirely pulled from the gift shop. Prince Andrew has stepped down from royal duties after his friendship with deceased convicted child sex offender Jeffrey Epstein was made public. Prince Harry memorabilia is still on sale at Balmoral.

Relationships

How ‘quiet kindness’ can bolster well-being during coronavirus pandemic

I’ve learned a lot from the <a href="https://theconversation.com/kindness-what-ive-learned-from-3-000-children-and-adolescents-113705">thousands of public school students I’ve asked about kindness</a>. As a researcher at the University of British Columbia, a great deal of my time is spent asking children, adolescents and even university students what it means to be kind and how they demonstrate kindness. Children can be kind in predictable or anticipated ways (for instance, holding a door open for a stranger) but I’ve also learned that <a href="https://doi.org/10.1177/0829573519885802">they’re kinder than we might think</a> and <a href="https://doi.org/10.1177/0829573517732202">their kindness takes many forms</a>. As our society navigates this coronavirus pandemic and we hear with <a href="https://nationalpost.com/news/canada/covid-19-ontario-reports-78-new-cases-the-most-in-one-day-so-far">increasing emphasis how important it is to stay home</a>, I reflect on what might be gained by remembering <a href="https://doi.org/10.18357/jcs.v43i2.18576">what I came to define as “quiet kindness.”</a> Such acts of kindness don’t draw attention to the initiator or aren’t announced to the recipient, who may very well remain unaware of the kindness performed on their behalf. For children, an act of quiet kindness does not garner the attention of any adults who might typically encourage or reinforce kindness. Self-regulation Quietly kind acts contrast what psychology researchers Gustavo Carlo and Brandy Randall termed “<a href="https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/psychfacpub/70/">public pro-social behaviours</a>,” which are conducted in front of an audience to gain approval. I arrived at a definition of quiet kindness after examining younger children’s (kindergarten to Grade 3) drawings and explanations of how they were kind, and older students’ (grades 4 to 7) written descriptions. They shared acts of kindness like leaving money in the vending machine for the next patron, not laughing at a joke or insult if it’ll cause someone around them to suffer — or as one middle school student described — not asking “for so much stuff.” <img style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/322561/original/file-20200324-155666-16gi92v.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" alt="" /> ‘Not ask for so much stuff’ is one child’s act of kindness. (John-Tyler Binfet), Author provided Some of these quiet acts reflect <a href="https://doi.org/10.1177%2F0098628311430172">self-regulation, a hot-topic concept among educators</a>. Children’s self-regulation relates to children and adolescents taking responsibility for their language and actions by self-governing. For example, one student described an act of kindness within the context of his family: to self-restrain and enact less aggression toward his brother. <img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/322560/original/file-20200324-155702-65804z.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" alt="" /> Don’t punch little brother (Charlie). (John-Tyler Binfet), Author provided These acts of quiet kindness require what <a href="https://doi.org/10.1007/s10964-017-0786-1">psychologists call “perspective-taking”</a> — the ability to gain perspective by putting oneself in the shoes of the other. It has been argued that perspective-taking <a href="https://doi.org/10.1080/00221325.2019.1632785">is a key prerequisite to being kind</a>. Certainly, we’re best able to tailor our acts of kindness to the needs of those around us when we see from others’ points of view. In doing so, we can reflect upon how our kindness might support those around us. Done on the downlow During this time of coronavirus social distancing and quarantine, we’ve ample time to reflect on the needs of others. I hear the call: “But what about MY needs?!” as I think about <a href="https://northernontario.ctvnews.ca/sudbury-costco-runs-out-of-toilet-paper-1.4848454">people standing in line for toilet paper at Costco</a>. One antidote to maintaining our well-being during this unprecedented time might be to reflect on others’ needs and devise ways to be quietly kind? We know that <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jesp.2018.02.014">being kind to others is a guaranteed way to bolster our well-being</a>. We feel better when we’re kind to others and the added bonus is that we make others feel better too. It could be as simple as the student’s example below who said “not leaving his stuff laying on the floor” was an act of kindness for his mom and himself. I hope these examples might inspire us to consider a variety of ways to be quietly kind. Maybe this means sharing space more mindfully right now with those we live with or being more diligent with social distancing. <img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/322563/original/file-20200324-155683-wmceeu.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" alt="" /> ‘Not leave my stuff laying on the floor in my room,’ is one student’s act of kindness for his mom and himself. (John-Tyler Binfet), Author provided Kindness need not be delivered like a Broadway production, with ample fanfare and attention drawn to the initiator. It can be done on the down-low, respond to the needs of those around us and be quietly delivered.<img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important; text-shadow: none !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/134579/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/john-tyler-binfet-703205">John-Tyler Binfet</a>, Associate Professor, Faculty of Education, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-british-columbia-946">University of British Columbia</a> This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/quiet-kindness-can-bolster-well-being-during-coronavirus-pandemic-134579">original article</a>.

Mind

“These people are a******s”: Post about quiet carriage sparks heated debate

A reddit user has sparked a heated debate over the best way to approach people who ignore signs on public transport. A photo of a woman talking on her phone while sitting in a “quiet carriage” on a Brisbane train was recently posted on the forum, with the caption reading: “These people are a******s and obviously should learn to read!” In the snap, the woman is seen sitting directly underneath signs asking passengers to “please refrain from loud conversations, use of loud music and mobile phones.” The image instantly ignited a heated response with users asking the poster why they didn’t approach the passenger at the time and ask her to observe the sign. <img style="width: 386.47342995169083px; height:500px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7834887/1.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/5d4b0443f74844ccb23ad51a1694c4af" /> “If it p***** you off, tap her shoulder and let her know,” said one person. “Don’t let them get away with it. They just get worse. A tap on the shoulder and ‘this is a quiet carriage, can you please get off your phone’ is what is required,” responded another. There was also a debate over the context of the sign. “It’s a quiet zone, not a total silence zone, a conversation at normal volume does not breach any of those rules,” said a user. “Still seems strange to me that people always sit directly under a sign saying something along the lines of ‘please be quiet’ with no intention of being quiet whatsoever,” added another. While reddit users couldn’t come to an agreement regarding etiquette in quiet carriages, Queensland Rail asks passengers who are travelling in quiet carriages to “refrain from having loud conversations, using mobile phones and noisy musical devices”. And despite there being no penalties for having a conversation in a quiet carriage, Queensland Rail encourages all customers to respect those who may wish to take advantage of the service.

Domestic Travel

Australia's national digital ID is here, but the government is keeping quiet

The Australian government’s Digital Transformation Agency (DTA) has <a href="https://www.itnews.com.au/news/australias-digital-identity-bill-tops-200m-535700">spent more than A$200 million</a> over the past five years developing a National Digital ID platform. If successful, the project could streamline commerce, resolve bureaucratic quagmires, and improve national security. The emerging results of the project may give the Australian public cause for concern. Two mobile apps built on the DTA’s Trusted Digital Identification Framework (TDIF) have <a href="https://www.itnews.com.au/news/ato-set-to-launch-mygovid-on-android-devices-531544">recently</a> been <a href="https://www.itnews.com.au/news/ausposts-digital-id-accredited-by-government-528637">released</a> to consumers. The apps, <a href="https://www.mygovid.gov.au">myGovID</a> and <a href="https://www.digitalid.com">Digital ID</a>, were developed by the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) and Australia Post, respectively. Both apps were released without fanfare or glossy marketing campaigns to entice users. This is in keeping with more than five years of stealthy administrative decision-making and policy development in the National Digital ID project. Now, it seems, we are set to hear more about it. An existing digital identity scheme for businesses called <a href="https://www.abr.gov.au/auskey">AUSkey</a> will be retired and replaced with the new National Digital ID in March, and the DTA has <a href="https://www.innovationaus.com/digital-id-gets-a-pr-makeover/">recently</a> put out a contract for a “Digital Identity Communication and Engagement Strategy”. The DTA’s renewed investment in public communications is a welcome change of pace, but instead of top-down decision-making, why not try consultation and conversation? We fear what we don’t understand Ever since the Hawke government’s ill-fated Australia Card proposal in the 1980s, Australians have consistently viewed national identification schemes with contempt. <a href="https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=3224115">Some</a> have suggested that the DTA’s silence comes from fear of a backlash. History provides insight into some, but not all, of the numerous potential reasons for the DTA’s strategic opacity. For example, people do not respond positively to what they do not understand. Surveys suggest that <a href="https://www.innovationaus.com/2019/11/Digital-ID-gets-a-poor-focus-reception">fewer than one in four Australians</a> have a strong understanding of digital identification. The National Digital ID project was launched more than five years ago. Why hasn’t the public become familiar with these technologies? <h2>What is the TDIF?</h2> <a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/311035/original/file-20200121-145026-iufjxx.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/311035/original/file-20200121-145026-iufjxx.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" alt="" /></a> Part of an overview of the TDIF available on the DTA website. <a href="https://www.dta.gov.au/our-projects/digital-identity/trusted-digital-identity-framework/public-consultation-4th-release-tdif" class="source">Trusted Digital Identity Framework (TDIF)™: 02 - Overview © Commonwealth of Australia (Digital Transformation Agency) 2019.</a>, <a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/" class="license">CC BY</a> The TDIF is what’s known as a federated digital identification system. This means it relies on multiple organisations called Identity Providers, who act as central repositories for identification. In essence, you identify yourself to the Identity Provider, which then vouches for you to third parties in much the same way you might use a Google or Facebook account to log in to a news website. The difference in this case is that Identity Providers will control, store and manage all user information – which is likely to include birth certificates, marriage certificates, tax returns, medical histories, and perhaps eventually biometrics and behavioural information too. There are currently two government organisations offering Identity Service Providers: the Australian Tax Office (ATO) and Australia Post. By their nature, Identity Providers consolidate information in one place and risk becoming a single point of failure. This exposes users to harms associated with the possibility of stolen or compromised personal information. Another weakness of the TDIF is that it doesn’t allow for releasing only partial information about a person. For example, people might be willing to share practically all their personal information with a large bank. However, few will voluntarily disclose such a large amount of personal information indiscriminately – and the TDIF doesn’t give the option to control what is disclosed. Securing sovereignty over identity It might have been reasonable to keep the National Digital ID project quiet when it launched, but a lot has changed in the past five years. For example, some localities in <a href="https://digitalcanada.io/bc-orgbook-tell-us-once/">Canada</a> and <a href="https://procivis.ch/about-us/">Switzerland</a>, faced with similar challenges, chose an alternative to the federated model for their Digital ID systems. Instead, they used the principles of what is called Self Sovereign Identity (SSI). Self-sovereign systems offer the same functions and capabilities as the DTA’s federated system. And they do so without funnelling users through government-controlled Identity Providers. Instead, self-sovereign systems let users create, manage and use multiple discrete digital identities. Each identity can be tailored to its function, with different attributes attached according to necessity. Authentication systems like this offer control over the disclosure of personal information. This is a feature that may considerably enhance the privacy, security and usability of digital identification. Moving forward Based on the idea of giving control to users, self-sovereign digital identification puts its users ahead of any institution, organisation or state. Incorporating elements from the self-sovereign approach might make the Australian system more appealing by addressing public concerns. And self-sovereign identity is just one example of many technologies already available to the DTA. The possibilities are vast. However, those possibilities can only be explored if the DTA starts engaging directly with the general public, industry and academia. Keeping Australia’s Digital National ID scheme cloaked will only increase negative sentiment towards digital identity schemes. Even if self-sovereign identity proved appealing to the public, there would still be plenty of need for dialogue. For example, people would need to enrol into the identification program by physically visiting a white-listed facility (such as a post office). That alone poses several technological, economic, social and political challenges. Regardless of the direction Australia takes for the Digital National ID, there will be problems that need to be solved – and these will require dialogue and transparency. Government and other organisations may not support a self-sovereign identity initiative, as it would give them less information about and administrative control over their constituents or clients. Nonetheless, the implementation of a national identity scheme by stealth will only give the Australian public good reason for outrage, and it might culminate in intensified and unwanted scrutiny. To prevent this from occurring, the DTA’s project needs to be brought out of hiding. It is only with transparency and a dialogue open to all Australians that the public’s concerns can be addressed in full.<img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important; text-shadow: none !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/130200/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/dr-patrick-scolyer-gray-936770">Dr Patrick Scolyer-Gray</a>, Research Fellow, Cyber Security, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/deakin-university-757">Deakin University</a> This article is republished from <a href="http://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/australias-national-digital-id-is-here-but-the-governments-not-talking-about-it-130200">original article</a>.

Technology

“Not ashamed”: Israel Folau speaks out after quiet streak

Former Rugby player has declared he is “not ashamed” of his actions or views in the wake of the controversial scandal which cost him his lucrative Australian Rugby Union contract. The disgraced NSW Rugby player has surfaced to support Australian Christian Lobby chief Martyn Iles and announced he will be speaking at the Not Ashamed conference on October 19 in Sydney. Folau, who was last pictured watching his wife Maria play netball in July has stated in a youtube video he would be a keynote speaker at the lobby’s national conference. “Hey guys, it’s Israel Folau here, looking forward to being at the Not Ashamed conference on the 19th of October, see you all there,” he said. A statement of the event details stated the message of the conference would be focussing on the need to “speak truth against lies.” “Not Ashamed is an event to equip Christians in this generation to grow in our knowledge of the truth, especially in its application to this changing world around us,” the website reads. “We live in times when once again we must boldly, unashamedly, shine the light in dark places and speak truth against lies. It is time to stand firm. “This conviction, boldness, and confidence in the truth fuelled the efforts of the early Church, spreading the Christian faith like wildfire through a pagan world. “As our own culture changes, truth is stumbling in the public squares, and the light of the Gospel itself is growing dim. “Our desire is to recover that same conviction, boldness, and confidence that Paul spoke of when he declared he was not ashamed to share God’s truth and the Gospel.” The lobby has stated Folau will be sharing his “story in person.” While his unfair dismissal case against Rugby Australia is still underway and scheduled to go to court in February 2020, the former rugby player will be unable to publicly comment on the dispute. The unfair dismissal case will center around his sacking after he took aim at homosexuals and the LGBTQ community, where he stated “the devil is trying to instil” homosexuality and gender fluidity into the world. Folau’s contract was officially terminated by Rugby Australia in May after he took to social media to post an image which stated homosexuals, adulterers and others would go to hell. It was not his first outlandish post or statement on his social profiles, he also stated homosexuals would go to “hell, if they do not repent.” Rugby Australia also said the post he made breached its professional players code of conduct, a decision that was upheld by an independent tribunal.

News

The shopping initiative Coles has just introduced to 173 stores

Coles will be expanding its Quiet Hour initiative to 173 stores from today, where they will dim the lights, turn down the music and reduce in-store distractions. The supermarket giant said that they want to provide an autism-friendly shopping environment which is why they will be adding an additional 103 stores nationwide in order to give a “more inclusive environment for all customers". Receiving an influx of support from parents of autistic children, Quiet Hour was first introduced in August last year and now will be put in place in 56 stores in New South Wales, 27 in Queensland and 20 in Western Australia – every Tuesday from 10:30 am to 11:30 am. “It’s been very positive,” said Sarah Miller, a mother of two autistic children, Cameron and Kevin. “Shopping is one of those life skills that as a parent I need to teach my boys, not just actually going to the shops but making healthy choices, spending money, going through the cash register. With this, I’m able to take a bit more time.” Ms Miller said that Kevin, 6, would get “very upset” and “worked up, particularly in busy environments with lots of lights and things going on". "The stigma of shopping with kids on the spectrum is pretty difficult,” she said. To counteract that issue, she said that in the past she would try not to take both children at once on a shopping trip, but often at times, that was not possible. “I would try to divide and conquer,” she said. “Now I make a point of putting (the Tuesday shopping trip) on my visual calendar, just like I would book in speech therapy, occupational therapy appointments. For my boys that becomes familiar.” Ms Miller said Quiet Hour also allowed her to meet parents in the same situation. “We’ve listened to our customers, and our store teams have worked hard to make our stores more welcoming and responsive to the needs of the local communities in which we operate,” said Coles managing director John Durkan in a statement. “We initially started with 70 Quiet Hour stores across the country, and now we’re thrilled to be more than doubling this figure to make Quiet Hour more accessible for our customers and help make a difference to their shopping experience at Coles.” Coles developed the program in partnership with Autism Spectrum Australia. During Quiet Hour, lighting is dimmed, Coles Radio is switched off, register and scanning volume is reduced to the lowest level and PA announcements are stopped except in emergencies. Collection of trolleys are also put on hold and additional customer service staff are on hand. What do you think of the Quiet Hour initiative? Let us know in the comments below.

Money & Banking

Q&A panel to Barnaby Joyce: “Staying quiet would be a good idea now”

They tried to talk about anything else but in the end, the ABC’s Q&A was always going to have to tackle the Barnaby Joyce affair that has beset Australian politics for the past two weeks. It did take 20 minutes to get to the subject but when they did, the feeling was unanimous. Barnaby: Just stop talking, mate. The Q&A panel consisting of Deputy Opposition leader Tanya Plibersek, Greens leader Richard Di Natale, Minister for Law Enforcement and Cybersecurity Angus Taylor, British author Kamila Shamsie and the Daily Telegraph journalist who broke the Barnaby Joyce story Sharri Markson all were stunned with Joyce’s comments made on the weekend. Despite resigning a week ago and asking for privacy, the former deputy PM had on the weekend given an interview claiming there was a “grey area” over whether he is the biological father of partner Vikki Campion’s baby. Both sides of politics on the panel were agreement that Joyce should just stop talking. “I have to say, having read his comments over the weekend, I was lost for words,” said Di Natale. “I thought it was a particularly low thing to do, to accuse somebody of that. “And at this point I think there’s the welfare of former staffer, family with four kids, a child and I think we should just let them get on and sort out what is a very difficult situation.” <img width="437" height="246" src="http://cdn.newsapi.com.au/image/v1/70880088f590fa191ab3b4a3eec9efef" alt="“I think staying quiet would be good idea,” Ms Plibersek said. Picture: ABC" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"/> Plibersek concurred, saying, “I think if I were advising Barnaby Joyce, I would think staying quiet would be good idea.” “He’s feeding the hand that bites him at the moment,” she added. When an audience member challenged Markson on why Joyce didn’t deserve the same level of privacy “surrounding his private life and offered the same courtesy you believe the targets of Michaelia Cash’s rant does”, Markson said they were two completely different topics. “In the one instance with Michaelia Cash, she threatened to name young women who are the subject of rumour when nothing had been proven at all and they are not public figures. And it’s not even true as far as I’m aware,” Markson said. <img width="466" height="262" src="http://cdn.newsapi.com.au/image/v1/edb2671b1a8fbc952a07b8274fc355bc" alt="The Michaelia Cash topic was rumour. Barnaby Joyce was fact, Sharri Markson said. Picture: ABC" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"/> “In the other instance, you had the Deputy PM of the country ... who has conservative family values, has campaigned against same-sex marriage, has campaigned against a vaccine because it might make women more promiscuous, a Deputy PM who has left his wife and four daughters for a media adviser who is now pregnant. “Not only that, but then authorised, so he signed off on the creation of new jobs for her with two politicians within his own party. While living for six months in a free rental from a National Party donor. The two things couldn’t be more different.” Markson said added, “when he was Deputy PM, deserved every ounce of scrutiny that we in the media apply to him. His family didn’t and we were very respectful to his wife and his four daughters. We never once hassled them”. “In that role he deserved every ounce of scrutiny and politicians, when they go into this job, they know they need to be accountable to voters,” she said. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> Why did Mr Joyce not deserve a level of privacy? <a href="https://twitter.com/SharriMarkson?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SharriMarkson</a> & <a href="https://twitter.com/kamilashamsie?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@kamilashamsie</a> respond <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/QandA?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#QandA</a> <a href="https://t.co/hpryFT6hOP">pic.twitter.com/hpryFT6hOP</a> — ABC Q&A (@QandA) <a href="https://twitter.com/QandA/status/970615143204704257?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 5, 2018</a></blockquote> Shamsie observed the scrutiny was fair game “if you’re going to make a big deal about being all ‘family values’, then you’re setting yourself up for someone to come at you”. “It’s very striking to me that in Britain Jeremy Corbyn’s wife is never seen with him. They made a conscious effort that he’s not going to do that. He’s not going to use his marriage or wife, she will not hold his hand or make tea for interviewers or do anything of that sort. “So if someone is doing that, if they’re putting themselves forward in that way, then I’m afraid they are opening themselves up and their private life to scrutiny.” Host Tony Jones asked now that Joyce has stepped down, is it time to leave him alone. Plibersek said while people have a right to their private lives, “they don’t have a right to spend taxpayers’ money in any way they choose without accounting for it. They don’t have a right to fail to disclose gifts from donors, That’s our [the Labor Party’s] only interest. “The Labor Party has not been interested in his personal life. I feel sorry for everybody involved,” she added, suggesting that Joyce might want to stop giving interviews.

News

Coles officially launches ‘Quiet Hour’ for people with autism

While making a trip to the supermarket might seem like a standard task for some, for families with an autistic member it can prove to be a tricky situation. The music blaring, beeping scanners, noisy customers and bright lights all pose a challenge to those who find the heightened sensory of a supermarket too much to handle. To combat this issue, for an hour each week select Coles stores across Australia will introduce a Quiet Hour to cater for the needs of these families. The lights will be dimmed by 50 per cent, the radio will be switched off, and register and scanner noise will be set to the lowest level. No trolley collections and roll cages will be removed from the shop floor throughout the hour and announcements will be only be made on the speaker if there is an emergency. Additional staff will also be available to support customers during the trial period. In August, Coles partnered with Autism Spectrum Australia (Aspect) to trial Quiet Hour at two Victorian stores to support customers with autism. <a href="http://www.oversixty.com.au/finance/money-banking/2017/08/coles-makes-shopping-easier-for-people-with-autism/" target="_blank">Following the success of the trial</a>, Quiet Hour will be offered every Tuesday from 10.30 am to 11.30 am in 68 stores across the nation. Linzi Coyle, Aspect’s community engagement and operations manager, said a trip to the shops can be difficult for many individuals and families. "People on the autism spectrum often have difficulty processing sensory information and can find sounds, light, smell, touch and taste overwhelming," she said. "Together with Coles, we're achieving a 'no-judgment' shopping space where people on the spectrum and their families can feel comfortable and welcome whilst grocery shopping." Peter Sheean, Coles’ accessibility sponsor, said the company wanted to spread this initiative across the county. "We were really pleased to receive a positive response from our customers and team members, who welcomed Quiet Hour and provided feedback on social media," he said. Those <a href="http://www.oversixty.com.au/health/caring/2017/08/mums-emotional-thank-you-to-coles/" target="_blank">affected by autism applauded the initiative</a>. "This is absolutely amazing," one person wrote on Aspect's Facebook page. "I know my son struggles going to the supermarket because of sensory overload so this would help make the stress of going to do the shopping alot less and more of a positive experience." What do you think of Coles' Quiet Hour initiative? Let us know in the comments below.

Mind

The benefits of being an introvert

Sophie Scott is the national medical reporter for the ABC, in addition to being a prominent public speaker. Sophie has won numerous awards for excellence in journalism and is the author of two books, Live a Longer Life and Roadtesting Happiness. In a world that praises extroverts and being “outgoing”, where do those of us who are shy and introverted fit in? I grew up in a large, noisy extended family of women. Although I wouldn't describe myself as shy, I know what it's like to prefer to listen and observe, rather than always contributing. One of the biggest challenges in this noisy world is finding your own voice. And if you are shy, it can be hard to be heard, listened to and acknowledged over all the racket. But Harvard law school graduate and author Susan Cain says that's where the value of being an introvert comes. Her book Quiet, The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking became an international bestseller. In it, she argues that introverts have a wealth of hidden talent and that many highly successful people are in fact shy and introverted as well. "The secret to life is to put yourself in the right lighting. For some, it's a Broadway spotlight; for others, a lamplit desk," she writes. "Use your natural powers – of persistence, concentration, and insight – to do work you love and work that matters. Solve problems, make art, think deeply." At a women in science discussion I hosted recently, the topic of feeling uncomfortable in the spotlight came up. The scientists told me that many of them feel much more at ease toiling away in their laboratories working on breakthroughs and cures, than standing in front of an audience bragging about their findings. In fact, three of the four brilliant women scientists on the panel that day told me they would describe themselves as introverts. And that they would much rather have been in the audience than up on the stage with me talking about the importance of women in science. But you would never have known it from the passionate, eloquent way the women spoke to the audience, that they were shy. What impressed me most was that they admitted to the audience that they were vulnerable, and that showing up and putting themselves out there, didn't come naturally. But here's the important point... they did it anyway. They got past the point when our emotions kick in, when our bodies react. You get that heart thumping and that sinking feeling in your stomach. But you keep going. What I learned from them that day is that when you are stepping outside your comfort zone, you don't have to be comfortable, you just have to show up, lean in and do your best. Give it your all, even if it doesn't come naturally. And I like Susan Cain's friendly reminder that whoever you are, bear in mind that appearance is not reality. "Some people act like extroverts, but the effort costs them energy, authenticity, and even physical health. Others seem aloof or self-contained, but their inner landscapes are rich and full of drama. So the next time you see a person with a composed face and a soft voice, remember that inside her mind she might be solving an equation, composing a sonnet, designing a hat. She might, that is, be deploying the powers of quiet." Her work underscores that there is vulnerability and even fragility in even the most 'successful' confident people. And to be truly happy, we need to accept our flaws as hard as that may be. How have you coped growing up an introvert, and what's helped you along the way? Share your thoughts in the comments below. <a href="http://www.sophiescott.com.au/" target="_blank">Click here</a> to subscribe to Sophie Scott’s popular blog on health and happiness. Related links: <a href="/health/mind/2016/07/the-health-benefits-of-being-nice/">The health benefits of being nice</a> <a href="/health/mind/2016/07/how-to-turn-a-bad-day-around-instantly/">How to turn a bad day around instantly</a> <a href="/health/mind/2016/02/how-to-say-no-to-anything/">How to say no to almost anything</a>

Mind

The secret to quieting a frazzled mind

Some days you can feel as though your mind is like a broken record, replaying the same thoughts over and over, going nowhere. When nothing can stop the negative thoughts, you can feel quite frazzled and it’s hard to get anything done. When you need to calm yourself down and reduce stress, try these tips to get back on track. Accept how you are feeling We all feel a bit average sometimes – that’s what makes us human. Now is the time to have a cry, go for a run, or just be alone if you need to be. Think of your thoughts like bubbles – watch them come towards you but then just let them fly off into the sky. Once you realise that your thoughts can’t affect you as a person you are in a better position to change them. Make a gratitude list It’s easy to dwell on the parts of your life that are not going well, but try flipping the coin. Make a list of at least five things that you are grateful for right now. A safe secure home. A loving partner. Food on the table. A great glass of wine. Thinking in this way can give you an inner glow and give you some perspective on your problems. Be inspired by nature Another great way to find perspective and give your mind a chance to process new ideas is to get outside and in nature. Go for a bush walk, ride down a coastal track, swim in the ocean, sit under a tree. Any way that you can connect with nature will help calm your frazzled mind and help you focus on what else is possible in your life. Related links: <a href="/health/mind/2016/06/overcoming-pain-using-the-power-of-the-mind/">Overcoming pain using the power of the mind</a> <a href="/health/mind/2016/06/trick-to-make-you-a-morning-person/">The 4 tricks guaranteed to make you a morning person</a> <a href="/health/mind/2016/06/extraordinarily-simple-ways-to-be-happy/">5 extraordinarily simple ways to be happy</a>

Mind

6 of the best books about war

War has irrevocably changed the face of the earth time and time again. These 6 books perfectly demonstrate just how tragic war can be, but also the glory and freedom that are at stake. All Quiet on the Western Front by Erich Maria Remarque We have to start this list with a classic. Often thought of as the greatest war novel in history, German WWI veteran Remarque wrote All Quiet on the Western Front from his own personal experience. Horrific and poignant, Remarque’s iconic novel captures the innocence and naiveté of the young men who went to war and were never the same again. What It Is Like to Go to War<a href="http://www.booktopia.com.au/what-it-is-like-to-go-to-war-karl-marlantes/prod9780857893789.html" target="_blank"></a> by Karl Marlantes New York bestselling author Karl Marlantes writes of his time serving as a lieutenant in the Marine Corps during the Vietnam War. He discusses his struggles as he made decisions which could possibly end the lives of the men under his command and the ordeals he dealt with both during and after the war. If you’ve ever wondered what war is truly like, this is a must read. Johnny Got His Gun by Dalton Trumbo Like All Quiet on the Western Front, much-lauded Johnny Got His Gun is an anti-war novel set during the first World War. This book is often described as being just as gruesome and shocking as war itself for its frank portrayal of the violence of battle and the ever-lasting impact of war on both the physical and mental health of those who fought. My War Gone By, I Miss It So<a href="http://www.booktopia.com.au/my-war-gone-by-i-miss-it-so-anthony-loyd/prod9780802122322.html" target="_blank"></a> by Anthony Loyd This autobiographical book by English journalist Anthony Loyd chronicles his experiences covering conflicts in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Chechnya, Afghanistan and Iraq. Born into a long line of war heroes, Loyd writes of his thirst to experience battle in the only way he could: by reporting from the front line of the Bosnian genocide. The Kite Runner<a href="http://www.booktopia.com.au/the-kite-runner-khaled-hosseini/prod9780747588948.html" target="_blank"></a> by Khaled Hosseini Set in 1970s Afghanistan, Hosseini’s stunning New York Times bestseller tells the story of young Amir trying to earn the approval of his father in a kite-fighting tournament. However, Amir and his family are forced to flee their home after it is invaded by the Russians. Hosseini says he was inspired to write the novel after learning that the Taliban had banned kite flying in the country. A Rumor of War<a href="http://www.booktopia.com.au/a-rumor-of-war-philip-caputo/prod9780805046953.html" target="_blank"></a> by Philip Caputo Caputo’s memoir of his time serving in the early years of the Vietnam War will shock you, terrify you and make you endlessly grateful for the sacrifices our soldiers have made over the years. A Rumor of War recounts the sixteen months Caputo spent as a Marine Corps lieutenant that left him utterly broken and shattered. A must read for all to get a sense of the horrors of post-war life. What’s the best book about war you’ve ever read? Tell us about it in the comment section below. Related links: <a href="/entertainment/books/2016/06/best-books-of-2016-so-far/">Best books of 2016 so far</a> <a href="/entertainment/books/2016/06/the-story-behind-the-little-golden-books/">The story behind the Little Golden Books</a> <a href="/entertainment/books/2016/05/6-inspiring-female-writers/">6 inspiring female writers</a>

Books

Tips for quieting an overactive mind

In our increasingly interconnected and fast-paced world, it’s becoming harder to turn our busy minds off. The constant drone of distracting thoughts can sometimes get in the way of fully living in the present or even finishing the task at hand. If you sometimes feel overwhelmed by an overactive mind, here are four simple ways to quiet all that mental chatter.The problem: You’ve got a million things to do and you find yourself darting from half-done task to half-done taskThe fix: It may seem counterintuitive but immerse yourself in the hardest and most challenging task as it will demand your full concentration. A 2007 University of College London study published in the Association for Psychological Science journal measured the response time of 61 subjects performing tasks on a computer while being distracted by flashing letters. The study found the harder the task, the less distracted subjects were.The problem: You’ve spent the whole day at home alone with your thoughts and they’re making you melancholyThe fix: While there’s many people who prefer spending time solo, growing research suggests not only the necessity of human connection but spending too much time alone can cause anxiety. A study from the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Medicine found that social isolation was responsible for aggression and anxiety in mice, noting a change in their brain hormones when isolated. Psychiatrist Edward Hallowell, M.D., author of CrazyBusy, says face to face time with people can have a calming effect and should be done every four to six hours. Human connection is important so if you’re living alone, commit to regular human moments such as coffee dates with friends or taking the time to have a chat with the postman.The problem: Your brain is going crazy with thoughts and it’s just about ready to explodeThe fix: If your mental chatter is overwhelming you, a powerful yet simple way to calm it is to distract your mind by redirecting attention to the body. Try standing on one leg with your eyes closed, hold a difficult yoga pose or any activity that takes concentration and focus to control your body. This will help you sense your own body, focus your attention and quiet the brain.The problem: You can’t concentrate on a project that you have to finishThe fix: Take a quick stroll outside and reconnect with nature and the outside world. A study at the University of Oregon placed employees in three different types of offices. Some had views of trees and greenery, others viewed buildings and parking lots and the third group had no outside view. The study found those who had views of trees and garden took less sick leave and were more productive than those who had no view. Simply being outside, breathing in fresh air and listening to nature can have a calming and quieting effect on the mind.Related links:<a href="/finance/insurance/2014/10/the-art-of-meditation/" target="_blank">The art of meditation </a><a href="/health/wellbeing/2014/08/the-attitude-of-gratitude/" target="_blank">3 tips for mastering the attitude of gratitude</a><a href="/health/wellbeing/2015/02/why-appreciate-the-little-things/" target="_blank">Why you should appreciate the “little moments” not just momentous ones</a>

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