Shame

MNP Consumer Debt Index Dips To Second-Lowest Level in Last 5 Years, Canadians’ Current Debt Perception Reaches All-Time Low

Retrieved on: 
Monday, January 8, 2024

Most notably, Canadians’ current debt perception has reached an all-time low, with the impact of inflation and higher interest rates leaving them feeling the most pessimistic about their current debt situation.

Key Points: 
  • Most notably, Canadians’ current debt perception has reached an all-time low, with the impact of inflation and higher interest rates leaving them feeling the most pessimistic about their current debt situation.
  • More this quarter perceive their current debt situation as much worse (22%, +2pts) and fewer rated it better (22%, -2pts) compared to a year ago.
  • Looking back to five years ago, a rising proportion (28%, +3pts) say their debt situation has worsened, and nearly three in ten (27%, -1pt) say it has improved.
  • Everyone’s situation is different, which is why it is so important to get customized, unbiased advice from a licensed professional.”

Mr Bates vs The Post Office depicts one of the UK's worst miscarriages of justice: here’s why so many victims didn’t speak out

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, January 4, 2024

However, viewers might find themselves with one looming unanswered question as they watch: how could this persist, at such a scale, for so long?

Key Points: 
  • However, viewers might find themselves with one looming unanswered question as they watch: how could this persist, at such a scale, for so long?
  • The efforts of Bates and others have been invaluable – but they are a tiny subset of the overall victims.
  • By and large, most sub-postmaster victims did not speak out about the injustice they faced.
  • This article is part of Conversation Insights
    The Insights team generates long-form journalism derived from interdisciplinary research.
  • The team is working with academics from different backgrounds who have been engaged in projects aimed at tackling societal and scientific challenges.

Sub-postmasters told they were the ‘only ones’

  • I was led to believe at this meeting that I was the only sub-postmaster who was having problems with shortfalls.
  • It made me feel stupid that I was the only person who had these issues.
  • I confirmed that I had not done anything wrong and asked again about issues with the Horizon system.
  • I was led to believe at this meeting that I was the only sub-postmaster who was having problems with shortfalls.
  • Being told they were the only one not only discouraged victims from speaking out, it also planted a seed of self-doubt in many of their minds.

‘Spat on, shouted at and shunned’

  • While the drama focuses on the heartwarming story of Hamilton, who received an inordinate amount of support from her local community, most sub-postmasters were not so lucky.
  • Our analyses of the public inquiry statements reveal the local stigmatisation and shame that many felt.
  • There are vivid accounts of sub-postmasters being spat on, shouted at and shunned.
  • Those who experienced a wrongful accusation had similar negative mental health outcomes as those who were wrongfully convicted.
  • Our research leads us to believe these feelings of shame and experiences of stigmatisation discouraged people from speaking out about the injustice.

Victims were unable to defend themselves

  • Imagine that, tomorrow morning, you walk into work and are called into your line-manager’s office.
  • They accuse you of something and tell you to gather your personal items as you are being sacked.
  • This is the nightmare reality that sub-postmasters who were accused of theft and false accounting often faced.
  • As one victim, Keith Macaldowie, recalled during the inquiry:
    They closed the office when they suspended me, so I couldn’t gain access.
  • Overall, we found the lack of access to information that could prove the sub-postmasters’ innocence discouraged them from trying to speak out.

‘The Queen’s business’

  • As one of the victims, Nicola Arch, told us:
    Working for the Post Office, it was the Queen’s business.
  • The Queen acknowledges the Post Office — her face is on the stamps.
  • In that era, everyone believed that it was a very prestigious company to work for, very respected … Everyone thought the Post Office could never be wrong.
  • The Queen acknowledges the Post Office — her face is on the stamps.
  • Despite individual appeals by sub-postmasters, Post Office managers did not challenge the leadership or organisation, and apparently believed their systems, including Horizon, were infallible.

The myth of ‘infallible systems’

  • It also fuelled their self-doubt about whether this “perfect” system really could have any bugs in it.
  • When injustices comes to light, often years after harm has occurred, we often hear people ask: ‘If this was going on, why didn’t they tell someone?
  • Post Office employees have given evidence confirming that sub-postmasters were subject to “good character checks”.
  • This alone should have raised concerns about these accusations, both inside and outside the Post Office.


For you: more from our Insights series:
COVID heroes left behind: the ‘invisible’ women struggling to make ends meet

The hidden danger of asbestos in UK schools: ‘I don’t think they realise how much risk it poses to students’

How to solve our mental health crisis

‘I’m always delivering food while hungry’: how undocumented migrants find work as substitute couriers in the UK

To hear about new Insights articles, join the hundreds of thousands of people who value The Conversation’s evidence-based news. Subscribe to our newsletter.
Grace Augustine receives funding from the British Academy / Leverhulme Trust for her research on the Post Office Horizon IT Scandal project. Jan Lodge receives funding from the British Academy / Leverhulme Trust for his research on the Post Office Horizon IT Scandal project. Mislav Radic receives funding from the British Academy / Leverhulme Trust for his research on the Post Office Horizon IT Scandal project.

Why some amateur athletes are giving up on smartwatches

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, January 2, 2024

These practices have become commonplace in the world of sport, even for amateurs.

Key Points: 
  • These practices have become commonplace in the world of sport, even for amateurs.
  • Some 90 per cent of amateur runners now use a smartwatch or mobile application.
  • Becoming part of a community of exercisers can also increase motivation by interweaving systems of mutual encouragement and competition.

The discontinuation of connected devices

  • First of all, we should recall that the adoption of connected devices for sports is not evenly distributed across the population.
  • In addition, the 30-39 age group is the most equipped with smart bracelets and smartwatches.
  • We believe that the rejection of these devices may be the result of a deterioration in the quality of the experience of a sport when using them.
  • It’s a question of rediscovering a form of lost freedom, of lightness, or even of resonance.

The adherence to quantification tools

  • While dropping the tools is a significant and explainable phenomenon, the reasons for sticking to them must also be considered.
  • What are the conditions that enable amateur runners to continue practising and quantifying their performance numerically while deriving pleasure and well-being from the activity?
  • We showed that the amateur runners who persevered in using digital tools were the ones who had developed a high level of expertise in self-quantification.
  • They also learn to let go of certain areas of quantification (sleep, for example) in order to focus their efforts exclusively on running.

The nature of the attachment to the device

  • We wanted to gain a better understanding of the connection runners formed with their digital tracking device.
  • This change, which was out of the ordinary for most of them, turned out to be particularly destabilizing and revealed how deeply incorporated their use of, and attachment to the tool was.
  • All the subjects we studied initially admitted to being very apprehensive about the idea of running without their watch.
  • Ultimately, there’s nothing spontaneous, magical or automatic about interacting with your quantification device in a functional way.
  • Matthieu Quidu received funding from the University of Lyon 1 for a research project entitled, "In search of sobriety: sociological insights into the emergence of minimalist sporting practices."
  • Brice Favier-Ambrosini received funding from the Fonds de recherche du Québec - Société et Culture (FRQSC) for a project entitled "Identifying the essential, eliminating the rest," an analysis of the trend towards minimalism in the consumption of sports leisure activities.

Elton John welcomes expansion of opt-out testing for HIV to 46 Accident & Emergency sites across England and calls on all political leaders to do more to end AIDS in a speech at Speaker's House

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, November 29, 2023

LONDON, Nov. 29, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Elton John was honoured at a reception hosted by the All Party Parliamentary Group on HIV/AIDS at the Speaker's House today in recognition of his enduring commitment to ending the AIDS epidemic, both personally and through the work of the Elton John AIDS Foundation.

Key Points: 
  • In the UK, new HIV diagnoses are down 46% since their peak in 2015.
  • "In the 1990's, I visited far too many homes where people were dying of AIDS.
  • That's why the Labour Party will commission an update to the HIV Action Plan as soon as we come to government."
  • Winnie Byanyima, Executive Director of UNAIDS and United Nations Under-Secretary-General, said: "Over 40 million lives have been lost to AIDS.

Are you thinking your way into depression? Six habits that can lead to or exacerbate depressive symptoms

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, November 28, 2023

MONTREAL, Nov. 28, 2023 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Feeling sad after the loss of a loved one, a major disappointment, or a difficult or traumatic experience is to be expected. However, sadness and depression are not interchangeable, as the former is a normal, healthy response to a tough situation that eventually dissipates, whereas the latter is chronic and debilitating. So what leads to depression? Aside from experiencing a difficult life event, research from PsychTests.com highlights six other factors that increase the likelihood of depression: rumination, caring too much about other people's opinions, unhealthy perfectionism, focusing only on negative aspects, attributing failure to internal and unchangeable factors, and the most damaging of all, persistent feelings of guilt and shame.

Key Points: 
  • Although some people may have a genetic vulnerability to depression, it's almost always the result of a prolonged, maladaptive thinking style.
  • According to PsychTests' study:
    > 91% of the depressed group feel they don't deserve to be loved, compared to only 3% of the non-depressed group.
  • > 75% said that they are unable to forgive themselves for the mistakes they've made, compared to 13% of the non-depressed group.
  • > 93% of the depressed group keep themselves up at night thinking about problems, compared to 16% of the non-depressed group.

Approximately 1,800 Survivors of Sexual Assault File Lawsuits Against New York For Being Sexually Assaulted by Correctional Staff While Incarcerated

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, November 21, 2023

NEW YORK, Nov. 21, 2023  /PRNewswire/ -- The State of New York, the City of New York, and 20 counties are among the defendants that have been named in a series of individual civil actions alleging that as many as 1,771 individuals were sexually assaulted while incarcerated in facilities run by the New York State Department of Correctional Services (DOCS), the New York City Department of Correction (DOC), and county-run Departments of Correction throughout New York State. The lawsuits were filed under the Adult Survivors Act ("ASA") by attorneys at Slater Slater Schulman LLP, a leading, full-service law firm with decades of experience representing survivors of traumatic and catastrophic events.

Key Points: 
  • Slater Slater Schulman LLP represents the largest number of survivors of prison abuse committed in New York State.
  • "Our clients endured absolute horrors while incarcerated in New York State – each story is worse than the next.
  • The ASA's extended window for filing lawsuits constituted a significant milestone in addressing the profound abuse endured by these survivors.
  • NOTE: Individuals seeking to be linked to resources for sexual assault survivors can call 800.656.HOPE (4673) to be connected with a trained staff member from a sexual assault service provider in your area.

Brave Healer Productions Announces the Release of The Life-Changing Power of Self-Love

Retrieved on: 
Friday, November 10, 2023

It runs deeper than taking a walk, eating a salad, or having a spa day.

Key Points: 
  • It runs deeper than taking a walk, eating a salad, or having a spa day.
  • Self-love is a state of love and acceptance of one's body, mind, and spirit as is.
  • The book contains chapters on overcoming the fear of being seen, the transformative power of living for yourself first, and befriending your anxious parts.
  • — Dr. Ahriana Platten, best-selling author of Rites and Rituals, Harnessing the Power of Sacred Ceremonies
    "This book belongs on every woman's bookshelf.

Matthew Perry: the power of celebrities speaking publicly about their addiction

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, November 7, 2023

Having visible figures like Perry speak publicly about their struggles can challenge the social stigma of addiction and inspire people to seek treatment.

Key Points: 
  • Having visible figures like Perry speak publicly about their struggles can challenge the social stigma of addiction and inspire people to seek treatment.
  • In my research and work with drug users, I have explored public understandings of addiction and substance dependency.
  • It can take years for people to seek help for addiction issues, and they often report feelings of guilt and shame.
  • The debate focused on the topic of specialist drug courts, an alternative to the normal court system, which Perry supported.

Celebrities and public struggle

  • A celebrity cancer diagnosis can inspire people to get screened, or a public struggle with alcohol may motivate someone to seek help themselves.
  • Read more:
    What long-term opioid use does to your body and brain

    This may be because of the one-sided relationship an audience has with a public figure.

  • Other fans attributed their sobriety to his inspirational memoir because Perry was a person they could identify with.

A lasting legacy

  • Comments focused on his aged appearance and his “slurred” speech, possibly lasting effects of a years-long battle with addiction.
  • It would have been easy for Perry to retire from the public view and hide his struggles.
  • While he may influence some to begin their journey to recovery, perhaps his most lasting legacy will be that he brought a human face to addiction.


Paula Corcoran does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

CANADIANS ARE CONCERNED ABOUT THEIR DEBT BUT AREN'T TALKING ABOUT IT DUE TO FEARS OF JUDGEMENT AND FEELING ASHAMED, NEW SURVEY FINDS

Retrieved on: 
Monday, November 6, 2023

"As a result, a lot of people who are struggling feel lost and isolated, making their situation even more stressful."

Key Points: 
  • "As a result, a lot of people who are struggling feel lost and isolated, making their situation even more stressful."
  • Fear of judgement is felt most strongly among Canadians ages 35-54 years old (44 per cent).
  • They are the most concerned about their current debt situation (64 per cent) compared to those 55+ (40 per cent).
  • BDO's LITs and debt professionals are committed to helping Canadians take control of their financial future and turn the page on debt.

Author Shares Emotional Journey From Homelessness and Abuse to Forgiveness and Freedom

Retrieved on: 
Monday, November 6, 2023

ALPHARETTA, Ga., Nov. 6, 2023 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Author Mark Goodman courageously shares his powerful life story with readers in Forgiving A Good Man: An Abuse Survivor's Story of Freedom Through Forgiveness ($14.49, paperback, 9781662883125; $6.99, e-book, 9781662883132; audio book, 9781662883149).

Key Points: 
  • After a long journey of finding my freedom from emotional and sexual abuse, I sought to uncover the psychology and theology behind why people struggle to forgive.
  • In this riveting book, Goodman shares how his journey from homelessness was overshadowed by abuse and its aftermath.
  • However, his story does have a happy ending when he ultimately found freedom through the practice of forgiveness.
  • Forgiving A Good Man: An Abuse Survivor's Story of Freedom Through Forgiveness is available online through xulonpress.com/bookstore, amazon.com, and barnesandnoble.com.