All posts tagged: result

a rite of passage – and the result of genuine concerns

a rite of passage – and the result of genuine concerns

Published by Miika Tikkanen

Across France, school students have taken to the streets to protest about teacher shortages, dilapidated school buildings and long school days. While the tradition of student protest has long roots in France, the country’s current fiscal crisis combined with entrenched structural problems with teacher recruitment, sickness absence and a backlog of school maintenance means this is unlikely to be something the current government can easily address. Problems – and protests – regarding conditions in French schools go back decades. I’ve spent 20 years conducting research in France and protest has been a recurring theme. Many research participants I’ve worked with have spoken with fondness about protesting as high school students. One participant in Nanterre, who went on to become a community activist, repeatedly spoke about how schools in poor Paris suburbs were institutions that would “crush you”. This was due in part to French educational culture, but also because of their under-resourcing and poor state of repair. To them protest felt like an outlet for these grievances. Another participant described protesting against a lack of …

Will ‘ordinariness’ be enough to swing the result in Makerfield?

Will ‘ordinariness’ be enough to swing the result in Makerfield?

Published by Sam Flores

Authenticity and the performance of ordinariness are increasingly attractive elements of a political candidate’s brand. Social media particularly can be a space to present the “no-filter self” using more casual language, posting images and videos of everyday situations and using emojis or memes – just like the average person would. In terms of authenticity, at election times, being ordinary, approachable and in touch are seen as potential vote-winning attributes. In Canada’s 2025 election, for example, research has found that these strategies were seen as necessary to stop the candidates coming across as out of touch at a time when politicians might seem to be a breed apart. This approach has been particularly effective for populist candidates. These political hopefuls often market themselves as anti-elitist outsiders, in keeping with their claim to be the true representatives of the people. But whether authenticity is a performance or actually the unfiltered self is up for debate. In the Makerfield byelection, the latter appears to be case for Reform UK’s candidate, Robert Kenyon. His appearance on a special edition …

I Challenged an AI Bartender to Design Me a Cocktail. I Was Surprised With the Result

I Challenged an AI Bartender to Design Me a Cocktail. I Was Surprised With the Result

Published by Miika Tikkanen

The device is unassuming, a simple table with a large tablet resting on top. Behind the surface of the table are rows of bottles — liquor, flavoring, juice, all the works. Co-founder Alex Snesarev told me that you can create thousands of different drinks. But the true fun of the AI Barman is letting the AI take the wheel — or, in this case, the cocktail shaker. The process is simple. There’s a camera at the top of the tablet, which scans your face. It estimates your age based on your appearance — it got mine very close, within a year — and can flag signs of intoxication. If you appear to be well on your way to a hangover, it can make your drinks a bit weaker. You can also select your preferred tastes, including whether you prefer bitter, sour or fruity drinks. The next part is where you can get creative. You speak to the tablet like you would a bartender. I didn’t have a specific drink in mind, so I kept my …

Jealousy: A Lesser-Known Result of Abandonment Trauma

Jealousy: A Lesser-Known Result of Abandonment Trauma

Published by Jenni Sidey

Paul sat in front of me, his hands crossed. “I don’t know why this bothers me so much,” he said again. “I should be happy for my friend, right?” We had been talking about his friend’s recent health issues—how an unexpected diagnosis had led to months of financial strain. And how, without hesitation, his friend’s family had rallied around him. They bought him a car. Paid his bills. Things that a family should do (when able to of course) to make sure he didn’t have to worry about survival while he focused on healing. “I think you are happy for him,” I began. “And at the same time, I think this is bringing up something more for you that we can explore.” After a long pause, Paul said quietly, “I guess… no one ever did that for me.” And there it was. Jealousy is one of the least discussed—and most misunderstood—effects of abandonment trauma Jealousy often emerges from things that seem small or even petty on the surface. For Paul, his jealousy was due to …