Lifestyle

The book "Politics, Lies and Conspiracy Theories", by Marcel Danesi Professor of Semiotics and Linguistic Anthropology at the University of Toronto, Canada, analyses the speeches of dictators including Mussolini, Stalin, and Hitler, as well as prominent hate groups.

His research finds there is one thing they all have in common: they all use dehumanising metaphors to instil and propagate hatred of others.

“The intent of such speech is to attack those who do not belong to the mainstream, such as racial minorities, or people of different sexual orientations,” Danesi said, citing example of words like ‘pests’, ‘reptiles’ and ‘parasites’ used by the Nazi regime to compare outsiders and minorities to animals.

Danesi’s research shows that dehumanising metaphors like these are so powerful because they tap into and "switch on" existing circuits in the brain that link together important and salient images and ideas.

In effect, metaphors bypass higher cognitive reasoning centres, directing our thoughts to focus on certain things whilst ignoring others.

According to Danesi, the more these circuits are activated the more hardwired they become, until it becomes almost impossible to turn them off.

Similarly, research shows that people who believe conspiracy theories develop more rigid neural pathways, meaning they find it difficult to rethink situations.

“When we come across a big lie or a conspiracy theory, it can shape our ideas without us even being aware of it,” Danesi said.

“By being exposed to particular metaphors, we may develop hostile feelings towards specific groups - this is why hate groups use metaphors to turn the switches on, so as to motivate people to violent activism,” he added.

Unfortunately, once people begin to believe lies, they are unlikely to change their minds even when confronted with evidence that contradicts their beliefs, the research showed.

Moreover, they are more likely to seek out information that confirms their beliefs, avoid anything that is in conflict with them, or even turn the contrasting information on its head, making it impossible to change their minds ever.

According to Danesi, this can have devastating consequences. “When lies are used to generate hate, harmful behaviours tend to result, including violence and genocide against the target individual or groups,” Danesi said.

So, how can one protect from the power of lies?

Danesi said, the best thing we can do is to understand the metaphors of the other party, and to examine one’s own metaphors. However, history and science tells us that it is unlikely to work -- research shows that once a lie is accepted as believable, the brain becomes more susceptible to subsequent lying.

--IANS

rvt/vd

Through the power of ingestible skincare, Ayurveda enables us to treat our skin from within, unveiling a radiant and healthy skin:

Nourishing the Three Layers of the Skin:

Our skin consists of three layers: the epidermis, dermis, and hypodermis. While topical skincare products mainly target the outermost layer, Ayurveda recognises the importance of nourishing all three layers. Ingestible beauty products inspired by Ayurveda focus on providing essential nutrients, antioxidants, and herbs that deeply nourish each layer. By nourishing the skin from within, Ayurveda promotes a healthy cellular structure, enhances collagen production, and supports natural skin rejuvenation, resulting in a luminous and youthful skin.

Strengthening the Skin's Natural Defence:

Our skin is exposed to various environmental stressors that can damage its protective barrier and lead to skin concerns like dryness, sensitivity, and dullness. Ayurvedic ingestible beauty products contain potent ingredients like Aloe Vera, Shatavari, and Mulethi, which help strengthen the skin's natural defence mechanisms. These herbs soothe and nourish the skin, reduce redness and irritation, and provide essential hydration, resulting in a resilient and healthy skin barrier that can better withstand external aggressors.

Enhancing Skin Radiance:

Ayurveda understands that true radiance comes from a harmonious balance within the body. Ingestible beauty products infused with Ayurvedic herbs, such as rose, pomegranate, and amla, offer powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that combat free radicals, reduce inflammation, and promote a healthy skin glow. By incorporating these herbs into your diet, you can enhance your skin's radiance naturally that surpasses any topical makeup application.

Promoting Skin's Elasticity and Youthfulness:

As we age, our skin's elasticity and firmness diminish. Ayurveda addresses this concern by providing ingestible skincare solutions that nourish and support collagen production from within. Ingredients like shatavari, ashwagandha, brahmi, found in Ayurvedic formulations help strengthen the skin's connective tissues, boost collagen synthesis, and improve skin elasticity. By promoting a healthy and supple skin structure, Ayurveda helps to minimise the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, revealing a more youthful and clearer skin.

Ayurveda provides a holistic and effective solution for achieving radiant and healthy skin. By nourishing all three layers of the skin, promoting the skin's elasticity, enhancing radiance, and strengthening its natural defence mechanisms, Ayurveda revolutionises your skincare routine by enabling you to consume the right foods for your skin in the right proportions.

Embrace the power of Ayurveda by incorporating ingestible skincare products infused with potent herbs and nutrients, and witness the remarkable transformation of your skin.

(Dr Kriti Soni, R&D Head, Kapiva)

(IANSlife can be contacted at ianslife@ians.in)

--IANS

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The London-born actor, 66, who is known for starring in a whole host of critically-acclaimed films, looked worlds away from his red-carpet-ready self six years after retiring from acting, reports Mirror.co.uk.

These days, the retired Oscar winner looks rather different after stepping away from the spotlight, with him now sporting longer looks and a more laidback and off-duty appearance. Spotted walking around Manhattan, Daniel was assisted by some crutches - which hinted that the star had suffered an injury or had undergone surgery.

Although he was aided by the crutches as he walked, the famous actor looked to be in good spirits as he smiled and grinned on his outing. Daniel could be seen wearing striking cobalt blue trousers, paired with a graphic t-shirt and a beige-coloured trench coat.

As per Mirror.co.uk, he wore a green baseball cap atop his head, with his wispy grey hair peeking out from underneath it. Daniel also donned a rust-coloured backpack and matching trainers, with him supported by his crutches while leaving a building and walking along the pavement.

Revealing the news to People Magazine at the time, his representative continued: "He is immensely grateful to all of his collaborators and audiences over the many years. "This is a private decision, and neither he nor his representatives will make any further comment on this subject."

Following his decision to retire six years back in 2017, Daniel revealed he felt "compelled" to do so but noted "great sadness" about his decision.

--IANSaa/kvd

According to the study published in Science Advances, disinformation generated by AI may be more convincing than disinformation written by humans.

To achieve the goals, the researchers asked OpenAI’s model GPT-3 to write tweets containing informative or disinformative texts on a range of different topics, including vaccines, 5G technology and Covid-19, or the theory of evolution, among others, which are commonly subject to disinformation and public misconception.

They collected a set of real tweets written by users on the same topics and programmed a survey.

The researchers then recruited 697 people to take an online quiz that determined whether tweets were generated by AI or collected from Twitter and whether they were accurate or contained misinformation.

They discovered that participants were three per cent less likely to believe human-written false tweets than AI-written ones.

According to Giovanni Spitale, the researcher at the Switzerland-based University of Zurich who led the study, the researchers are unsure why people are more likely to believe tweets written by AI, but the way GPT-3 orders information could play a role.

Moreover, the study said that the content written by GPT-3 was "indistinguishable" from organic content.

People polled couldn't tell the difference, and one of the study's limitations is that the researchers cannot be 100 per cent certain that the tweets gathered from social media were not written with the assistance of apps like ChatGPT.

Participants were the most effective at identifying misinformation written by real Twitter users, however, GPT-3-generated tweets with false information deceived survey participants slightly more effectively, the study found.

Further, the researchers predicted that advanced AI text generators such as GPT-3 could have the potential to greatly affect the dissemination of information, both positively and negatively.

"As demonstrated by our results, large language models currently available can already produce text that is indistinguishable from the organic text; therefore, the emergence of more powerful large language models and their impact should be monitored," the researchers stated.

--IANS

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These are the first two such operations in the state conducted in private hospitals.

One of the hospitals raised a bill of Rs 3.50 lakh and the other Rs 3.19 lakh, and payment for the same was made, said the spokesman of the State Agency for Comprehensive Health and Integrated Services.

Sangeeta Singh, CEO, State Agency For Comprehensive Health and Integrated Services that monitors the Ayushman Bharat scheme in the state, said, “Ayushman Bharat scheme has saved many lives and in the coming days more such operations will be conducted.”

In Uttar Pradesh, 2.9 crore Ayushman Bharat cards have been made and 22.8 lakh people have benefited.

--IANS

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'The Birkin or Kelly that used to belong to your mother or grandmother still looks stylish today - as long as it’s in good condition.’Those made with jewels and precious materials, such as ostrich and crocodile, tend to achieve the highest prices at auction. 'Light pinks, yellows and blues also do well,' adds Blanckaert, 'as do the strong colours, such as Rouge Hermes, and special-order bags with bespoke colour pairings and the highly desirable horseshoe stamp.’

In recent years, the secondary market for Hermes has matured, expanding from a niche collecting category into an important luxury sector that draws buyers from all over the world. Christie’s, for instance, now sees participation from more than 50 countries in its Handbags & Accessories sales, with single-owner auctions taking place this year in Amsterdam for the first time. ‘It is the fastest-growing sector of the fashion industry, because collectors are now more concerned with sustainability and acquiring long-term investment pieces,’ says Blanckaert. ‘Buying at auction also offers collectors the chance to acquire discontinued pieces — and to bypass Hermès’s notorious waiting lists.’ Which, of course, drives auction prices up. In 2021, a Hermès Himalaya Diamond Kelly 28 became the most valuable handbag ever sold at auction when it achieved HK$4 million (US$515,416) at Christie’s in Hong Kong.

In June 2022, 257 Hermes lots, including 48 Birkins and 24 Kellys, were offered in Inside the Orange Box: A Lifetime of Collecting, Property from an Important European Collector. Last October, a further 266 Hermes lots from the same single-owner collection were offered in Inside the Orange Box: Part II. Following the success of these two sales in Milan, Christie’s presents part three of this extraordinary single-owner collection in Amsterdam from June 13 to 28, 2023. ‘This encyclopaedic catalogue represents a lifetime of collecting by a passionate connoisseur of all things Hermes,’ says Blanckaert. ‘It is such a joyful collection, full of colour, poetry and fantasy.’ As well as featuring the most desirable styles from the past few decades, the collection also includes playful designs and objects that reveal a lesser-known side of the French maison. ‘People may be surprised by what they see,’ says Blanckaert. ‘This collector had a real sense of humour. She took risks by acquiring unique editions and pieces not instantly recognisable as Hermes.’

These include a whimsical selection of Sacs a Malices (which translates as ‘bags of tricks’), first introduced in the 1980s, and a range of quirky pieces from Petit H, the upcycling line created in 2010 by Pascale Mussard, which comprises unique or limited-edition objects, designs and shapes made from existing Hermes materials. Of the Sac a Malice bags offered in Part I, Blanckaert was most taken by the white leather model with an ice-cream cone design and gold hardware. Offered in Part II were 12 more, including the dark grey leather model with a snowman design and gold hardware.

As for Petit H, Blanckaert was drawn to a set of nine tools and an unusual fringed white Clemence leather bag with black polka dots from 2010. ‘You wouldn’t necessarily think this was by Hermes,’ she says, ‘which shows the collector’s confidence and sensitivity towards all aspects of Hermes’s creativity.’ Coming to Christie’s in June is a rare Petit H Jaune d’Or Clemence leather, shiny black crocodile and black fox-fur Kelly 28 with gold hardware from 2015 (above). Also offered is a unique 2010 denim and black Evercalf leather Shadow Birkin 40 with palladium hardware (below), customised by Petit H in collaboration with the collector. ‘Hermes was the first luxury brand to invest in the circular economy, so Petit H was very avant-garde at the time,’ says Blanckaert. ‘Petit H designs are bolder and less typically Hermès in style and structure.’

Other highlights offered in Part III include a 2015 matte white Himalaya Niloticus crocodile Birkin 35 (below), one of the brand’s most highly coveted pieces; and a Fuchsia ostrich leather Retourné Kelly 32 with palladium hardware from 2006. Also in the sale is a selection of Hermès Birkin handbags in vibrant colours, including a matte Blue Paon alligator Birkin 35 (2017), a 2012 matte Geranium alligator Birkin 35 and a striking custom matte Cactus and Malachite alligator Birkin 35 from 2014. Other highlights offered in Part III include a 2015 matte white Himalaya Niloticus crocodile Birkin 35 (below), one of the brand’s most highly coveted pieces; and a Fuchsia ostrich leather Retourné Kelly 32 with palladium hardware from 2006. Also in the sale is a selection of Hermès Birkin handbags in vibrant colours, including a matte Blue Paon alligator Birkin 35 (2017), a 2012 matte Geranium alligator Birkin 35 and a striking custom matte Cactus and Malachite alligator Birkin 35 from 2014.

In addition to the handbags offered for sale in Part III, there is a diverse range of Hermes accessories, including bracelets, watches, notebooks, belts, silk scarves and Grigri Rodeo charms (below), which have been coveted by collectors since their launch.

(IANSlife can be contacted at ianslife@ians.in)

--IANS

IANSlife/tb

Implemented on Wednesday, the international system counts a person's age from zero at birth, whereas the abolished traditional systems added one or two years to a person's age, depending on the birth date.

There was not much confusion in government offices, as the international age has long been used in all administrative, civil and judicial affairs, such as the legal age to drink, smoke, go to school and join the military, Yonhap news agency reported.

Nevertheless, it is expected to take time for the new age counting method to become customary in Korean society due to confusion in many "age-sensitive" fields of social life and personal relations.

Indeed, many matchmaking service companies and travel agencies that charge different rates by age group have decided not to embrace the international age counting system for the time being to minimize confusion.

"Age is important in dating. There may be confusion if the age counting method is suddenly changed. For the time being, we'll stick to the traditional age counting method," an official at marriage information company Duo said.

A Seoul office worker, surnamed Lee, 28, said he expects some age-related confusion in blind dates. "Age is the most important thing when going on a blind date. When a man and a woman meet and tell each other their age, they may have to make clear whether their age is Korean or international age," Lee said.

A travel agency, which operates a tour program that charges customers aged 6 and older, still advertises in its reservation site that the program is based on the Korean age counting standard.

"It will be difficult to check a child's age by the number of months. We'll continue to use the Korean age as the standard for the rest of this year. The rule will be changed when the international age counting is fully established and everyone's perception is changed," an employee of the travel agency said.

A resident of Seoul's Seongdong district said all members of his hobby club have agreed to continue to use the Korean age in introducing themselves to each other in the group chatting room to avoid confusion.

Another Seoul office worker, surnamed Chung, 25, is also a champion of the Korean age system. "I'm relatively young at work, so I'm worried that if I disclose my age, there will be some prejudice about my work performance. If I ever have to talk about my age, I'll reveal my Korean age," Chung said.

Kindergarten and elementary school pupils also faced the age-related confusion, as their ages became different in the same classrooms according to their birth dates. "Low-grade students are generally proud of getting one year older. Some of them cried, complaining that they became two years younger from today," an elementary school teacher said.

By contrast, the changed age counting system did not bring about much change and confusion in the public sector. "Until now, people under the international age of 18 have been required to obtain the consent of their legal representatives when applying for a passport under the Passport Act. There was no big confusion, as nothing has changed in the passport application rules," a Seoul city government employee said.

The age at which people can buy alcohol and cigarettes or enter adult entertainment establishments also remained unchanged at 19 or older under the Juvenile Protection Act. A 54-year-old man who runs a convenience store in eastern Seoul, pointing to a notice that those born in 2004 or earlier are eligible for alcohol and tobacco, said he is not worried at all as nothing has changed.

--IANS

int/sha