Donuts or abs? A lustful affair or a wholesome relationship? Skinny jeans or comfort? Life is full of decisions, many of which we get wrong. But what if it didn’t have to be this way? What if we told you there was a scientific way to tell when your gut is right, and when it’s just hankering for something double-glazed and sinful?

As a recent BBC Future report stated, “We are often told to go with the first answer that pops into our head, but the evidence suggests we might want to be careful about which intuitions we trust.”

So far so non-committal. But here’s where it gets interesting: “When instant answers just appear to pop into our minds… behavioural economist[s] refer to this as ‘System 1’ or fast thinking. This contrasts with the slower, more considered ‘System 2’ thinking, where we actively consider our options before coming to a conclusion.”

So then, if you master vacillating between these two techniques, you could eat your doughnuts and have your abs too, right? Sort of. The BBC says: “Intuition tends to get a bad reputation as something that’s flaky and based on no evidence. [But is] a careful analysis of all the options… more likely to give us the right answer? Not necessarily.”

“Our gut instincts are not always as random as they seem. They can be based on a rapid appraisal of the situation. We might not always realise it, but the brain is constantly comparing our current situation with our memories of previous situations. So when a decision feels intuitive, it might in fact be based on years of experience.”

Great: but that still doesn’t solve our doughnut dilemma. What might, however, is the next BBC observation, which is that “the problem with fast thinking is… dozens of different cognitive biases… we tend to be over-optimistic; we prefer simple solutions; we notice and remember information that confirms what we already think; and we favour continuing down paths in we’ve already invested time or money in.”

In other words: if your gut instinct feels too good to be true, it probably is. Likewise, if it feels gut-wrenching, it could be right (yeah, it’s brutal to break up with your deadbeat partner, but when you look back at that choice in 10 years you will be glad you made it).

This applies to job interviews too. As the BBC reports, even though “Many of our own biases come into play, and the people who we really like and ‘feel’ will be just right [and] the people most like ourselves” end up getting the job (rather than the most qualified candidate), there are still times when fast thinking serves us well and can even be logical.

“Some people are better at making intuitive judgements than others. The problem is that a meta-analysis of studies on this has shown that we are not very good at judging the veracity of our intuitions.”

In other words: unless your gut has a track record of being right, it’s always worth assessing a situation coldly. Ask yourself: could any cognitive biases be sending me astray? What are the arguments for the other option? Do I have real expertise in this area? Am I rushing into a decision just to get it over with? Could I just wait to see what happens next?

“It’s not your initial instincts about the answer that you should stick with, but your instincts for your confidence in that answer,” (BBC).

So even if we don’t all have the fast-twitch decision fibres of Ragnar Lothbrok or Leroy Jethro Gibbs, we can all learn to be a little bit better.

Read Next

• Why Smart People Do Stupid Things, According To Science
• Researchers Reveal Why Being Anti-Social Could Make You More Successful In Life

The post Scientists Reveal How To Tell When Your Gut Instinct Is Right appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

Yesterday evening Kanye West & Kim Kardashian stepped out in a rare appearance at the 2019 WSJ Magazine Innovators Awards. This year the awards celebrated eight visionaries at the newly reopened Museum of Modern Art in New York City. The event was a star-studded affair with the likes of Tyler, The Creator, Julianne Moore and Eddie Murphy also in attendance.It would not be an evening with Kim and Kayne without the couple causing a shit storm in the fashion stakes. The pair were dressed in matching navy blue ensembles. Kim even dared to present an award wearing navy leather chaps. Yes, you heard it here first: chaps are back. Chaps are even back for the chaps.More importantly, Kanye once again proved what an innovator he is both in music and fashion. He opted to take a classic navy (AU$3,100) Burberry suit and remix it in a way only Kanye knows how. His suit was paired with a navy roll neck and gold chain, which – by today’s standards – is relatively normal. Unfortunately, however, we can’t say the same for his footwear.Blue wellington boots (galoshes) were his ‘shoes’ of choice. A sin topped only by his decision to tuck the trousers into the boots. A move of pure (evil) genius, the only logical conclusion of which is that – after the event – Kanye ducked off to his farm in upstate NYC to tend to his chickens and cows…That said, Kanye’s outlandish ‘foot hosiery’ is somewhat redeemed when you remember that both his suit and his boots are made by Burberry which – despite being a luxury fashion house – is known for its British outerwear.https://www.instagram.com/p/B4lME-fhB9b/?igshid=dpx7gw8clbe6In any case, those who enjoy fashion flirtation will no doubt appreciate Kanye’s “can’t tell me nothing” style. Just remember, unless you have a Grammy and $240 million to your name, one slip up means you will look like a clown rather than a visionary.https://www.instagram.com/p/B4jdB9jgSzg/?igshid=qifl2g4wyg2lBut hey: you’ll never know until you try.

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• Sterling K Brown Rescues ‘Fashion Faux Pas’ With Classic Rolex Flex
• Childish Gambino’s Controversial Shirt Is Right For All The Wrong Reasons
• How To Wear A Suit

The post Kanye West Ruins Burberry Suit With Bizarre Footwear Choice appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

Powder-y ski slopes. Tongue-warbling sashimi. Unwavering politeness. Japan is known for many things, but rudeness is not one of them. Thanks to this tendency, the Gion district of Kyoto – a world-renowned Japanese city – has introduced a $130 fine to discourage tourists from exploiting residents’ endless reserves of patience.

Gion’s heritage streetscapes, cute buildings, cobbled-stone alleys, tea houses and traditional arts scene have made it hugely popular with travellers who want to “do” more than Tokyo.

 

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A post shared by Henrik Ringnér (@henrikringner) on Oct 23, 2019 at 5:03am PDT

But locals say some international visitors are disrespectful, something various reports confirm. NHK, for instance, reports that tourists have illegally entered private property, taken photos of geishas and maikos without permission, and even pulled at residents’ kimonos.

As a result of this rude behaviour, an association of residents and shop owners in the Gion district have come together to impose a ban on photography, enforced by a $130 fine, now effective in all private alleys near Hanamikoji street.

 

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A post shared by Laura (@lellengreen) on Nov 7, 2019 at 4:43pm PST

The association’s chief, Mimiko Takayasu, told CNN, “the ban has been imposed to preserve Gion’s traditional atmosphere.”

Also, according to Escape, local reports also say tourists have been “chasing and bullying the town’s famous geishas and maikos (geisha apprentices) into posing for photographs and selfies.”

“To some, the photo ban may seem drastic, but it is just the latest tactic to be tested by the Kyoto community after years of struggling with poor tourist behaviour.”

And it’s not just a couple of disgruntled residents: the move comes at the same time as campaigns like, “Enjoy, Respect Kyoto” have been rolled out by the Kyoto City Tourism Association, encouraging visitors to “respect the history and culture that the residents have worked to protect, and behave with courtesy.”

As Escape reports, “This message was delivered through a new tourism brochure, as well as signage outlining the local laws posted throughout Gion’s streets.”

Read Next

• Japanese Locals Really Hate These Kinds Of Tourists, But They’re Too Polite To Tell Them
• Exhilarating Japanese Roads You Have To Drive In Your Lifetime

The post Famous Japanese City Introduces $130 Fine To Stop Tourists Exploiting Residents appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

If there is one thing that pretty much everyone loves, it’s pizza. A good pizza is the perfect lunch, dinner and – as long as it’s been in the fridge overnight – breakfast. The only problem with pizza is that there is a large spectrum of quality. On one end you have frozen pizza, which – no matter how good it is – never hits the spot. On the other end, you have a pizza made by your local Italian restaurant, which, I’m sure you can agree, makes the best pizza. So, how can you get the quality and taste of restaurant pizza at home? Look no further than Ooni’s award-winning portable pizza oven.I know: you’re probably sceptical about how good a home pizza oven can be (especially considering how bad some are). But Ooni is the creme of the crop. The secret that makes them so good? They can heat up to 500°C in only 15 minutes and once heated up the Ooni will cook your pizza in less than 60 seconds, making it super quick and easy for you to get your hit. Unlike most other pizza ovens, which can be cumbersome and ugly, the Ooni features clean lines and quality materials that in combination make it look like some sort of spaceship.Depending on how ‘authentic’ you want to be, you can get the Ooni powered by gas or wood. Either way, it’ll get you making some killer pizzas. Ultimately, the Ooni is the perfect investment for those who want to enjoy great pizza at home – and is the perfect way to get your mates round for a feed that’s bound to go down better than anything else you’ve offered up in the past. It also looks great when not in use and makes a compelling argument for the perfect gift this holiday season.Shop Ooni Gas Pizza Oven $299

The post This $299 Portable Pizza Oven Will Change Your Home-Cooked Pizzas Forever appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

Forget Robert Downey Junior and Harry Styles: Arnold Schwarzenegger just proved you don’t need to be young or petite to rock a suit and sneakers. Stepping out at the Japan premiere of ‘Terminator: Dark Fate’ at Shinjuku Kabuki-cho Godzilla Road on Wednesday this week, Arnold gave us a streetwear flex to rival that of his muscles.

Making his presence known on the red carpet, Arnold stepped out alongside fellow cast members Linda Hamilton, Gabriel Luna, Mackenzie Davis, Natalia Reyes and Tim Miller, rocking a fresh new set of classic white Adidas shell-toe sneakers.

Arnie paired the Adidas Originals with a cowboy belt, a stripy red tie, a white shirt and a loose-fitting suit, the elbow flexibility of which came in handy since he was signing so many autographs for fans who hadn’t seen him in Japan since his last visit in 2015.

The 72-year-old actor, who first appeared as the Terminator 35 years ago, continues to possess the nous of an ex-governor, giving the Paparazzi a thumbs up, and entertaining his cast between each photo.

Arnie also demonstrated his easy rapport with 63-year-old Linda Hamilton, who he has known for over three decades, is as strong as ever, delighting everyone in the crowd with his banter.

Fortunately, none of the actors appear tired from this extensive global tour, which promotes the latest sequel in the Terminator franchise.

 

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A post shared by Arnold Schwarzenegger (@schwarzenegger) on Nov 1, 2019 at 9:20am PDT

While the film scored $131 million (globally) at the box office on its opening weekend, experts say it will lose upwards of $100 million, and have called the debut “disappointing” considering the sizable budget of around $185 million (in production), and between $80 million and $100 million (in marketing).

But hey: if it means Arnie and Linda get to keep strutting their stuff, who’s counting?

 

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A post shared by Francisco Vergara (@francisco_vergara98) on Nov 3, 2019 at 8:43am PST

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• Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Back Day Workout For 72-Year Olds Will Put You To Shame

The post Arnold Schwarzenegger Proves You're Never Too Old To Wear This Streetwear Essential appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

Daniel Craig is known for his ‘no fucks given’ attitude towards life (and high-fashion). But even he draws the line at some things, recently berating a Sunday Times reporter for questioning the impact a female scriptwriter would have on the upcoming Bond film, “No Time To Die.”

In a recent interview with the best-selling British paper, Craig was asked whether the introduction of Phoebe Waller-Bridge, a writer who was recently hired to sharpen up the “No Time To Die” script, meant we would see less of Bond’s incorrigible antics.

Craig quickly came to Fleabag writer, Emmy award-winner and actress Waller-Bridge’s defence, saying that both “No Time To Die” (set to be released on the 3rd of April 2020), and Bond himself, will be better off for her writing skills.

“Look, we’re having a conversation about Phoebe’s gender here, which is f*****g ridiculous. She’s a great writer. Why shouldn’t we get Phoebe onto Bond?”

When pressed on the point, Bond added, “I know where you’re going, but I don’t actually want to have that conversation. I know what you’re trying to do, but it’s wrong. It’s absolutely wrong. She’s a fucking great writer. One of the best English writers around.”

Craig then added that Waller-Bridge had been on his radar for a while: “She’s just brilliant. I had my eye on her ever since the first ‘Fleabag,’ and then I saw ‘Killing Eve’ and what she did with that and just wanted her voice. It is so unique — we are very privileged to have her on board.”

This resonated with fans, with Twitter love rolling in…

Right? It’s like…she writes Killing Eve for goodness sake!! Of course she’s being hired for her talent

— Matt Neglia (@NextBestPicture) November 4, 2019

… and in…

He’s the coolest. A true champion of women.

— María de los Ángeles (@SilverBat108) November 4, 2019

… and in…

I agree with everything Daniel Craig said here. PWB is one of the best writers in the business, period. If anyone deserves a job like this, it’s her.

— Marcus S. (@goodwillfiction) November 4, 2019

… and in.

I adore the “I know what you’re trying to do”

— Trudie (@_trudiegraham) November 4, 2019

He then addressed fears Bond’s character would be neutered, in doing so exposing the hypocrisy of a modern society that loves to hate 007.

“There’s been a lot of talk about whether or not [the Bond franchise] is relevant now because of who he is and the way he treats women… I think that’s bollocks. I think he’s absolutely relevant now. It has just got to grow.”

“The important thing is that the film treats the women properly. He doesn’t have to. He needs to be true to this character.”

Of course, with Waller-Bridge being just the second woman with a script credit in Bond history (the first was Johanna Hardwood, who wrote on Dr. No and From Russia With Love), the franchise clearly represents the sexism of its time.

However, it also represents some of the strongest human connections there are (think: Bond’s relationship with ‘M’ in Skyfall) skillfully and authentically, which can’t be said for many of today’s politically correct franchises.

Craig, I will follow you. Phoebe is a genius. Game recognized game. Rachel is so lucky to have Daniel as her man.

— Jennifer Brigitte (@HBICmaverick) November 4, 2019

As Craig suggests, if people continue to write the 007 franchise off because of its main character, they will miss the non-political lessons the series has always provided and the social critiques that it is increasingly likely to include.

Daniel Craig has integrity and conviction of conscience, a rarity in any era.

— I Write Games (@ianwaprice) November 5, 2019

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• New Evidence Suggests Daniel Craig May No Longer Be Retiring As 007 
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The post Daniel Craig Reveals Why Modern Society Shouldn't Write Off Bond Yet appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

The riot squad eyed me off. Broken street lights made eye contact tricky. But as I weaved my suitcase through the charred motorbikes and overturned bins I tried to make it as obvious as possible I was a clueless tourist wielding a surfboard (not a bazooka) as I came closer to the police blockade.

Meanwhile, people clanged saucepans from every balcony on the street, chanting, “Assessinos, assessinos, ass-ess-in-os.”

I knew I shouldn’t be there but I didn’t have anywhere else to go.

Set to stay with a friend who lived in Lavapiés – one of Madrid’s most multicultural neighbourhoods – and, arriving late in the evening (with no idea how to get there) I didn’t have many other options than waiting the night out in Maccas (and I’d sooner eat pepper spray than a big mac).

By the time I approached the wall of plastic shields this ‘come what may’ confidence was gone, but by then it was too late to wish we had stayed Where The Was Wifi.

I didn’t know at this point why the protests were happening (I later learned they had been sparked by the death of a Senegalese man who police had allegedly chased after finding him street hawking).

While I was becoming steadily and sweatily more self-conscious about my presence (which included a suitcase, surfboard and giant Toblerone), I thought I looked clueless enough not to be seen as a threat.

I soon reached the blockade where the Guardia Civil made me wait. Eventually, once the shouts and flares got far enough away, they let us all pass through. I made my way to my friend’s flat and clattered my luggage upstairs, giving his neighbours (who thought the protest must have made its way into their building) a fright in the process.

El Pais confirmed the protests resulted in the arrests of six Spanish nationals and 20 injury reports, as well as significant damage to the area, while Mayor Manuela Carmena took to Twitter to encourage peaceful co-existence between cultures (something Lavapiés used to be known for).

This was March 2018. And while a year and a half may have passed since then, according to The Local.es, “The pressure that caused the riots never went away. Walk through the streets of Lavapiés and you can still feel the tension, as can the police, who keep a constant presence.”

“Until there is real improvement in migrants’ rights, this neighbourhood shrouded in street art, pockmarked with trendy cafes and invaded by investors is going to remain on the edge, until one day the people will inevitably crack again.”

As for implications for tourists, my experience got me thinking about the best ways to survive a riot. And even though I (fortunately) never got caught up in the worst part of the Lavapiés riot, given the unrest in tourist hotspots around the world at the moment, this is information every modern traveller should possess.

This in mind we hit up World Nomads for their top tips. According to them, this is what you should do if you ever find yourself stuck in a riot.

• Keep to the edge of the crowd where it is safest. Try not to be identified as one of the demonstrators by keeping well away from the leaders/agitators.
• At the first opportunity break away and seek refuge in a nearby building, or find a suitable doorway or alley and stay there until the crowd passes.
• When leaving the fringe of the demonstration just walk away – don’t run as this will draw attention to you.
• In the event that you are arrested by the police/military, do not resist. Go along peacefully and contact your embassy as well as your travel insurance provider.
• If you are caught up in the crowd, stay clear of glass shop fronts, stay on your feet and move with the flow.
• If you are swept along in the crush, create a space for yourself by grasping your wrists and bracing your elbows away from your sides; bend over slightly – this should allow you breathing room.
• If pushed to the ground, try to get against a wall and roll yourself into a tight ball and cover your head with your hands until the crowd passes.
• Remember to keep calm – the crowd should sweep past in a short space of time.
• If shooting breaks out, drop to the ground and cover your head and neck, and lie as flat as you can.

As for those who find themselves surrounded by a protest whilst in their accommodation, these are the tips World Nomads say you should follow.

• Do not leave the accommodation or go into the street.
• Contact your embassy or consulate and advise them of your situation and whereabouts.
• On hearing gunfire or explosions outside, stay away from the windows. Do not be tempted to watch the activity from your window. Draw the curtains or blinds to prevent shards of broken glass entering.
• If you are in premises which have doors or windows opening on to the roadside of the property, ensure that all windows and external doors are closed and locked.
• Sleep in an inside room which will provide greater protection from gunfire, rocks or grenades.
• If a demonstration is taking place outside your hotel, liaise with hotel management to keep updated on the situation outside the hotel.

Read Next

• The Embarrassing Mistake Every Tourist Makes In Spain
• Iconic San Sebastian Photo Reveals The Secret To Spain’s Nightlife Success

The post What It's Like To Get Stuck In A Riot As A Clueless Tourist appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

“You can’t wear white after Labor Day” say high-class fashionistas in the US, as it signifies the end of summer and a time for white summer clothes to go back into storage. However, after a recent appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live, it seems as though Sterling K. Brown says “up yours” to the somewhat outdated fashion rule.

The actor’s latest role in Frozen 2 has clearly rubbed off on him, as he proves to be the pinnacle of cool in an all-off-white outfit, comprising a beige Hugo Boss suit, matching crew-neck sweater and a pair of white Sneaker 22’s from English shoe company Grenson. 

Brown’s time portraying lawyer Christopher Darden in The People vs OJ Simpson could give him the nous to state the case that his outfit isn’t white at all, thereby committing no fashion crime. A jury would surely side with the defendant, too.

But the jewel (to us at least) in this style crown has to be the 40mm Rolex Submariner Date watch donning Brown’s wrist. The timepiece, which appears to be a favourite of his, as he can be seen wearing it on the latest cover of Men’s Health magazine too, was first released in 1953.

This reissued model utilises Oystersteel, which is designed to outlast time itself and sports a classic black dial with self-winding mechanical movement and the company’s iconic Oyster bracelet. You can snap one up yourself for an affordable-in-terms-of-Rolex AUD$11,300. 

Yet another example of how good life would be with our own personal stylist.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B3kR4hRhg6_/

The post Sterling K Brown Rescues 'Fashion Faux Pas’ With Classic Rolex Flex appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

White sneakers aren't just a trend anymore – they're here to stay and they're evolving. No longer is it acceptable to rock that roughed up pair of Stan Smiths that have seen too many dance floors, instead it's time to grab yourself a pair of ultra-clean, high-quality minimalist white sneakers. If...

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