"People would love/fear/fuck a robot!" says TV show about robots
Did you see the story about mankind's fear of the impending rise of the robots? Chances are you did, with widespread coverage of the story including appearances in the Guardian, Times, Daily Mail and Daily Star:
Humans hope robots of the future will make love not war
A fifth of Britons have said they would have sex with an android but considerably more fear the rise of the machines will threaten mankind.
One in three, perhaps influenced by the likes of the Terminator franchise, believe that robots will spell the end of the human race.
Perhaps more pressing however is that almost as many are concerned they could lose their job to intelligent machines.
Source: The Times, 6 May 2014
Would YOU have sex with a robot? Prostitutes, police and cleaners revealed to be just some the jobs that droids could take over by 2025
In 10 years our streets could be governed by RoboCop-style police, our taxis may drive themselves and prostitutes might be replaced by so-called âsexbots.â
Thatâs according to a survey that looked at how robots will rise over the next decade.
It found that more than a third of people fear robots will take their jobs, while the same number fear androids will threaten the human race's existence.
Source: Daily Mail, 6 April 2014
The Times and the Daily Mail, amply illustrating their differing priorities, there. However, whether we're fighting or fucking our new robot brethren, the source of the story remains the same:
The survey was completed by 2,000 British people to mark the launch of new sci-fi TV police drama, Almost Human, which features an android cop.
Curiously, the list of jobs which could be taken over by robots didn't include 'journalist' - when given the number of outlets who ran this simple copy/paste of a One Poll survey press release, it seems an industry ripe for automation.
"Insurance covers you for weird things happening!" says insurance company
What's the strangest thing to ever have caused damage to your home? It's unlikely your story can compete with those featured in the Daily Star, Daily Mail and Telegraph recently:
'A snail ate my carpet' See some of the strangest successful insurance claims of all time
IF a badger has bashed your shed or a snail has eaten your carpet, why not try and make an insurance claim - you won't be the first to.
Or if a deer falls in your swimming pool, you can earn money from that too.
Source: Daily Star, 23 April 2014
'A badger ate my wall' among successful insurance claims.
A badger that ate through a wall to escape after being locked in a shed and a dog which jumped into a television screen to find a mate are among a list of successful insurance claims filed by homeowners.
One man received more than ÂŁ400 when he made a claim for a new laptop after his new baby grandson vomited over his computer as he attempted to show him off on Skype.
And in another incident insurers paid for repairs after a quick thinking squirrel smashed a window to get out of a garage owned by an 86-year-old woman in Exeter, where it had become trapped.
Animals and children were the most common causes in the list of strange claims.
However, nature, and bad luck, also played a part.
Source: Telegraph, 23 April 2014
The message is clear: you never know where the next source of danger is coming from. But don't just take my word for it - there's an industry spokesman backing me up:
Peter Corfield, Managing Director at RIAS said: 'While we go out of our way to ensure that our homes and gardens are safe and secure, sometimes it's the most unlikely events that can end up causing real damage.
Who are RIAS, you might be wondering?Â
The list of bizarre insurance claims was compiled by specialist insurance provider RIAS from the almost 400,000 successful cases in 2012-13.
RIAS are the people telling you to ensure your house (with them) lest a rampaging army of badgers, deer and snails descend upon you and your territory. It's real, they're coming, and RIAS are apparently your only hope.
"Men turn into their fathers!" says TV channel promoting old comedies
Are you turning into your dad? The top ten signs you've embraced dad-ism revealed as survey says 38 is age men turn into their father.
It's a startling moment in any man's life.
You're sat on the sofa keenly scrutinising the money pages of the newspaper, looking forward to giving the lawn a good mowing and finding yourself unusually excited about an upcoming sale at B&Q, when it hits you (if you can keep your eyes open long enough): you've turned into your dad.
It's enough to make you slip on your sensibly priced comfortable shoes and retreat to your man cave with a pint of bitter.
Source: Independent, 17 April 2014
It seems all men are destined to become their fathers - it's a message carried not only in the Independent, but also in the Daily Mail, Daily Express and Daily Star. With so many convergent sources, it must be true... or, just maybe, it might be PR for a TV channel running a 'Dad Dancing' competition:
Steve North, General Manager of UKTV channel Gold said: 'The future looks bright for men, more sleep, having your very own chair, letting loose on the dance floor and finding ourselves funny - it seems 38 is the age men officially lose their inhibitions
Source: Daily Mail, 17 April 2014
And why the focus on getting old and turning into your father? The Daily Mail carries the crucial quote from North:
'The best way to ward off the top dad-ism sign of falling asleep in the front room is by tuning into Goldâs Easter schedule featuring Only Fools and Horses, the Royle Family and the Vicar of Dibley.'
Embrace it, fellas - turn into your dad, and you can enjoy the same tired old sitcoms he was watching 20 years ago!
"Old people used to have silly names!" says ancestry research site
What's that Mary, traditional names are dying out?
Cecil, Rowland and Willie have fallen so far out of favour that no one wants to use them for their child.
They are the names nobody wants.
Although Cecil, Rowland and Willie were once among the most popular names in Britain, they have fallen so far out of favour they have now became âextinctâ.
Latest birth records show that not a single person was given any of the three names while girls' names Bertha, Blodwen or Fanny are also extinct.
Source: Telegraph, 4 April 2014
Or, to put it in slightly more immature terms, here's the Daily Star's take on the tale:
Fanny and Willy (stop sniggering!) on the 'extinct' baby names list
FANNY and Willy are now deemed "extinct" as no one chose these baby names in recent years.
Old-fashioned boys' names such as Cecil and Rowland, and girls' names such as Blodwen and Gertrude have also fallen out of favour.
Research carried out by Ancestry.co.uk showed that no babies born in 2012 were registered with these names.
Source: Daily Star, 4 April 2014
OK, now, settle down at the back, there's nothing remotely amusing about the impending extinction of your garden-variety Willy or Fanny - just ask the website who paid to have this research created:
Miriam Silverman, from Ancestry.co.uk, said: âOf course, no first name can truly become extinct, as it can easily be resurrected, but itâs fascinating to look at the list from 1905 and see which have thrived and which have faded into obscurity.
âWe also know that people appreciate a rare or unusual name in their family tree and as more people join the family history revolution we believe that such endangered names will be protected by concerned descendants.â
Oh, good - it turns out the names aren't actually going extinct, it's just PR for an ancestry-researching site looking to get more people to join their 'family history revolution'. Phew. Worried Willies: stand down.
"People look for love online!" says online dating site
How to get a date: the words that attract the opposite sex online
Single women looking for love online should describe themselves as sweet, ambitious or thoughtful while men should emphaisis their passion, optimism and phsyical fitness, according to a new study.
Research on more than 12,000 profiles on a dating website has revealed the best words to use when trying to attract the opposite sex.
The data showed that women describing themselves as sweet, ambitious or thoughtful were more likely to see men initiate conversations with them.
Source: Telegraph, 16 May 2014
Sweet female WLTM ambitious male: Scientists reveal the most alluring words to entice a hot date online
Some people claim that French is romantic, but scientists claim to have identified the real language of love for online dating profiles.
The words that daters use to describe themselves in their online dating profiles can have a huge impact on attracting attention from the opposite sex, they said.
Source: Daily Mail, 16 May 2014
There we have it - the answer to your dating woes: simply describe yourself using a generic set of desirable words which may or may not have anything to do with your actual personality. Science!
With all this scientific analysis knocking around the dating arena, it's a surprise that anyone's still single. Who can we thank for this remarkable breakthrough? Which prestigious institute of human studies made the astounding discovery? You may not be surprised to learn it was those altruistic and cupid-like boffins over at eHarmony... the dating site:
Source: eHarmony.co.uk, 16 May 2014
Cynics might argue that eHarmony released this particular piece of PR research not for the good of mankind, but instead to push the sciencey credentials of their own dating algorithms, and to remind potential punters that they exist. But not me - I'm positive they did it because they're hopeless romantics.
"It's hard to save a marriage from divorce!" says divorce lawyers
Quit Facebook and get a dog if you want to save your relationship! Best ways to save a failing love affair REVEALED
Quitting Facebook, ditching 'unsuitable' friends and buying a dog have been hailed as the best ways to save an ailing relationship.
A poll of 2,000 Britons found it often takes much more than a hug and a kiss to patch up a partnership after a nasty bust-up or rocky patch.
The study discovered ditching social media, where the constant gaze of friends and family adds pressure, was among the most important steps.
Source: Daily Mail, 9 April 2014
Saving a marriage can be hard - it takes patience, effort, communication and luck. Fortunately, there are groups on hand to help you, who have nothing but your best interests at heart... groups like Family Law firm Irwin Mitchell Solicitors:
Martin Loxley, National Head of Family Law at Irwin Mitchell Solicitors, said: 'Most relationships will go through a rocky period at some stage, and it seems the way you deal with things during that time can be the difference between patching things up or splitting permanently.
'The secret seems to be spending more time together rather than separating your lives even further than they already are.
You might think it oddly altruistic of a law firm to offer advice on how best to stay happily married... and you'd be right, because Loxley also has a few things to say about where to turn if your marriage doesn't work out:
He added: 'Couples should think long and hard before giving up on a marriage. It can have long term financial and emotional consequences for both themselves and any children involved.Â
'There are organisations which can assist couples in saving a relationship but if it has irretrievably broken down, communication is still key to ensuring that the divorce or separation is as smooth as possible.
'Relationship breakdowns don't have to be acrimonious but if they are, it's likely the couple will face a costly legal battle.
So, if you're looking to avoid an acrimonious and costly divorce, perhaps you'll know who to get in touch with when the time comes.
"Women are cheats and can't be trusted!" says affairs website
Like mother, like daughter: Women are more likely to cheat on their husbands if their mothers were unfaithful too
They say 'like mother, like daughter', and now new research reveals an unexpected twist to the adage.
A poll of 2,000 Brits found that women who cheat are often following in their own mother's illicit footsteps.
According to the research, seven out of ten women who cheat on their husbands have mothers who were unfaithful too.
Source: Daily Mail, 6 May 2014
The Daily Mail, here, advancing the hereditary hypothesis of infidelity. However, the source of the statistics ought to offer a pinch of doubt:
The results were revealed in a new poll of 2,000 people who have had affairs by Illicit Encounters, Britain's biggest extra-marital dating site.
Not only is this story nothing more than a simple advert an online hook-up site, but it features an interesting take on statistics, too: even assuming the results are accurate (and that's not an assumption we ought to make lightly), what we've found isn't a truism about the general public, as the survey sample included only people who had signed up for a cheating website.
If you only survey people who have elected to join a site like 'Illicit Encounters', you haven't gathered the opinions of those who have offline affairs... or those who have no affairs at all. Thus it's perfectly possible (and, indeed, likely) that children of cheating parents (male or female) don't go on to sign up for a help-me-cheat website, and therefore don't appear in the statistics of this particular PR piece.
Of course, why let the facts get in the way of a good publicity opportunity?
Women are FOUR times more likely to seek out affairs after a lackluster Mother's Day, according to cheating website
Mother's Day this year was a success for some, a letdown for others, and for many women across the U.S., such a disaster that it sent them into the arena of affairs.
AshleyMadison.com, the world's biggest cheating website, has revealed that 17,000 moms signed up to their site on Monday in hopes of hunting down extramarital liaisons.
That is over four times the number of a usual run-of-the-mill Monday, reports AshleyMadison - which boasts 26 million members worldwide and whose slogan is: 'Life is short. Have an affair.'
Source: Daily Mail, 16 May 2014
As ever in Bad PR, separating the message of the data from its source is impossible - instead of real sociological research, this is nothing more than an online hook-up site touting for business in a national newspaper.
"Men today are too soft!" says TV show trying to dictate what being a man means
Ready meals, moisturiser and no fishing: Survival ace Bear Grylls tests 'soft' Brit fellas
BRIT men are losing their manhood skills and becoming too 'soft', a survey reveals.
Even though the days of hunting and gathering are over, it seems that most men lack even the basic of survival skills.
A whopping 62% of fellas said they would not be able to start a fire without the help of a lighter.
Source: Daily Star, 5 May 2014
A news story straight out of the 'how to be casually and unhelpfully sexist' PR textbook here, with the British male's 'manliness' in question. And, by question, I mean of course held up against a ludicrous and worthless criteria in order to find men lacking.Â
What ought men today be able to do, to allow them to keep their 'man card' and prevent them having to 'grow a pair' and 'man up'? Besides being able to light a fire without the aid of a lighter, there's a raft of other necessities:Â
And commiserations if you're stuck on a desert island with a man who can't (or won't) help chop, hunt and fish.
The assumption here, of course, being that no woman has any of those skills - that goes without saying. No, women correctly do not know how to hunt or fish, but men incorrectly lack these required man skills.Â
Whereas tools such as fishing rods and knives would be the first things to be chucked into a knapsack, 29% of men would rather rely on ready meals.
The word 'rather' being likely crucial in that sentence - personally, given the choice (as it appears men were, in an online poll) between hunting, gutting, skinning and cooking an animal, or eating a ready meal... I'm pretty sure I'd side with the ready meal.Â
Lazy lifestyles and office jobs requiring sitting at a desk for up to nine hours a day are being blamed on men's dwindling ability to deal with practical tasks.
That's right - men are just too lazy and office-bound to be out killing small animals and casually lighting fires. If they weren't so bloody lazy, today's men would all be meeting the fire-and-death quota specified on the back of their 'man cards'.Â
Of course, this spurious and sexist poll is nothing more than an advert for an aggressively manly TV show:
Survival guru Bear Grylls, host of new TV show The Island, said: âWhat happens when you strip man of all the luxury and conveniences of modern living and then force them to fight for their very existence?"
I'd imagine what happens is a TV show watched by essentially nobody, Bear.Â
I was recently interviewed by the delightful Kylie Sturgess of the Token Skeptic podcast, where we discussed what makes for Bad PR, how nonsense stories make the press and who is to blame - if anyone.Â
You can listen to the full episode here:
Plus check out the excellent back catalogue of Token Skeptic shows.
61% of Brits admit to 'dual-screeningâ with 77% of Brits influenced by trends they see on TV
New research from eBay also reveals that Brits are glued to their TV screens throughout the festive period
Christmas time is here and boy do we use it as the perfect excuse to watch the telly.
So much so that research from one of the worldâs largest online marketplaces eBay has backed up this thought with facts.
Source: Mirror, 13th December 3013
Christmas is just around the corner, and with it comes the chance to relax in front of some festive classics on the telly, and enjoy a little traditional TV. However, while the programs may be classics, the way we're viewing them is ultra-modern - what with our inability to put away the smartphones and tablets for even a moment.
Don't just take the word of the Mirror journalist who says this is the case - the story has even been backed up by facts! That Danny Walker of the Mirror believes it rare and impressive that a story is supported by facts presumably speaks volumes about the veracity of the average output of the publication once owned by Robert Maxwell.
Still, this story does have facts - facts provided by the company behind the story: eBay.
eBay spokesman, Steven Heywood, says; âSmartphones and tablets have shaped the way we shop and the rise of âdual-screeningâ has created a direct correlation between what we are watching on TV and the purchases we are making.
"The phenomenon means these shows are not only dominating our TV screens but also our shopping basketsâ
So, just because you're watching Eric and Ernie skip away from the camera for the umpteenth time, there's no excuse not to be following those last minute auctions just as closely, according to eBay.
O Come All Ye Forgetful: Eight in ten Brits don't know the words to traditional carols
Some of our most treasured Christmas carols are at risk of disappearing, as more than eight in 10 Brits admit to not knowing the words to most British classics.
A seasonal survey has revealed that 85% of us donât know the full lyrics to festive favourites such as Away in a Manger, Silent Night, The Holly and the Ivy, Good King Wenceslas or Hark the Herald Angels Sing.
Just five per cent of people polled stated that they were confident they could sing every word of a Christmas carol with an honest one in 10 stating they would mime or hum along to words they were unsure of.
Itâs believed a declining number of churchgoers combined with the increasing availability of modern music were two of the main reasons behind the lack of recall.
Source: Daily Mail, 12th December 2013
Christmas is coming, and with it the endless stream of carol singers knocking on your door before launching into out-of-tune renditions of barely-remembered traditional songs. In fact, research from the Daily Mail reveals we're all completely unaware of how a carol song should actually sound - with most of us having only a passing familiarity with the lyrics.
It's important and revelatory research, I'm sure you'll agree, so I hope you'll join me in giving three cheers to the company behind the research - fellow visitors to the doorstep of life:
According the survey by free delivery website FreeDeliveryLand.co.uk common mistakes include: âThe cattle are mooingâ rather than âlowingâ, âBearing gifts we travel so farâ rather than âtraverse afarâ and, âGood king Wencles last looked outâ instead of âWenceslas looked out.â
Not every story has to have a big reveal - sometimes, it's enough for a takeaway company to use Christmas carols to get a little headline attention.Â
Where were you when it hit, on Saturday 14th December? In years to come, survivors will tell tales of their bravery, and of the tragedy of those who failed to survive 'Shoppergeddon':
Christmas shoppers beware! Stores will be at their busiest at 1.55pm tomorrow as 'Shoppergeddon' phenomenon strikes
Frenzied festive shopping reaches fever pitch two weekends before Christmas, according to new research.
The study revealed that the so-called Shoppergeddon phenomenon will fall this Saturday 14 December at exactly 1.55pm.Â
The moment is set to be the busiest and most stressful time on British high streets as people rush to get their Christmas shopping done.
The survey also revealed that nearly a third of us will experience anger while shopping tomorrow due to overcrowding on our streets, while more than a quarter confess they get 'pavement rage' due to the overwhelming flow of people traffic.
Source: Daily Mail, 13th December 2013
Yes, in case you hadn't heard, Christmas is just around the corner - and with it comes the abject carnage that last-minute Christmas shopping can represent. Â This particular tale from the Mail highlights just how busy things were predicted to be on Saturday 14th, with the entire nation taking to their local high street to pick up a late gift.Â
The research was commissioned by local product finder app Udozi to mark the launch of its 'Pavement Code' video, spoofing the popular 1970s Green Cross Code adverts.
Udozi, you may recall, are the price comparison website for high street stores - so it's fair to say they have an interest in getting people out onto the streets this Christmas. Their interest is made even more transparent by their helpful spokesperson:
A spokesperson said: 'As we get closer to Christmas, it's no surprise that high streets are going to be busier than ever at weekends.Â
'But as the shops get increasingly more crowded, it can be difficult to find what you want - and busy pavements can make things even more stressful. So remember to plan your route before you go out and use services that let you reserve items, so you won't be disappointed if what you need isn't in stock.'
So, with Udozi finding that shopping rage set to send us all to 'shoppergeddon', it's more important than ever to pay attention to what Udozi say and do, say Udozi.
Scientists reveal formula for a perfect Christmas dinner
SERVING up the perfect Christmas dinner is a fine art... but it is all to do with science, claim experts
They have come up with a formula for the yuletide spread with optimum amounts of poultry, stuffing, crispy potatoes and seasonal veg.
Psychologists Dr David Lewis and Dr Margaret Yufera-Leitch say careful measuring may be the difference between feeling stuffed or pleasantly satisfied due to the best combination of protein and amino acids, carboÂhydrates and vitamins commonly found in Christmas dinner ingredients.
Source: Express, 13th December 2013
Christmas is just around the corner, and with it the annual stress over getting that family meal just right. Fortunately, research published in the Daily Express (by Nathan Rao, who potentially contributed barely a word to it) has the answer to your prayers: a scientific formula to follow.
Admittedly, if your prayers involve a scientific formula published in the Express and Daily Mail, to guide your Christmas Dinner preparations... well, you have a very curious idea of religion. But, I guess, evidence that yours is the one true god, so, y'know, Mazel Tov.
First things first - just how scientific is this article? Well, it'll come as little surprise to you to find the scientist behind this is one David Lewis - founder of neuro-marketing company Mindlab International, and no stranger to this very blog. David has appeared in the press a number of times over the last few years, often (in my opinion) trading his scientific legitimacy in for publicity.
Personally, I find this deeply problematic - not least given that many people's only experience of science is what they see in the newspapers. Stories such as this paint a skewed view of what legitimate science is, portraying scientists as little more than zany stereotypes, conducting silly work. Which leads to comments like this, from the Daily Mail story:
Really! I'm sure the science community has better things to do than spend time on this!! It's the one time of the year when your definitely allowed to have a few extra spuds!
What the commenter - and many like him - doesn't realise is that it's likely no real science was done in the name of this article. Rather, a company looking to garner some attention in the press found an academic willing to lend their name - and with it, the legitimacy of their profession - to what is in essence an advert.
Which leads us to the company behind this story:
The perfect plate was created for Aldi by TV food psychologist, Dr David Lewis, of Channel 4's Secret Eaters and eating expert Dr Margaret Yufera-Leitch...
An Aldi spokesperson added: 'Everyone likes to treat themselves at Christmas but the traditional turkey dinner is the one meal where people feel most pressured that everything should be perfect...
'By shopping at Aldi, families really can relax knowing that they are serving top quality, award-winning foods without breaking the bank.'
And by hiring scientists like David Lewis, Aldi can secure legitimate-seeming stories in at least two national newspapers, without breaking the bank.
Mistletoe and whine: 3.18pm on Christmas Day is the peak time for festive fall-outs (and it's usually over the TV remote and Monopoly)
Christmas is supposed to a time for goodwill to all men but if the latest research is anything to go by, harmony wonât last long for two thirds of British families who say they wonât get through December 25th squabble-free.Â
With the family gathered around to enjoy the big day, tempers are most likely to fray at 3.18pm - just one hour after Christmas dinner is served, according to one in six families.Â
In fact, of those families who say a bit of bickering is on the cards, nearly half (45 per cent) will have rowed before theyâve polished off their Christmas pudding.
Source: Daily Mail, 11th December 2013
Christmas is just around the corner, and with it the chance to appreciate those you love.
However, not everything is rosy in the yuletide world, because that special time with your family can soon turn into a festive feud, if the latest research published in the Daily Mail is to be believed (come on, you know the drill by now).
A spokesperson for Vouchercodes.co.uk, who commissioned the survey, said: 'Christmas is one of the best times of the year to spend quality time with the family, but pulling it all together can be quite stressful at times.Â
And what does a company specialising in distributing vouchers for online shopping have to gain from all this?
'A good tip to ensure you stay as calm as possible is to simply plan ahead. Stay organised this Christmas and save time by doing your shopping online. Youâll not only avoid those stress-inducing long in-store queues, but save a lot of money too.Â
'When it comes to the day itself, create a list of agreed tasks for the day such as washing-up and prepping dinner, to ensure everyone knows what job they have, avoiding any quarrelling over chores that can really put a dampener on your festivities.'
Merry Christmas, from everyone at Vouchercodes.co.uk!
Women spend 13 hours finding the perfect Christmas present for husbands... who only spend FOUR hours on them in return
Christmas might be a time of giving, but it seems women are spending more time pondering what exactly to give than men are. At least when it comes to those who have children.
Mothers dedicate 13 hours and 23 minutes to choosing their partner the perfect presents, while fathers are only willing to spend four hours and 10 minutes on the task.
Perhaps as a result, over half of mothers (57 per cent) confess to being disappointed with Christmas gifts given by their husbands or boyfriends, and a quarter of them are now frantically dropping hints so as not to risk another poor show this year.
Source: Daily Mail, 10th December 2013
Christmas is just around the corner, and with it comes the opportunity to shower your special someone with affection, attention, and (most importantly) gifts. However, some of us are better at buying gifts than others - with men bringing up the rear, present-wise, due to their naturally lazy and unthoughtful nature.
It's actually quite a shame that men are so unequivocally useless, given how much effort women put into Christmas. Men ought to be ashamed of themselves, and ought to find some kind of way to raise their game when it comes to shopping for gifts...
Even more depressingly, one in ten women will be expected to wrap all of the presents that go under the tree... even their own, according to a survey of 1,000 mums and dads by Littlewoods...
To help men out, Littlewoods have compiled a list of what mothers really want, and it's topped with jewellery, perfume and handbags.
Oh, thank god for that then! Thank you, Littlewoods, for coming up with the perfect solution to the problem your own research convinced us exists.
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