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30 years ago, Tarantino’s Pulp Fiction shook Hollywood and redefined ‘cool’ cinema

<a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/ben-mccann-398197">Ben McCann</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-adelaide-1119">University of Adelaide</a> What might be the most seismic moment in American cinema? Film “speaking” for the first time in <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8SzltpkGz0M">The Jazz Singer</a>? Dorothy <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F4eQmTizTSo">entering</a> the Land of Oz? That <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yw_D3a2pZtk">menacing shark</a> that in 1975 invented the <a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/the-history-of-the-blockbuster-movie/">summer blockbuster</a>? Or how about that moment when two hitmen on their way to a job began talking about the intricacies of European fast food while listening to Kool & The Gang? <figure><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/2j_A6e-VESk?wmode=transparent&start=0" width="440" height="260" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></figure> Directed by Quentin Tarantino, <a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0110912/">Pulp Fiction</a> (1994) celebrates its 30th birthday this month. Watching it now, this story of a motley crew of mobsters, drug dealers and lowlifes in sunny Los Angeles still feels startlingly new. Widely regarded as Tarantino’s masterpiece, the director’s dazzling second film was considered era-defining for its memorable dialogue, innovative narrative structure and unique blend of humour and violence. It was nominated for seven Academy Awards, made stars of Samuel L. Jackson and Uma Thurman, and revitalised John Travolta’s career. Pulp Fiction is dark, often poignant, and very funny. It is, as one critic <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/film/2015/apr/13/my-favourite-cannes-winner-pulp-fiction">describes it</a>, an “intravenous jab of callous madness, black comedy and strange unwholesome euphoria”. <h2>A Möbius strip plot</h2> Famous for its non-linear narrative, Pulp Fiction weaves together <a href="https://thescriptlab.com/features/main/1457-structure-of-pulp-fiction-method-in-the-madness/">a trio of connected crime stories</a>. The three chapters – Vincent Vega and Marsellus Wallace’s Wife, The Gold Watch and The Bonnie Situation – loop, twist and intersect but, crucially, never confuse the viewer. Tarantino has often paid tribute to French filmmakers <a href="https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/jean-luc-godard-quentin-tarantino-ultimate-hero/">Jean-Luc Godard</a> and <a href="https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/director-deeply-inspired-quentin-tarantino/">Jean-Pierre Melville</a>, whose earlier films also presented their narratives out of chronological order and modified the rules of the crime genre. By inviting audiences to piece Pulp Fiction together like a puzzle, Tarantino laid the way for subsequent achronological films such as Memento (2000), Go (1999) and Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels (1998). <h2>Pop culture meets postmodernism</h2> In his influential essay Postmodernism, or the Cultural Logic of Late Capitalism, first published in 1984, political theorist Frederic Jameson coined the term “<a href="https://literariness.org/2016/04/04/fredric-jamesons-concept-of-depthlessness/">new depthlessness</a>” to describe postmodern culture. Jameson perceived a shift away from the depth, meaning and authenticity that characterised earlier forms of culture, towards a focus on surface and style. Pulp Fiction <a href="http://moviemezzanine.com/the-eyes-behind-the-mask-pulp-fiction-and-postmodernity-20-years-later/">fits</a> Jameson’s definition of depthlessness. It is stuffed with homages to popular culture and a vivid array of character types drawn from other B-movies – hitmen, molls, mob bosses, double-crossing boxers, traumatised war veterans and tuxedo-wearing “fixers”. It is a film of surfaces and <a href="https://wiki.tarantino.info/index.php/Pulp_Fiction_Movie_References_Guide">allusions</a>. Jackson, Travolta and Thurman feature alongside established 1990s box-office stars including Bruce Willis and industry stalwarts Harvey Keitel and Christopher Walken, both of whom have brief but memorable cameos. The film’s most iconic scene takes place at the retro 1950s-themed Jack Rabbit Slim’s diner. Thurman’s twist contest with Travolta fondly echoes Travolta’s earlier dancing in Saturday Night Fever (1977) and pays homage to other dance scenes in films such as 8 ½ (1963) and Band of Outsiders (1964). <h2>Words and music</h2> Film critic Roger Ebert <a href="https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/great-movie-pulp-fiction-1994">once noted</a> how Tarantino’s characters “often speak at right angles to the action”, giving long speeches before getting on with the job at hand. Pulp Fiction is full of witty and quotable monologues and dialogue, ranging from the philosophical to the mundane. Conversations about foot massages and blueberry pie bump up against Bible verses and reflections on fate and redemption. The film’s 1995 Oscar for Best Original Screenplay was a fitting achievement for Tarantino, who many regard as <a href="https://medium.com/word-garden/tarantinos-conversations-are-the-best-in-movie-history-this-is-why-52e06de4f773">the snappiest writer</a> in film history. Countless other filmmakers have looked to replicate Pulp Fiction’s mashup of cool and coarse. <figure><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/S6Vuj8tF-kk?wmode=transparent&start=0" width="440" height="260" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></figure> Needle drops are <a href="https://medium.com/cuepoint/the-music-of-pulp-fiction-8a13a7cdb5a8">just as important</a> in establishing Pulp Fiction’s mood and tone. The film’s eclectic soundtrack pings between surf rock, soul and classic rock ‘n’ roll. The soundtrack peaked at No. 21 on the Billboard 200 in 1994 and stayed in the charts for <a href="https://www.grammy.com/news/how-pulp-fiction-reinvented-the-film-soundtrack-anniversary">more than a year</a>. <h2>Dividing the critics</h2> Though it was officially released in October 1994, Pulp Fiction had already made a stir earlier that by winning the prestigious Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival. Many expected Krzysztof Kieślowski’s Three Colours: Red to take <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/film/2011/nov/09/three-colours-red-cannes">the top prize</a>. Tarantino himself seemed stunned, telling the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tnS5pXQQmR4&t=188s">Cannes audience</a>: “I don’t make the kind of movies that bring people together. I make movies that split people apart.” The film has divided critics ever since. Many adored Pulp Fiction for its intoxicating allure and sheer adrenaline-fuelled pleasure. To this day it maintains a 92% critic score on <a href="https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/pulp_fiction">Rotten Tomatoes</a>. Film critic Todd McCarthy <a href="https://variety.com/1994/film/reviews/pulp-fiction-1200437049/">called it</a> a film “bulging with boldness, humour and diabolical invention”. But the backlash was equally robust. <a href="https://www.newstatesman.com/culture/2014/10/pulp-fiction-bad-film">Some</a> criticised the film for its excessive gore and irresponsible use of racial slurs. Screenwriting guru Syd Field <a href="https://sydfield.com/syd_resources/pulp-fiction/">felt</a> it was too shallow and too talky. Jean-Luc Godard, once one of Tarantino’s idol, apparently <a href="https://www.worldofreel.com/blog/2022/12/0eav5zg509ajlqjg9xc8em2m3xrorw">hated it</a>. Nonetheless, its financial success (a <a href="https://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt0110912/">box office return</a> of US$213 million from an $8 million budget) signalled the growing importance and cultural prestige of independent US films. Miramax, the studio that backed it, went on to <a href="https://www.google.com.au/books/edition/Down_and_Dirty_Pictures/aXn_CwAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=down+and+dirty+pictures,+biskind&printsec=frontcover">become</a> a major force in the industry. <h2>A lasting legacy</h2> Shortly after Pulp Fiction’s release, the word “Tarantinoesque” <a href="https://www.oed.com/dictionary/tarantinoesque_adj">appeared</a> in the Oxofrd English Dictionary. The entry reads: <blockquote> Resembling or imitative of the films of Quentin Tarantino; characteristic or reminiscent of these films Tarantino’s films are typically characterised by graphic and stylized violence, non-linear storylines, cineliterate references, satirical themes, and sharp dialogue. </blockquote> Pulp Fiction has since been parodied and knocked off countless times. Hollywood suddenly began <a href="http://www.tasteofcinema.com/2016/the-10-worst-copycat-films-of-pulp-fiction/">mass-producing low-budget crime thrillers</a> with witty, self-reflexive dialogue. Things to Do in Denver When You’re Dead (1995), 2 Days In The Valley (1996) and Very Bad Things (1998) are just some example. Graffiti artist Bansky even <a href="https://banksyexplained.com/pulp-fiction-2004/">stencilled</a> the likeness of Jules and Vincent all over London, with bananas in place of guns. The Simpsons <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4u6wR_2S4xQ">got in on the act</a> too. <figure><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/4u6wR_2S4xQ?wmode=transparent&start=0" width="440" height="260" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></figure> Tarantino <a href="https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/profile-hollywood-s-hitman-quentin-tarantino-a-sadist-or-just-a-stylist-david-thomson-on-the-boywonder-director-of-pulp-fiction-1444551.html">once summed up</a> his working method as follows: <blockquote> Ultimately all I’m trying to do is merge sophisticated storytelling with lurid subject matter. I reckon that makes for an entertaining night at the movies. </blockquote> I’d say there’s no better way to describe Pulp Fiction.<img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/236877/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/ben-mccann-398197">Ben McCann</a>, Associate Professor of French Studies, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-adelaide-1119">University of Adelaide</a> Image credits: Miramax This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/30-years-ago-tarantinos-pulp-fiction-shook-hollywood-and-redefined-cool-cinema-236877">original article</a>.

Movies

Big hair? Bald? How much difference your hair really makes to keep you cool or warm

<a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/theresa-larkin-952095">Theresa Larkin</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-wollongong-711">University of Wollongong</a> We have <a href="https://theconversation.com/health-check-why-does-womens-hair-thin-out-39126">millions</a> of hair follicles on our body, including around 100,000 on our scalp. This might sound like a lot of hair, yet humans are described as “hairless”. We have evolved to be the only mammals with a relatively hairless body, but still with scalp hair. So how does your hair affect your body temperature when it’s hot or cold? Compared with other animals, our hair does not have as much influence on keeping us warm or cool as you might think. <h2>Essential to our survival</h2> Our brain function and body’s metabolism depend on an optimal temperature of around 37℃. Thermoregulation maintains this body temperature, even when we are exposed to a hotter or colder external temperature. For non-human mammals, body hair or fur plays a role in protecting against environmental cold or heat. For instance, a heavy fur coat helps keep a polar bear <a href="https://polarbearsinternational.org/polar-bears-changing-arctic/polar-bear-facts/adaptions-characteristics/">warm</a> in the cold. But fur also keeps an animal cool in the heat because it can <a href="https://www.jstor.org/stable/25064866">absorb or reflect</a> radiant heat. Scientists think this is why humans have kept hair on our heads. Our heads are exposed to the most heat from the sun, and scalp hair keeps our heads cool. Research published just last week <a href="https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2301760120">suggests</a> curly hair provides the best heat protection. That’s because curly hair’s thicker layer of insulation reduces the amount of sun that reaches the scalp. <h2>But hair is not the only factor</h2> When humans moved from living in the jungle to the savannah, they needed to walk and run long distances in the sun. This meant they needed a way to handle the increased body temperature that comes with physical activity in the heat. Sweating is the best way to lose heat and cool down, but the presence of hair reduces sweating and heat loss from the skin. So humans evolved to <a href="https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.1113915108">lose body hair</a> to be better adapted to exercising in the heat. Fewer hair follicles in our skin made room for more sweat glands. This made our skin optimal for sweat evaporation – and the <a href="https://theconversation.com/want-to-keep-cool-on-hot-summer-days-heres-how-34489">heat loss</a> that goes with it – to keep us cool. <h2>So what’s best in the heat?</h2> You might think removing body hair or having a bald head is best for sweating and keeping cool when exercising in the heat. However, it’s not that simple. Removing head hair would increase the <a href="https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2301760120">amount of sun</a> that reaches your scalp. This means you would need to <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20683812/">sweat more</a> during exercise in the sun to reduce an increase in body temperature, but not by much. In fact, it’s the <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4667044/#:%7E:text=The%20body%20hair%20is%20advantageous,heat%20removal%20during%20heat%20stress.">least hairy</a> areas of our body that have the highest sweat rates during exercise. These are our forehead, neck, feet and hands. So the best way to keep cool in the heat is to keep these areas uncovered (but still use sunscreen). Removing body hair will not have a large impact on your overall sweat rate. <h2>How about when it’s cold?</h2> Our body hair and head hair theoretically have a role in keeping us warm, but the effects are minimal. When we are cold, the muscles of the hair follicles on the body contract to cause the hairs to stand straight. This is an attempt to trap heat close to the body and we see this as goosebumps. However, because our body hair is so thin, this does not have a big effect in keeping us warm. Our head hair can prevent some heat loss from the head, but again this is limited. When it’s cold, heat can still be lost through the <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4667044/#:%7E:text=The%20body%20hair%20is%20advantageous,heat%20removal%20during%20heat%20stress.">skin of the head</a> regardless of your hairstyle. The scalp also has only a very thin layer of fat compared to the rest of our skin, so our head has less insulation to protect against the cold. A warm hat or beanie is the only way to prevent too much heat lost from the head. <h2>In a nutshell</h2> Our head and body hair, or lack of it, does have a small role in how you maintain your body temperature. But overall, your hairstyle does not influence whether you feel warm or cool.<img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/201380/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/theresa-larkin-952095">Theresa Larkin</a>, Associate professor of Medical Sciences, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-wollongong-711">University of Wollongong</a> Image credits: Shutterstock This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/big-hair-bald-how-much-difference-your-hair-really-makes-to-keep-you-cool-or-warm-201380">original article</a>.

Beauty & Style

How to keep your pets cool in the heat

Now that the weather is warm, extra precautions in the sun are necessary not just for yourself, but for your furry companion. Try these useful tips to help keep Fido and Fluffy safe and cool in the heat all summer long. Give them a trim – If your pet has long hair, consider grooming them seasonally, as shorter hair makes a big difference in their overall temperature. Keep water handy – If you leave the house with your pet, always be sure to have water on you as well as a receptacle from which they can drink to keep your pet cool and hydrated. You can even set up a kiddy pool in your backyard for your dog to play in. Look for shade – If you’re out with your dog midday, try to avoid direct sunlight by locating a shady area for a rest. Follow their lead – If you dog or cat seems most content to stay indoors and enjoy the air conditioning, let them. They can tell if it’s too hot outside for them. Time it right – Avoid going out midday when possible, and take your dog for walks during the mornings and evenings instead. Never leave them in the car – Many animals die every year because irresponsible owners leave them in a car, leading to over-heating. Even if the day seems moderate in temperature, a car can still heat up drastically due to solar heat beaming in through the windows. If you’ll be leaving your car alone, leave your pet at home. Act according to breed – If your pet has a flat-shaped face, such as a pug or Persian cat, they are especially susceptible to the heat as they are unable to cool down through panting as effectively as other breeds can. If in doubt, bring them inside where it is cooler. Image credit: Shutterstock

Family & Pets

Is Eurovision finally cool? That depends on your definition – ‘cool theory’ expert explain

<a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/vanessa-brown-142590">Vanessa Brown</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/nottingham-trent-university-1338">Nottingham Trent University</a> With an aesthetic dependent on novelty and spectacle, and a structure that’s both disjointed and drawn-out, Eurovision – for some – cannot fail to fail. In its “failed seriousness” (the phrase writer Susan Sontag <a href="https://www.artandobject.com/news/what-camp-met-tries-define-ineffable">used to describe “camp”</a>), the song contest has all the exaggerated expressiveness that audiences associate with kitsch. So, how could it possibly be cool? I’m interested in viewing the show through the lens of <a href="https://irep.ntu.ac.uk/id/eprint/45239/1/1507168_Brown.pdf">cool theory</a> (which identifies different kinds of cool and breaks those down into core qualities). “Coolness” itself is a <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/14797585.2021.2000837">slippery and controversial term</a> that can mean almost opposing things. For some, “cool” is simply what is fashionable. It can also be a rebellion against what is fashionable. Or an anti-social attitude in which nothing and no one else matters beyond your own stylish persona. Indeed Sam Ryder – the UK’s near-win Eurovision act of 2022 whose high energy performance combined epic, earnest vocals with flowing natural locks, pearly teeth and a bejewelled one-piece – told the Guardian in 2022 that cool is “<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2022/may/19/cool-is-the-enemy-eurovision-hero-sam-ryder-on-how-he-ditched-his-ego-and-found-his-joy">the enemy</a>”. The profile of Ryder claimed he had no interest in the “detached rock star” exterior. This refers to the sense of unwillingness of “cool” musicians to have their dignity compromised by other people’s rules – an unwillingness to be caught making an effort. But Eurovision is all about effort. A publicised drama of rehearsals and heats, nervous waving and nail biting in the green room – the performers are just generally far too eager. Because whether it’s death metal or pared back electronica, being liked is what these musicians are here for. <figure><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/RZ0hqX_92zI?wmode=transparent&start=0" width="440" height="260" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe><figcaption>Sam Ryder’s 2022 Eurovision performance.</figcaption></figure> On the other hand, it’s hard to imagine the uber-cool 1960s <a href="https://www.loudersound.com/features/krautrock-communism-and-chaos-the-anarchic-story-of-can">krautrock band Can</a> giving two hoots what a jury in Brussels would make of their genre-defining understated rock. Nor the jazz men Miles Davis, Charlie Parker or Lester Young, who set the parameters of cool performance with their sharp, formal attire and <a href="https://www.bloomsbury.com/uk/cool-shades-9780857854643/">refusal to acknowledge the audience</a>. <h2>What kind of ‘cool’ is Eurovision?</h2> Although the performers of Eurovision aren’t detached, the audience can be. Sociologist Janna Michael’s <a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/1469540513493206?journalCode=joca">2015 study</a> of European urban hipsters revealed that the point of cool is not what is liked, so much as how it is liked. This goes some way to explaining Eurovision’s appeal. Since the 1980s, Eurovision has been presented (certainly in Britain) as something to enjoy in a specifically detached way, through irony. From 1973 to 2008, former commentator Terry Wogan’s flippant narration allowed the audience to collude in a knowing superiority over the event, finding its failed seriousness funny. The cult following of Eurovision among those with a camp sensibility was further endorsed by the appointment of comedian Graham Norton as Wogan’s more obviously camp successor. Do these fans love Eurovision because they enjoy the catharsis of the unabashed release of “bad taste”? Or because they enjoy feeling superior to those people (and nations) who genuinely engage with the drama of the competition? This is a side of <a href="https://www.abebooks.co.uk/9780719066153/Kitsch-Cultural-Politics-Taste-Ruth-0719066158/plp">cool’s ironic detachment that celebrates disdain for others</a>. However, many British fans now speak enthusiastically about the tolerance and openness of Eurovision. As <a href="https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/showbiz-news/eurovisions-rylan-clark-blown-away-26873868">host Rylan Clark said this year</a>: “Everyone is welcome.” In recent years Eurovision has become more obviously and consciously open to gender diversity and aligned to LGBTQ+ tastes. This was crystallised by bearded Austrian drag queen Conchita’s winning performance in 2014. The <a href="https://metro.co.uk/2023/05/11/eurovision-alesha-dixon-and-hannah-waddingham-turned-into-drag-queens-18770837/">drag makeovers given to all three semi-final hosts this year</a> confirmed the contest’s status as a space which endorses self-creation, individuality and tolerance – all aspects of the cool attitude. <h2>Becoming mainstream</h2> In the past, scholars of the theory of coolness have often focused too heavily on men and masculine, emotionally blank forms of “cool”, with composure and self-possession at their heart. Though this brand of cool is eloquently expressed in jazz, it is also visible in the consummate performer of drag. Thanks to the popularity of shows such as RuPaul’s Drag Race, drag – once enjoyed purely in LGBTQ+ subcultures – is now mainstream entertainment. This is perhaps one reason Eurovision has suddenly become perceived as “cool” <a href="https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/06/120607180110.htm">by some</a>. But experiences of exclusion and marginalisation have historically been the conditions in which modern cool has been forged. The very fact that Eurovision has been viewed for decades as a cultural white elephant, a place of almost inconsequential melodrama, gives it the potential to be resurrected as cool. Liking Eurovision was once an anti-mainstream position. This gave the show the potential to become “cool”, through both its exaggeration of qualities seen as undesirable by dominant social tastes, and its willingness to push the boundaries of convention, despite the detractors. The concept of cool is complicated – and it is changing. Indeed, <a href="https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/06/120607180110.htm">some recent studies</a> have shown that perception of coolness is connected to activism and pro-social traits. Eurovision may seem like sparkly fluff, but perhaps now more than ever, it is also a vehicle for promoting greater acceptance of other ways of life. It’s all cool.<img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/205600/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/vanessa-brown-142590">Vanessa Brown</a>, Course Leader MA Culture, Style and Fashion, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/nottingham-trent-university-1338">Nottingham Trent University</a> Image credits: Getty Images This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/is-eurovision-finally-cool-that-depends-on-your-definition-cool-theory-expert-explains-205600">original article</a>.

Music

Readers Respond: What was considered ‘cool’ for a child to have when you were younger?

We all do it… sit there and reminisce about the good ol’ days. What we used to do for fun, how times were simpler back then and what was SO COOL to have as a child. We asked the OverSixty team what they considered COOL for a child while growing up and one said owning a Discman portable CD player, another said Heely shoes (the ones with a wheel) and another said scoobies (I am not explaining this). Now it’s your turn to tell us what you considered to be COOL for a child back when you were younger. Check out your responses below. Anne Smyth - A white ‘proper’ suitcase. God knows why because I didn’t go anywhere except my cousins in Frankston. I thought it was the bees knees! Deb Van Daal - A pump up scooter. Didn’t have one. Bless I got a hard tyred scooter from the tip done up instead. Oh dear, never let my mum and dad forget it. I survived by the way. Rae Scott - A sled to ride down the hill near our house. We made them ourselves out of timber we scrounged. Also I would have loved a pair of rubber thongs but our mother couldn’t afford six pairs. Julia Santos - I am the 9th of 11 children so having new clothes was waaaaaay cool. Also, having an outfit for every day of the week was cool. And shoes that actually fit. We were very poor. But very rich in love and family togetherness. Corinne Ridley - Roller skates was my dream, which I did eventually get, but in those days, anything you got was greatly appreciated! Jenny Robertson - My brother and I loved our scooters which we thought were really cool. Vicki Patterson - Slinkies, happy pants, hypercolour t-shirts, Super Mario, skateboards, and your own bike. I didn't have most of these though. Jo Dippel - A dolla and doll’s pram, pedal car, scouter, bike, cowboy and girl outfits and a Davy Crockett hat Noelene O'Donnell - No matter what it was my mum couldn’t afford it but I never felt deprived and my best friend had everything so I still got to play with it all. Lynda Richardson - Mum and dad bought me a 3 wheeler for my 5th or 6th birthday, I still have it as is good condition, my younger sister used it all my nieces and nephews as well, and my children. Share your cool stories <a href="https://www.facebook.com/oversixtys/posts/3300929490137314" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>. Image: Shutterstock

Retirement Life

"Selfie for the archives": Kate and William's hilarious Cool Runnings moment

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are continuing their tour in the Caribbean for the Queen's Platinum Jubilee. After landing in Kingston on Tuesday, hundreds of locals turned out to meet the couple, despite them having arrived amid anti-monarchy protests on the island, as the government begins paperwork to remove the Queen as head of state. William and Kate even put their usual "no selfie" rule aside to pose for a pic with members of the Jamaica Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation, much to their delight. Enjoying their amazing Cool Runnings moment, Kate and William royals climbed into one of the history-making bobsleighs. "I had the honour of being introduced to the Duke and Duchess. It's great they came," Chris Stokes one of the men who competed at the 1988 Calgary Winter Olympics made famous in the movie, told reporters. After the federation shared the image on its social media, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge's account re-shared the image on an Instagram Story, captioning the image: "Selfie for the archives". Both William and Kate were seen laughing as the Duchess appeared to make an impromptu decision to get into the back of the capsule, despite her outfit. The Duke spoke with members of the Winter Olympics team, who finished 28th in the recent Beijing Games, and was surprised to hear the bobsleighs can reach speeds of 150km/h. The Duke and Duchess also met with Jamaican-born footballers, two of whom now play in the English Premier League - Manchester City's Raheem Sterling and Aston Villa's Leon Bailey. When Prince William, who is president of the Football Association, met Sterling and Bailey, he reportedly said to his wife: "Two heroes of mine. These two are the fastest in the team". Images: Instagram/JBSFed and Getty

International Travel

Five Aussie swimming spots to cool down in

Though Australia might be known as a sunburnt country, it is home to plenty of idyllic spots where you can beat the heat.Whether you’re looking to plan your next summer holiday or a short day trip, these five locations are perfect candidates to add to your trip itinerary.1. Greens Pools, William Bay National Park, Western Australia<img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/02/green-pools.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" />Image: Tourism Western AustraliaFound on the edge of Williams Bay National Park and just 15 kilometres west of the town of Denmark, Greens Pools is famed for its white sands and turquoise green waters.The pool is protected from the Southern Ocean by surrounding granite boulders, and is especially popular during summer.2. Kingfisher Pool, Heathcote National Park, New South Wales<img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/02/kingfisher-pool.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" />Image: NSW National Parks and Wildlife ServiceKingfisher Pool is one of the closest natural pools to Sydney, located at the end of a 1.5 kilometre walk through Heathcote National Park.The freshwater stream is lined with Gymea lilies, tea trees and waxflowers, and is a prime spot for enjoying a dip or even birdwatching.3. Millaa Millaa Falls, Queensland<img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/02/millaa-millaa.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" />Image: Atherton TablelandsCascading into a pristine waterhole surrounded by lush rainforest, Millaa Milla Falls is a perfectly serene spot to enjoy a refreshing swim.Located on the Waterfalls Circuit in the Atherton Tablelands Area in tropical northern Queensland, the falls are just over 1.5 hours away from Cairns.4. Wineglass Bay, Freycinet National Park, Tasmania<img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/02/wineglass-bay.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" />Image: Tourism TasmaniaThough you’ll have to hike through the Hazards, a mountain range in the Freycinet National Park, to get there, the pristine beach of Wineglass Bay is well-worth the effort.Surrounded by pink granite cliffs within the Freycinet Peninsula, its beach is considered one of the best beaches in the world.5. Ormiston Gorge, West MacDonnell Ranges National Park, Northern Territory<img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/02/orniston-gorge.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" />Image: @westmacdonnellnationalpark (Instagram)Located 135 kilometres west of Alice Springs, the Ormiston Gorge boasts a waterhole that is accessible year-round and perfect for swimming, especially in the warmer months.The national park is also home to a plethora of native plants and animals, and the waterhole is surrounded by walking tracks where visitors can soak up the views.Image: Parks Tasmania

Domestic Travel

Jacinda Ardern’s cool response to car chase by anti-vaxxers

Jacinda Ardern, Prime Minister of New Zealand, appeared unbothered by a car chase she was involved in that saw anti-vaxxers pursuing the van she was in, forcing it onto a kerb. Footage of the chase has recently gone viral online, showing a group of anti-vaccination activists use their own vehicles to attempt to block Ardern in the Bay of Islands. The group can be heard shouting abuse at Ardern’s vehicle as officers with the Diplomatic Protection Service stood guard. One shouted, “Shame on you!” while another shouted, “We do not consent”. Another protestor claimed Ardern was “hiding in the van”, calling her a “wussy” and a “Nazi”. The video also shows the vehicle attempting to pull on to the main road, taking to the footpath to avoid a car attempting to block it in. A woman in one of the cars pursuing it can be heard saying, “Oh this is fun! We‘re on a chase”, while a man says that the group just wanted “a few words” with Ardern. They joked, “We’re in pursuit for the Prime Minister”. Ardern described it as “just another day”, telling reporters, “at no point was I worried about my safety or the safety of anyone that was with me.” She added, “Every day is faced with new and different experiences in this job … We are in an environment at the moment that does have an intensity to it that is unusual for New Zealand. I do also believe that with time it will pass.” She said, “I see that as just being a reflection of the fact that we are the decision makers. And if people don’t like the decisions that are being made, then it’s us that of course will hear the feedback about that.” The chase comes amid a small but notable rise in threats towards public officials involved in New Zealand’s pandemic response, according to police data released to 1News this week. Threats to politicians reached a three-year high in one month last year. Most of the reports, which at times spiked to as many as 16 per month, involved threats aimed at Prime Minister Ardern. Lance Burdett, who protected former Prime Minister Helen Clark, said COVID-19 vaccinations had become a sticking point with a small minority. While close to 95% of adults in New Zealand are now fully vaccinated, some have strongly resisted getting the jab or the mandates that have come with the country’s pandemic response. Image: Mark Mitchell-Pool/Getty Images

Travel Trouble

Health check: Do cold showers cool you down?

It’s normal to feel hot, sweaty and uncomfortable in warm weather, but what’s the best way to cool down? To answer this question, we first need to look at how the body maintains stable internal (core) temperature. We feel uncomfortable at hot environmental (ambient) temperatures because our bodies are striving to maintain a constant core temperature. When the ambient temperature is too high, we engage in reflexive (things our nervous system does without us realising) and behavioural (things we do) adaptations to try to cool ourselves. The discomfort we feel is the motivation for the behavioural adjustments. Many of us just want to jump in a cold shower. So will this help to cool us down? From the physiological perspective, core temperature is what our body is regulating. Small changes in core temperature can quickly lead to illness (such as heat exhaustion, fever and heat stroke). We are not consciously aware of our core body temperature. Although the body has sensors that monitor core body temperature, our perception of temperature comes exclusively from skin temperature sensors (temperature receptors). These allow us to sense if we are cold, comfortable or hot. Human biology is remarkable; we maintain a relatively stable core body temperature over a wide range of ambient temperatures. For instance, core body temperature only differs by 0.5⁰C over a wide ambient temperature range (as wide as <a href="http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs00484-013-0673-8">12-48⁰C</a>). The body’s ability to restrict core temperature to such a tight range means reflexes to control core temperature need to occur before there is an actual change in core temperature. Controlling blood flow to the skin is an important way of controlling internal body temperature. The circulatory system moves blood around the body; it also transports heat around the body, so changing where the blood flows allows the body to determine where the heat goes. With reduced blood flow to the skin, heat is conserved in the body, and with increased blood flow to skin, heat is lost to the environment. In cold environments, there is almost no blood flow to the skin to keep all the heat in (which is why we get frostbite). This is why, when we’re very cold, our skin is pallid and pale. At hot ambient temperatures, skin blood flow can increase to as much as seven litres per minute to try to expel all the heat through the skin. This is <a href="http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMra011089">a 23-fold increase</a> to normal, and about 35% of the total volume of blood volume pumped from the heart. This is why, when we’re hot, we can appear flushed. The exquisite control of blood flow to the skin means there is an optimum ambient temperature (known as thermoneutral), where the body does not engage in any regulatory activity to maintain core temperature. This occurs when the skin blood flow is <a href="http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1566070216300029">about 300mL a minute</a>. Other mechanisms for temperature control are quite different. In cold environments, the body increases heat generation to <a href="http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1566070216300157">maintain core temperature</a>. One method is to move the muscles to heat them up (shivering thermogenesis); another is to speed up metabolism to produce more heat (non-shivering thermogenesis). In hot environments, when air temperature is higher than skin temperature (above roughly 33⁰C), heat loss only takes place with sweating. When sweat evaporates off our skin, it <a href="http://physics.stackexchange.com/questions/255016/evaporation-of-water">has a cooling effect</a>. Sweating, or wet skin, can increase the amount of heat lost from the body by as much as <a href="http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/0013935167900023">ten times</a>. Given free range, animals will spend most of their time in a <a href="http://jap.physiology.org/content/92/6/2667">thermoneutral environment</a>, where they are most comfortable (the comfort zone). Humans are most comfortable (thermoneutral) <a href="http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/0013935167900023">at an ambient temperature of about 28⁰C</a> (and a skin temperature of 29-33⁰C). The further we are away from that temperature (either cold or warm), the more uncomfortable we feel. The verdict Our bodies respond more to changes in skin temperature <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2290547/">than core temperature</a>. So, if we cool part of the body (for instance with a cold sponge, or cold shower), skin blood flow decreases and <a href="https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/physiolsci/57/4/57_4_241/_article">skin temperature falls</a>. Here we “feel” cooler because cold water causes cold temperature receptor activation in the skin. We may also feel more comfortable, as our skin temperature enters the comfort zone. But because there is less blood flowing to the skin, we’ll actually keep more heat inside, thus leading to an unintended overall increase in core temperature. A cold shower to “cool off” might seem a good immediate choice. We feel cooler because of the combination of the cold water and the decreased blood flow to the skin, but in fact our core will get warmer because of reduced heat loss from the body without skin blood flow. Some minutes later, we feel hot again. But a warm sensation on the skin will lead to increased blood flow to the skin, increasing heat loss from the body. So, keeping cool in summer will be more effective with a warm shower (water temperature about 33⁰C) rather than a cold shower (water temperature 20-25⁰C). It will seem warm initially but after a few minutes will provide better comfort in the long term. Written by Yossi Rathner, Joshua Luke Ameliorate and Mark Schier. Republished with permission of <a href="https://theconversation.com/health-check-do-cold-showers-cool-you-down-71004">The Conversation</a>.

Body

“This is so cool”: Serena Williams faces Roger Federer for first time

Roger Federer took the lead in the highly anticipated match against Serena Williams. Federer awarded Switzerland a 1-0 lead with a 6-4 6-1 win over Frances Tiafoe. After a shaky start, Williams managed to post a 4-6 6-4 6-3 win over Belinda Bencic. But with Federer and Williams being the biggest names in tennis, the match was one that fans were looking forward to since it was announced. The fact that the score was tied also added to the anticipation. After losing to Greece in their opening tie, the US needed to beat Switzerland in order to remain in the running for the title. But unfortunately for them, it was Switzerland who came out on top. “I was so excited, and literally it was the match of my career,” said Williams about the match against Federer. “Just playing someone so great, and someone you admire so much, and a match that actually means something – it’s not often that happens. “It was really cool to play someone still in their prime, like me, both in our primes. I’m kind of sad it’s over.” To celebrate the monumental match, the two players took a selfie together after Federer’s win. “I was nervous returning (her serve) because you just don’t know,” Federer said when asked about Williams. “People talk about her serve so much and I see why – it is such a wonderful serve because you just can’t read it, you don’t see it until the very end. “It was great great fun. She is a great champion and you see how focused and determined she is and I love that about her.” With Switzerland winning both their ties, they have earned their spot in the final with victory over Greece on Thursday night.

News

Prince William reveals: “George thinks I’m cool and Charlotte is fashion obsessed!”

The Duke of Cambridge, Prince William, who celebrated his 36th birthday on June 21, has shared the sweetest new anecdotes about his two eldest children, Prince George and Princess Charlotte. Attending the official handover of the newly built Defence and National Rehabilitation Centre (DNRC) in Nottinghamshire in the UK on his birthday, the proud dad explained that four-year-old George thinks he has a cool dad, after seeing him at work on the building site. He joked that his “street cred” skyrocketed after his first-born son saw his dad behind the wheel of a digger during construction of the rebab centre in 2017. <img width="399" height="557" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7819336/screen-shot-2018-06-22-at-44024-pm.png" alt="Screen Shot 2018-06-22 At 4.40.24 Pm"/> “George was very envious as I got to drive a digger… When completed next year, the DNRC will be a world leading centre for rehabilitation. It will provide pioneering treatments,” Prince William said during his official speech about the new centre, which he will be patron of, and will provide rehabilitation facilities for members of the Armed Forces who have suffered injury or trauma during their service. Although it was William’s birthday on the day of the event, and royals have permission to be excused from attending official engagements on their special day, the kind-hearted prince broke with tradition to attend the unveiling. Prince Harry has previously revealed that his nephew has a soft spot for anything with wheels. “I can always hear the wheels of those plastic tractors that George loves playing,” Harry said. <img width="444" height="556" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7819338/screen-shot-2018-06-22-at-44157-pm.png" alt="Screen Shot 2018-06-22 At 4.41.57 Pm (1)"/> When it comes to 3-year-old Charlotte, Prince William revealed that she is taking after her stylish mother and is obsessed with fashion. Attending another event on Tuesday earlier in the week in Liverpool, the Duke was gifted a pink satchel for his daughter, which was embossed with her name – with the design of the bag aptly dubbed ‘Mini-Windsor’. Thanking the makers of the bag, Keith and Gail Hanshaw of Liverpool Echo, Prince William gushed, “Charlotte will be obsessed with that – I’ll never be able to get it off her.”

News

Cooling (alcohol-free) summer cocktails

While a summer cocktail is always enjoyable, there are plenty of occasions where you might want or need to be alcohol-free. These delicious mocktails have all the flavour and deliciousness of their spiked cousins but without any of the hard stuff. Minty mojito Light and refreshing, this minty mojito packs a flavour punch. Makes: 1 Ingredients: <ul> <li>5 sprigs fresh mint</li> <li>2 ripe limes</li> <li>1 tablespoon sugar</li> <li>Sparkling mineral water (amount dependent on glass sizes)</li> <li>Ice</li> </ul> Method: 1. Muddle the mint, sugar and a squeeze of lime in the bottom of your glass. 2. Drop in a couple of ice cubes and squeeze in the juice from one lime. 3. Top with mineral water and add the second lime, cut into wedges. Elderflower fizz Summery and sweet, this elderflower based drink is perfect for hot weather. Makes: 6 Ingredients: <ul> <li>2 tablespoon elderflower cordial</li> <li>1 ½ cups sparkling apple juice</li> <li>1 ½ cups sparkling mineral water</li> <li>3 sprigs mint</li> <li>Ice</li> </ul> Method: 1. Place all ingredients in a large jug and mix to combine. Fruity daiquiri Equally sweet and tart, this ice-cold take on the traditional daiquiri is popular with kids and grown-ups alike! Makes: 6 Ingredients: <ul> <li>½ seedless watermelon, cut into chunks</li> <li>Juice of 2 limes</li> <li>1 cup sparkling mineral water</li> <li>½ cup pure apple juice</li> <li>4 sprigs mint</li> <li>Ice</li> </ul> Method: 1. Combine everything in a high-powered blender and process until smooth and icy. Passionfruit mixer Mellow and yellow, this sweet passionfruit confection is the perfect summer treat. Makes: 1 Ingredients: <ul> <li>1 tablespoon brown sugar</li> <li>1 passionfruit, cut in half</li> <li>¾ cup sparkling mineral water</li> <li>½ cup fresh or bottled pineapple juice</li> <li>½ lime</li> <li>Ice</li> </ul> Directions: 1. Add all ingredients to a cocktail shaker and shake well. Pour out over ice and enjoy.

Food & Wine

Cool cat leads group of Chihuahuas

Who told you that cats and dogs can’t get along? We’ve seen out fair share of cat/ dog duo’s, and even the group of <a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/news/news/2016/01/huskies-befriend-kitten/">Siberian huskies that adopted a kitten as their own</a>, but Ritchie the cat is no adoptee. Meet the plump puss that heads up a pack of little Chihuahua’s in the Yuta family home in Thailand. With over 5,000 pictures and a growing 27,000 followers on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/yutafamily/" target="_blank">Instagram</a>, this family is turning into a domestic animal kingdom. While the pack often poses in sunglasses and costumes, Richie is clearly the most confident, and the group follows him everywhere. Always cool, calm and collected, he seems completely unfazed by the camera. Scroll through the gallery above to see the adorable images. Related links: <a href="/lifestyle/family-pets/2015/09/why-greyhound-make-good-pets/">8 excellent reasons to adopt a greyhound</a> <a href="/lifestyle/family-pets/2015/08/animals-who-love-warm/">In pictures: 12 animals who love warmth more than anything</a> <a href="/lifestyle/family-pets/2015/08/animal-sleeping-buddies/">Unlikely animal sleeping buddies that will melt your heart</a>

News

How to stay cool and save energy this summer

Keep cool this summer and save energy costs by following these simple tips around the house. 1. You don’t have to forgo air-conditioning completely to save on energy bills. Setting your air-con one degree warmer than you normally world can cut costs by 10 per cent. The optimal temperature is between 24 and 25 degrees. 2. Drapes and roller blinds that cover the entire window can reduce heat exchange by almost half. For sun-facing windows, choose light-coloured backings for blinds as they deflect sun heat. 3. Before the heat sets in on a hot day, close windows, draw blinds and close off rooms that are not in use. This will help reduce heating inside. 4. Consider planting trees, wall vines and thick shrubs to provide shade to the house – not just for the windows but walls and roofs as well. A shaded house can cool the home by up to 12 degrees. 5. If planting is not an option, add exterior shades or awnings. This can decrease temperature inside the home by up to three degrees. 6. Open windows or doors on both sides of the home to allow the breeze to flow through. Do this at night if the day is particularly humid and hot. 7. Better insulate your house’s walls and ceilings. Good insulation means cool air is more likely to stay in the house. 8. Skip using the dryer, which will heat up the house, to hang dry clothes. 9. Use a fan instead of the aircon where possible. It goes without saying that it’s a much cheaper than an air-conditioning system. 10. Cook outdoors on the BBQ. The indoor stove or oven can raise kitchen temperatures by up to 10 degrees.

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"Selfie for the archives": Kate and William's hilarious Cool Runnings moment

Five Aussie swimming spots to cool down in

Jacinda Ardern’s cool response to car chase by anti-vaxxers

Health check: Do cold showers cool you down?

“This is so cool”: Serena Williams faces Roger Federer for first time

Prince William reveals: “George thinks I’m cool and Charlotte is fashion obsessed!”

Cooling (alcohol-free) summer cocktails

Cool cat leads group of Chihuahuas

How to stay cool and save energy this summer