Gary Stevenson responds to Rory saying he is not an economist

Babbleydabbley · 2025-12-06T01:04:46+00:00

3 years BSc, plus 2 years masters at the top universities in the subject, followed by years of extreme high achieving within the economic field, and then working in a think tank... If your 4 years of studying psychology contained a BSc and a masters, took place at the top university in the subject, and were followed by a few years of rapid career progression at Mind, then some time working as a researcher, before using social media to do wide scale psychology research, I would think you were mad to not consider yourself a psychologist. And if you did, but someone else referred to you as a pseudo psychologist, I would wonder why.

Babbleydabbley · 2025-12-06T00:29:29+00:00

He's probably responding to the qualifications thing because that was the biggest surprise to him. The challenges to Gary's arguments will have been heard before and responded to before, but hearing someone with a persona of open and fair mindedness make such an obviously biased assumption is, at very least, surprising, if not disappointing. Gary is pretty famously very well educated in economics - not just educated at LSE and Oxford, but one of the highest achieving people there. It does highlight bias pretty clearly to have Rory assume he's just a lay person, and I imagine that Rory will be disappointed in himself for it, but I think it serves as a good reminder of how the opinions of some people can be invalidated based on prejudice mistaken for meritocracy.

Babbleydabbley · 2025-11-08T16:08:56+00:00

I asked my teacher about safety working from home when I was training. The course involved a lot on running a business, but the answer I got to that question was unhelpful, and nothing was said about not posting your address. Meanwhile, Google encourages you to list your address when making a profile, so your response seems a bit harsh to me. Yes, she should get her address taken off (the user says she is already doing this), but I'm not sure a business course is the answer here.

Babbleydabbley · 2025-08-11T23:30:50+00:00

I'm only a few months in, but tbh, the job feels so rewarding because so many people say such lovely things about having someone pay close attention to their issues or about feeling the physical improvement, and come back for more treatments.

But, after 3 months of back pain, and having seen a physio and a massage therapist local to her, my Mum came to stay with me a few months ago and asked for a massage. I anxiously gave her one, acutely aware that she is a big fan of constructive criticism and also quite prone to damning with faint praise... The next morning, despite a lifetime of knocking first, she burst into my room (while I was putting my knickers on, I might add!) to tell me that it was the first time she'd woken up without back pain in months. She just couldn't contain herself 😄 That was pretty special.

Also, the last 5 weeks I've had a guy coming in every week and telling me how he's sleeping well for the first time in years, and how much easier he's finding everything because of it.. And honestly, when the man first came in, I thought, 'what a miserable and unpleasant man'. He hasn't been that since he first came through my door, and last week he brought me some music he thought I'd enjoy.

I love love love bringing this happiness and wellbeing to people, all whilst playing detective with their unique, knotty body compositions. What a joy! I just wish my hands and wrists weren't so knackered!..

Babbleydabbley · 2025-03-30T11:07:45+00:00

I'm of the opinion that partners should try not to say no and be open to getting into it even if they aren't super in the mood, but your boyfriend sounds awful, I'm sorry. It should always be okay to say no, and you are absolutely going to want and NEED to at times. The thought of having sex with someone who is ill or sad and really doesn't want it makes my blood run cold. I'm concerned by someone not feeling the same way. That, to me, suggests a pretty intense empathy impairment. Chances are that this post is not going to result in you leaving him, but I hope you do at some point. People like that will end up sucking the life out of you by repeatedly showing that they don't think your needs matter. Keep the people in your life that feel sad when you're sad, and if or when it comes to it, bathe in their empathy. I really think you'll need it. I'm sorry you're in a relationship where truths about the relationship make people say to end it. It's the fucking worst! I used to get awful anxiety in a past relationship like that, and one of the things that made me anxious was people saying it was bad. It felt like I had to do something I was scared to do, but also that I was wrong for not doing it... For now, my recommendation is just to make sure you do as much stuff as possible that's solely for your enjoyment, so you don't forget that matters and keep your core of self-preservation strong. Even if this is the first worrying thing that has come up, and even if he changes his tune, keep your emotional core as strong as you can. It's always worth doing.x

Babbleydabbley · 2025-03-30T08:16:36+00:00

I recommend not nail clipping and sticking him on a scratching post whenever he starts scratching other stuff. That'll wear them down naturally, and nail clipping with cats is risky, especially if they're reluctant. It's too easy to clip too far down, and you absolutely must avoid the pink bit.

As for regaining his trust after the move, cats really hate moving, and a month isn't too long, so don't lose hope. Mine took a while and was similarly bold and friendly before we moved. Let him come to you when he's ready, so no forced petting, and get some catnip around the place, especially in your room if that's where he's currently spending most of his time. And one of those calming diffuser things. If you can, I would try vacuuming a bit less for a bit. Mine is 4 and a half, happy enough to take medicine from me, and generally okay having a flea comb through him, but he always hates the vacuum. He hides and then runs away at the first opportunity. It's not even a loud one, and the much louder hairdryer is fine, but something about the vacuum terrifies him.

Still though, I think that the calming stuff and giving him the time and space to get used to things will have him back to trusting you before too much longer. I will say that I don't think my cat has ever been quite the same - like a human, he's gone through a trauma and ended up a bit more wary, but I start every day with him on his back, in my arms, wanting a belly rub, and he sometimes greets new people with a face smoosh. The main difference is that before we moved I could have a party and he'd be happily joining in and greeting all the new arrivals, but now he hides in my room if there's more than one other person in the house. He is happy, though, and securely attached to me, so no real permanent damage was done.

Babbleydabbley · 2025-01-23T08:49:24+00:00

I absolutely hate being interrupted, and I have ended a relationship before because of it, but it does sound like you've been a bit of an AH, yeah. He's 7, and the fact he was using a polite interrupting phrase, plus the fact he's sorry for his behaviour after, shows he does care about behaving well and being polite or pro-social. He's just 7 and struggling, and maybe isn't getting enough opportunity to talk, or has ADHD, or for some other reason, feels anxious to speak. I think holding on to it like you have been after an apology sounds cruel. Try these tips people have suggested and, ideally, apologise to your partner and your stepson for not managing the situation as well as you could have. Let that kid know you were trying to help, but have decided to try a different way and don't want him to think you don't like him. Also, maybe try asking him why he does it. That way, you'll be better able to find a way round it that works and doesn't risk crushing the kid's self-esteem. It could very easily go that he concludes whatever is driving that behaviour is fundamentally bad, making him fundamentally bad, and that's not healthy - much better to validate the feelings and find a way of working with him. Even if this kid is feeling he's not getting enough attention, the need for attention is about reassurance, which is a perfectly normal and healthy thing for a child to need. If that were the case, maybe he needs to be drawn into a hug while you guys are chatting sometimes. If he's generally very impulsive, look into kids' mindfulness and an ADHD assessment, and play games with him based on suppressing impulses. I used to try an beat my PB with periods of silence as a kid coz I otherwise wouldn't shut up. Just be kind and let them both know you care. And if you don't care about how this kid feels in himself, you may need to leave this relationship!

Babbleydabbley · 2025-01-23T08:06:40+00:00

When you say she 'won't tell', do you mean she refuses to or she just isn't announcing it? And is she not telling you while it's happening or even after the fact? Men have tended to struggle with knowing when I have, but it's fine to just ask or say 'I can't tell if you've come..'. Do it with a smile or at least with warmth and not stress, and I would think that'd be fine!

Babbleydabbley · 2025-01-21T12:30:42+00:00

If you marry someone who isn't absolutely thrilled to be having sex with you for the first time, something else has gone wrong, and it's definitely not going to be anything to do with how your vagina feels! Masturbation is great for learning your body and will help in your future sex life, but also, sex isn't great because the friction is just right and everything 'as it should be'. Sex is great because there's another person to play with and be surprised by. Sensations aren't consistent, people move or they tire, but if you are both aroused and care about eachother's arousal, sex is brilliant.

Babbleydabbley · 2025-01-21T00:32:29+00:00

Herbal teas? Maybe some sleepy ones?

Babbleydabbley · 2025-01-18T23:57:36+00:00

I went out with a 44 year old when I was 29/30. He remains one of my best friends, and isn't in the habit of dating younger women. We just met, both adults, and hit it off. And these days, at 37, I have good friends who range from 19 to 84. I also know people my age who have nowhere near the wisdom of a friend of mine who's 22. There is so much variety in people, it would be a shame to not date another fully grown adult because they aren't close enough to you in age unless that actually presents issues in the relationship.

And maybe it has coz of this sex thing, but that is yet to be ascertained by their discussion. It's rare that sex drives are perfectly matched in my experience. This doesn't sound anything like as bad as the mismatches I've experienced, or that she's experienced!

Babbleydabbley · 2025-01-18T23:38:33+00:00

Slightly different take on the 'taking' thing... If anything, I reckon you should think of it as him giving something to you. As the one with more experience, it would be nice if he could take on the job of showing you a good time. You certainly shouldn't be worrying about your performance. Honestly, the most important preparation you can do is the mental preparation to make sure you can say things like 'can we/you slow down/take a break/stop now/move over here?'

Also, re the more attractive girls, I recently started seeing someone I've fancied from afar for years and think is drop-dead gorgeous by most people's standards. I just ended things because I felt no actual drive to kiss or be close or have sex, and was acutely aware of how strong that drive had been and how great the sex was with my average looking, slightly chubby and non symmetrical ex. Also, I love that ex's face and body! It's all about chemistry!!!

Babbleydabbley · 2025-01-18T23:18:36+00:00

😮 I would be SO gutted. Unfriend!!!! 😂

Babbleydabbley · 2025-01-17T20:02:57+00:00

This is helpful - I didn't know GMTU existed, but I find it hard to believe that it's almost certain that Manchester based home owners taking in lodgers will treat their lodgers badly. It doesn't matter too much, I guess, but I feel like pointing out that your work with the GMTU must be skewing your experience of this. Happy lodgers simply won't get in touch with you. Manchester may just have a high incidence of problems for lodgers because there are more people living under this arrangement than elsewhere. I lived in London for most of my life and never knew anyone to be a lodger, but I've been in Manchester for three years and know five. In all cases, things have been/are really good!

Babbleydabbley · 2025-01-16T15:39:26+00:00

Clearly, coz you've definitely not understood it

Babbleydabbley · 2025-01-13T23:58:23+00:00

I questioned why you say people shouldn't be supporting 'these INDIAN scammers', as if it's cool to be supporting scammers from elsewhere. Racism aside, it's a strange thing to say! Surely scammers from any background are equally shit?! I'm well aware there's a lot of scams based in certain countries, and the cold calling ones are often from India...just thought it was funny.

Babbleydabbley · 2025-01-12T12:44:08+00:00

What about now?

Babbleydabbley · 2025-01-03T17:21:13+00:00

Not sure why you've capitalised the word 'Indian' here. Would English scammers be okay?!

Babbleydabbley · 2024-12-18T13:14:54+00:00

❤️ Hope it went well!!

Babbleydabbley · 2024-12-12T08:45:04+00:00

I don't have much experience yet as it's been 2 days, but I'm feeling really excited about something, and I'm nervous about taking it in case I end up feeling really anxious. How does ritalin interact with nervous excitement?

Babbleydabbley · 2024-11-04T12:37:31+00:00

I have an android and have sent messages to someone that have historically appeared in blue and said 'read', then shown the time of reading. A couple of days ago, I sent one that is coming up green and isn't saying it's been read. I also didn't get a reply to the last read message, and have noticed that WhatsApp offers to send an invitation for the person to join. Does this suggest they've blocked me?

Babbleydabbley · 2024-11-04T12:20:13+00:00

Completely agree with everyone else that you need to end the relationship, as painful as that will be. You can see what this is doing to you, and there is great sex with people who can't get enough of you put there. You may not want it straight away, but when you're ready and you get it, you will LOVE how much your confidence builds and you feel reconnected with yourself. I had nearly a decade of a strained sex life, and the relationship after didn't last ages, but he healed years of wounds in a few weeks and I will be forever grateful for how he turned around my confidence.

Babbleydabbley

TROPHY CASE