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Close your eyes a moment and imagine the future. In western culture we’re often encouraged to think of the future as a path stretching out in front of us. But not everyone pictures it this way. As time expert Ruth Ogden explains, some cultures see the past as in front and the future behind them, or even below them.
The more I thought about this the more it made sense. Some people think of themselves as walking backwards into the future because your future actions are guided by what you know from the past. This makes it all feel like a lot less pressure than telling yourself to confidently stride into an unknown future, where you’ll find the answers to all your problems.
Speaking of a warped sense of time, former prime minister David Cameron was appointed foreign secretary yesterday. If you’re confused about how someone who isn’t an MP can become a cabinet minister or how they can be held accountable to parliament, read our explainer about how it works.
Meanwhile, the news that the world’s oldest dog, Bobi, died aged 31 sparked a lot of interest from dog owners in his diet and lifestyle. Animal science expert Jacqueline Boyd, however, is skeptical that Bobi’s diet of human food will do much good for your dog’s health.
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Jenna Hutber
Commissioning Editor, Science
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Bystrov/Shutterstock
Ruth Ogden, Liverpool John Moores University
We use space to understand the passage of time, but don’t assume everyone thinks of the future as in front and the past as behind.
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EPA/Andy Rain
Thomas Caygill, Nottingham Trent University
Cameron heads straight into the House of Lords so that he can join Rishi Sunak’s top team following the reshuffle triggered by the downfall of Suella Braverman.
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Bobi with his owner Leonel Costa and Guinness World Record certificates for title of oldest dog.
Associated Press/Alamy Stock Photo
Jacqueline Boyd, Nottingham Trent University
There’s a surprising amount of crossover in what things help human and dog longevity.
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Politics + Society
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Daniel Devine, University of Southampton
Rishi Sunak’s former home secretary thinks she is speaking for the silent majority but most people disagree with her on key points – or have other things to worry about.
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John Coxhead, University of East London
Community police officers are important for maintaining trust in police.
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Colleen Murrell, Dublin City University
If the first casualty of war is truth, it’s not often the fault of the journalists on the frontline who do a tough job in difficult circumstances.
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Alison Owen, Staffordshire University; Jennifer Taylor, Staffordshire University
The way some of the women felt about their bodies affected their breastfeeding choices.
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Melissa Tandiwe Myambo, University of the Witwatersrand
Members of diasporas may choose to identify with multiple homelands and host countries over time.
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Arts + Culture
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Vicki Cummings, Cardiff University
It is unusual to find a tomb so intact and so well preserved.
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Joanna Rzepa, University of Essex
The perceived “otherness” of eastern and central Europe is a complex phenomenon, which a new book on the Polish Nobel laureate’s oeuvre brings to light.
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Justin Smith, De Montfort University
The concert film is enjoying a comeback in the age of event cinema.
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Health
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Swrajit Sarkar, City, University of London
A nutritionist breaks down the health-giving benefits of various salad leaves.
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Business + Economy
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Lindsey Appleyard, Coventry University
Taboos around talking about money can prevent people from learning important lessons about using credit and getting into debt.
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Education
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Trevor Mazzucchelli, Curtin University
Parents may be familiar with this scenario: a child is well behaved at school and polite to their teachers but has a meltdown at home in the afternoon.
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Environment
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Kevin Richard Butt, University of Central Lancashire
Thawing permafrost in the far north is an inviting prospect for invertebrate burrowers.
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Christian Bretter, University of Leeds; Felix Schulz, University of Leeds
New research suggests opponents of climate policies may have misread the UK public.
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14 November 2023
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Glasgow
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14 November 2023
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London
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18 November 2023
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Birmingham
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