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The Guardian
16-07-2025
- General
- The Guardian
Kids, don't look to me for career inspiration. Look to your electrician instead
Life. Work out what you want to do with it, what kind of job you want. And then find that job. Hopefully, it won't be something that it's thought AI will do better. And, hopefully, it's a job with meaning, with a point to it. It must be great to be a doctor. What do you do? Oh, I'm a doctor. And what's the point of that? Well, I try to keep people alive. And with that the question of the point of your life is answered. Nobody, I suggest, ever expresses doubt about the purpose of doctoring. Just like nobody asks a broadcaster and writer what the point of their work is. They should. We get too much credit for what we do. Not long after I started presenting television programmes, I was invited back to my old school's speech day to give a talk. This was barely 10 years after I'd left the place, and so many of my teachers were still there. That evening remains one of the proudest days of my life. As I shook hands with the students collecting their prizes, I thought about what they'd go on to do with their lives. And then I thought about some of the wonderful things many of my own cohort were achieving. And then I thought about what I was doing here rather than any of them. Medics, engineers, aid workers, lawyers, builders and so on. Yet I was the one who'd got the nod. Don't get me wrong, I was proud of where I'd got to in my life, yet even then it felt as if my line of work conferred upon me an elevated status it didn't quite warrant. As I said, a bit too much credit. Here's why I feel this way: I'm often recognised on the street, in a pub, at a football match or wherever, and asked about my work, in the most generous of tones. I blather on for – I hope – not very long, before returning fire and asking the person what they do for a living. Their response is as interesting as it is disappointing. First, they doubt my sincerity in asking the question. They think I'm just being polite, but they are quite wrong. I am always genuinely interested. Occasionally, by the way, there's even a bit of mind-your-own-business in their response, which is a bit rich given they started the conversation. Anyway, on we go. I'm all ears. And when I do get my answer – and this is the disappointing bit – I would say that nine times out of 10 I get an apologetic shrug and a sentence that typically begins with something like, 'Oh, I'm just a …' Accountants, bless them, are particularly apologetic about their work. But, whatever the person does, it's as if it couldn't possibly compare to what I do. Nothing, in my estimation anyway, could be further from the truth. I've had some extraordinarily high-status jobs shared with me in that dot-dot-dot slot. Doctor, barrister, airline pilot etc. This is daft. But nowhere near as daft – and sad – as teachers and nurses, who don't seem noticeably proud of what they do. And then there's all the trades, the people who do useful – actually, crucial – things with their hands, such as plumbers, scaffolders, carpenters, bricklayers, electricians, heating engineers and so on. When I get to observe them at work, it's akin to seeing something like closeup magic performed. I look on in wonder, seriously. And I think the status of jobs is going to change, thanks to AI. It looks as though white-collar jobs are vulnerable. Recruiters of graduates are holding back from hiring. Even the likes of doctors, broadcasters, barristers and airline pilots could find some of their work being done for them. But, as far as I can see, no form of AI is going to fix your toilet, wire your house or build you a wall. Plumbers, electricians, bricklayers – I wish more than ever that I had your skill sets rather than my own. Adrian Chiles is a broadcaster, writer and Guardian columnist Do you have an opinion on the issues raised in this article? If you would like to submit a response of up to 300 words by email to be considered for publication in our letters section, please click here.
BreakingNews.ie
27-06-2025
- Entertainment
- BreakingNews.ie
Joe Duffy praises Liveline callers as he prepares for his final show
Joe Duffy has praised the callers as he prepares for his last episode of RTÉ's famous phone-in show on Friday afternoon. The Ballyfermot broadcaster (69) is retiring after 37 years at the station, where he has presented Liveline for 27 years. Advertisement 'It will go on. Liveline is on today, but it's on on Monday as well,' Duffy told RTÉ radio ahead of his last programme at 1.45pm. He added: 'It's the voices on Liveline; the less I talk the better, I find. Joe Duffy has worked at RTÉ for 37 years. Photo: PA 'We [the media] are still trusted. In the main we are still trusted, unlike other countries. 'They're all part of our daily discourse, which is great and I hope that continues.' Advertisement Duffy joined RTÉ as a radio producer in 1989 and came to prominence as a reporter on the Gay Byrne Show. He presented programmes such as Soundbyte before taking over Liveline from Marian Finucane in 1998, attracting some 400,000 listeners to the phone-in programme. He said hearing his Dublin working-class accent on the national broadcaster had prompted some 'green-ink letters' of complaint, some of which were internal. Among Liveline's most famous episodes were callers with thoughts on the television series Normal People, people sharing stories of corporal punishment in Ireland over the decades, and women talking about menopause. Advertisement Ireland Accumulated profits at Joe Duffy media firm rise t... Read More Duffy said the only time he has been physically threatened during his tenure was over discussions about the closure of 'headshops', which sold drugs paraphernalia, where he said a man confronted him in a car park. Asked about whether he would run for the presidency in the autumn, Duffy said: 'I will not lose the run of myself.' 'I can see the Áras from Claddagh Green, I'd say that's the closest I'll ever get to it.'
Yahoo
29-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
‘I had dinner at a London rooftop bar with brilliant food and STUNNING city views'
I went to a rooftop bar in west London, and it turned out to be one of those unexpectedly delightful experiences that stick with you. Tucked away next to the iconic Television Centre in White City, The Broadcaster offered a cosy yet lively escape from the dreary weather outside. Upon arriving, we stepped into a lift with clear signage: G - pub and bar, 1 - dining room, 2 - the playroom, and 3 - rooftop bar. We were whisked away to the rooftop bar. Despite the recent burst of spring warmth giving way to dark clouds and drizzle, the weather only added to the atmosphere. From up high, we could see west London stretching out in the distance, with Westfield glowing under the stormy sky. There was something cinematic about the view—London in its moody glory. The Broadcaster had a way of making the bleakness outside feel vibrant with its warm lighting, stylish decor, and laid-back but buzzing energy. As we settled into our seats, we were handed two menus—one boasting an extensive drink selection and the other filled with tempting dishes. I started with the St Ives monkfish scampi with curry tartare, and I can safely say this was a winning choice. (Image: Ezekiel Bertrand) The batter was light, crisp, and golden, encasing tender, juicy pieces of monkfish that almost melted in my mouth. The curry tartare was a standout—creamy with a delicate spice that elevated the scampi without overpowering it. Alongside it, I went for the baked sourdough with whipped butter and sea salt. I'll admit, I'm always a little sceptical when I see 'sea salt' on a menu - is it really? Or just regular table salt in disguise? But this time, they weren't lying. The butter was silky smooth, and the salt crystals gave it the perfect kick. Simple but done exceptionally well. When it came to the main course, I was torn between two options: the beer-battered Cornish hake with triple-cooked chips, crushed peas, and house tartare or the 32-day dry-aged beef burger with smoked cheddar, bacon, truffle aioli, and skin-on fries. After much deliberation, I went with the burger—zero regrets. (Image: Ezekiel Bertrand) This was not your average burger. The patty was thick, juicy, and packed with rich, dry-aged flavour, perfectly complemented by the smokiness of the cheddar and bacon. The truffle aioli was a game-changer, adding a luxurious depth without being overwhelming. The skin-on fries were crispy, golden, and well-seasoned—a proper sidekick to an already standout dish. By this point, I was full—but there's always room for dessert. I went for the chocolate tart with ice cream, and it was the perfect end to the meal. The tart had a silky-smooth, rich chocolate filling with just the right amount of bitterness to balance out the sweetness. Paired with a scoop of ice cream, every bite was indulgent but not overpowering. (Image: Ezekiel Bertrand) To top it off, I ordered a glass of Baileys, because why not? The combination was pure bliss. The Broadcaster's rooftop bar isn't just about the food—it's about the whole experience. From the atmospheric view of west London under stormy skies to the warm, inviting space inside, it strikes the perfect balance between lively and relaxed. The menu is carefully crafted with high-quality ingredients and thoughtful flavour pairings that make every dish memorable. If you're looking for a rooftop spot in London with great food, a vibrant setting, and an unbeatable vibe, The Broadcaster is a must-visit. And if you're lucky enough to visit in the summer? Well, I'm already jealous.
