Latest news with #validation
Auto Car
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Auto Car
As cars' driver assistance systems get smarter, so must the ways they are developed
It's one thing to load cars with safety systems such as ADAS (advanced driver assistance systems), but as they get more sophisticated, it becomes more complicated to ensure they always do what's expected. So manufacturers are turning to the most advanced techniques to validate ADAS and make it as accurate as possible. Volvo is using virtual environments together with real-world testing for safety systems development, software training and validation. Engineers can now scrutinise incident data collected from the advanced sensors of production cars more clearly using an imaging technique called 'Gaussian splatting'. The new approach makes it possible to generate a large number of highly realistic 3D scenes from images taken in the real world. These can then be viewed from different angles and the scene, quite literally, explored. Once it's created, engineers can manipulate the virtual environment by modifying elements such as road users or obstacles and change the outcome of a scenario. The approach makes it possible to subject safety software to a wide variety of traffic situations much faster and on a greater scale than before. It's proving particularly useful for exposing safety systems to rare and sometimes dangerous 'edge cases' in days rather than months. The virtual environments are developed through an in-house collaboration with Zenseact, an AI and software company founded by Volvo Cars. Porsche has also developed a new technique to improve its ADAS software. Manual validation – involving a development engineer sitting in the passenger seat comparing what ADAS thinks a traffic sign reads with what it actually says – is becoming too labour-intensive. If ADAS gets it wrong, the discrepancy is recorded on a data logger (a kind of hard drive) manually by the human co-driver, along with the actual vehicle speed data. A vast amount of data is needed to weed out those rare instances that may trip ADAS up, but automated measuring equipment is expensive and using it across large-scale test fleets is unrealistic. Porsche's answer is the ComBox app, developed in-house, combined with an image-recognition app from start-up firm both of which run on a smartphone. If there's a discrepancy between a road sign recognised by the app and what the vehicle's ADAS 'thinks', the app photographs the sign and both the vehicle data and the picture are stored on the data logger.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
15 Lifelong Insecurities You're Carrying From Having Critical Parents
Growing up, we all have our fair share of family dynamics that have sculpted us into the individuals we are today. But if your parents leaned more on the critical side, those formative years might have left you with lingering insecurities that follow you into adulthood. Navigating life with a constant inner critic can feel like an uphill battle. Here are 15 lifelong insecurities that may resonate a little too well if you had critical parents. That relentless pursuit of perfection isn't just a quirky personality trait—it's a constant shadow looming over you. Your parents might've pointed out the 99% on your test rather than praising the A-grade. This unyielding expectation to always "do better" has left you in a perpetual state of dissatisfaction with your achievements. According to clinical psychologist Dr. Ramani Durvasula, constantly seeking validation from others can lead to chronic feelings of inadequacy. The inner voice that scolds you for not being enough is never silenced. It questions every decision and accomplishment, leading you to seek external validation as a metric of self-worth. Even as an adult, you find yourself wondering if your achievements are truly deserving of praise. It's exhausting to live under the microscope of an upbringing that demanded impossible standards. Fear becomes a close companion when you're conditioned to view failure as catastrophic. Growing up, failure wasn't an option but rather an indictment of character, and that belief has lingered with you. This manifests as a paralyzing fear that prevents you from taking risks or trying new things. You're stuck in a loop, avoiding potential failures at all costs. The dread of falling short stifles your creativity and ambition. Opportunities slip through your fingers because you second-guess your abilities and potential for success. Even minor setbacks can trigger spiraling thoughts of defeat. It's a tiring cycle that keeps you from embracing life's full potential. With critical parents, you learned to question the sincerity of praise and affection. This skepticism often extends to relationships, where trusting others feels like stepping onto shaky ground. You question motives and brace yourself for criticism, even when it's not there. The Journal of Family Psychology found that parental criticism is linked to lower levels of trust and intimacy in adult relationships. This lack of trust isn't limited to romantic partners; it infiltrates friendships and work dynamics, too. Every compliment is met with suspicion, and every critique feels personal. You struggle to take feedback constructively, often perceiving it as an attack rather than guidance. It's a defensive mechanism that leaves you isolated in your fortress of doubt. The need for approval becomes an overwhelming drive when your childhood was filled with judgmental scrutiny. You're on a never-ending quest for others' validation to fill the void left by critical parents. This neediness affects how you interact with peers and colleagues, often making you go above and beyond to win their favor. It's like performing a never-ending juggling act to keep everyone happy. Unfortunately, this drive for approval can lead you to compromise your own needs and values. You might find yourself saying yes to things you don't want to do, just to avoid disapproval. The fear of letting others down becomes a guiding force, even at the expense of your well-being. It's a tug-of-war between wanting acceptance and losing yourself in the process. When praise felt conditional or insincere growing up, accepting compliments as an adult becomes an awkward ordeal. Compliments often feel like setups for future criticism, so you deflect them or downplay your achievements. This insecurity can make social interactions uncomfortable, as you struggle to accept the good without anticipating the bad. Dr. Christine Moutier's research indicates that people with a history of critical parenting might have a hard time internalizing positive feedback, leading to diminished self-esteem. Even when recognition is earned, you feel undeserving. Compliments bounce off you, leaving a residue of self-doubt rather than confidence. Instead of embracing the praise, you search for hidden motives or assume it's misplaced. This hinders your self-growth, as genuine recognition is lost in translation. It's as if every conversation is recorded, analyzed, and critiqued in your mind long after it's over. You dissect every word and gesture, convinced that you've said something wrong, thanks to a childhood filled with constant correction. This over-analysis turns simple interactions into mental marathons of self-doubt and anxiety. You're left exhausted, replaying scenarios in your head to catch what you might have missed. This overthinking becomes all-consuming, affecting your ability to relax and be present. Social situations become minefields of potential embarrassment or criticism. The idea of just letting things be feels foreign, as your mind races to connect invisible dots. It's a draining habit that keeps you on edge, even when there's no real reason to be. In the absence of nurturing and understanding, self-compassion becomes a concept that's difficult to grasp. Your internal dialogue mimics the critical voices of your past, leaving little room for kindness towards yourself. Dr. Kristin Neff, a pioneer in self-compassion research, found that individuals who lacked parental warmth tend to have lower self-compassion levels, making it challenging to forgive themselves for mistakes. This lack of self-kindness makes it hard to bounce back from setbacks. Instead of comforting yourself, you berate your mistakes and shortcomings. The harsh self-talk that was once external has become internalized, making it difficult to treat yourself with the understanding you readily offer others. It's a battle to find peace within when your harshest critic resides in your own mind. Growing up with a critical lens on yourself often translates into having the same lens on others. You may find yourself nitpicking at friends, partners, or colleagues, holding them to impossibly high standards. This cycle of criticism is a learned behavior that repeats itself, as you project your own insecurities onto those around you. You become the critic, perpetuating the cycle that kept you in its grip for so long. This habit strains relationships, as people feel judged and undervalued. It's challenging for you to accept imperfections in others when you struggle to accept them in yourself. Instead of fostering connection, your critical nature builds walls that keep people at a distance. It's a learned defensiveness that pushes away the very support network you crave. Establishing boundaries is a daunting task when you've been conditioned to constantly seek approval. You have trouble saying no, fearing that it will lead to criticism or rejection. Your inclination to please others overrides your own needs, leaving you feeling depleted and resentful. Boundaries, to you, feel like acts of defiance rather than self-care. This lack of boundaries leads to burnout, as you take on more than you can handle. You struggle to prioritize your own well-being, fearing the consequences of standing your ground. It's a cycle that leaves you feeling unappreciated and overextended. Only by learning to assert your needs can you find the balance you desperately need. The constant anticipation of criticism breeds a pessimistic outlook on life. You brace yourself for failure and disappointment, convinced that things will go wrong. This expectation of the worst infects your decisions and relationships, creating a self-fulfilling prophecy. You're unable to relax and enjoy moments of peace because you're waiting for the other shoe to drop. This heightened sense of vigilance is exhausting, keeping you on high alert for signs of disaster. Joyful moments are clouded by the anticipation of backlash or negativity. The inability to embrace positivity leaves you stuck in a cycle of anxiety and dread. It's a taxing mindset that robs you of happiness and peace. When love was conditional on your performance or behavior, you learned to equate worthiness with perfection. This belief persists into adulthood, making it difficult to accept love from others. You question the sincerity of affection, convinced that it will be withdrawn when you make mistakes. Love, to you, is something to be earned, not freely given. This mindset leads to self-sabotage in relationships, as you push people away before they can reject you. You doubt your partner's intentions, waiting for the inevitable moment of disappointment. It's a lonely existence, as you struggle to believe that you are deserving of love just as you are. Only by challenging these ingrained beliefs can you begin to embrace genuine, unconditional love. Initiative feels risky when every move was scrutinized and criticized growing up. You hesitate to take charge, fearing negative outcomes and harsh judgments. This reluctance stifles your potential, as you hold back from opportunities that could lead to growth and fulfillment. You find yourself waiting for permission or approval that never comes. This fear of stepping up keeps you in the shadows, overshadowed by those more willing to take risks. You miss chances to showcase your talents and strengths, overshadowed by your own insecurities. It's a self-imposed barrier that limits your success and satisfaction. Only by challenging this fear can you break free from the constraints of your past. Decision-making becomes an agonizing process when you're haunted by the fear of choosing incorrectly. Every choice feels monumental, with the potential for criticism looming over you. This indecision leads to second-guessing and anxiety, as you weigh every possible outcome. You're paralyzed by the fear of making mistakes, leading to procrastination and missed opportunities. This hesitation extends to both minor and major life decisions, leaving you feeling stuck. The pressure to make the "right" choice becomes overwhelming, overshadowing the freedom of making mistakes and learning from them. It's a paralyzing fear that keeps you on the sidelines of your own life. Only by embracing the possibility of failure can you unlock the courage to make decisions confidently. Perfectionism can become a shield against criticism, a way to preemptively protect yourself from judgment. You strive for flawlessness in an attempt to avoid the harsh scrutiny you grew up with. This obsessive attention to detail and excellence comes at the cost of your mental health and well-being. It's a defense mechanism that leaves you perpetually exhausted and on edge. While aiming for perfection, you neglect the importance of mistakes and growth. The pressure to always excel leaves little room for self-compassion or understanding. It's a relentless pursuit that comes at the cost of your happiness and peace of mind. By redefining your relationship with perfection, you can begin to break free from its suffocating grip. Growing up with critical parents often means grappling with an unclear sense of self. Your identity was shaped by their expectations, making it difficult to understand who you truly are. This struggle leads to confusion and uncertainty in your values, beliefs, and goals. You find yourself questioning what you genuinely want versus what was imposed upon you. This lack of self-identity affects your confidence and decision-making. You may feel like a chameleon, constantly adapting to please others rather than staying true to yourself. It's a disorienting feeling, as you search for your own voice amidst the echoes of criticism. Only by exploring your authentic desires and values can you begin to forge a strong, independent identity.
Yahoo
17-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
People Are Sharing The Modern Addictions Nobody Really Thinks About, And Yes, Dopamine Is On This List
When we think of addiction, our minds typically go to substances like drugs or alcohol. But addiction can take many forms — some so subtle and normalized that we don't even recognize them as problematic. So when a now-deleted Reddit user asked, "What's an addiction that nobody considers?" the responses revealed how our modern world has created countless ways to chase dopamine hits and develop unhealthy dependencies. Here's what they had to say: 1."Validation addiction, aka the compulsive need for approval, praise, or recognition from others." —u/RevealIntelligent737 2."Nasal spray. This one is kind of obscure, but the thought of having a stuffy nose and needing more and more and more of that stuff is kind of scary." —u/TazzzTM "I literally cut myself off 10 years ago because it was causing me problems." —bobbutson "This happened to me in fifth grade! It was so severe that I needed to use it at least once an hour, or my nose was completely blocked up. The addiction lasted weeks. I would bring it to school and sneak huffs of it from my backpack during class, pretending I was rummaging for something." —u/iamnotahermitcrab 3."Habits that put us into the same patterns we're already familiar with. For example, let's say someone was previously abused and has low self-esteem, so they now gravitate toward people who mistreat them, etc." —u/crypticcryptidscrypt 4."Food." —u/LivingSalt9816 "This doesn't get talked about enough. Someone can truly quit any of these other addictions. You cannot quit eating. And even if we could, eating is the center of most cultures, communities, and fellowship." —u/GingerrGina 5."Shopping." —u/blissfulheadgames 6."Victim mindset." —u/tokenasian99 Related: 23 Cute, Happy, And Wholesome Posts I Saw On The Internet This Week That You Absolutely Need To See 7."Gambling is often overlooked. It's also not just lotto tickets and bingo. Casino apps, sports betting, online gaming 'mystery boxes,' and day trading are just a few examples of things that use the same mechanics." —u/threadbarefemur 8."Dieting, eating disorders and/or disordered eating, and counting calories." —u/Global_Concept1331 9."Social media." —u/Goddess_alma__ "It's a bigger issue than that. Social media falls under dopamine abuse, basically. It's just a constant onslaught of the pleasure ventures in the brain these days. Companies research ways to hit those centers and use the marketing to sell it. Small things like the action of swiping or flavors in food. Salt. Porn. Video games. Social media. YouTube showing you all the things you want but can't go for. All of these things are beneficial targeted one at a time, but goddamn, it fries people's brains all at once." —u/Klashus Related: Holy Crap, I Can't Stop Laughing At These 28 Painfully Awkward And Embarrassing Conversations 10."Working all the time." —u/MotherEarth1919 11."Dermatillomania, or skin-picking disorder." —u/strangekey2 12."Dating apps. They're like a game, and the incentive for winning is your orgasm." —u/Present-Loss5880 13."Porn." —u/PEACH_MINAJ 14."Sleeping in all the time." —u/Tough_Representative "Sleeping in general. I genuinely can't stop napping during the day. It's awful." —u/lights-camera-bees 15."Weed. While it's not an addictive substance, people definitely become emotionally dependent. One problem is that weed makes you okay with being unproductive and bored, and many people use it as a crutch." —u/8v9 16."Phones." —u/Then_Coyote_1244 "That's me — same with my iPad. When I iron my clothes, I put on YouTube on my iPad. Eating dinner? Netflix. Drinking a cup of tea? TikTok. Waiting on the bus? Reddit. My phone is always in my hand. I take it with me when I go to bed, when I take a shower, when I walk the dog, when I have to get something from the attic, etc. I miss growing up in the '90s and not having a phone — just being present in the moment. But somehow, I can't do it anymore." —u/Dazzling-Yam-1151 What do you think after reading these responses? Are you recognizing some (completely normalized) patterns in your own life or others? What hidden addictions do you think are affecting people today? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below. The National Alliance on Mental Illness helpline is 1-800-950-6264 (NAMI) and provides information and referral services; is an association of mental health professionals from more than 25 countries who support efforts to reduce harm in therapy. The National Eating Disorders Association helpline is 1-800-931-2237; for 24/7 crisis support, text 'NEDA' to 741741. If you or someone you know is in immediate danger as a result of domestic violence, call 911. For anonymous, confidential help, you can call the 24/7 National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 (SAFE) or chat with an advocate via the website. Also in Internet Finds: Lawyers Are Sharing Their Juiciest "Can You Believe It?!" Stories From The Courtroom, And They're As Surprising As You'd Expect Also in Internet Finds: 51 People Who Quickly Discovered Why Their Hilariously Clueless Partner Was Single Before Meeting Them Also in Internet Finds: People Are Sharing "The Most Believable Conspiracy Theories," And Now I'm Questioning Everything I Thought I Knew
Forbes
15-06-2025
- General
- Forbes
3 Ways The ‘You're Not Like Others' Line Traps You — By A Psychologist
Why does being appreciated for your uniqueness feel so validating? And what conditions does this ... More compliment come with? Statements like, 'You're not like other people,' 'You're not like the others I've dated,' or 'You're different. Special,' often land like compliments. They might even feel deeply validating, especially if you've spent much of your life feeling misunderstood. To be told you stand out, that you're exceptional, can feel like you're finally being seen after years of invisibility. Being singled out and appreciated touches something vulnerable: the part of you that's longed to be chosen for the very things that make you different. But these words that sound like flattery can subtly shape the way you show up in the relationship, pushing you to perform rather than simply exist. And when love hinges on being 'not like the rest,' it's rarely as unconditional as it first appears. Here's the psychology behind this common line, and why it may not be the compliment you think it is. Many people carry an internal belief that they don't quite fit in. It's a feeling often rooted in childhood exclusion, neurodivergence, trauma or simply being more observant than expressive. So when someone says, 'You're not like other people,' it speaks directly to that unhealed wound. It feels validating, even comforting, that someone finally sees your uniqueness. But what sounds like recognition can be performance bait. Instead of helping you feel safely understood, this kind of compliment can reinforce a sense of separateness. It puts you outside the circle of 'ordinary' people. And once you're placed outside that circle, it can become hard to relax or let your guard down. This has several consequences. A 2020 study published in Communications Research Reports, using the Communicate Bond Belong (CBB) theory, found that when people become more self-conscious about how they present themselves in social interactions, they tend to expend more social energy, experience less enjoyment and feel less connected in the moment. This is especially true in interactions where people feel they must maintain a certain image, often at the cost of their authenticity. So while being seen as 'different' may initially feel flattering, it often leads you into a silent performance loop. You start to self-monitor. You suppress your needs. You fear slipping up. Eventually, you may notice that you feel more tired after interactions instead of feeling more connected. Because what seems like a pedestal is often just a spotlight. And unfortunately, spotlights don't keep you company for too long. Once someone casts you as 'not like the rest,' you may begin feeling pressured to keep living up to that image. In romantic relationships, this pressure can feel especially heavy. You may find yourself: What initially feels like admiration can quickly become a role you're afraid to fall out of. Rather than building closeness, this dynamic breeds performance-based worth. One where you don't feel valued for who you are, but for how well you maintain the persona someone else admires. A 2015 study published in Self and Identity exploring how people present their relationships to others exemplifies this. It was found that individuals with high attachment anxiety (those more preoccupied with acceptance and rejection) engaged in heightened self-presentation when they anticipated interacting with another romantic couple. The study highlights how social comparison and relational visibility can intensify the drive to curate one's image, particularly for those already unsure of their worth. In essence, if you already fear being unlovable, being labeled as 'special' can heighten that fear. But when you start performing solely to feed your desire for approval, you also start losing your authenticity. In turn, the other person only connects with a polished version of you, not your whole, complex self. That's how flattery becomes a trap. Conditional affection starts as praise but ends in self-erasure. And when you finally show up as fully human, the admiration may disappear because it was never really you they loved, but the role that you played. If you've struggled with feeling 'not enough' in past relationships, it might feel validating when someone compliments you by putting others down. But, while these compliments may come across as genuine admiration at first, they're just comparisons in disguise. Comments like 'You're not like other girls,' 'You're not needy like my ex,' 'You're so chill, not like most people,' don't acknowledge who you are as a person. They merely shape you into someone more convenient — someone who won't ask for too much, feel too deeply or challenge their comfort. This is conditional positive regard in action. Research published in Journal of Personality in 2016 shows that, in romantic relationships, conditional approval (even when masked as praise) undermines relationship quality by threatening your sense of autonomy. When love is earned by meeting unspoken expectations, you begin to shrink yourself to stay accepted. The trap begins to close in on you when you start suppressing your needs, emotions and complexity out of fear of losing the admiration that once felt so affirming. What's worse, the person who once said, 'You're not like the others,' may one day say, 'You've changed,' or, 'You're just like the rest.' The compliment was never stable; it was a condition. You will know a connection is genuine when it doesn't ask you to compete with someone's past. It doesn't reward you for outperforming someone else. Rather, it makes space for your full, emotional, imperfect humanity, and still chooses you. Pay attention to what psychologically healthy dynamics sound like. Real, grounded connection is reflected in compliments like: These statements are anchored in specific behaviors and present-moment experiences, as opposed to vague comparisons or inflated ideas of uniqueness. They don't put you on a pedestal. While being seen as unique can feel wonderful, we have to be cautious when that uniqueness comes with pressure to uphold a fantasy, or worse, when it's built by tearing others down. Here's what you need to hear, or simply remind yourself: 'You don't need to be exceptional to be loved. You just need to be allowed to be yourself.' Because real intimacy isn't about being unlike others. It's about being truly known and loved, exactly as you are. Wondering if you can show up authentically in your relationship? Take the science-backed Authenticity In Relationships Scale test to find out.
Washington Post
13-06-2025
- General
- Washington Post
Carolyn Hax: Will girlfriend's mean mom encroach on their future together?
Dear Carolyn: For a year, I've been dating 'Sylvia.' Sylvia is smart, funny, kind, fits well with my family and friends — she is a bright light and makes me a better person. The BUT is her mom. She demands constant attention and validation, and she is mean. She treats retail and waitstaff rudely and has unreasonable demands. She saw a picture of my sister and said she would be pretty if she weren't so fat (she's not fat!!). Talking about a cousin, she says unprintable things about her sex life. The mom will gaslight Sylvia for the smallest things, or say mean things about her weight, hair, underachieving at her job — and, five seconds later, pull her close and tell her she loves her. Sylvia is blind to her mom's meanness because she isn't willing or ready to see it yet. She excuses all her behavior and says her mom had a tough life. I can limit my time with her mom, but I love Sylvia. What happens if we get married and have kids? I wouldn't want kids influenced by her mom's nastiness. Do people break up because of their parents? I've asked Sylvia to go to therapy, but she says only doomed couples go to therapy before marriage. — Anonymous Anonymous: Not the right question. People break up because one of them chews too loudly. Plus, her 'doomed couples' view is a rigid, mindless, self-defeating response to a fair request from someone who seems pretty convincingly in her corner. So you have decent Sylvia reasons to question your future with Sylvia, before you even get to the mother. And that's before getting to deeply serious reasons: that the abuse from Mom that Sylvia ignores, excuses or doesn't comprehend is the abuse she is at risk, in some form, of carrying forward. Her nonsensical response to therapy is a little green shoot of extremist thinking. Readers with long memories will recall I once dismissed therapy this early in a relationship — so maybe it takes a mindless reflex to know one. I'll share what trained me out of mine, in hopes it can help you with Sylvia; given her intense family dysfunction, your opening her mind to therapeutic care in this small way could be handing her the proverbial file baked into a cake. First, every conversation about relationship health comes back around to trust. If you have conducted yourself as a decent human — meaning, you treat Sylvia's interests as inherently equal to yours vs. as props for your whims — then the good-faith answer to your therapy request, for your partner, is yes. Period. I mean, really. It's 50 minutes with a health professional. You're not insisting she juggle sharp things. Trust mechanisms, alas, tend to be the first casualties of abuse. In that case, couples counseling becomes a no — for good reason, maybe even for Sylvia. But talk about a six-word pitch for individual counseling: to be trust-challenged … and dating. Second, we all bring our stuff to relationships. When it reacts badly with someone else's, that's often a hint to break up. The younger me would advise that; why force it? But now I see how that becomes an easy excuse to hop from person to person, never admitting or fixing your stuff. It is both humbling and motivating to admit you want to get along with someone better than your current skills permit. Why quibble over the timing? So, third, for the Sylvias: 'Doomed' isn't from therapy itself, or admitting the need. It's from minds closed to new information. I hope she's ready to hear you.
