Skip to main content
The Actuary: The magazine of the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries - return to the homepage Logo of The Actuary website
  • Search
  • Visit The Actuary Magazine on Facebook
  • Visit The Actuary Magazine on LinkedIn
  • Visit @TheActuaryMag on Twitter
Visit the website of the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries Logo of the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries

Main navigation

  • News
  • Features
    • General Features
    • Interviews
    • Students
    • Opinion
  • Topics
  • Knowledge
    • Business Skills
    • Careers
    • Events
    • Predictions by The Actuary
    • Whitepapers
  • Jobs
  • IFoA
    • CEO Comment
    • IFoA News
    • People & Social News
    • President Comment
  • Archive
Quick links:
  • Home
  • The Actuary Issues
  • April 2015
04

Big talk, small talk

Open-access content Friday 27th March 2015

Kelvin Chamunorwa considers divided opinions and encourages debate

2

I am sure that many of you came across 'The Dress'. If not, Google it - it divided the internet some weeks ago. At first, when I was invited to a colleague's desk where a handful of other workmates were already gathered, it seemed that Friday afternoon banter had degenerated to debating the colours of a dress. It turned out to be an optical illusion but it was fascinating to see how difficult it was to change someone's view

The political world is also not black and white. In the run-up to the UK general election next month, the voting public is largely divided across a number of the political parties, so there's a high possibility of no outright majority. I recently came across a debate on the radio about the appropriate number of kitchens in the home of a prime minister, in what seemed like a far-fetched effort to differentiate the candidates.

Paul Kennedy, an actuary running for a seat as an MP in these elections, writes on poll matters with more substance. He discusses how he tackles the challenges of changing opinions in his favour, and how his actuarial background has been relevant when addressing the various issues his constituency faces (p8).

Darryl Boulton's last two articles in The Actuary have stirred a number of responses from readers, two of which are included in the Letters page overleaf. 

I'd be interested in your thoughts on Boulton's latest instalment, about hidden charges (p30).

The Actuary is a great conduit for discussion across the global actuarial profession, and also for those with an interest in the work we do.

On a personal note, my two-year term as editor concludes in December and so the search for a successor begins. If this opportunity interests you, 

I would encourage you to get in touch to explore what the role entails. For me, it has certainly been a fascinating experience so far - one that I will look back upon with fond memories. In the meantime, let's continue debating.

This article appeared in our April 2015 issue of The Actuary.
Click here to view this issue
Filed in:
04

You might also like...

Share
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Linked in
  • Mail
  • Print

Latest Jobs

Actuarial Associate Consultant (UK-wide)

England, Manchester, Greater Manchester / England, West Midlands, Birmingham / England, London
£35000 - £53500 per annum + DOE + bonus + benefits
Reference
120865

Origination/ Pricing Analyst (Bulk purchase annuities)

London, England / London, City of London, England
£55000 - £75000 per annum + DOE + bonus + benefits
Reference
120864

Covenant Consultant

Leeds
£60-80k plus bonus and benefits
Reference
120863
See all jobs »
 
 

Today's top reads

 
 

Sign up to our newsletter

News, jobs and updates

Sign up

Subscribe to The Actuary

Receive the print edition straight to your door

Subscribe
Spread-iPad-slantB-june.png

Topics

  • Data Science
  • Investment
  • Risk & ERM
  • Pensions
  • Environment
  • Soft skills
  • General Insurance
  • Regulation Standards
  • Health care
  • Technology
  • Reinsurance
  • Global
  • Life insurance
​
FOLLOW US
The Actuary on LinkedIn
@TheActuaryMag on Twitter
Facebook: The Actuary Magazine
CONTACT US
The Actuary
Tel: (+44) 020 7880 6200
​

IFoA

About IFoA
Become an actuary
IFoA Events
About membership

Information

Privacy Policy
Terms & Conditions
Cookie Policy
Think Green

Get in touch

Contact us
Advertise with us
Subscribe to The Actuary Magazine
Contribute

The Actuary Jobs

Actuarial job search
Pensions jobs
General insurance jobs
Solvency II jobs

© 2021 The Actuary. The Actuary is published on behalf of the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries by Redactive Publishing Limited, Level 5, 78 Chamber Street, London, E1 8BL. Tel: 020 7880 6200