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Senator Oberweis' statement about 'State of the State' address
Senator Jim Oberweis issued a statement about Governor Bruce Rauner’s first “State of the State” address, presented to a joint session of Illinois lawmakers February 4 in the House of Representatives chambers.
“The beginning of a new year is a natural time to reflect on the events of 2014 and to look ahead to opportunities and challenges our state faces in the coming months. Not to sugarcoat it – Illinois is at a critical fiscal and economic crossroads,” Senator Oberweis said. “As a businessman, I appreciate that our new Governor is a businessman and is bringing fresh eyes and a new perspective to the state’s fiscal condition. No more smoke and mirrors.”
After months of in-depth analysis, Governor Rauner is expected to release his budget February 18.
“Preliminary reports indicate Illinois’ finances are a mess and the fiscal decisions we face over the coming months are going to be tough,” Senator Oberweis said, “So how do we turn things around? Two words: economic growth. A key approach to turning our state around is promoting the kind of economic climate that encourages job creation and growth in Illinois. The Rauner Administration has made job creation one of its top priorities.”
The 25th District Senator says Governor Rauner has also talked about the need for shared sacrifice.
“Representative Keith Wheeler and I are sharing a district office to save taxpayer dollars. In Springfield, Senator Chris Nybo and I are sharing a legislative aide to save taxpayer dollars. Traditionally, each Senator has had his/her own aide,” Senator Oberweis said. “I intend to introduce legislation that will end defined-benefit pensions for state legislators. While those may be small steps compared to our huge budget problems, they show that we are willing to make sacrifices to save taxpayer dollars. Every little bit helps.”
Senator Oberweis said he is ready to roll up his sleeves and get to work with Governor Rauner and his fellow lawmakers to find solutions for the many problems facing Illinois.
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Home Junior Hockey NAHL: NJ Titans providing local talent a junior hockey option
Junior HockeyNorth American Hockey League (NAHL)
NAHL: NJ Titans providing local talent a junior hockey option
written by Chris Rotolo October 16, 2017
MIDDLETOWN — Just a few short years ago no major junior hockey option existed at the Jersey Shore.
In 2017, the North American Hockey League’s (NAHL) eastward expansion made a home for the third straight year at Middletown Ice World with the New Jersey Titans, where second-year head coach Craig Doremus has crafted a roster of burgeoning NCAA-caliber talent from around the country, and mixed in some notable local flavor.
Ryan Wheeler of NAHL Titans
Providing top tier talent in the Atlantic District — especially those skaters with ties to the Garden State — a local option to advance up the developmental ladder has been a pillar of this organization since its inception in 2015, when local hockey fixture — and founder of the New Jersey Jr. Titans youth program — George Haviland helped broker the deal to bring an NAHL franchise to the Shore.
However, according to Doremus, his process of scouting homegrown competitors is designed to be rigorous, so as to acquire the right crop of skaters.
“A big part of the process of building our team and this roster; it wasn’t just about identifying players from the area, recruiting them, drafting them and getting them here. We wanted to make sure we were identifying the right guys. We didn’t want to bring guys in who weren’t ready to play, compete and contribute at this level,” Doremus said.
“To bring in a guy who isn’t ready, it’s a waste of their time and bad player development. The guys who are here right now we feel are competing for a large role. You have to be smart in the way you build a roster at this level. It’s not just about wins and losses. It’s also about player development. That’s what Junior Hockey is about. But if you’re developing the right mix of guys, the winning will come.”
Photo by Chris Rotolo: (Nick Boyagian of NAHL Titans)
LOCAL FLAVOR: During their first two years of action the Titans — under Doremus and the organization’s first coach Rich McKenna — identified seven Garden State players of that specific ilk, tapping former team captain Anthony Cusanelli (Holmdel, NJ – CBA), former assistant captain Greg Malafronte (Holmdel, NJ – CBA), current Chicago Steel skater Todd Goehring (Wayside, NJ – Red Bank Catholic), Goehring’s future Sacred Heart University teammate Jordan Kaplan (Bridgewater, NJ – Lawrenceville HS/Salisbury School), Mike Gelatt (Middletown, NJ – St. John Vianney), who is an NAHL Eastern Division rival with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Knights, and Brad Becker (Howell, NJ – Howell HS), who after appearing with the NAHL’s Shreveport Mudbugs a season ago is now the leading scorer for Binghampton Jr. Senators of the NA3HL.
Also on the list of home grown talent to lace up for the Titans is Tyler Antonucci (Saddle Brook, NJ – Bergen Catholic) – a second-year skater for New Jersey who will captain the club in 2017-18 – a fellow North Jersey Avalanche product in Eric Manoukian (Manalapan, NJ), a 1999-born forward in Kyle Jeffers (Old Bridge, NJ) – who scored 123 points (65g, 58a) at St. Joseph’s – Metuchen and had two points in two games for the Titans in 2015-16 – Wade Novak (Oak Ridge, NJ) – another North Jersey Avalanche alum who notched 97 points (68 g, 29a) in three varsity seasons at Jefferson High School – Jimmy Dowd Jr. (Point Pleasant Beach, NJ) and Gavin Gulash (Middletown, NJ).
WHERE THEY STAND: The Titans currently sit in fourth place in the Eastern Division at a record of 4-3-1 through the club’s first eight outings. However, the team has at least two games in hand on each of their divisional rivals, including seven games on the division leading Northeast Generals.
Photo by Chris Rotolo: (Matt Cameron of NAHL Titans)
TEAM LEADERS: The Titans are led in scoring by Hunter Alden (9) and Tate Singleton (8), while three skaters have at least five points, including Ryan Wheeler (6), Ryan Naumovski (5) and Antonucci (5).
Alden is the leader in goal scoring with four, and is followed up by Naumovski and Antonucci, who have two apiece.
Singelton and Wheeler have been the best facilitators of offense with six assists each.
UP NEXT: The Titans will welcome a pair of Eastern Division rivals to Middletown Ice World from Oct. 20-22, as the Northeast Generals come to town for a pair ahead of a one-off on Sunday with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Knights.
The weekend will act a homecoming for a handful of Shore hockey stars, as the Generals feature a pair of local defensemen in Ryan Bogan Jr. (Brick, NJ – CBA) and Ryan Rowland (Manahawkin, NJ – Southern Regional), while the Knights will feature a couple of Middletown natives up front in forwards Matt Kidney (St. John Vianney) and Mike Gelatt (St. John Vianney).
Tickets for the events are available on game day at the Middletown Ice World box office.
Jimmy Dowd Jr.NAHLNAHL Titans
NAHL: New Jersey Titans tap Tyler Antonucci to captain 2017-18 club
Middletown South alum Gulash developing with NAHL Titans
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NAHL: 3 Questions for New Jersey Titans Coach...
NAHL: New Jersey Titans tap Tyler Antonucci to...
EHL: New Jersey 87’s Jerzak & Ondrejko Announce...
EHLP: NJ 87’s name Wall Township alum Clayton...
NAHL: Jimmy Dowd Jr. continues to create own...
NAHL: Titans tap Tyler Antonucci to captain 2017-18 club - Shore Hockey Report October 16, 2017 - 11:07 pm
[…] READ MORE: Titans providing New Jersey talent a junior hockey option […]
NAHL: Bogan, Rowland form unlikely brotherhood with Northeast Generals - Shore Hockey Report October 29, 2017 - 2:03 am
[…] MORE: NAHL & NJ Titans providing local talent a junior hockey option […]
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Silent Hill HD Collection SH3 will not have orginal voices
peronmls
Brookhaven Receptionist
Post subject: Silent Hill HD Collection SH3 will not have orginal voices
Missing since: 08 Aug 2011
Notes left: 926
Last seen at: Ohio
Well Konami offically anounced that SH3 will only have New voice overs and not have the orignal. Im sad. but its okay because I was going to play it first with the new voices anyway I guess.
http://www.facebook.com/notes/silent-hi ... 7013661152
VenusDoom
Hope House Careworker
Post subject: Re: Silent Hill HD Collection SH3 will not have orginal voic
Missing since: 06 Nov 2010
Link says it's expired, and I swear, if those dumbasses don't have SH3's original VA I'm not even buying the collection. i didn't give a fuck about SH2's, but Heather's voice was what made SH3 SH3 for me.
Cry baby, cry baby, cry,<3
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0_DW9xJTX-4
I love the Silent Hill Series. The games: Homecoming, Origins, and Shattered Memories, did nothing wrong whatsoever, they were developed well, and did things different. Just because they were not by Team Silent doesn't mean that they're bad games. I believe in this series. I believe that one day, we can have a game that will make all Silent Hill fans Happy. I believe that Silent Hill Downpour can achieve this.
Team Silent may be gone, but their series isn't. Instead... it's here, it's alive.
If you agree, add it to your sig.
VenusDoom wrote:
You need to login FB
Soulless-Shadow
Subway Guard
Missing since: 20 Jun 2010
Notes left: 1627
If it's true, then that's a shame. I agree with VenusDoom; Heather's voice actor did a fantastic job. I like to think she would/will be replaced with an equally as good voice actor, but I'm not holding my breath.
Whether or not they're really going to replace SH3's voice actors won't affect whether or not I buy the collection. I honestly haven't decided if I'll buy it yet. For now I probably won't, considering I've still got my original PS2 copies, along with a working PS2 and PS3 with backwards compatibility. However, if/when I do, I would still like the choice of old and new voice actors.
Just Passing Through
Notes left: 65
Last seen at: Kijuju Autonomous Zone, West Africa
Goddamn it. I hope they find a suitable replacement. I, like others here, have become very fond of her voice. I hope they get an OK from Heather Morris to reuse her voice...
Yep. Just another day in Silent Hill...
Missing since: 12 May 2009
Last seen at: Quebec, Canada
I'm pretty disappointed in this as it would have made the collection perfect to me. I'm rather interested in having two sets of voices.
Doesn't matter anyways, I'm pretty excited to have this and I'll still happily buy it. I just hope the new voices won't make me cringe.
I for one dislike the VA's in SH2, old and new, and thought how SH2 often overshadows and is viewed as the superior of SH3 was absurd. I was logged into FB and it said I couldnt read it, must just be me, anyway, the VA's in SH3 were better than the ones in SH2. I always thought the original VA's in SH2 were shitty anyway. And that's being nice. And no one pull that shit and say, "The fact that they were shitty is why they were good." No. No it is not. They were shitty because they were shitty and that is why they're shitty. Heather Morris preformed to a T as far as I'm concerned, Donna Burke did a perfect Claudia, and Vincent's scenes were quite memorable as well. No original VA's in SH3?
I'll take my original copies.
Historical Society Historian
Missing since: 12 Feb 2009
I don't really care since I'm not going to buy it. But it's a bad move, no doubt.
Typographenia
Missing since: 26 Mar 2010
Last seen at: Los Angeles
I sincerely hope the new performances completely put the originals to shame, simply to see what fan reception would then look like.
[Reveal] Spoiler:
No Heather makes me sad, but whatever.
Missing since: 15 Apr 2004
Notes left: 11052
Last seen at: In the anals of forum history
I, for one, find it hilarious that, even though we've know for six months that Silent Hill 3 would also feature re-done voicing, the visible outcry over this travesty began all of a week ago.
If you want to blame someone, blame the legions of drooling fans who collectively shit angry kittens over Silent Hill 2's new voice acting and completely ignored the fact that the collection had another game in it.
I knew right from the get go that SH2 was geting new VA's. Personally, I thought Troy Baker did a pretty good job with James. But I honestly didn't find out about SH3(or at least, didn't believe it)getting new actors, until this thread was posted. They can't replace Heather's VA. They just can't. It's fucking sacrilege, IMHO. Aside from that, does anyone know who her replacement will be?
cascade88
Last seen at: Koholint island
SH3 is my favorite Silent Hill title. I wish that we could've opted to have the original voice acting as well as new voice acting but it's still not the end of the world. If I gripe about it, nothing will change so what's the point? Also, while I'm obviously fond of Heather's original voice acting, I find myself more concerned about Douglas and Vincent's voices being "right" for their characters than I am concerned about Heather's. I say this because of how Eddie sounded in the released SH2 new VA clip. James was believable, Maria was - Eddie was off to me; he needs a certain tone of voice to be pulled off effectively. But that's just my thoughts on the subject.
єเภןє๔єг єภﻮєl เรt รςђгєςкlเςђ
mr. mason
Last seen at: Brahms Police Department
SH2 was never the whole focus for me, i wanted the voices back for both games. It's not that i don't have faith in some of the new cast it's just that it would be nice to actually have a choice in the matter. Regardless i hope the new va for heather and douglass do their characters justice. I do have my fingers crossed for Mary Elizabeth Mcglynn as claudia but that probably won't happen.
Words are our worst enimies, Only actions speak the truth.
WordsOfSilent
Notes left: 3
This is sad and very stupid idea, who shall make this who love the original voices very angry about this decision ( me included ). Another nail in the coffin of Silent Hill.
Missing since: 05 Jul 2010
Last seen at: Kentucky
^They may not have had a choice but to only have new voices. There are voice actors who have steered away from the Guy Cihi and Konami drama, and thus are very, very hard to get a hold of, or just simply do not want to talk to anyone. Can you blame them? All of this has to be extremely embarrassing for all voice actors of the original games.
I'm rarely on the forums anymore. Click here for ways to reach me.
Last seen at: I'm here, and waiting for you
Also, Douglas' actor is dead, so they never really COULD do a re-take of the voices. It'd have to be either new voices or just...not edit the original vocal tracks.
BlackFire2 wrote:
I thought he meant the special powers of her vagina.
ShadowofNyx
Last seen at: NYC
With voice acting in any media be it games or cartoons/anime does not really matter to me since to be real anyone could have done the voices so I do not get invested in them if I like them I like them but I wont be bothered if they are changed hell I find it interesting to hear sometthing new but as I said before it does not really matter to me.
"Just because we've similar interests does not guarantee you're going to like me! My foot in your ass is a good example of that. My delusionary hell does not agree with yours!!" -Nny
NemesisFY
Missing since: 24 Oct 2011
Last seen at: Borley Haunted Mansion
I couldn't agree more.
The Heather's voice was epic.
Chris Redfield wrote:
Actually SH2 will have the original voices as an option.
Now what I don't understand is... Who cares about SH2 voices? There was nothing special about it.
I don't say SH3 needs the original voices because I'm a mindless fan whom will be against any change in the game. It's because Heather really had a great voice, the way she screams and talk, it gave LIFE to the character. I highly doubt anyone can match the original voice of SH3. But SH2, as I said before, I couldn't care less.
MissGarland
Missing since: 02 Dec 2011
Last seen at: Australia, mate
Apparently they can't get in contact with Heather Morris. I don't have anything to back this up that is say, from konami so don't take my word for it.
I just got new copies of sh 2,3,4 (my sister decided to use the originals as a dog toy, and i am not joking.) so when i buy the HD collection (like, 3 months after it is released and cheap) and i decided i don't like the voices, i can either mute it or just play the original. I love my ps2
黒執事
Woodside Apartments Janitor
Last seen at: In your fridge
The only characters in the entire Team Silent series that were well-acted were in SH3 so it will be a shame to not get the only decent voice-acting from the classics, but I can't wait to hear the new voices (both for 2 and 3) because, as others have said, I can always play the originals whenever I want.
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The News - Accurate, Fair and Balanced ... Everytime!
LEEWARDS
ANTIGUA-BARBUDA
ST.KITTS-NEVIS
WINDWARDS
[ December 9, 2019 ] Dr.Douglas congratulates Prime Minister Skerrit on “stunning and overwhelming election victory”. DOMINICA
[ December 9, 2019 ] Denzil Douglas: “Daily Mail story, false, malicious and libelous,” matter receiving attention of lawyers. CORRUPTION
[ December 9, 2019 ] Federal Minister, Ian ‘Patches’ Liburd continues to flout parking regulations. CORRUPTION
[ December 9, 2019 ] Low passenger loads responsible for AA two-week suspension and poor marketing strategies for Sun Country pull out? GENERAL NEWS
[ December 9, 2019 ] PAM Chairman Powell told that Team Unity is an “uncaring administration”; have failed farmers and students. POLITICS
HomeFEATUREAre Caribbean leaders giving PM Timothy Harris “the cold shoulder?”
Are Caribbean leaders giving PM Timothy Harris “the cold shoulder?”
October 10, 2019 FEATURE, LEEWARDS, POLITICS, ST.KITTS-NEVIS
Timothy & Caribbean leaders
Basseterre, St Kitts, October 9, 2019 – Are Caribbean leaders giving St Kitts and Nevis’ Prime Minister Dr the Hon Timothy Harris “the cold shoulder?.”
An individual who has been monitoring the political climate in the federation, other OECS and CARICOM states thinks so.
“Dr Harris’ relationship with his regional colleagues at both the OECS and CARICOM levels are at its lowest and it appears no Caribbean prime minister may have sent independence congratulatory messages to Dr Harris in celebration of the 36th anniversary of the Federation’s political independence,” said the individual who requested anonymity.
A search of congratulatory messages dispatched to St Kitts and Nevis and made public, shows Governor General His Excellency, Sir Tapley Seaton received messages from San Marino, Malaysia, Germany, France, Portugal, The Pope, Dominica, The Netherlands, Malta, Barbados and the Director-General of FAO, while Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hon Mark Brantley received messages from Chile, Peru, Belarus, Nigeria, Serbia, Poland, Palestine, New Zealand and The Association of Caribbean States..
Prime Minister Harris received messages from the prime ministers of Thailand and India, Nicaragua and the Secretary General of CARICOM.
A congratulatory message to the people of St Kitts and Nevis from U S Secretary of State, Michael Pompeo, is posted on the State Department’s website.
“The relationship between Dr Harris and other relational leaders has soured. It began a few years ago when he did not despatch congratulatory messages because he was annoyed with them on several issues. He has lost their respect, he has shown a lack of leadership, a lack of knowledge on regional policy and issues and an international perspective,” the person said.
“Dr Harris has also lost their trust. His word has no currency and he is not a team player,” said the individual who added: “Harris gave a commitment to a Caribbean Head of Government to attend a meeting to discuss a regional matter. He gave that commitment twice, only to be a no-show at the meeting although he was in the country.”
Since blocking the International Monetary Fund (IMF) 2018 Article IV Consultation on the economy of St Kitts and Nevis, Dr Harris has been a “no show” International Monetary Fund and World Bank Meetings in 2018 and 2017.
In 2018, he was absent from the Eighth Summit of the Americas in Lima, Peru.
Harris was also a no-show at the Twenty-Ninth Inter-Sessional Meeting of the Conference Heads of Government of CARICOM in Haiti and the CARICOM Inter-Sessional in Guyana last year.
In 2016 and 2017, he was absent from several regional and international meetings including the 42nd Regional Conference of the Caribbean, the Americas and the Atlantic Region of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) held in St. Kitts, the Pan Caribbean Partnership Against HIV and AIDS (PANCAP) forum of Regional Parliamentarians Forum in Kingston, Jamaica; Antigua and Barbuda’s 2nd Annual Citizenship by Investment Conference and the 47th Annual Meeting of the Board of Governors of the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) in the Turks and Caicos Islands.
Dr Harris has also avoided travelling to London or via London to get to the Dubai and Morocco.
The St Kitts and Nevis prime minister also avoided the Global Investment Immigration Summit in London.
“He will not go to London, not with that bribery scandal hanging over his head,” said Hon Marcella Liburd, deputy political leader of the St Kitts-Nevis Labour Party (SKNLP).
Dr. Harris is named in a judgment in the British High Court.
In a taped conversation heard in the London Court, Virdee said Dr Harris in London on his way to Dubai, begged him for a nice watch, a pair of shoes and election campaign funds during discussions on a proposed solar energy project for St Kitts.
Report: Over 100 St.Kitts and Nevis passports seized by St.Maarten Immigration Authorities.
Browne urges Labour Party to be vigilant and proactive
Dr.Douglas congratulates Prime Minister Skerrit on “stunning and overwhelming election victory”.
Denzil Douglas: “Daily Mail story, false, malicious and libelous,” matter receiving attention of lawyers.
Federal Minister, Ian ‘Patches’ Liburd continues to flout parking regulations.
Low passenger loads responsible for AA two-week suspension and poor marketing strategies for Sun Country pull out?
PAM Chairman Powell told that Team Unity is an “uncaring administration”; have failed farmers and students.
“Coral Princess” anchors in the Basseterre Roadstead while the EC$150 million second cruise pier “lay wasted”
Browne: Term limits bill designed to bar opposition leader Dr Denzil Douglas from becoming Prime Minister again.
Cabinet ministers, coalition party leaders boycott PM Harris’ church service; tenure rocked by nepotism and scandals.
Piece of bedrock reportedly hampering use of the EC$148.5 million second cruise pier.
Primary and secondary students in St Kitts and Nevis will get laptops when Labour returns to office in 2020.
$50,000 REWARD BEING OFFERED FOR INFORMATION IN SERGEANT POWELL MURDER INVESTIGATION
THE PROOF IS IN: HARRIS STOLE MONEY FROM SUGAR WORKERS
Water Rationing Continues; Patches Responsible For Neglecting Contract For More Water
PRIME MINISTER HARRIS APPOINTS CIVIL SERVANTS BASED ON POLITICS
Copyright © 2018 | SKNWEBNEWS.COM - Local, Regional and International News: Accurate, fair and balanced .. everytime
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Common Holly Wants to Be Sincere Without Being Open-Hearted on 'When I Say to You Black Lightning'
Photo: Alex Apostolidis
By Josiah Nelson
Brigitte Naggar, who performs as Common Holly, doesn't want to give too much of herself away. Even her debut album, Playing House, a wheezing, intimate breakup album Naggar wrote and recorded after graduating from university, didn't feature the blunt emotional transparency the source material can encourage. Instead, spare guitars teetered around the album, as Naggar sweetly described images, places and scenarios that worked as more suitable containers for her grief than stodgy, recounted fact.
On When I Say to You Black Lightning, out this week on Royal Mountain, Naggar sticks to a similarly artful, self-effacing approach, eschewing personal particulars in favour of metaphors that hold relatable emotional truths.
"The moment I start to perform the song — and not just perform it to a public, but play it on a guitar or sing it or whatever — it stops being what it originally was," Naggar tells Exclaim! "If originally it was some kind of confessional or journal or inspiration, it then just comes out as some sort of message or story, and so it removes itself from me."
Unrestricted by biographical fact, Naggar is able to show off her humorous, generous imagination. On "Joshua Snakes," an acoustic guitar lurches as Naggar sings, "You're like a hot supervillain at the top of your game." This villain becomes less charmingly comic and more alarming when he ties the narrator to train tracks, but even so, Naggar sings, "What will it take to say I don't think a rescue is in order?" In that moment, the breakup trope bows to something more subversive and compassionate, addressing unfair portrayals of helpless women and offering a relatable space in which to feel comforted and empowered.
For Naggar, offering this space involves sincerity. "A really big thing that I value in music and in art and in humanity is sincerity," she says. "And I guess sincerity and kindness run hand-in-hand for me. Maybe the idea is that it's an exploration, but it's not at anyone's expense. I think that it's meant to invite everyone in to play the game, and in some moments, to feel the feelings. And I think it's meant to feel familiar and supportive."
As tricky as it is to make supportive and kind music that isn't corny or glib, When I Say to You Black Lightning succeeds. Some of this comes from the rich, weird depth of its sound: co-producer Devon Bate and mixing engineer Hamish Mitchell helped Naggar in achieving an unhinged, layered soundscape that puts plucked acoustics and resonant strings in focus, while also adding swirling background ephemera — sirens, voices, pianos — that gives them, in Naggar's words, a "rickety," "off kilter" sound.
This textured sound lends authenticity to her lyrics, so that when she intones, "Don't be afraid," on "You Dance," the listener trusts her enough to personally consider the encouragement. There's a similar sense of consideration on "It's Not Real," in which a choir sings, "If I forget it, it's not real" over a jangly guitar. Sung live, Naggar says, it's this "crazy ritualistic community experience and everyone feels supported at the end."
For all its acute attention to kindness, When I Say to You Black Lightning is an emotionally rich album, offering meditations on pain and anger as well. On "Measured" Naggar plaintively sings, "I think we've been measured for pain since birth." A song later, Naggar is angry but restrained, singing, "Build your fire and watch everyone burn, is that what you're looking to do?" on the whirling, menacing track, "Uuu." It's a justified anger, redemptive and productive, expressing disappointment in the world and asking for more.
Being able to express anger artistically has been a healthy part of growth for Naggar. "I think I've spent a lot of my young life without anger, if that makes sense: very non-confrontationally and very peacefully and fine with most things," she says. "I think that anger can be extremely healthy — I think that's part of growth. You develop almost the entitlement to get angry — you have the right to stand up for something and to make some noise about something."
The noise Naggar's offers on When I Say to You Black Lightning is warm but dark, spacious enough to offer listeners hospitality, but cloistered and mysterious enough to convince them to stay. And, of course, this tension between emotional honesty and personal opacity centres around Naggar herself, who wants to offer kindness without sharing too much of herself.
Throughout the interview she returned to a sentiment she's found to be worthy, both as a musician and as a person. "Be sincere, but don't be open-hearted," she says. "Don't give away all of yourself."
More Common Holly
Common Holly When I Say to You Black Lightning
Common Holly's second album, When I Say to You Black Lightning, feels like a worthy successor to her debut, Playing House. There are clear c...
Common Holly Readies New Album 'When I say to you Black Lightning'
Nearly two years removed from releasing debut album Playing House, Common Holly has shared details of a follow-up. Titled When I say to y...
Indie Fridays Brings DJ NDN, Neon Dreams, Common Holly to Yonge-Dundas Square
Chevy Music Indie Fridays will return to Toronto's Yonge-Dundas Square later this week, and the lineup for the rest of the summer has just b...
Fredericton's Shivering Songs Festival Expands 2019 Lineup
After sharing a handful of headliners early last month, organizers behind Fredericton's Shivering Songs festival have added a whole bunch mo...
Common Holly Up+Dt Festival, Edmonton AB, October 6
There are a few things worth contemplating when sitting in a church. Why did the Flintstones celebrate Christmas? When concerts are in churc...
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Jerry Vilhotti
Big Eye Over A Small Table
Let's Play Money
East Bronx Kids
The Right-Cross Kid
Firing Guardian Angels
Paper Moons
Burywater Fair
Another Place and Time
Suns Over Canada
The Bastard Devil Made Me Do It
Miles From Home
I graduated from the only college that won the NIT and NCCA basketball tournaments in the same year but more importantly than that-Jonas Salk who helped rid some of the world of polio with his vaccine was also given the opportunity to contribute to Mankind and graduated from the same NYC school that's called in some circles: "The poor man's Harvard". This and the fact that there was a place of higher learning that indeed gave every race, nationality and creed an opportunity to play in the game of sculpting a better world gives me greater joy.
To use a lame analogy: I was a pretty good ballplayer in my day: I could hit singles, doubles and triples and
sometimes home runs! I hit balls for fly outs or ground outs and sometimes I even struck out! That's how I feel
like a writer--no more no less.
I have been fortunate to have had stories published in the USA, Greece, India, Scotland, Ireland, England , Canada
and Singapore; many of which were literary magazines. I live among the Litchfield Hills with the ghosts of Mark
Twain in the east, Harriet Beecher Stowe on the west and John Brown to the north. I live in a simpler place in time, with a beautiful wife who treats me well and waits for me to return from my imaginary meandering and WE both helped-- I swears to God!--in bringing three sort of nice kids, a boy and two girls, into this tumultuous world of whom we are very proud and I hope they find a loved one as good as the one who helped me become a writer.
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main safe dating
http://stpatricksbirmingham.com/dating-online-swakopmund/
Volunteer as a Steward
Sponsor the Festival
Come to the Launch
12:00pm - 2:00pm, Digbeth High Street
Our Famous Parade
Diversity and hospitality
From Irish dancers to Caribbean dancers, Welsh dragons to Chinese dragons, the St Patrick's Festival has always been a vibrant celebration of multiculturalism. At 12 Noon a confetti blast signals the start of the St Patrick's Parade, and another fun filled festival celebrating the culture and diversity of Birmingham.
Birmingham’s St Patrick's Parade goes back to 1952 and was the first in Britain. It was originally started by the community to reinforce their identity and ensure their strong links with the home country. The parade has taken place in Digbeth since 1996 and has since grown enormously in stature. 2017 promises to be better than ever. Whilst being unmistakably Irish at the core, the Parade increasingly mirrors the fantastic diversity and multicultural nature of Birmingham, as we welcome guest appearances from other communities. What could be more Irish than extending hospitality?
St Patrick's Phoenix - created by schools as part of our community outreach
Lord Mayor on the St Patrick's Festival Bus! 2016
As the anticipation of the huge crowds grow at the start of the parade, it’s an emotive thought that in these times of financial uncertainty nothing stops a community demonstrating its devotion to each other and collective spirit of will. With the whoosh of the confetti blast and the initial hum of the first bagpipe and striking of the drums, the parade will start it’s life-affirming beat as it meanders through the parade area, safe in the knowledge that this tradition will start every parade for years to come – regardless of what challenges may lay ahead.
Be a part of the next St Patrick's Parade!
Visit our "support us" page for more information on registering a float or walking group, volunteering as a steward or supporting us as a sponsor.
Official pubs and venues will be displaying a "Proud to support the St Patrick's Festival" sticker on their front door / doors.
We would urge anyone attending the St Patrick's Festival to double check this map, and make sure you support the businesses that support us!
There is currently no designated disabled viewing area, though we are looking into this with the council. As a failsafe, the further up Digbeth High St you go towards Camp Hill, the more room there is - though remember to check on parking options well in advance.
Support the businesses that support us!
The St Patrick's Festival has grown and grown over the years, attracting 80,000 people to the area, much to the delight of local businesses!
Plenty of local pubs, venues and businesses will be hosting their own celebrations and joining in with the spirit of the day. We operate as a not-for-profit organisation, and we are very grateful for the donations and support that we receive from most local businesses.
To highlight and give thanks to those venues that have supported us, we've put an interactive map together. The above map will be updated weekly until the end of February, and will display all the local venues that have contributed to the 2016 St Patrick's Festival. The map will also highlight official events, which will be free to enter for all members of the public. We are aware that there are unofficial fringe events that may charge entry, so to avoid confusion check the map for supporting venues and events.
Parade Day can get hectic for drivers so be careful where you park. Wheel clampers operate on private land around Digbeth and many sites are prohibited from parking. Look out for signs warning of wheel clamping and vehicle towing, they may be high up or obscured. There’s no such thing as a free parking space in the City Centre.
If you are going to park in a private Pay & Display car park, make sure you:
Pay for sufficient time to cover your visit
Display your ticket clearly in your windscreen, the correct way up, so that it can be read
Park within the marked bay
Do not park in spaces marked as ‘Reserved’
Do not park in spaces designated for the disabled, unless you have a valid blue badge clearly on display
Check the terms and conditions carefully on the signs.
If your vehicle has been clamped or towed, contact West Midlands Police on 0845 113 5000. Officers from West Midlands Police and Birmingham Trading Standards will patrol the area to assist motorists. Alternatively, contact Birmingham Trading Standards on 0121 303 6031 on Monday morning for assistance.
St Patrick’s Festival
Parade Form-Up Details
St. Patrick’s Festival Magazine
Register a Vehicle or Float
Register a Walking Group
Global Greening
Kiely Bros
Embassy of Ireland
Zellig
Motorpoint
The Irish Post
South and City College
Online Registration Documents
Register for The Emerald Mile
Register for a Vehicle Pass
© 2020 St Patricks Festival Birmingham
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Home | Scoreboard | Postseason | Stats | Standings | Teams | Players | Player News | Injuries | Transactions | Odds
Philadelphia 1 0 0 1 1 0 0 1 0 4 15 1
Arizona 0 0 0 2 0 2 3 1 x 8 12 3
W: A. Chafin (1-2) L: R. Suárez (3-1)
6:40 PM PT7:40 PM MT8:40 PM CT9:40 PM ET21:40 ET1:40 GMT9:40 6:40 PM MST8:40 PM EST9:10 PM VEN5:40 UAE (+1)8:40 PM CT, August 6, 2019
Chase Field, Phoenix, Arizona Attendance: 17,446
Player AB R H RBI TB BB K AVG OBP SLG
C. Dickerson, LF 5 1 2 1 5 0 2 .317 .370 .576
R. Hoskins, 1B 5 1 1 0 2 0 1 .253 .389 .513
B. Harper, RF 5 0 1 0 1 0 1 .249 .370 .459
J. Realmuto, C 5 0 1 0 1 0 0 .273 .322 .457
J. Segura, SS 5 1 3 0 3 0 0 .287 .335 .439
C. Hernández, 2B 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 .282 .328 .405
Z. Eflin, P 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .147 .147 .147
A. Knapp, PH 1 0 1 0 1 0 0 .202 .330 .281
S. Kingery, 3B-2B 4 1 2 0 3 1 1 .279 .338 .510
A. Haseley, CF 4 0 3 2 4 0 0 .280 .322 .463
J. Arrieta, P 2 0 0 0 0 0 1 .163 .182 .186
R. Quinn, PH 1 0 1 0 1 0 0 .198 .274 .326
R. Suárez, P 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .500 .500 .500
B. Parker, P 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 - - -
B. Miller, 3B 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 .214 .340 .476
Totals 42 4 15 3 21 1 7 - - -
J. Dyson, RF-CF 5 1 2 0 2 0 1 .253 .334 .356
A. Jones, PH-RF 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .268 .317 .429
K. Marte, CF-2B 5 1 1 0 1 0 0 .317 .377 .574
E. Escobar, 2B-3B 3 2 2 3 5 1 0 .282 .339 .537
D. Peralta, LF 4 1 1 2 4 0 1 .284 .348 .467
C. Walker, 1B 4 1 2 0 3 0 1 .259 .350 .484
J. Lamb, 3B 3 1 1 0 1 1 2 .227 .367 .433
R. Scott, P 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 - - -
Y. Hirano, P 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 - - -
A. Bradley, P 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 .000 .000
N. Ahmed, SS 3 0 0 0 0 1 1 .266 .330 .427
A. Avila, C 3 1 2 3 5 1 1 .240 .397 .519
M. Leake, P 2 0 1 0 1 0 1 .500 .500 .500
A. Chafin, P 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 - - -
W. Flores, PH 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 .276 .325 .385
Y. López, P 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 - - -
T. Locastro, RF-CF 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .250 .360 .351
2B: Phi 3, R. Hoskins (24), S. Kingery (23), A. Haseley (6). Ari 1, C. Walker (21).
HR: Phi 1, C. Dickerson (6). Ari 3, E. Escobar (25), D. Peralta (10), A. Avila (8).
HR Detail: Phi, C. Dickerson (Inning: 1 , 0 Out, 0 on) off M. Leake. Ari, E. Escobar (Inning: 4 , 0 Out, 1 on) off J. Arrieta, Ari, D. Peralta (Inning: 7 , 1 Out, 1 on) off B. Parker, Ari, A. Avila (Inning: 8 , 0 Out, 0 on) off Z. Eflin.
Scoring Position: Phi - 2 for 17.Ari - 2 for 8.
Player IP H R ER BB K HR BFP Pit B-S ERA OpBA
J. Arrieta 5.0 5 2 2 2 5 1 21 80 31 - 49 4.41 .277
R. Suárez, (L 3-1, BS 1) 0.1 2 2 2 2 1 0 5 25 14 - 11 4.30 .311
B. Parker 1.0 3 3 3 0 1 1 5 20 9 - 11 7.20 .300
Z. Eflin 1.2 2 1 1 0 2 1 7 22 8 - 14 4.53 .274
M. Leake 5.1 11 3 2 1 3 1 27 97 32 - 65 3.38 .423
A. Chafin, (W 1-2) 0.2 0 0 0 0 2 0 3 11 2 - 9 4.58 .250
Y. López, (Hld 18) 1.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 11 6 - 5 2.64 .206
R. Scott 0.2 2 1 1 0 2 0 4 16 6 - 10 18.00 .571
Y. Hirano, (Hld 13) 0.1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 4 2 - 2 4.29 .255
A. Bradley 1.0 2 0 0 0 0 0 5 14 4 - 10 3.93 .264
Errors: Phi 1, J. Segura (12). Ari 3, N. Ahmed (8), C. Walker 2 (6).
Double Plays: Phi 2, (Arrieta to Hoskins; Realmuto to Hernández to Realmuto to Kingery). Ari 2, (Ahmed to Walker; Leake to Escobar to Walker).
Caught Stealing: Ari 1, N. Ahmed (1).
Umpires: HP--Hallion, 1B--Hamari, 2B--May, 3B--Cuzzi.
Attendance - 17,446
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House prosecutors are into dirty play, aided moreover, by the yellow media, what with the lead prosecutor, Iloilo Rep. Niel Tupas Jr., at a media forum, coming up with a deed of sale document of a condominium said to belong to Supreme Court Chief Justice Renato Corona, and claiming four more Corona properties that he said the prosecution is in the process of verifying while calling on the CJ to make public his Statement of Assets and Liabilities Networth (SALn).
The next day, the yellow media had a photo of an empty Taguig penthouse which is not even the condo that the CJ owns, and which condo, incidentally, he had earlier disclosed in his reply to the impeachment complaint..... MORE
‘America preparing military intervention in Syria’
Damascus is criticizing the US for sending an envoy to Cairo's Arab League discussions about ending the Assad regime’s crackdown on dissent. London-based political analyst Chris Bambery says the US is preparing for a military intervention in Syria.
According to Barbery, sanctions against Syria are only the beginning of Western intervention. "The key ally in this enterprise, Turkey, has been involved with the Free Syrian Army – training them, and we know there are also American advisers in those camps in Turkey," he says. And, "when you combine all that – sanctions, diplomatic moves, the involvement with the Free Syrian Army, it begins to create a dynamic that though perhaps the Americans don’t want involvement in the military operation in Syria, they can pull it in that direction.”.... MORE
URL: http://rt.com/news/military-syria-arab-america-223/
“A monetary union without political union is impossible to maintain,” economist Arjo Klamer said 20 years ago. And as Europe struggles to deal with the euro crisis, the EU countries are still too different to politically unite, Klamer told RT.
Klamer, who is a professor of the Economics of Art and Culture at Erasmus University in Rotterdam, says a political union should be formed now, because stronger fiscal coordination and better social policy would support the euro. However, “There is too much heterogeneity. The countries are too different.
Countries are too attached to their own sovereignty,” he told RT..... MORE
URL: http://rt.com/news/eu-political-union-failure-237/
Libya: Collapse of justice leaves at least 7,000 behind bars (w/ Video)
Libya: Collapse of justice leaves at least 7,000 behind bars
With their common enemy dead and gone, the uniting factor which bound Libya’s former rebels in their fight against Muammar Gaddafi has melted away. Now, in-fighting among the different armed factions is spilling onto the streets.
Meanwhile, thousands of Libyans remain behind bars waiting for the new rulers to try them for their crime of failing to jump ship.
One of the first amnesties of the new Libya was when hundreds of men and women, many of them sub-Saharan immigrants, were released from a makeshift prison. Most of them had spent several months in captivity for the crime of being in the wrong place at the wrong time..... MORE
URL: http://rt.com/news/libya-justice-collapse-tripoli-227/
CNN censors vet that supports Ron Paul
The establishment’s war against Republican presidential hopeful Ron Paul has been evident since the Texas congressman began surging in the polls, but the previously privy attack on the candidate was made public to millions Wednesday night.
During a live interview Wednesday night from an Iowa caucus location, CNN briefly spoke to an US military veteran and adamant supporter of Rep. Ron Paul until the soldier began praising Paul for the non-interventionist ideals that separate the congressman from the mainstream candidates endorsed by the establishment..... MORE
URL: http://rt.com/usa/news/cnn-ron-paul-thorsen-207/
Poor Bart I.N.S.I.D.E . C.O.N.G.R.E.S.S Charlie Manalo 01/05/2012
Poor Bart
I.N.S.I.D.E . C.O.N.G.R.E.S.S
He may enjoy the title Chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP) but Nicanor Bartolome may be far from one.
According to reliable sources inside Camp Crame, ex-fugitive, Sen. Panfilo “Ping” Lacson, who is reportedly being eyed by President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino to take over the helm of Department of Interior and Local Government, is already wielding his influence in the force, particularly on the appointment of officers in juicy positions.
According to the source, Ping, who went into hiding after being implicated in the Corbito-Dacer double murder case, only to surface later after Noynoy assumed the presidency, is imposing himself on Bartolome, allegedly dictating on the PNP chief on who to appoint to certain positions in the police organization, prompting one official to described Lacson as the “de facto chief PNP.”.... MORE
Pinoys in Syria reject return, say no jobs in RP By Michaela P. del Callar 01/05/2012
Pinoys in Syria reject return, say no jobs in RP
Majority of Filipino workers in Syria have rejected the Philippine government’s offer to repatriate them to the Philippines for free amid the worsening political security situation in the troubled Middle East state, citing scant employment opportunities back home, Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario admitted yesterday.
Del Rosario, who flew to Syria last weekend to personally check on the progress of evacuation efforts of the Philippine Embassy there, said many Filipinos have expressed their desire to remain even as the government declared the highest crisis alert in the country that calls for mandatory repatriation of all its nationals.... MORE
Flood victims, kids compete for use schools 01/05/2012
Flood victims, kids compete for use schools
Flood evacuees and pupils competed for space of schools yesterday, with both wanting to use the buildings following the Christmas break, officials said.
In some cases, survivors of last month’s floods from tropical storm “Sendong” were moved to alternative shelters as children returned to schoolhouses that had been used as evacuation centers.
But in other instances, hundreds of the evacuees refused to leave, forcing school officials to find novel ways of conducting classes..... MORE
For not getting ‘pulutan,’ drunken man kills 3 women 01/05/2012
For not getting ‘pulutan,’ drunken man kills 3 women
A drunken man went on a shooting spree and killed three women and wounded an American after he was not given “pulutan” (appetizer) last Tuesday night in Tondo, Manila.
The suspect was identified as Ronald Cruz, 37, of 1220 Masinop St., Tondo, a former seaman and a messenger of Philippine Reclamation Authority..... MORE
Katipunan heroine’s remains brought to QC hall today 01/05/2012
Katipunan heroine’s remains brought to QC hall today
The remains of Melchora Aquino, more popularly known as Tandang Sora, are laid today at the Quezon City Hall after their exhumation from Himlayang Pilipino before they are brought to their final resting place at a shrine exactly where she was born 200 years ago.
At a press conference, Mayor Herbert “Bistek” Bautista and Vice Mayor Joy Belmonte, who heads the Task Force Tandang Sora, said the relics of the Grand Old Lady of Katipunan, who was said to be a look-alike of actress Dawn Zulueta when the city’s lone heroine was in her 20s, will be brought to the city hall in a flag-draped casket and on a horse-drawn carriage..... MORE
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Debasing the CJ post
Written by Herman Tiu Laurel
From the noisy media circus atmospherics the past two weeks surrounding the scramble of Cabinet-member wannabes and outsiders for the Judiciary’s top post, to the buzz on whether or not these nominees’ Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) interviews should be televised, down to the paparazzi fervor with which these prospective candidates are being introduced to the public, all efforts in finding a replacement for ousted Chief Justice (CJ) Renato Corona ultimately bring up one question: Isn’t this a debasement, a trivialization, of what in the past was considered a rarefied post, along with the essential attributes of detachment and transcendence that the candidates — not just for the Supreme Court (SC) but for the Judiciary as a whole — are supposed to possess?
Thus, it was with a sense of disbelief that I witnessed the likes of the country’s chief tax collector showing off her wares in a cable news interview and of law deans and professors parading themselves to catch media attention, like in a burlesque show. It really is a sad spectacle; and sadder still when you think of how low it speaks of the ruling powers’ regard for the Judiciary.
One CJ qualification raised by Malacañang spokesman Edwin Lacierda, in obvious support of 51-year-old Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) Chief Kim Henares, was on the matter of age. He told Palace reporters that since “age is not a factor,” a CJ candidate does not have to be old. What did he mean by that?
First of all, being 40 is not necessarily “young” to the younger set. Despite that, 50 can now be the “new 40” and 60 the “new 50.” Moreover, someone who is 60 can even conceivably be 40 in many respects since it is now widely believed that the mind determines the age. Therefore, someone at age 51 who is crabby, myopic, tyrannical and oppressive can really be an 81-year-old Mubarak in mental state. Got that, Lacierda?
Well, perhaps to buttress his argument, Lacierda also cited the case of US Federal Supreme Court CJ John Roberts, who, upon assuming his post at age 50, serves as an example of a young person appointed to the zenith of the Judiciary. What he failed to note, however, was whether or not this young appointee indeed had a sterling record of public service to begin with.
Objections were already raised about Roberts’ pro-right, anti-abortion leanings that allegedly triggered some violence by extremist groups prior to his appointment. Then, in his five years at the helm, a number of major, yet unsettling, changes came about under his leadership, which led retired Justice Sandra Day O’Connor to lament, among other things, Roberts’ reversal of her major contribution to US jurisprudence of imposing spending limits on political campaigns.
So besides the 40-year-old age requirement for Philippine CJs, should there be any room for petty ageism? Moreover, given the importance of the CJ’s position, have we ever had any in-depth, ideological, or jurisprudential discussion on issues relating to the CJ’s appointment?
Sadly, it has always been the case of the Chief Executive and his spokesmen, the Legislature, and the media being at the forefront of providing leading, albeit shallow and mediocre, questions in whatever discussions, with politicians, media, relatives, friends of JBC members, or law fraternities holding sway on a personal or parochial basis.
Such a debased (or debasing) process of naming, vetting and appointing the next CJ clearly creates worse conditions for any nominee, as he will no longer be unaffected; will likely feel obliged to respond to private and public parties to which he may feel indebted; or will fear chastisement if he displeases one or the other source of support for his appointment.
We must therefore take a second look at the serendipitous findings of lawyers Alan Paguia and Homobono Adaza in reviewing Article VIII Section 9 on the Judiciary: That there is no constitutional basis for the nomination by the JBC and the President’s appointment of the CJ.
Given the fundamental principles upon which our nation’s democratic system is supposedly founded (namely, the separation-of-powers, checks-and-balances, the independence of the Judiciary) and taking heed of the caveat from an old adage that says “Absolute power corrupts absolutely,” we must end the practice of appointing a CJ from outside the SC once and for all in order to enhance the high court’s independence and detachment and for it to focus purely on the interpretation and execution of the Constitution and all its laws.
It is for this reason that Paguia, Adaza, Jojo Borja, myself, and several others will be filing a petition before the SC this Thursday on the issue.
Our thanks thus go to citizens Ric Palompon of Manila, Editha of Batangas, Bonifacio from the South, Romeo Lopez, Olive of Bulacan, Mrs. Villanueva of Mandaluyong, Mrs. Borja of Iligan, and Glen of QC for sending in donations for the filing fee and photocopying. To the few donors who have not sent in their names, we wish to thank them as well. Because of your generosity, I believe we will have enough by the date of filing. Mabuhay to all the conscientious and pro-active citizens who are continuing to support our cause!
(Tune in to 1098AM, dwAD, Sulo ng Pilipino/Radyo OpinYon, Monday-Wednesday-Friday, 5 to 6 p.m.; watch Destiny Cable GNN’s HTL edition of Talk News TV, Saturdays, 8:15 to 9 p.m., with replay at 11:15 p.m.; visit http://newkatipunero.blogspot.com for our articles plus TV and radio archives).
(May Pahintulot ng Pamamahagi)
URL: http://www.tribune.net.ph/index.php/commentary?start=9
‘US anti-terrorism policy violates human rights’ – Jimmy Carter
Former US president Jimmy Carter has criticized America’s actions against terrorism, saying that drones attacks and targeted assassination of suspicious people are undermining America’s “role as the global champion of human rights.”
In his critical article "A Cruel and Unusual Record" published in the New York Times, Jimmy Carter said that with all the revolutions sweeping around the world, America should “make the world safer.” Instead, however, “America’s violation of international human rights abets our enemies and alienates our friends,” he argues.
US’s government counterterrorism policies, Carter says, are now clearly violating at least 10 of the 30 articles written in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights..... MORE
URL: http://rt.com/usa/news/carter-article-us-drones-677/
Turkey's downed jet: NATO action in disguise?
Turkey is pushing NATO to regard Syria's recent downing of a Turkish jet as an attack on the alliance. NATO is gathering to discuss the incident, while some see parallels with the events that preceded NATO’s campaign in Libya.
Turkey insists that its unarmed RF-4E reconnaissance jet was shot down in international airspace on Friday while testing a domestic radar system. The country’s Deputy Prime Minister Bulent Arinc also said Monday that Syrian forces had opened ground fire on a search and rescue plane shortly after the first jet was downed.
Turkey has also requested that NATO hold a meeting under Article 4 of the alliance's treaty, which allows a NATO member to request a consultation if it feels a threat to its territorial integrity or security. The meeting is due to take place on Tuesday. The alliance will consider classifying the Friday incident as an armed attack under Article 5, which states that an attack against one NATO member shall be considered an attack against all NATO members..... MORE
URL: http://www.rt.com/news/turkish-plane-nato-syria-725/
547,000 victims
Written by Jonathan de la Cruz
To learned obser-vers, it is not so much the news that the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) has shifted $1 biliion of its $77 billion reserves from bonds or other financial instruments lodged with its accredited fund managers to an interest bearing account called the “firewall fund” administered by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) that is the problem. That shift, not a lending, is not really as gross and threatening as some sectors would like the public to believe. It is in fact a prudent and, yes, a beneficial move as part of our commitment to the stability of global financial markets. Rather, it is the report that the BSP has presided over the collapse of 41 banks in the last 18 months alone putting the monies of 547,000 depositors in extreme jeopardy, which has raised alarm bells in these parts.
Coming as it did with the 49th anniversary of the Philippine Deposit Insurance Corp. (PDIC) and the celebration of “Depositor Protection Week,” this piece of bad news has really sent shudders down the spine of millions of depositors whose hard-earned monies may just be lost in a jiffy resulting from what some observers have described as a disturbing trend of laxity in the BSP’s examination and supervisory functions as well as the inchoate if not conflicting rules and issuances made by it and its twin banking regulatory agency, the PDIC.
The unprecedented bank closures of more than two banks per month has prompted LPGMA party-list Rep. Arnel Ty to push a congressional inquiry on the reasons behind these closures and their impact on the communities and sectors they serve and the economy as a whole..... MORE
URL: http://www.tribune.net.ph/index.php/commentary/item/684-547000-victims
Small lady at LTO strikes again
Written by Jacinto ‘Jing’ Paras
The BS Aquino administration seems so fond of small ladies, whether fictitious or real. One such small lady was mentioned during the impeachment trial where a congressman alleged that some documents were handed to him by a small lady.
Another is a mysterious small lady who left some documents at the gate of another congressman in his Loyola Heights home. Now another small lady that figured out in a very high profile controversy is the small lady of the Land Transportation Office (LTO), and mind you, this small lady is not fictitious, she is for real and she’s got big plans but most have gained notoriety in our current day to day life. She’s none other than the best friend and shooting buddy of his Excellency BS Aquino, Ms. Virginia Torres.
Charlie Manalo of the Tribune called her, the most controversial official. If we recall, Ms Torres got involved in illegall and forcible takeover the facilities of Stradcom, a company owned by Mr. Cesar Quiambao. Torres tried to help the Sumbilla group, a group claiming ownership of Stradcom to forcibly open the offices of Quiambao’s Stradcom and entered its premises aided by LTO security forces. For this notorious act, Department of Justice (DoJ) Secretary Leila de Lima recommended the filing of both administrative and criminal cases and dismissal of Torres from government service..... MORE
URL: http://www.tribune.net.ph/index.php/commentary?start=18
One dead as Chinese ship sinks RP boat near shoal
FISHING CRAFT’S CAPTAIN SAYS ATTACK INTENTIONAL
The first physical encounter between Chinese and Philippine vessels amid a tense naval standoff over conflicting territorial claims of both countries happened last June 18, or a day after President Aquino ordered the pullout of Philippine ships from the disputed Scarborough Shoal, in an incident where a Chinese vessel rammed a local fishing boat near the shoal, killing one and leaving four others missing.
Office of Civil Defense chief Benito Ramos described the ramming as accidental but Posio Balmores, captain of the motorized fishing boat AXL John, said their seacraft was intentionally bumped.
Ramos, nevertheless, admitted that the suspected Chinese vessel did not stop to help the Filipino fishermen as seafaring protocol calls, raising suspicion that the incident was not accidental.
“It (foreign vessel) did not (stop) that’s why we are doubtful if it was accidental then they should have helped them (Filipino fishermen). They were recovered two days after by fellow Filipino fishermen,” Ramos said..... MORE
URL: http://www.tribune.net.ph/index.php/headlines/item/700-one-dead-as-chinese-ship-sinks-rp-boat-near-shoal
Carpio accuser produces witness to SC cover-up in Urban Bank case
A lawyer, who was disbarred after accusing Supreme Court (SC) Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio of improprieties in handling a case involving the now defunct Urban Bank, has produced a key witness to back up his claim that there had been a cover-up.
The witness, former SC stenographer Fe Malou Castelo, who took notes of important proceedings in the high court for nine years lashed out at justices of the tribunal who, according to
her, erred in ordering the disbarment of the lawyer on “inadequate and insufficient” grounds.
In an affidavit dated May 25, 2012, Castelo, who was SC stenographer from 1997 to 2006, also backed claims by Magdaleno Peña that there was a “cover-up” in the complaints he filed against some justices and that the documents he submitted pertaining to an allegedly forged resolution issued in November 2002 by then First Division member Associate Justice Antonio Carpio were authentic.
“Throughout my tenure as a stenographer with the SC, I have never experienced an instance wherein any justice or division, or the en banc for that matter, changed the actions taken and agreed upon during the deliberations, without having the particular case called again,” Castelo said..... MORE
URL: http://www.tribune.net.ph/index.php/headlines/item/695-carpio-accuser-produces-witness-to-sc-cover-up-in-urban-bank-case
POEA blacklists 2 US recruitment firms
Written by Mina Diaz
Two US-based employment agencies were blacklisted by the Philippine Overseas Employment Agency (POEA) for deceiving 24 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who were promised jobs in hotels in Florida but were forced to work as farmers in Mississippi.
The POEA cancelled the recruitment license of US Opportunities and Royal Hospitality Services and the ZDrive Inc., both US-based employment services companies, for their failure to provide Filipino workers the jobs specified in their contracts.
POEA Administrator Hans Leo Cacdac also ordered the exclusion of two US-based companies from participating in the government’s overseas employment program for contractual violation under the POEA Rules and Regulations Governing the Recruitment and Employment of Land-based Overseas Workers..... MORE
URL: http://www.tribune.net.ph/index.php/nation/item/691-poea-blacklists-2-us-recruitment-firms
RP ranked 6th by WB in gender equality
President Aquino appears bent on naming more women to key positions in the Executive Department or the Judiciary where a selection process for the position of Chief Justice is in progress.
At a radio press briefing, deputy presidential spokesman Abigail Valte said the Aquino administration remained committed to the promotion of equality between men and women even as the Palace aide welcomed results of a World Bank (WB) study showing the Philippines ranking sixth out of 129 countries in gender equality..... MORE
URL: http://www.tribune.net.ph/index.php/nation/item/692-rp-ranked-6th-by-wb-in-gender-equality
Alcala urges Finance chief to discipline Customs boss
Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala is calling on Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima to ask Customs Commissioner Rufino Biazon to make good on measures needed to curb smuggling of imported meats that erode the local industries of pork, poultry and other agricultural crops.
In a letter to Purisima dated June 13, Alcala followed up on the series of letter-requests he had made since April 10, asking among other things that the Bureau of Customs (BoC) provide the Department of Agriculture quarantine personnel with the Inward Foreign Manifest (IFM) “unfiltered on a real time basis.”
Alcala also asked Purisima on the status of BoC’s implementation on reference prices that he wanted imposed on imports starting May 11, 2012..... MORE
URL: http://www.tribune.net.ph/index.php/metro-section/item/677-alcala-urges-finance-chief-to-discipline-customs-boss
Pasig PNP plan to release reporter’s assailant foiled
Plans of the Pasig City police to release “at cost” an arrested suspect believed to be one of the three assailants behind the slay try on The Daily Tribune reporter Fernan Angeles last March, was foiled when the journalist himself showed up at the Pasig PNP station to verify a text message saying the local drug ring’s designated hitman had just been picked up.
Angeles, who sustained permanent physical disabilities resulting from an ambush that saw him peppered with six bullets, assailed the anti-drug operatives of the Pasig PNP.
Angeles, who has resumed covering Malacañang Palace for The Tribune, recounted having seen how the Pasig PNP’s anti-drug operatives even accorded privilege to the suspect, one alias Junior Praning, who was allowed to use the mobile phone of an anti-drug police officer so he could contact anybody who could “bail him out instantly.”.... MORE
URL: http://www.tribune.net.ph/index.php/metro-section/item/676-pasig-pnp-plan-to-release-reporter%E2%80%99s-assailant-foiled
‘US anti-terrorism policy violates human rights’ –...
Carpio accuser produces witness to SC cover-up in ...
Alcala urges Finance chief to discipline Customs b...
Pasig PNP plan to release reporter’s assailant foi...
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Continue to Jaws of Hell Chapter Four
Author: SavageWaters19
Rating: R and up
Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters of BtVS, they all belong to Joss Whedon, and the Jaws theme is Peter Benchley's. The Jaws setting is basically an island off California, and I took the chief of police idea and the marine biologist - those are all Jaws. Other than that, the story's mind and such. Made up characters are mine as well.
Author's Note: Warning: Character Death!!!
"Jesus fucking Christ!" muttered Willow as her house phone rang in her bedroom. She grunted a hello as she picked up the phone and heard Officer Harris's voice.
"Officer Harris, why am I not surprised to hear from you?" questioned Willow, slightly out of it from the recent state of sleep.
"Hey Will, we need you down here on Main Beach," Xander answered.
Xander only referred to Willow by Will or Willow outside of the workplace, when the two talked one on one. Also, this was a big indicator to Willow that he was scared.
"Xander, what's wrong?" asked Willow, now completely concerned for her best friend, if not only friend on the island.
"There's been another attack," he stated simply. Willow's eyes grew big and she threw on the closest items that resembled clothes and drove quickly to Main Beach.
Practically jumping out of the truck, Willow rushed over to see a frenzy of people, crime scene tape and an ambulance. It the mix, she spotted Xander.
"Officer Harris," she called. The young man looked up, grief stricken all over his face. She moved over right beside him and said, "What the hell happened?" In a much lower voice, Willow whispered to Xander, "Come on Xander, pull it together, it's alright."
Xander nodded and motioned for her to follow him. They walked briskly on the beach for a while before encountering a young female with hazel hair.
"Chief Rosenberg, this is Dawn Summers, a witness to what happened tonight," introduced Xander. Willow eyed the girl. Taking in her appearance and the small behavior she could, she deduced that the young woman was in shock.
Dawn clung to the med intern as if he were oxygen. She shook slightly, but from shock or cold, Willow didn't know. Her eyes, as Willow guessed, were swollen from crying. Dawn looked like, for lack of a better word, shit.
"What exactly did she witness?" Willow questioned, fearing she already knew the answer.
Xander nodded his head toward a lump of mass laying on the sand a couple of feet from the two cops. "That," he simply said.
Willow inched closer, not from fear or smell, but by instinct.
A young woman's body lay shredded, resembling the remains of the other two victims. Her right arm was completely gone, as was her right leg, but the sight that most caught Willow off guard was the missing chunk of flesh in the woman's right side. The face was so damaged that the only way you could tell which side was up right was the fact that the head was still half connected to the body.
Willow thought out loud, "The shark attacked from the right side, straight shot, so it was surfaced - well as much as it could be surfaced-when it attacked," concluded Willow.
"That isn't the only victim," butted in Xander, "there was another boy, Ms. Summers boyfriend. His leg was extracted by the attacker and they rushed him to the hospital. He'll be fine though."
"Alright well, we need to, unfortunately, preserve this girl's body for Ms. Maclay to examine it. She should be out here tomorrow sometime. Until then, we need to get the kids' stories. Just to confirm the inevitable. With their statements, we can issue for a warrant to close the beaches," she concluded.
"Finn won't like that," state Xander, almost to himself.
"This isn't Finn's job," responded Willow, almost to herself. She sighed as she walked with Xander to the station to do the paper work on the case.
Back at the station, Willow and Xander filled out all the required documents and aimlessly talked about their "plans" for the weekend. Willow didn't have much to talk about. She only had a few minor complaints; and of course, the 4th of July celebration to prepare. It was only June 24, but Finn had her on the assignment at the end of May. The redhead had to set up security and make sure everything ran smoothly for Mayor Finn.
"So who's this Maclay you mentioned?" Xander asked, interrupting Willow's thoughts.
Without looking up from her paperwork, Willow answered him, "The marine biologist that Steinhart Aquarium is sending over."
"Yeah, but I know you pretty well, and you love that computer. In fact, you love the computer so much, that you do background checks on almost everyone before you meet them," Xander noted. Willow's looked up from her work and smiled guiltily at him.
"Alright, so I did a background check, but it hardly said anything. She went to UCLA and majored in marine biology. She worked as a dolphin trainer for Sea World during her college summers to pay for school. Then, fresh out of college, she continued working at Sea World in the shark department until Steinhart recruited her," Willow revealed.
Xander smiled, knowing that Willow always researched help for the force. Xander didn't know why though. He used to think she was just paranoid, but after learning more about Willow, he knew she wasn't paranoid. But what other reason could there be? The brown haired man finally decided it really didn't matter.
Willow finally set down her pen and sighed. "Bring her in."
Xander stood and composed himself. He stuck his head out the door and called for Dawn, who slowly walked into the office.
"Why don't you give us some time Officer Harris," Willow stated.
With Xander's nod, she glanced at the young woman who kept her eyes on the floor. Willow frowned in sadness.
"Dawn, right? I'm Chief Rosenberg, but you can call me Willow, alright?" The young girl looked up and nodded once at Willow and the red head continued. "Ok, so as hard as I'm sure it might be to recall this incident, could you please explain to me what happened out there?" inquired Willow.
The brunette gazed out the window to the ocean shore. Just as Willow began to repeat the question, the girl spoke.
"We were swimming. It was a spur of the moment thing. We had a couple of drinks, thought it would be fun to skinny dip for an hour or so. Carlos, my boyfriend, was joking around with attacking my leg and stuff. He scared the shit out of me and Kit. When I felt something bump my leg again, I figured it was, um, Carlos...again..."her eyes watered up, but she breathed in deep and continued, "I told him to stop messing around and he looked at me like I was crazy...then he was pulled under." She paused a moment. "He resurfaced once and then was yanked under again, but me and Kit were heading for shore. Then, he came up again and I reached for him. We began swimming in. Kit was in front of us. All of a sudden, that thing hit in from the side. Drove her out of the way. I almost stopped, but Carlos told me to keep going. And I did. Didn't even turn back once to see if I could help her. Of course I saved Carlos, but in Kit's time of need, I just let her go. The one person who was with me time and time again..." she began crying uncontrollably. She shook violently and Willow moved around her desk to comfort her. Dawn balled for fifteen minutes, constantly blaming herself, before controlling herself.
"So, you are positive it was a shark then?" questioned Willow, not really needing to. With Dawn's nod, Willow squatted on her knees in front of the girl.
"Then I need you to fill out this complaint form. It's the only way that Mayor Finn will allow is to close the beaches. Carlos will need to do the same. Your statement could prevent further attacks on swimmers," Willow tried to emphasize her statement as much as possible. She knew far too well how much effort Finn would put into fighting Willow on this. With these statements, there was no way he could argue and win.
Dawn nodded numbly and filled out the necessary questions and lines, jumping through every hoop Willow placed in front of her. Willow felt the girl was distant, basically going through the motions. Her heart went out to the girl.
When everything was done, Willow told the girl to go home and sleep as best she could. With the girl gone, Xander began to walk back into Willow's office, but she shooed him away.
"Go home. Get rest. Be back early tomorrow," she commanded.
"I assume you're going to stay here all night and there's nothing I can do about it," he stated, not so much as a question but more of an observation.
"Your intuitive side scares me sometimes Harris. I'll see you tomorrow," she said, returning to her desk and opening up the first of a pile of books she had picked up from the local library.
Willow flipped through the pages, looking at pictures and facts. Statistics and attack maps.
But they just all faded into the same damn thing.
Continue to Jaws of Hell Chapter Six
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Preview/Prediction
Submitted by TotalAccess on Thu, 01/19/2017 - 07:00
MLB Spring Training 2017: The Top 10 Outfielders to Watch
What's about to proceed is a slideshow about outfielders to watch that won't mention Mike Trout.
It sounds blasphemous, but there's a method at work here.
The idea is to focus on 10 outfielders who will be worth monitoring during 2017 spring training. What they have in common is not that they're slam-dunk superstars but that they have questions to answer.
Submitted by TotalAccess on Wed, 01/18/2017 - 05:05
Mets Spring Training 2017 Preview: Predictions, Players to Watch and More
A savior is on its way to Gotham—and we're not talking about Captain America or the Dark Knight.
Spring Training will soon arrive to save New York sports fans from what has been a frustrating, hair-pulling winter of discontent, filled with underperforming teams and contenders with more holes than the Swiss cheese on a Reuben sandwich from the dearly departed Carnegie Deli.
Submitted by TotalAccess on Tue, 01/17/2017 - 07:00
Cubs Spring Training 2017 Preview: Predictions, Players to Watch and More
The Chicago Cubs will enter the 2017 season as marked men, looking to undertake the uphill battle that is repeating as World Series champions.
Just three times in the last 30 years has a team managed to win consecutive titles, as the New York Yankees won three in a row from 1998 to 2000 and the Toronto Blue Jays won it all in 1992 and 1993.
The Cubs have the talent to join that exclusive club.
Red Sox Spring Training 2017 Preview: Predictions, Players to Watch and More
When the Boston Red Sox report for spring training, they'll officially embark on a 2017 season that they hope will result in their fourth World Series title since 2004.
Oh, by the way, the magic date is February 13.
MLB Spring Training 2017: The Top 10 3rd Basemen to Watch
We could go on and on (and on) about Kris Bryant, Josh Donaldson, Manny Machado and the other superstars at third base in today's MLB. The position is capital-L Loaded.
But since we know what those third basemen are all about, let's pivot to some guys who more closely resemble question marks going into spring training.
Submitted by TotalAccess on Mon, 01/16/2017 - 09:42
World Baseball Classic 2017: Projecting Tournament Favorites, Dark Horses
March is an important month for baseball fans. Not only does it signal the beginning of the exhibition season—and draw us ever closer to Opening Day—but every four years, it provides us the opportunity to see the best players in the world compete in a 16-team tournament, the World Baseball Classic.
Submitted by TotalAccess on Fri, 01/13/2017 - 08:33
MLB Spring Training 2017: The Top 10 Shortstops to Watch
Few positions in baseball have seen as big an influx of high-upside young talent in recent years than shortstop. From Carlos Correa to Francisco Lindor to Corey Seager, the position is well-stocked with young stars who are poised to dominate the game for years to come.
Believe it or not, but the pipeline is far from dry, as some young shortstops are poised to make their impact felt at some point during the 2017 season. Of course, the veterans who stand in their way will have something to say about that, as they're not going to give up their everyday jobs willingly.
MLB Free Agents 2017: Predicting Landing Spots for Top Players Still Available
These are hard times for MLB free agents. With spring training fast approaching, roster spots and money are in shorter supply than they were at the beginning of the offseason.
This much is certain, though: The top free agents still standing won't be unemployed forever. They're going to land somewhere.
So, let's go ahead and predict where these somewheres will be.
Fantasy Baseball 2017: Position-by-Position Rankings
It's time to start preparing for the upcoming fantasy baseball season.
Sure, most drafts are still at least a month away. But nobody wants to be caught unprepared, forced to rely on the preset rankings supplied by whatever site your league uses, manically flipping printouts as you search for a worthy selection while the clock runs out on you.
Predicting San Francisco Giants Depth Charts a Month Ahead of Spring Training
After finally running out of even-year magic in 2016, the San Francisco Giants don't have many questions to answer before they try to conjure some odd-year magic in 2017.
After filling their closer need by signing Mark Melancon, the Giants should only have a couple roster spots up for grabs when they arrive for spring training next month. That makes it easy to spell out their depth charts on paper, which is what we aim to do.
Best of the American League:
Invest in the White Sox?
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Wonderful Copenhagen is a city of bridge-spanned canals, copper-roofed buildings and manicured parks. This famous Baltic seaport is one of Europe’s loveliest capitals and the seat of the oldest monarchy in the world. Copenhagen is a focus for commerce, culture, industry and cosmopolitan atmosphere. The locale of Hans Christian Andersen’s enchanting tale of The Little Mermaid, Copenhagen is known as Denmark’s fairy-tale city. Its impressive theaters, museums and churches are of interest to many visitors; the best-loved attractions include the world-famous Tivoli Gardens, the Langelinie Harbor with its Little Mermaid statue and the busy shopping promenade known as Strøget.
Suggested Private Excursions
Copenhagen City tour – 4 Hours
Roskilde tour – 5 Hours
North Zealand Tour – 7 Hours
Malmö and Lund – 7 Hours
Berlin (Warnemünde)
Warnemünde is the gateway to Germany's capital. The fall of the Berlin Wall in November of 1989 was a conspicuous and symbolic end to the era of the "Iron Curtain". For 45 years, Berlin had existed as a city divided. Today, with the Brandenburg Gate open once more, Berlin thrives with new life, yet it is not quite totally reunited. Like twins who've been separated for many years, it will take awhile to get to know one another again. From the Brandenburg Gate, Unter den Linden leads to the heart of old Berlin with its Prussian palaces and monuments. Venerable Humboldt Universitat nurtured some of Germany's greatest thinkers, including Hegel, Einstein, the Brothers Grimm, and Karl Marx. Wander through Spandau Zitadelle, a medieval fortress surrounded by placid waters, where the 13th-century Juliusturm Tower guards long-dead stories of past glories. For a taste of Berlin's creative side, sample the cafes and clubs of Kreuzberg.
Gdynia (Gdingen)
Enter Gdansk (English for Gdingen) from its gateway port of Gdynia and discover one of the oldest, most important, and most beautiful cities in the Baltic. Myriad architectural styles co-exist in the heart of Old Town, including Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque. Standouts are Golden House, with its gold-plated ornaments on its detailed Renaissance facade, Artus Palace, known for its breathtaking interior, Town Hall, with its slender towers and gilt statues, the Neptune Fountain, which dates to 1633, and the elaborate brick and sandstone Great Arsenal. St. Mary's Church is the largest brick church in the world, with a capacity of 25,000 and home to the touching Madonna of Gdansk statue from the 15th century. A visit to Gdansk isn't complete without experiencing Malbork, the largest feudal castle in Europe. The High Castle, the original hilltop fort, offered sweeping views of attackers on the city, while the Middle and Lower Castles and the lavish Grand Master's Palace were built to withstand the mightiest sieges.
Often referred to as "Pearl of the Baltic," this neat city is known for impressive architecture, wide boulevards, and beautiful harbor. Grand Senate Square, dominated by exquisite Tuomio Church and onion domes of Russian Orthodox Uspenski Cathedral, is an example of neo-Classical, Empire-style impressive architecture. Visit the lively harborfront market and Temppeliaukioa Church (Rock Church), which was created in the 60's from man-made and natural materials. Finland’s musical heritage comes alive in great Finlandia Hall, designed by renowned architect Alvar Aalto. Finland’s beloved composer, Jean Sibelius, is remembered by a beautiful monument on Helsinki’s outskirts. Helsinki has good museums displaying everything from art to architectural design. Open-air Museum - the small wooded island of Seurasaari - has a collection of vernacular buildings assembled from all over Finland which provide insight into how country folk lived until recently. Suomenlinna Fortress is the largest in the world and often called Gibraltar of the North.
Helsinki City tour – 3 Hours
Suomenlinna Fortress tour – 3 Hours
Porvoo Tour – 5 Hours
Founded by Peter I in 1703, this beautiful city became the designated capital of Imperial Russia from 1712 to 1914. St. Petersburg was a gateway to the West and a distinctly European metropolis with Baroque and neo-classical mansions. The second-largest city in Russia and the country’s principal seaport, St. Petersburg boasts some of the world’s finest art museums, opulent palaces and one of the world’s most talented ballet companies. Many monuments and palaces in and around St. Petersburg are being carefully restored; they represent an important facet of the country’s rich historical and cultural heritage. Some of the world’s most magnificent art treasures are housed in the famous Hermitage; several other museums boast fine collections by Russian and international artists. Strolling down Nevsky Prospect, you will realize the pride of St. Petersburg’s stoic citizens as the former glamour and opulence of its stately buildings begin to emerge once again.
St Petersburg: Art Treasures of the Hermitage Museum - 4 hours
St Petersburg: Orientation Tour - 4 hours
St Petersburg: Impressionist Art & the Faberge Museum - 6 hours
St Petersburg: Excursion to Peterhof - 6 hours
St Petersburg: Catherine's Palace in Pushkin - 4 hours
St. Petersburg - 3 day's itinerary for cruise passengers
St. Petersburg - Jewish Heritage Tour
St. Petersburg - Moscow in a Nutshell on a Day's Visit - Full day
St. Petersburg - Romantic Cruise on Rivers and Canals - 1 to 2 hours
St. Petersburg - 2 days' itinerary for cruise passengers
St. Petersburg - City tour + Peter and Paul Fortress + St. Isaac's Cathedral - 8 hours
St. Petersburg - Brief City tour + The Hermitage Museum - 6 hours
St. Petersburg - Peterhof and Pushkin - Summer Royal Residences
St. Petersburg - Brief City Tour and Russian Museum - 6 hours
St. Petersburg City Tour - 7 hours
St. Petersburg - Pushkin - 7 hours
Tallinn's many occupations over the centuries have resulted in a cultural mix and unique ambiance of this maritime city. Old Town's cobbled streets and 13th-14th century buildings attract thousands of visitors annually who admire the city’s heritage of medieval buildings, the imposing City Hall, the Orthodox Cathedral, Toompea Castle and Oleviste Church. See former guild houses, including the Great Guildhall of the medieval Hanseatic League. Other attractions include impressive Town Hall Square with 15th century Gothic Town Hall, and numerous Gothic churches including Toomekirik. Toompea Castle has fine views over Tallinn. In Hirve Park, Estonians have rallied recently in protest of foreign occupation. "Tall Herman" and "Fat Margaret" are two towers among the remnants of the original defense walls. The "Fat Margaret" tower now houses a Maritime Museum on Tallinn’s history as a busy port. Other museums include: The House of Knights on Toompea Hill which displays Estonian art from the 19th and 20th centuries; the Museum of Decorative and Applied Art.
Tallinn: Panoramic Tallinn - 8 hours
Stockholm is Sweden’s strikingly elegant and beautiful capital. Stockholm, noted for its outstanding architecture, is one of Scandinavia’s most attractive cities. In addition to its many man-made monuments, Stockholm boasts natural beauty - with one-third of the city’s total land area devoted to parks. As the country’s major city, Stockholm offers a wealth of monuments and sites, fine museums, and a rich culture. There are also hundreds of excellent restaurants, as well as a great selection of trendy boutiques and exciting nightclubs. Visitors should start their exploration of Stockholm with the Gamla Stan, the Old Town on Stadsholmen; an island in the center of the city, it has retained its medieval charm. The maze of narrow, cobbled streets, full of art studios, boutiques, antique shops, nightclubs and bars, is best explored on foot.
Drottingholm Castle tour - 4 Hours
Stockholm City tour – 5 Hours
Uppsala and Sigtuna tour - 6 Hours
Itinerary subject to change without notice. Please confirm itinerary at time of booking.
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CHURCH WITHOUT WALLS
WE ARE TRIUMPHANT!
The Triumphant Church is the coalescence of disciples of Christ who believe that church is only as strong as the framework of the family. We are dedicated to spiritual growth, evangelism, and fellowship through the study of biblical principles. At Triumphant Church, we are taking ministry to another level. We have a foundation of strong biblical and Christ-centered worship which facilitates building families and ultimately God’s kingdom. At all of our services, we clarify scripture for added understanding and learn how to practically apply God’s Word in our lives. Whatever your talents and spiritual gifts are, we invite you to connect with a ministry that best meets your personality, and one which will help you continuously grow ever stronger in your faith. At Triumphant, we do not worship a distant deity; but rather one God who, as Father, Son and Holy Spirit, constantly makes Himself near to all who call upon His name! May you be encouraged and blessed as you discover more about Triumphant Church of Nashville and the role in which God is calling you to serve in this community, this city, this state, and beyond!
Our Ministry Leaders
Bishop Fred Matthew IISenior Pastor
Bishop Fred Matthews is a native of Chicago, Illinois. Our Pastor has always excelled academically, graduating with honors from both Tennessee State University and Shaw University. He also received a fellowship and studied at The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and the Veterans Hospital in Nashville, TN. He remained very active in his community and is part of several civic, professional and non-profit organizations. Bishop Matthews is often called upon to use his academic leadership expertise and has served as an advisor on several Executive Boards of Colleges and Corporate Organizations.
Out of his many Professional Licenses, Awards, Recognitions, and Degrees, Bishop Matthews prides himself on being a family man. The foundation of his Biblical teaching is that Ministry begins at home with your own spouse and children. He and Lady Matthews have been married for over 20 years and together they have four beautiful daughters, whom they are raising to be scholars and independent virtuous Lady Leaders.
Follow and Communicate with Bishop Matthews on Facebook by clicking the link below
Lady Allison MatthewsFirst Lady of Triumphant Church
The First Lady, Allison Matthews is a proud native of Nashville, TN. She is a graduate of John Nave University and went on to teach Cosmetology at the school after graduation. Currently she serves as a mentor to Mother’s, Wives and Women in Ministry everywhere. She is a successful entrepreneur and has owned several Beauty Salons before entering into Full-Time Ministry. She is currently the owner of Allison’s Dream Vacations & Event Planning.
Often Lady Matthews is known as “the hardest working First Lady”… balancing her family, her business and the ministry with style and grace.
Lady Matthews met Bishop Matthews while serving in Ministry as the Youth Director at Temple Pentecostal Church. The two were very active in Ministry, serving to advance the Kingdom of God and became great friends. They began dating, got engaged and she accepted Bishops Marriage Proposal. Our Pastor & First Lady married on Saturday, February 13, 1999 and to this union they have four beautiful daughters.
Follow Lady Allison Matthews on Facebook
Triumphant Church is a ministry that prides itself on being a melting pot for all God’s people. From Youth to Elderly, rather you are Black, White, Rich or Poor, you are welcome to come do life here with our Community of Believers!
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Stars of Distinction
Eligibility / Submission Requirements
EoSA Agreement
School Transformation
Caudill Class
2018-19 Winners
By ISD
2018—Dallas ISD Personalized Learning Initiative
Dallas ISD—Dan D. Rogers Elementary School, Marsh Preparatory Academy, and The Innovation, Design, Entrepreneurship Academy (IDEA) at James W. Fannin
Architect: HKS, Inc.
The District launched a Personalized Learning (PL) initiative in 2013. Through PL, students are equipped to drive their own learning experiences and to engage in real-world content that’s relevant and appropriately challenging for them. Five schools were selected to pilot PL, and three worked with our firm to explore how the built environment could activate and advance PL. The partnership began with a four-day charrette, continued with campus renovations, and concluded with a research study.
The transformational solutions entailed dissociating instruction from the rigidity of corridors, classrooms, and a one-size-fits-all paradigm. Instead, the opportunity was to imagine learner-driven, personal spaces that span a range of scale and function and support anytime, anywhere learning. The spaces were designed to spur students through both messy/creative processes and focused/reflective processes. Design also sought to capitalize on serendipitous learning opportunities between students.
We brought all resources to bear to develop creative, relevant solutions with limited funding and to breathe new life into decades-old buildings. Elem.: We recaptured idle space in the auditorium by removing bolted seats, leveling the floor, and creating a tiered project-based learning space. High: We built multimodal learning labs and activated the corridors with plug-in bars and reading nooks. We used glass overhead doors to easily reconfigure space from closed/private to open/collaborative.
At each school, we (1) had zero added building footprint and minimized waste; (2) increased natural light by removing furr downs in front of windows, raising/removing ceilings, and reconfiguring interior partitions to maximize views; (3) installed LED fixtures on dimmer switches. At the elementary, we connected the media center to an adjacent courtyard so learners could access the natural environment. In tandem, the school installed a garden in the courtyard, activating the long-idle greenspace.
At the elementary, the community was engaged at every step of the way. One of the key issues raised by the community was the lack of access to the courtyard, so we prioritized leveraging the underutilized greenspace as an important goal. To activate the courtyard, we collaborated with a national nonprofit to design/install a garden with the help of a grant and volunteers. We also worked with the District facilities team to build a deck to connect the media center to the courtyard/new garden.
The District’s pilot Personalized Learning (PL) campuses were selected for our firm’s Design Fellowship in 2014. The Fellowship is an opportunity for junior architects to tackle a design challenge for a pro bono client. Over four days, three firm teams worked closely with three school teams to understand the vision for PL, coalesce around design concepts, and develop ideas for space to support PL. The concepts from the Fellowship then inspired renovations and post-occupancy research.
Through the planning process, we found that space to support Personalized Learning must be learner-driven/personal, forward-looking, and flexible/fluid. Across all campuses, we: (1) were intentional about designing spaces that range from public to private and formal to informal to accommodate different teaching and learning modalities, (2) considered the future of work and so developed spaces that closely approximate that future, and (3) leveraged space to maximize collaboration and creativity.
Star of Distinction Category Winner
Texas Association of School Administrators
Texas Association of School Boards
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England Trip with Mom, Dad, & Lori
6/27/2000 Mom, Dad, & Lori boating down the Thames 43 K
6/26/2000 Street Sign to Catbrook Inn 43 K
6/26/2000 Mom takes us to pudding club 3 times. 29 K
6/25/2000 Mom, Scott, & Lori on steps of Roman Baths 42 K
6/25/2000 Scott remembers Keri while visiting Bath 16 K
6/25/2000 Catbrook Inn Bed & Breakfast (owned by Anna) 29 K
6/25/2000 City of Bath gets name from these Roman Baths. 51 K
6/25/2000 This was Mom's favorite sign in each city. 21 K
6/24/2000 Scott & Lori in front of Pudding Club (Randalls) 31 K
6/24/2000 Finally find Bullocks lane outside of Leek 44 K
6/24/2000 Lori tooks us for Fish and Chips in Moretown 45 K
6/24/2000 Bourton on Water Postcard 41 K
6/24/2000 Mom is excited about Robins Ave. 43 K
6/24/2000 Mom and Dad's next Christmas Card 53 K
6/24/2000 Lori likes the beautiful scenery in Leek 43 K
6/24/2000 B&B in Moretown & Marsh where Mom & Dad stayed once 45 K
6/24/2000 Mom & Dad love Bourton on the Water 57 K
6/23/2000 Scott tests driving on the wrong side. 27 K
6/23/2000 Lori loves Hoo Cottage in Chipping Campden 40 K
6/23/2000 Diana was an awesome host at Sandalwood Inn. 31 K
6/23/2000 Mom, Dad, & Lori test out armour at Warwick Castle 31 K
6/23/2000 Lori looks good in more armour at Warwick 35 K
6/23/2000 Lori & Mom in front of Warwick Castle 28 K
6/23/2000 Dad, Scott, & Lori on top of Warwick Castle 26 K
6/23/2000 Scott kept in touch with home through Internet Cafes 20 K
6/23/2000 Dad loved the spicy Indian food in Stratford 38 K
6/23/2000 All of us on Dianas front steps at Sandalwood 37 K
6/22/2000 Mom loved the Public Footpaths in the Cotswalds 38 K
6/22/2000 Scott in front of Snowshill's only pub 31 K
6/22/2000 Mom found the Snowshill street in our painting! 26 K
6/22/2000 Diana's B&B had a beautiful backyard 35 K
6/22/2000 Snowshill postcard 52 K
6/22/2000 Cotswold postcard 26 K
6/21/2000 Lori sleeping on the Gatwick Express 31 K
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A leading research-intensive university, the University of Birmingham is a vibrant, global community and an internationally-renowned institution, in the top 20 in the UK and 100 globally. With approximately 28,000 students and 6,000 members of staff, its work brings people from more than 150 countries to Birmingham.
The University of Birmingham has been challenging and developing great minds for more than a century. Characterised by a tradition of innovation, research at Birmingham has broken new ground, pushed forward the boundaries of knowledge and made an impact on people’s lives.
We continue this tradition today and have ambitions for a future that will embed our work and recognition of the Birmingham name on the international stage.
Universities are never complete. They develop as new challenges and opportunities occur. At the University of Birmingham we innovate, we push the frontiers of understanding; we ask new research questions, we turn theory through experiment into practice – because that’s what great universities do.
Visit birmingham.ac.uk/index.aspx
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Displaying 981 - 997 of 997 articles
Bum deal: people in poorer inner city areas tend to get worse services, such as less access to GPs. PA/Gareth Fuller
A&E visits research needs more careful scrutiny
Jonathan Shapiro, University of Birmingham
A new study shows an association between less access to GPs and high rates of attendance in nearby accident and emergency (A&E) units. It’s an interesting piece of work but risks inflaming an already…
e b e cd.
Blocking enzyme improves wound healing in elderly diabetics
Elderly and diabetic patients could benefit from blocking enzymes that prevent skin-thinning, which causes wounds to heal…
Syrian rebel troops in a firefight in Aleppo. Freedom House
From Arab Spring to regional sectarian war
Stefan Wolff, University of Birmingham
The promise by Syrian rebel leader Selim Idriss this week that “we are allowed to fight Hezbollah fighters inside [Lebanese] territory” was a chilling intimation of what may lie ahead for the region. What…
Passions run high when it comes to the NHS but despite some unprecedented challenges it will do what it always does - survive. PA
Despite the difficulties, the NHS is not dead yet
Jon Glasby, University of Birmingham
The NHS in 2013 is facing a series of unprecedented challenges. A rapidly ageing population is just one of a number of factors fuelling a rise in demand for services and hospitals are struggling to cope…
Royal service? Eddie Stobart is among the firms expected to bid for legal aid contracts. Andrew Milligan /PA Archive
Legal aid reforms will leave the poor with little choice
Andrew Sanders, University of Birmingham
If you were in a fix and looking for a lawyer, would you think of bringing in haulage contractor, Eddie Stobart, to argue your case? Or Tesco, for that matter? And while G4S may be experienced at running…
Without energy storage technology we’re leaving good energy blowing in the wind. Danny Lawson/PA
When the wind blows we must capture it for a calmer day
Richard Andrew Williams, University of Birmingham
The handling of Britain’s energy strategy leaves much to be desired, subject as it is to short term politics over long term planning. We face a trilemma that stems from the opposing tension of climate…
liver cells are known for their ability to regenerate but it’s difficult to replicate in the lab. PA/Lynne Cameron
Lab-grown liver cells are a step closer to treating liver disease
Jo Adetunji, The Conversation
The liver is a special organ. Mature liver cells - or hepatocytes - have the capacity to continually divide and repair damage…
Desperately seeking Tesco. Lynne Cameron/PA
Supermarkets can lead high street rebirth
Pamela Robinson, University of Birmingham
A report released yesterday by the Centre for Retail Research (CRR) outlines a very bleak future for the UK high street. A fifth of shops are expected to close in the next five years, with 316,000 job…
Isolated and reviled: the families of terror suspects suffer trial by media with virtually no support from social services. Image by Pensiero via Creative Commons
Bleak future lies in wait for the families of Woolwich suspects
Surinder Guru, University of Birmingham
The family of Woolwich murder suspect Michael Adebolajo have broken their silence, issuing a statement in which they condemned acts of terror and religious violence and sent their “heartfelt condolences…
Watching brief: police gathering footage at a demonstration. Petras Gagilas via Creative Commons
From Boston to Woolwich: the flaws in second guessing counterterrorism
Steve Hewitt, University of Birmingham
Almost as quickly as the first responders in the aftermath of a terrorist attack arrive, come the second guessers. In the case of the horrendous incident in Woolwich last week, it was not long before it…
Brute force: English Defence League leader Tommy Robinson (left) rallied his supporters outside a Woolwich pub. PA/Neil Lancefield
EDL uses an old playbook to spread message of hate
Chris Allen, University of Birmingham
It was unsurprising that little more than a few hours after yesterday’s horrific murder, the far-right arrived in Woolwich. Emboldened by the afternoon’s events, the English Defence League’s (EDL) leader…
GPs and hospitals aren’t incentivised to properly manage demand, which has contributed to the crisis in Accident & Emergency. PA/Stephen Kelly
A&E is in crisis because we all take it for granted
Our increasing use of hospital services is out of control and unsustainable and is contributing to the current crisis in accident and emergency (A&E). But the problem isn’t new and 30 years of NHS…
Shell and BP in less competitive times. flikr/recursion_see_recursion
Oil, the marketing wolf pack, and EU price-fixing
Andrew Pressey, University of Birmingham
When most of us think of cartels, we think of Colombian drug gangs rather than multi-national businesses. But not any more; if European regulators are to be believed, a cartel has been operating much closer…
It’s never easy when someone we’re close to is dying but there are things we can learn from the professionals who deal with this every day. PA/David Cheskin
We need to get over our fear of talking about dying
Cara Bailey, University of Birmingham
It’s not always easy to talk to someone who is dying. Conversations about future plans and wishes may appear insensitive and fuelled with great pain and distress when it’s somebody we love. For some, not…
The failure of the entire political class to stress the positive contribution of migrants is taking us back to the 1950s. Cathal McNaughton/PA
The truth about migrants – they want to work, pay tax, make friends and integrate
Jenny Phillimore, University of Birmingham
If you listen to UKIP, you could be forgiven for thinking migrants are coming to Britain to access our foolishly generous welfare benefits and care nothing for integration. But that’s simply not true…
Australia’s hydro energy storage systems are getting long in the tooth: maybe it’s time to look at liquid air. Michael Mazengarb
The missing link: why Australia needs energy storage
In visiting Australia regularly for the last two decades I have never quite understood why greater value is not placed on the nation’s latent solar and nuclear energy assets. Perhaps it is because Australia…
Current methods of examining newborn babies’ hearts in the first days of life are not particularly effective. jeremysalmon/Flickr
How a simple test could save babies from dying of heart disease
Andy Ewer, University of Birmingham and Martin Kluckow, University of Sydney
More babies die from undiagnosed congenital heart defects than from any other abnormality. But a simple test which is safe, painless and takes only a couple of minutes could help identify these babies…
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About the Daniel Island News
Home / Business / Daniel Island's 'Pixie' Paula is a giant in the Charleston spirits industry
Daniel Island's 'Pixie' Paula is a giant in the Charleston spirits industry
Wed, 05/29/2019 - 9:57am admin
MARIE ROCHA-TYGH
Daniel Island resident and entrepreneur “Pixie” Paula Dezzutti is a pioneer in the spirits industry. In 2011, she founded the Charleston-based company, Local Choice Spirits. The mother of nine is a true renaissance woman. She owns the local Striped Pig Distillery (which recently won the S.C. Distillery of the Year award), creates spirit brands with celebrities, and is involved in several endeavors to positively impact the community.
Dezzutti entered the male-dominated alcohol industry after successful careers in the financial, real estate, and hospitality industries. She worked with celebrities on tourism events at the various properties she developed before becoming an investor and executive at a technology company that purified alcohol.
“It didn’t take long to realize how much potential there was in marrying my knowledge of celebrity and high visibility brand building into the lucrative beverage industry,” Dezzutti acknowledged.
Dezzutti believes in “pouring it forward” and sees her family-run business as an opportunity to give back.
“We care about what we do, and we care about the people we serve,” she said. “This is why we created ‘Sip & Share’ - our cause marketing initiative that allows us to give back to local communities.”
Dezzutti strives to give her customers “a premium product at a value price, so people don’t overpay in the name of charity,” she added. Two dollars of every bottle purchased for a fundraiser or non-profit event is donated back.
Dezzutti’s work ethic motivates those around her. Johnny Pieper, head distiller, says working with Paula is a life-changing experience.
“She inspires me every day with her constant upbeat attitude and her refusal to hear no,” he said. “She is a pioneer in the world of developing brands and flavors.”
Her diverse brands and partners include: Gentry Bourbon, (which is featured on the Charleston reality show Southern Charm), Monkey Cinnamon-Flavored Tequila with Richard Rawlings, The Legendary Hatfield & McCoy Family Brand Whiskey, and Gold Star Vodka for Veterans. Dezzutti’s brands have won over 70 awards.
After moving to Daniel Island almost a decade ago, Dezzutti fell in love with the area. She says Charleston is the perfect place for business.
“There are thousands of bars and restaurants here, and there is a huge push for local food and beverages. The people of Charleston want to support one another and support local business wherever they can.”
Dezzutti is currently in the process of setting up a distillery in Georgia. When completed, it will be largest in the United States. The petite dynamo is also working on her own reality TV show. Always looking for ways to empower women, Dezzutti just acquired Skirt Magazine. Skirt, Charleston’s first women’s magazine, just celebrated its 25th anniversary.
With everything on the horizon, Dezzutti still finds time to grow her business.
“We have new brands coming on board that we can’t wait to bring to market, and I’m working very closely with the music industry creating magic there as well…We are so excited for our future,” she exclaimed.
To learn more, visit www.localchoicespirits.com and www.stripedpigdistillery.com.
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FivexFive
Blogging, Business and Brands
by Valerie Lam | Posted January 8, 2013
Topics: Ads, Advertisements, Advertorial, Agency, audience, Bank, Beauty, blog, blogger, Blogosphere, Brand, business, Business Acumen, Campaign, collaboration, commentary, commercial, Content Creator, Contest, Creativity, Demographic, editor, Editorial, Entrepreneur, Facebook, Facebook Traffic, fashion, Fashion Director, Financial, Fohr Card, Foley and Corinna, Freedom, Google Analytics, Holly Stair, Illustrator, Influencer, instagram, Integrity, Investment, James Nord, Make Money, Make Profit, marketing, Mike and Ike, money, Network Model, New York, Online Creator, Online Platform, Partnership, Photographer, Platform, Portfolio, Publishing Industry, return, Rich Tong, Smart Blogging, social media, Social Media Manager, Sponsor, Sponsored Blog Post, Statistics, Stefani Yarhi, street style, style, Style Coalition, talent, Textstyles, Toronto, Tumblr, Tumblr Fashion Week, Twitter, User Engagement, Yuli Ziv
A Hearst Digital Media campaign between Magnum Mini Ice Cream Bars, fashion line, alice + olivia, and six brand ambassadors from the Style Coalition network.
Rich Tong and Holly Stair.
Source: jamesnord.com.
Open to style bloggers, stylists, editors, photographers, illustrators, artists and other creative types, New York-based, invite-only Fohr Card is an online discovery tool that aims to connect fashion brands to content creators from across the globe.
Fohr Card started when Holly Stair and Tumblr's former fashion director, Rich Tong, came across James Nord, a photographer who was using Tumblr as a platform to promote his portfolio. "[Nord] had developed a great body of work, but needed a way to get in touch with brands and begin meaningful partnerships. We [Stair and Tong] were fortunate enough to connect [Nord] with a handful of brands which led to a series of terrific projects," explains Stair.
The trio stuck together as professional brands kept coming back to them for blogger recommendations for various projects. With Fohr Card, brands can "identify and match creators they would like to work with and get in direct contact with them. When a brand has selected a blogger, they work directly with the individual or their agent to secure whatever project they wish to partner on," says Stair. Sounds accessible, right?
While content creators may be looking to take their blogging to the bank, they're not always the ones sourcing out the brands. Sometimes the process is inverted. The main way that brands can quickly find the most suitable content creators on Fohr Card's 1,000-some talent directory is through a series of metric measurements.
There are so many ways to try and decipher influence, justify collaborations and making investments in working with bloggers, but cold, hard, verified statistics are harder to come by. Brands don't want an estimation or an influence score made up from an unknown algorithm; they want followers as they increase and decrease [in] traffic.
"Users connect their Twitter, Instagram, Tumblr and Google Analytics accounts and allow us access to their API, which pulls their follower counts and traffic for our ranking. Then, they can customise the design of their profile, show the categories in which they produce content and any relevant brand work or press," explains Stair. "There are so many ways to try and decipher influence, justify collaborations and making investments in working with bloggers, but cold, hard, verified statistics are harder to come by. Brands don't want an estimation or an influence score made up from an unknown algorithm; they want followers as they increase and decrease [in] traffic."
Looking at the flip-side of this collaboration, Stefania Yarhi is a Toronto-based street style photographer who left her full-time job in 2009 to take a courageous plunge with her blog, Textstyles. "[The] reason I started [Textstyles] is two-fold. I was working at a custom-publishing company and I wanted a creative outlet, so [the blog] was my platform. I also wanted it to become a working CV, and for it to get me freelance work. So from both those respects, it's been a really great ride," says Yarhi, who cites a collaboration with the Mike and Ike candy company as the most creative and engaging project she's done to date. When Mike and Ike "broke up," Yarhi came up with the concept of building two necklaces for each side of the company and asking voters to choose their favourite. The idea was a success, readers voted and the newfound user-engagement resulted in a surge in Facebook traffic, as well as sales.
Despite this success, Yarhi is still skeptical about getting total return from her blog. "There's no way to prove [in blogger and brand collaborations] that there's a return in sales. There's no way of knowing that having a brand ambassador means they have sold more products. It's always about a popularity contest. Brands have a contest and get different style bloggers, and pit them one against the other. It's so transparent: you're looking for more Facebook likes, who has more followers, who's going to win. So it's a popularity contest, and I don't know how much that actually does for the brand that built the framework for that. Does it mean you sold ads? I don't know."
For many content creators like Yarhi, monetising her blog was a trial-and-error experience. "When I was looking to advertise, at first I would get these emails about doing sponsored blog posts and we'll pay you or we'll send you a product and you write about it. But [I realised] very early on that if it wasn't something that I liked, I wasn't going to do it."
Yarhi had also tried to seek representation with an online agency, but quickly withdrew her account. "With an agency like almost all other agencies, if you're not one of the top three on their talent roster, you're just fodder. You're there to show clients, we have 50 people. But I am probably one of the smallest business accounts they have. But it is my business," she says fiercely. "It is my job, and I want someone to care about it as much as I do. So then I started thinking about honing it and taking it over myself."
The term "advertorial" is used in the publishing industry to describe an article that acts like an advertisement, even though it is not a sponsored ad. Yarhi's desire for editorial integrity, in which her content fits with her original intentions and respects her audience, is likely echoed throughout the blogosphere. For that, Style Coalition may have some solutions.
Founder and CEO of Style Coalition, Yuli Ziv, has business acumen as cunning as the moves a Scrabble player can make with the letters in her name. Style Coalition brings together a diverse network of top fashion and beauty talent, just like Fohr Card, and provides a wide range of support to its content creators, as well as tangible resources such as travel and a studio. In 2012 alone, Ziv estimates Style Coalition to have mediated 50 to 100 different advertising campaigns.
One of the two Mike and Ike candy
necklaces created by Stefania Yarhi.
Photograph courtesy of Stefania Yarhi.
"As creative people, [content creators] should be in charge of the work they represent and the work they do, and they should be able to make those decisions," says Ziv, who goes on to explain that Style Coalition provides marketing support and moves away from an agent model to a network model. "A network model allows them to manage those opportunities more personally [...] From our perspective, a lot of bloggers are not at that stage where they need an agent to manage every email they're getting. But it's certainly beneficial to work through a network where someone can represent you."
Letting creative people focus their creative energy also matures them in upholding their editorial integrity, especially when faced with the pressure to concede to the wishes of brands. "At first everyone's too excited when they get opportunities to work with a brand, and they may not necessarily make sure that their voice is kept and the brand is aligned with what they've built. But today I'm seeing bloggers becoming smarter about those things and saying 'no' to those companies because they don't think it's a good fit for their audience, which I always applaud for. I think audience is their biggest asset. So they should definitely be aware of things that may be clashing with their audience. In that sense, I think their biggest learning curve is a smarter collaboration," Ziv explains.
Also, don't call a blogger a blogger in front of Ziv. "I feel 'blogger' is a very limiting term; it refers only to the blog itself. Today, the people we work with - the online creators - they work across platforms." Counting in at 50, their talent roster may look small, but that is on purpose, in order to provide enough creative opportunities to bloggers with participating brands. It helps bloggers monetise their blogs and allows enough revenue opportunities to all the online creators.
"Right now, we're focusing on [bringing in] one kind of influencer. We're looking for people who are a complete package - they have a blog, they have social media following, and first of all they are writers or they can create what is written and visual. Also, videos are becoming more and more important. So the ideal combination is someone who can do all of these," says Ziv, who also looks for influencers who are committed and invested in their blogs "because there are business obligations, contracts and clients [who] are expecting certain things. And when someone is not doing it as seriously as a business, it just gets challenging to work with [them]."
We are looking for people who are a complete package - they have a blog, they have a social media following, and first of all they are writers or they can create what is written and visual.
In the not-too-distant horizon, Ziv hopes to see brands and influencers work on a long-term basis, thus highlighting the importance of the blogosphere in branding and marketing campaigns. "But it's really hard and part of our challenge is how influencers can improve their value, instead of just doing one-off campaigns [...] it's something that requires patience, just like with anything in social media. You don't build your Twitter in one month," says Ziv.
"I encourage brands to work on a long-term program and working with fewer bloggers to really establish those connections. [I tell brands to] pick their audience, pick their demographic and recommend a few bloggers to develop it, rather than experimenting with an initiative that might get a reach quickly... Also, when readers see bloggers working with 20 different brands, at the end of the day, they might question the integrity. So as a content creator you have that freedom but it's also entrepreneurial, so it's hard to balance. If you focus more on sticking to your brand, building long-term programs, I think that's going to be beneficial to everyone. And that question of integrity, you know, hopefully isn't going to be asked again."
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Harry, Meghan Quit Royal Front Line In Shock Move
Published in Europe, World
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry wed at Windsor Castle, 19 May 2018
AFP: Prince Harry and his wife Meghan stunned the British monarchy on Wednesday by quitting as front-line members — reportedly without first consulting Queen Elizabeth II.
In a shock announcement, the couple said they would spend time in North America and rip up long-established relations with the press.
Media reports said the Duke and Duchess of Sussex made their bombshell statement without notifying either Harry’s grandmother the monarch, or his father Prince Charles.
The surprise news follows a turbulent year for the couple, who have openly said they have struggled in the spotlight and grown apart from Harry’s brother Prince William. They have also reacted badly to negative news coverage.
“We intend to step back as ‘senior’ members of the royal family and work to become financially independent, while continuing to fully support Her Majesty The Queen,” they said in a statement released by Buckingham Palace.
“We have chosen to make a transition this year in starting to carve out a progressive new role within this institution,” they added.
“We now plan to balance our time between the United Kingdom and North America.”
The announcement appeared to catch the royal family by surprise.
Buckingham Palace put out a second statement an hour and 40 minutes later, saying discussions with Harry and Meghan were “at an early stage”.
“We understand their desire to take a different approach, but these are complicated issues that will take time to work through,” it added.
It was understood that the mood in Buckingham Palace was one of disappointment and even, according the the BBC, “hurt”.
– Struggling in the spotlight –
Harry, 35, and Meghan, 38, are among the most senior, core members of the royal family, and, along with William and his wife Kate, seen as the monarchy’s future.
The pair spent six weeks over Christmas in Canada after speaking of the pressure of being in the spotlight following their fairytale wedding at Windsor Castle in May 2018 and son Archie’s birth 12 months later.
They skipped the royal family’s traditional Christmas at Sandringham, the sovereign’s private estate in eastern England, spending the festive season instead with Meghan’s mother Doria Ragland.
Rumours that all was not well with the Sussexes surfaced in October when Harry, sixth in line to the throne, admitted that he and William were “on different paths” and had good and bad days in their relationship.
“We don’t see each other as much as we used to,” he told ITV television’s Tom Bradby, whom Harry and William have grown to trust with interviews over the years.
Asked by Bradby if she was “not really OK” and life had “really been a struggle” becoming a mother while living under intense media scrutiny, Meghan appeared emotional and replied simply: “Yes.”
Bradby said Wednesday that he sensed he was witnessing “a long, sad farewell to this royal life”.
“This is a new war of the Windsors — and it’s not over yet.”
– Media battle –
In October, Harry issued a stinging statement about general tabloid coverage and launched the first of a handful of lawsuits against newspaper publishers.
Asked if Meghan was facing the same media pressures as his mother Diana, who died in a car crash in Paris in 1997 while pursued by paparazzi, Harry told Bradby: “I will not be bullied into playing a game that killed my mum.”
On a new website, the couple said they would no longer take part in the royal rota.
The rota system is an established arrangement between the palace and the press whereby news organisations take it in turns to cover events and then share the pictures, text and video with everyone in the pool, avoiding the mass media scrambles of the past.
Instead the couple will attempt to invite only “specialist”, “grassroots”, “credible” and “young, up-and-coming” media to events.
Queen Elizabeth’s former press secretary Dickie Arbiter told Sky News television that the couple’s approach was “a succession of doing things their own way — which is the wrong way”.
“Sometimes there’s good press; sometimes there’s bad press. You take the rough with the smooth.”
– ‘Always ends in tears’ –
Currently, Harry and Meghan’s costs are largely funded from Charles’ private income from the heir to the throne’s estates, while the police foots their security bill.
Former BBC royal correspondent Peter Hunt told Channel 4 television that royals thinking they can earn money in a side career “has always ended in tears”.
Newspaper headlines on Thursday included The Sun’s “Megxit”, saying the couple had sparked civil war at the palace.
“They didn’t even tell the Queen,” said the Daily Mirror, while the Star said: “The Royal formerly known as Prince”.
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Queen To Chair Royal Family Meeting Over Harry/Meghan Decision To Quit Frontline R
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Dembele’s Decision On Move to Chelsea – Lyon President Reveals
by JOSEPH JULIUS January 9, 2020
Lyon president, Jean-Michel Aulas, has ruled out a move for Moussa Dembele.
Aulas insists the striker wants to fight for trophies at his current club.
Dembele, 23, is one of Frank Lampard’s major targets this January, as he seeks to reinforce his squad.
However, Lyon released an official statement last week confirming that Dembele was not for sale and Aulas reiterated the club’s stance on Wednesday afternoon.
“We are not in a dramatic situation. It is difficult in terms of the content of our football but we are still in all the competitions,” Aulas told reporters.
“We are going to try to strengthen. Our first reaction is to look to the youngsters in the academy who are playing and showing more.
“The second is to sign players. The board has decided to do it but not at any price and not at all costs. We will only do deals that correspond with what our sporting director, board members and manager want.
“Moussa Dembele will not leave because he wants to stay to win something with Lyon.
“There have been offers for him and for other players but none of those that we want to keep will leave in January.”
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Thelema NOW! Crowley, Ritual & Magick
Thelema NOW! Guest: Colin Campbell 2016
The U.S. Grand Lodge Thelema NOW! podcast features interviews with artists, writers, magicians, and others whose unique perspectives contribute to the modern flowering of Thelemic culture. New episodes are published roughly once a month. You can listen on iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher or your favorite podcast player.
Buckle up - the Geotia can give you a bumpy ride! But don't fret, Colin Campbell is here to explain it all.
In this work, "Of the Arte Goetia," Campbell examines the evolution of the text known as Goetia, from the proto-Goetia of Wier's "Pseudomonarchia Daemonum", through the first English translation in Scot's "Discoverie of Witchcraft", and finally to the English language manuscripts from which most modern editions are drawn.
Listen in!
Thelema NOW! Crowley, Ritual & Magick is a monthly podcast, produced with the support of Ordo Templi Orientis USA Grand Lodge.
© Ordo Templi Orientis USA
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The Power of Goals.
Leicester City's Premiership Season So Far.
Leicester City's season to date has been a fascinating mixture of unimpressive rates of chances allowed and created, a devilishly difficult opening series of matches and a perfectly welcome return of eight points from five matches. Enough for 7th spot so far.
In this post I look at how expected goals placed in context, along with their record from last season's Championship can give a better idea of what the remainder of the season holds for the Foxes...
Posted by Mark Taylor at 10:38 0 comments
Sir Geoff Hurst's 49 Caps Still Beats James Milner's 50.
Last night saw the start of England's inevitable qualification for the finals of Euro 2016. Victory over Switzerland was a welcome opening result, achieved in fairly comfortable manner once the players took the advice of ITV's summarizing commentator, Andy Townsend, by scoring a goal.
The insightful commentating team also observed that by replacing the largely anonymous Jack Wilshere after 73 minutes, Manchester City's James Milner had not only gained a milestone 50th cap, but he had also eclipsed the 49 caps won by England's World Cup legend, Sir Geoff Hurst.
Without wanting to belittle Milner's excellent achievement in an era when competition for England caps is perhaps greater than when the then plain Geoff Hurst was winning his, many would consider the tallies of each player far from comparable.
For those not Born in the Fifties or earlier, Hurst's England career spanned seven seasons and was inextricably linked to matches against the then West Germany. He made his debut in a friendly against them in 1966, scored a World Cup final hat trick at Wembley later that year and limped out of international football with a single 1972 cap against the same side in the first leg of the European Championship quarter finals again at Wembley.
Nearly 50 years of hurt, but Jules Rimet still gleams in the company of two Stoke City World Cup legends.
His international career spanned an era when substitutes were not permitted and a side began and ended the match with the same eleven players. Fewer should serious injury occur during the game.
Limited substitutions had been introduced by the time Hurst won his 49th and final cap, but for a part of that career, gaining a cap meant you had to be selected in the best eleven and there was no option to gain a cheap cap in the final closing minutes from the bench.
In contrast, James Milner, no doubt because of his admirable versatility, has gained many of his 50 caps as part of the multi-substitutions that have become an irritating feature, particularly of friendlies. Or as a late defensive option to protect a lead in competition matches.
28 year old Milner's international career has currently lasted one fewer year than Hurst's, although Hurst only played in the opening international of 1972. And even with the retirement of Lampard and Gerrard, Milner would appear to be vulnerable to a new generation of midfielders.
Perhaps surprisingly, the number of internationals in which Hurst and Milner could have potentially played during Hurst's seven seasons or Miner's six to date are very similar.England played 64 matches from Hurst's debut in 1966 to the end of his international career in 1972. Winning the World Cup in 1966 of course helped.
And the side has played 61 during the course of Miner's international career which began in 2009.
So England played 5,790 minutes of international football from the moment they first capped Sir Geoff to the moment they discarded him for Rodney Marsh. And during that time Hurst played 4,371 of those minutes.
England has played 5,520 minutes during Milner's time as an international player and through either being replaced or coming on as a substitute or nor being selected at all, the Manchester City star has missed 1,771 minutes of potential playing time even when winning a cap, playing 2,819 minutes in total.
So proportionally, Hurst, as expected eclipses Milner, playing 75% of the available time compared to just over 50%, despite earning one fewer cap.
However, this approach doesn't address the longevity of both player's international careers. A one cap wonder could easily beat both figures, while playing at least 72 minutes in gaining just a single cap.
We can allow for this by measuring a player's international career, not in caps, but in the proportion of international years they represented their country. For example, in 1970, Hurst played in 11 of England's 12 matches, once as a substitute, replacing Mike Jones of Leeds after 73 minutes of a goalless, Wembley draw with the Netherlands.
Therefore, Sir Geoff played 917 of a potential 1080 minutes or 85% of England's 1970 international year. Over his career, If we repeat this process for all of Hurst's international years and sum them, we find that he played a total of 4.6 international years taking into account opportunity to play, as defined by the total number of England matches that year and actual playing minutes achieved.
James Milner's most successful international year was 2012, when he played in 11 of 13 games, many as a replacement, but his playing minutes accounted for just under 70% of England's 2012 international year.
Cumulatively, Milner's 50 caps have been gained through him playing 2.7 years of England football to date compared to the 4.6 years of international football gathered by Hurst.
In short, the opportunity to play international games was broadly similar across each player's career, but Hurst was on the field for proportionally much longer and gained more "international playing years", if fewer caps.
Milner may have one more England cap, but he has a long way to go to catch Sir Geoff in actual achievement, even discounting a World Cup hat trick.
A Round Up Of August's Articles.
August sees the NFL gearing up for an early September start, so this month's articles are split between American football and the association variety.
As well as partially sharing a name for their sport, the NFL and the EPL also return to centre stage at roughly the same time and share many of the often ignored traits which can influence the result of a sporting contest.
Seasonal results are often taken to wholly represent team ability, with all vestiges of luck erased, but this is rarely the case.
Does luck even itself out over a season? Not really.
Even a 38 game EPL season can see teams raised or lowered to finishing positions that do not fully reflect their true abilities, especially among the also-rans where teams of similar talent tend to cluster.
The NFL runs to just 16 games for those teams which fail to make the playoffs.
Being splendid one season in a statistical category that is strongly related to winning, in reality can also be a case of simply being both merely good and lucky. So there is often a need to separate the persistent from the transitory when using last year's form to predict this years.
Stoke warmed up for the shock of the season by winning virtually none of their previous 2014/15 games.
There is also an eagerness to draw definitive conclusions from early season results. So shot location and goal expectation models, which use increased sample data, can be used to simulate individual games, as well as the season to date, in an attempt to see if a team's current league position is consistent with the shots they have created and faced so far.
Are Swansea performing better than Southampton just because they are above them in the table?
And Manchester City may gain some slight comfort from shot simulations that imply that, despite their lacklustre showing at home to Stoke, they should still have been beaten just once in every 10 trials.
On to the articles, click the links for the whole article.
Premiership Football.
What are the limitations of predictive models for soccer betting?
Using Goal Difference to predict Premier League team points for 2014/15
Who Will Top the EPL at the End of August?
Shooting models, expected goals & Pinnacle Sports’ alternative EPL table
A shot based appraisal for Week 1 of EPL games
Understanding shot data and expected goals
Why Swansea may not be as good as they appear in the EPL
Based on shot models Villa & Swansea have been lucky so far this season
American Football.
How to predict the CFL Grey Cup winner
Canada plays football as well and despite the differences, it also shares many of the uncertainties with a close cousin, the NFL.
What are the HFA factors that may affect NFL betting?
Gaining an edge over the bookmaker using NFL HFA data
Ubiquitous in sport, but the NFL has a few additional wrinkles of its own. Would you really like to start you game day preparation at 6 am, whilst your opponents have a lie in or play in the noisiest stadium in sport after a long haul flight?
How to predict the 2014 NFL Superbowl winner
Which factors are likely to persist from last season and the myth of being handed a tough schedule.
July's articles are available here.
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Sites Worth Visiting.
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Bettingexpert
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Scoreboard Journalism
Soccer By The Numbers
StatsBomb
The Video Analyst
Zonal Marking.
Predicting Second Half Performance.
One very easy trap to fall into when trying to make sense of soccer statistics is to give far too much prominence to very recent events.A ru...
Predicting and Explaining.How to use Statistics in Soccer.
Many of the posts on this blog rely on the ability to use readily available soccer stats to predict as accurately as possible the likely cou...
Ranking Free Kick Experts. The Pitfalls.
Evaluating player talent has never been more accessible or more prevalent as a result of the raft of individual statistics that are now avai...
How Red Cards Affect A Soccer Match.
After penalties and goals,red cards are the next most significant event that can take place during a soccer match.They are both dramatic and...
Poisson, Predictions and a Tense Last Ten Minutes.
Often the bigger the incentive is to get things right, the better the final results and the potential for you to lose money in an enterprise...
Over the last couple of decades almost a third of the current Football League and Premiership clubs have upped sticks and left their previou...
Rating Rugby Union Kickers By Kick Difficulty
Rugby Union, much like football is a fluid, fast moving sport, which requires a large amount of context related data to adequately describe ...
Time of Possession in the EPL.
Time of Possession is fast becoming one of the hot topics in the world of football stats and such is it's current pre eminence that it h...
Expected Saves Ageing Curve.
Everyone is probably familiar with the concept of expected goals , assists and saves by now. A modelled prediction of the likelihood that ...
Non-Shot xG Models
This blog's been rather quite of late, mainly due to my writing over at Pinnacle, alongside working since 2016 as the Football Product M...
Sir Geoff Hurst's 49 Caps Still Beats James Milner...
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Think Freely Media presents Common Sense with Paul Jacob
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Steal This Meme
James “Whitey” Bulger adamantly denies two of the 19 murders he’s accused of committing and for which he’s now on trial in a Boston federal court, along with facing a dozen lesser charges. Decades ago, the 83-year old reputed mobster allegedly ran much of the city’s organized crime.
Whitey may be just another hoodlum, but what makes his reign of terror unique, as the Washington Post reported, is that he “was aided and abetted by corrupt FBI agents.” A 2004 House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform investigation concluded that numerous informants working with the FBI — not limited to just Mr. Bulger — were “committing murders,” about which G-men were “no doubt” aware.
And yet . . . did nothing.
Something to consider: With the federal government assuming awesome new powers, could such powers ever in our wildest imaginations possibly be abused?
Tipped off by a crooked FBI agent (who is now serving his own 40-year prison sentence), Bulger went on the run in December of 1994, just ahead of the FBI’s plan to arrest him. That paced Bulger onto the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list.
Nearly two decades later, in 2011, Whitey was found living in Santa Monica, California, with his girlfriend, guns, and $800,000 stuffed in the walls.
Quite a colorful story. Whitey Bulger exudes old-style gangster. He has a cool nickname that now fits at his age. And even the federal prosecutor complimented Whitey’s work ethic, noting, “He was no ordinary leader. He did the dirty work himself. He was a hands-on killer.”
Perhaps it was a simpler time.
Furthermore, the FBI’s role as Whitey’s accomplice creates an über-timely cautionary tale now that the IRS has been found blocking the civil rights of conservatives and when we discover the federal government has all our phone, credit card and internet-usage data. His story gains a sort of unnerving frisson when contrasted with the too-common suggestion that massive government surveillance is no big deal “unless you have something to hide.”
But the Bulger story contains yet another twist: Whitey Bulger had five brothers and sisters, including younger brother, William “Billy” Bulger. Longtime Massachusetts residents remember Billy Bulger — the 36-year legislator, who spent 18 years as Senate President, and was once arguably the state’s most powerful politician.
Bay Staters may also recall that Bulger left the state senate and became president of the University of Massachusetts, a post he was forced to resign from by then-Governor Mitt Romney, after Billy Bulger disclosed that he had been in communication with his brother, Whitey Bulger, the wanted fugitive.
When forced to appear before the Congressional Government Reform Committee, the politician Bulger applied his Fifth Amendment protections from self-incrimination by refusing to testify about his brother. Billy declined to talk to the FBI as well.
Blood is thicker than water, so it’s not hard to sympathize with a brother’s desire not to rat on a beloved black sheep. Still, beyond blood, the style and methods of Brothers Billy and Whitey seem connected, even with their completely, absolutely, totally different fields of politics and organized crime.
When Boston Globe columnist Jeff Jacoby referred to “the Bulger Mafia,” he was writing about the politician, not the crime boss.
Senate President Billy Bulger was known for turning the screws to those who crossed him. Then-State Senator William Keating, now congressman, says his donors were threatened. “People are intimidated,” Keating told Jacoby. “Anybody with a nexus to the state is afraid to get involved. Contributors don’t want to write checks over $50, because then their names have to be reported.”
Jacoby reported hearing the same story from others, including Jack Flood, a senatorial candidate, who said, “They’re afraid of what will happen to them if they go against Bulger. I can’t blame them.”
Is extortion too strong a word to ascribe to Bulger’s political operations. Maybe, though the implication abounds. Unlike subsequent legislative leaders, at least Bulger’s time in the legislature wasn’t followed by time in prison.
Still, Billy Bulger’s lawlessness competes with fugitive brother Whitey’s when it comes to fighting against term limits. The Massachusetts state constitution says that when enough voters sign petitions, the Legislature “shall” vote on those citizen-proposed amendments. If at least 25 percent of those in both legislative chambers vote in favor, the issue goes to the ballot for voters to decide.
Yet, with more than the required voter signatures and enough legislators in support to send term limits to the ballot, where voters would certainly pass it, Senate President Bulger refused to bring the issue to a vote, adjourning the legislative session and blocking the petition, in violation of his oath of office and his constitutional duty under the law.
“Efforts to obtain term limits by a constitutional amendment foundered in 1992,” wrote the state’s highest court, “because of the refusal of the Legislature in joint session to take final action on such a proposal as the Constitution of the Commonwealth directed. We concluded in LIMITS v. President of the Senate, supra, that this court should not direct the Legislature to exercise its mandated function . . . on principles of separation of powers.”
Two brothers have a problem following the law. One brother is facing the rest of his life behind bars; the other has a pension of nearly $200,000 a year.
Life certainly isn’t fair. [further reading]
This column first appeared at Townhall.com.
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Konneh, Nyenswah to Be Questioned
On January 14, 2020 by admin
Plenary, the highest decision making body of the House of Representatives, has mandated the Statutory Committee on Health and Social Welfare to investigate “complaints of denial of payment” to former Ebola Treatment Unit (ETU) workers by the government.The House Committee on Health and Social Welfare has also been ordered to seek clarity on the issue from the Minister of Finance and Development Planning, Amara Konneh and the head of the Incident Management Team, Tolbert Nyenswah, who is also the Assistant Minister for Preventive Services at the Ministry of Health.The Incident Management Team is the group that led government’s response to the Ebola emergency.Rep. Johnson Chea chairs the Committee on Health and Social Welfare and it is co-chaired by Rep. Saah Joseph. Other members include Reps. Edwin M. Snowe, William Dakel, Corpu Barclay, Thomas Fallah and Malai Gbogar.Plenary’s decision to investigate the claims of the former ETU workers stemmed from several petitions and peaceful protests, including a letter from Dr. Bhofal Chambers, the Chairman of the House Standing Committee on National Defense, over the failure of the government to pay ex-ETU workers their benefits. In his letter, the Maryland County District # 2 Representative said that the former ETU staff worked tirelessly for the nation at various locations during the Ebola crisis and deserved to be compensated.He reminded his colleagues that during the Ebola crisis the former ETU workers sacrificed for the country by facing the deadly virus to cater to scores of Ebola patients, but the Liberian government still owed many of them from the lowest category of workers to the highest category.“Predicated upon the foregoing, I am therefore asking the timely intervention of this body to bring the whole scenario to a close, so that our courageous health workers will receive their just entitlements (their hazard pay),” Hon. Chambers wrote.According to reports, some former ETU workers were paid off, while the remaining workers are yet to be paid.Share this:Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) read more
Rosamond cityhood a long path
ROSAMOND – For those who dream of a day when Rosamond will become the Antelope Valley’s fourth city, the message for now is wait a little longer. Cityhood is a topic of occasional discussion among Rosamond residents and was recently the headline topic of the Rosamond Municipal Advisory Council, which advises Kern County government on issues related to community issues. Although the community with a population of about 21,000 people is nearly twice the size of Palmdale when it incorporated in 1962, Rosamond still lacks the financial horsepower to pull off a bid for cityhood. In a “what if” study prepared by the Kern County Administrative Office in 2004, a city of Rosamond could expect revenues totaling roughly $3.2 million and expenditures of $3.7 million. While the community has grown substantially since that report was issued, it hasn’t grown in sales tax revenue, one of the key revenue sources a city needs, said Bill Turpin, executive officer with the Kern County Local Agency Formation Commission. “Incorporation is still not feasible yet,” Turpin said. “You’re not even in the ballpark.” Another issue is political will and the ability of the community raise the $250,000 it would likely take to push an incorporation through. Turpin noted that community leaders failed to gain enough public support in two previous elections to push through tax measures to support parks and recreation services. “It’s a very difficult process,” Turpin said of a community incorporating. “You have to be very dedicated to it. There’s a reluctance to fund new things here.” Among those who believe cityhood is in the community’s future are brothers Daniel and Olaf Landsgaard, who grew up in Rosamond. Daniel Landsgaard, a real estate agent and former water board member, said he believes the community might possibly be ready for cityhood now. He notes that the community has at least 7,000 more people than the 14,000 population figure used in the 2004 study; that there’s a few more stores in town; and that assessed valuation as gone up. Daniel Landsgaard said he would like to see fresher numbers. If the numbers are right, the community should move forward now. “We need to take the step, take control and govern our own future,” Daniel Landsgaard said. Olaf Landsgaard, a board member of the Southern Kern Unified School District and an attorney, said the idea of shooting for an incorporation effort this year is probably moot. But the idea merits a re-examination next year. “For a practical matter, we need more money. We’re at $500,000 in sales tax. We need to get to about $2 million,” Olaf Landsgaard said. “Then it’s viable.” Not everyone in the community is enthralled with the idea of cityhood. Frank Panelli, a member of the Sheriff Department’s citizen advisory committee, said a city government would add another layer of bureaucracy and bring the prospect of more fees and assessments to Rosamond residents. “People want a city because they think they’ll get more response. That’s not necessarily the case,” Panelli said. “More government is not necessarily better government.” Rosamond is more populous than California City, which is incorporated and has about 11,500 inhabitants. It also has more inhabitants than Palmdale did when it became a city in 1962, though only about a third as many as Lancaster did when it became a city in 1977. The town’s closest entity to a city government is the Rosamond Community Services District, whose main responsibility is maintaining water and sewer systems. Voters in 1998 gave the district authority to run parks and clean up graffiti. Turpin describes the path to cityhood as a “fantastically complex process.” The first step is a “quick and dirty” feasibility study – such as the 2004 study for Rosamond – to see if a community has the revenue to stand on its own. If the quick look shows cityhood might be viable, a more detailed feasibility study would follow. That study would look at city boundaries. “You need to limit the number of street miles you have to maintain. Street maintenance is a big expense,” Turpin said. “Strategically, you set your borders to include as many people as possible and as few roads as possible.” An environmental impact report would be required. Then comes a hearing before Turpin’s agency, an independent commission that votes on municipal boundary changes in the county. After passing all of those hurdles, the issue would go before voters. Failures the first couple of times out, such as what occurred with Palmdale’s first attempts at cityhood, are to be expected, Turpin said. “The thing that determines whether Rosamond incorporates is the voters,” Turpin said. james.skeen@dailynews (661) 267-5743 160Want local news?Sign up for the Localist and stay informed Something went wrong. Please try again.subscribeCongratulations! You’re all set! read more
Western movement in NASCAR ranks
FONTANA – There is definitely a Western flavor in NASCAR Nextel Cup these days. For the third successive year, a driver with California ties has won the season-opening Daytona 500. Kevin Harvick’s win on Sunday by two feet over Mark Martin extended the streak started by Jeff Gordon in 2005 and kept alive in 2006 by teammate Jimmie Johnson. Harvick will compete in all three races this weekend. His first Craftsman Truck Series race was in 1997 and resulted in a 20th-place finish. He has competed in two other track races at Fontana. In Cup competition, Harvick’s best furnish at Fontana is sixth in nine races. He has a pair of second-place finishes in eight Busch starts. RACE FOR BOOKS Petty Enterprises driver Bobby Labonte and sponsor Cherrios have renewed their season-long Race For Books program. Cheerios and nonprofit partner First Book will donate 43 books for every lap that Labonte completes during the 2007 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series season. It’s an opportunity to earn more than 400,000 books for children in need. During the last 10 races of the 2006 season, Labonte earned more than 125,000 books,recording four top-10 finishes during that stretch. “As a father and professional racer I know how important reading is,” said Labonte, who has two children. “Reading is a part of life every day. We are looking forward to success on the track in 2007, but now we can be winners off the track, too. I am proud to be associated with Cheerios and First Book. We are going to work as hard as we can to earn as many books as possible.” INJURY UPDATE Of the two crewmen who were injured during Sunday’s Daytona 500, only one may get the opportunity to work in the Auto Club 500. Jeremy “Gator” Geiter, a crew member on the Chevrolet driven by Mike Wallace, was hit on his left leg and ankle by the Dodge driven by Jaime McMurray. X-rays revealed a sprained ankle and at least one bone bruise, but no broken bones. “I’ve gotten hurt before, but not like this,” Geiter said Sunday night as he hobbled out of the infield care center at Daytona International Speedway. “They said I’d be out two or three days. I’m hoping that’s all it is. I’m hoping to be back for California.” It’s more serious for Josh Yost, jack man for Jeff Burton’s Chevy. According to Richard Childress Racing spokesman David Hart, Yost suffered his second serious Achilles’ tendon injury in less than two years. The first injury, in May 2005 at Talladega Superspeedway, Yost suffered a laceration to his right Achilles’ tendon when he was struck by Rusty Wallace’s Dodge on the pit lane. That injury took months to heal, required a wheelchair and Yost had to learn how to walk again. LOCAL FAN Jeff Hood of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution found a group of Michael Waltrip fans at the Daytona 500 and discovered a San Bernardino County fan with a strong opinion. Victorville’s Kenny Nance, wearing a NAPA hat, said he believed NASCAR’s penalty for Waltrip was too severe. Waltrip’s car was confiscated and two crew members suspended after an illegal substance was found in Waltrip’s Toyota. “My reaction was NASCAR was probably being a little too harsh on him, being a new team and not cutting a little slack being new cars in Toyotas,” Nance said. “I think Michael probably didn’t know anything about it.” 160Want local news?Sign up for the Localist and stay informed Something went wrong. Please try again.subscribeCongratulations! You’re all set! Two of the three have won at California Speedway, the next stop on the Nextel Cup Series Schedule. Both Johnson and Gordon have won the Auto Club 500 while Harvick is a two-time runnerup in the Busch Series. Harvick is a native of Bakersfield while Johnson hails from El Cajon outside San Diego. Gordon was born in Vallejo, but left the state at an earlier age to pursue his driving career. They are part of a growing list of drivers outside the Southeast, NASCAR’s traditional base. Daytona 500 polesitter David Gilliland lived in Riverside and Chino Hills before heading East last year to compete in the Busch Series. Casey Mears, whose family excelled in off-road and open-wheel racing, is also from Bakersfield. Kurt and Kyle Busch cut their teeth racing out of Las Vegas while Kasey Kahne and Greg Biffle are both from the state of Washington. Boris Said, the road racer trying to get a full-time Nextel Cup ride, is from Carlsbad. read more
Video: Bacca at his best!
On January 6, 2020 by admin
Have a look at the Arsenal transfer target strutting his stuff
Harambee Stars full house in Bahir Dar
The first group which included five local based players and the coaching team arrived in Ethiopia Saturday with the final group of local based players who were involved in Sunday’s Kenyan Premier League matches travelling Monday morning.Apart from Wanyama, head coach Sebastien Migne will also have defender Brian Mandela back after serving his one match suspension and he is expected to be a direct swap for Gor Mahia’s Joash Onyango who was red carded against Ghana.Meanwhile, Sierra Leone who are currently under a ban by FIFA following government interference might be reinstated after a meeting involving the Isha Johansen-led federation, sports ministry and the country’s President earlier today.Johanse had been ousted as the country’s FA by the government attracting wrath from FIFA, but Monday evening’s meeting might resolve the impasse.Harambee Stars captain Victor Wanyama with teammates before a training session at the Bahir Dar Stadium in EthiopiaAll teams in Group F are currently on three points, that is if the FIFA ban will be reversed. If the ban is upheld, then Ethiopia will lose the three points they picked last month meaning they will be on zero points.Kenya has three and a ban on Sierra Leone will mean the 2-1 loss they suffered in the opening match day will count for nothing.Nonetheless, Migne and his charges say they minimum target in the back to back ties against Ethiopia is four points, results that will put them firmly in contention for a place in next year’s Cup of Nations in Cameroon.Harambee Stars Full SquadGoalkeepersFarouk Shikalo (Bandari, Kenya), Patrick Matasi (Tusker, Kenya)DefendersPhilemon Otieno (Gor Mahia, Kenya), Benard Ochieng (Vihiga United, Kenya), Musa Mohammed (Nkana FC, Zambia), Brian Mandela (Maritzburg FC, South Africa), Abud Omar (Cercle Brugge, Belgium), David Ochieng (IF Brommapojkarna, Sweden), Erick Ouma (Vasalund, Sweden)MidfieldersDennis Odhiambo (Sofapaka, Kenya), Francis Kahata (Gor Mahia, Kenya), Abdallah Hassan (Bandari, Kenya), Ismael Gonzales (Las Palmas, Spain), Victor Wanyama (Tottenham Hotspurs, England), Anthony Akumu (Zesco United, Zambia), Johanna Omollo (Cercle Brugge, Belgium), Paul Were (FC Kaisar, Kazakhstan), Erick Johanna (IF Brommapojkarna)ForwardsPiston Mutamba (Sofapaka), Allan Wanga (Kakamega Homeboyz), Michael Olunga (Kashiwa Reysol), Ovella Ochieng (Vasalund)0Shares0000(Visited 1 times, 1 visits today) 0Shares0000Harambee Stars head coach Sebastien Migne passes on instructions before a training session at the Bahir Dar Stadium in EthjiopiaNAIROBI, Kenya, Oct 8 – Skipper Victor Wanyama led a host of 12 other foreign based players who touched down in bahir, Dar, Ethiopia on Monday ahead of Wednesday’s crucial 2019 African Cup of Nations Qualifier against the Walya Antelopes.Wanyama who missed last month’s 1-0 home win against Ghana at the Moi Sports Centre Kasarani as he had just returned from injury was the first to arrive alongside Kazakhstan based Paul Were while they rest joined on later with Japan-based Michael Olunga also arriving after a long flight. read more
OH DEER – WHAT AN AMAZING PICTURE!
On December 25, 2019 by admin
The deer pass near Burtonport. Picture by Packie Bonner.It’s the kind of picture that makes up appreciate the natural beauty of our Donegal landscape.Packe Bonner was on hand last night as the sun set on Keadue Strand to capture these deer wandering home for the evening.Packie reckons they could have been on their way to the last night of the Burtonport Festival! OH DEER – WHAT AN AMAZING PICTURE! was last modified: July 28th, 2013 by StephenShare this:Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window)Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window)Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)Click to share on Skype (Opens in new window)Click to print (Opens in new window) Tags:burtonportdeerKeadue Strand read more
Agency adds to price of project
GLENDALE – Glendale’s redevelopment agency is adding $806,000 to the $3 million-plus budget for clearing the site of the planned Americana at Brand shopping center and dealing with related legal issues. The city is in the process of clearing 15.5 acres that it is acquiring for developer Rick Caruso, so that he can build his outdoor mall there. The total project cost is $280 million, of which the city’s share is more than $77 million. City Councilman Bob Yousefian said the $806,000 in extra costs was not unexpected. “When you’re dealing with a $280 million project, on the scheme of things (it’s) not much,” he said. Meanwhile, the city is in a legal fight with the owner of the Glendale Galleria, which is near the proposed Americana at Brand. Mall owner General Growth sued the city, arguing that it failed to recognize the historical value of a firehouse and a phone company building on the project site. A judge ruled in favor of the city in January, but General Growth appealed. Alex Dobuzinskis, (818) 546-3304 alex.dobuzinskis@dailynews.com 160Want local news?Sign up for the Localist and stay informed Something went wrong. Please try again.subscribeCongratulations! You’re all set! AD Quality Auto 360p 720p 1080p Top articles1/5READ MOREWalnut’s Malik Khouzam voted Southern California Boys Athlete of the Week Before Tuesday’s 5-0 vote to add the $806,000, the redevelopment agency had earmarked $2 million to Doja Inc. for demolition and remediation work, and $925,000 to the law firm of Oliver Sandifer Murphy & Lee to help with any litigation that could arise from property acquisition. Doja will get an extra $250,000 to remove buried objects that have been discovered during the clearing phase, including a foundation wall of the former Capitol Theater, which was demolished 15 years ago. Oliver Sandifer will get an additional $500,000 to deal with legal expenses if 13 property owner and tenant claims related to the project site at Colorado Street and Brand Boulevard all go to trial. The city could get back some of the money going to the law firm, depending on how the claims process goes. Two other companies working on the clearing will get $56,000. The clearing is expected to be finished within weeks, said Philip Lanzafame, director of development services. read more
One dead as twisters hit Ark.
AD Quality Auto 360p 720p 1080p Top articles1/5READ MOREBlues bury Kings early with four first-period goals Perry County emergency workers rescued another person who was trapped in a damaged home about 14 miles away in Perryville, also believed to have been hit by a tornado. In Morrilton, just west of Plumerville, Mayor Stewart Nelson said crews were searching for missing people late into Sunday night. Garland County Sheriff Larry Sanders said his officers had received reports of other residents trapped in damaged homes southwest of Little Rock. Debris made the roads impassable for police and other rescue workers in several areas, Arkansas Department of Emergency Management spokeswoman Kelly Robinson said. She said the state had received calls reporting destroyed or damaged homes in Cleburne, Fulton and Garland counties. Six homes were destroyed in Pike County, according to the sheriff’s office there. LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – Tornadoes and thunderstorms ripped through Arkansas on Sunday, killing a motorist and damaging homes and businesses in several counties. Strong winds believed to have been a tornado struck a lumberyard near Plumerville, about 40 miles northwest of Little Rock, scattering wood across an interstate and overturning vehicles. A car headed west on the interstate was tossed into the opposite lanes and overturned, killing one person, state police spokesman Bill Sadler said. “Whether the lumber played a role in this, that is still under investigation,” Sadler said. 160Want local news?Sign up for the Localist and stay informed Something went wrong. Please try again.subscribeCongratulations! You’re all set! read more
Unevolved Arthropods Found in Amber
The new record holders look identical to those alive today.Claimed 230 million years old, 100 million years older than the previous record holders, fossils of arthropods in amber (fossilized tree sap) were reported in PNAS (Schmidt et al., “Arthropods in amber from the Triassic Period,” PNAS August 27, 2012, doi: 10.1073/pnas.1208464109). The little bugs, including two mites and a fly, haven’t done much evolving in all that time. Science Daily and PhysOrg both quoted co-author David Grimaldi, a curator in the American Museum of Natural History’s Division of Invertebrate Zoology “and a world authority on amber and fossil arthropods,” expressing his surprise at this example of extreme evolutionary stasis:Two of the specimens are new species of mites, named Triasacarus fedelei and Ampezzoa triassica. They are the oldest fossils in an extremely specialized group called Eriophyoidea that has about 3,500 living species, all of which feed on plants and sometimes form abnormal growth called “galls.” The ancient gall mites are surprisingly similar to ones seen today.“You would think that by going back to the Triassic you’d find a transitional form of gall mite, but no,” Grimaldi said. “Even 230 million years ago, all of the distinguishing features of this family were there—a long, segmented body; only two pairs of legs instead of the usual four found in mites; unique feather claws, and mouthparts.”He didn’t specify who would think that. Presumably, he was referring to himself, or to other evolutionists. According to the BBC News, Dr. David Penney (U of Manchester) was just as surprised: “The results presented here skip the Jurassic entirely and go back a step further to the Triassic,” he said. “This was not expected.”Another evolutionary conundrum is that most living gall mites feed on flowering plants, which (in evolutionary time) would not appear on the scene for another 90 million years. The article offered the following theory rescue device:The ancient mites likely fed on the leaves of the tree that ultimately preserved them, a conifer in the extinct family Cheirolepidiaceae. Although about 97 percent of today’s gall mites feed on flowering plants, Triasacarus fedelei and Ampezzoa triassica existed prior to the appearance and rapid radiation of flowering plants. This finding reveals the evolutionary endurance of the mites.“We now know that gall mites are very adaptable,” Grimaldi said. “When flowering plants entered the scene, these mites shifted their feeding habits, and today, only 3 percent of the species live on conifers. This shows how gall mites tracked plants in time and evolved with their hosts.“The amber droplets were found high in the Dolomite Alps of northeastern Italy. To explain why they showed up there, Science Now explained, “were probably trapped during a 10-million-year climatic shift that caused the trees to produce more resin than usual,” without commenting on what this could imply for today’s political controversy over climate change. “Their presence in 230-million-year-old amber, researchers say, shows for the first time that mites evolved long before the appearance of flowering plants.”It shows no such thing. These are not “ancient” mites. They are identical to modern mites, so they are dead modern mites, OK? Grimaldi said so; he expected transitional forms, and they were not there. Why do we need evolutionists to explain away the evidence? This story is another example of how to understand the real finding, you first have to work your way past the Darwin Party guards who try to explain what you are about to see. Just let the evidence speak for itself. Notice their surprise in the abstract, and the immediate retreat to just-so storytelling:Antiquity of the gall mites in much their extant form was unexpected, particularly with the Triassic species already having many of their present-day features (such as only two pairs of legs); further, it establishes conifer feeding as an ancestral trait. Feeding by the fossil mites may have contributed to the formation of the amber droplets, but we find that the abundance of amber during the Carnian (ca. 230 Ma) is globally anomalous for the pre-Cretaceous and may, alternatively, be related to paleoclimate. Further recovery of arthropods in Carnian-aged amber is promising and will have profound implications for understanding the evolution of terrestrial members of the most diverse phylum of organisms.So let’s get this straight. Some highly complex creatures (complete with articulated limbs, mouth parts and specialized organs), which are also “very adaptable,” just lived in their little conifer-feeding niche for 230 million Darwin Years, having billions of kids exposed to a world of change – mutations, cosmic rays, meteor strikes, global extinctions, glaciers, earthquakes, tectonic plate subductions, volcanoes, mountain uplifts and climate shifts – to say nothing of the incessant evolutionary pressure to evolve – but lived out their entire history in some evolutionary Brigadoon. (This is known, we are told, as “evolutionary endurance.”) Now they show up in amber with no transitional forerunners and no morphological changes, oblivious to the Darwinian tale of the emergence of flowering plants, dinosaurs, mammals and man. Yes indeed: this will have profound implications for understanding evolution.Actually, the “understanding” produced, and the “profound implication” is this: evolution has been falsified (again). It’s not surprising, therefore, that complex, fully-functional arthropods are also found in the Cambrian explosion, where there are no transitional forms, either. David Grimaldi may be a world authority on amber and fossil arthropods, but not on following the evidence where it leads. “You would think,” he said, “you would find a transitional form.” In psychology, this is known as projection. One can only hope he would not think of imposing his anti-empirical thoughts on others. Now go show this to Bill Nye. 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Football: India hold UAE 2-2 but still crash out of World Cup race
On November 28, 2019 by admin
SHort passing and heavy rain don’t go hand in hand, India learnt that the hard way. The hosts managed only a 2-2 draw in the second leg of their World Cup qualifier against the United Arab Emirates (UAE) at the Ambedkar Stadium in the Capital on Thursday.After a 0-3 loss in Al Ain on Saturday, India’s road to the 2014 World Cup ended with a 2-5 aggregate defeat.Mohamed Al Shehhi scored in the 39th minute and Ali Al Wehaibi in the 70th to dash any hopes India had of making a match out of the encounter in front of a vociferous crowd. Although India did score through Jeje Lalpekhlua in the 74th minute and Gouramangi Singh in the 91st, it was definitely too little too late.Overturning a three-goal deficit is no mean task and with the hosts still adopting a passing game under new coach Armando Colaco, the writing was on the wall even before the match started -thanks to the torrential downpour that turned the pitch at the Ambedkar Stadium into a pool.For once, former coach Bob Houghton was definitely missed as the setting was the same when India beat Tajikistan 4-1 in the final of the 2008 AFC Challenge Cup at the very ground to qualify for the 2011 Asian Cup.The only difference was that under the Englishman, India relied on long passes and played more of an aerial game.Trying to adapt to the passing game takes time and when the team has to suddenly switch and adapt to another tactic -long passing -on match-day, it isn’t easy and although the Ambedkar is considered a happy hunting ground for the Indian team, their passing looked all at sea on the slushy turf.advertisementThe match began with India trying to go all-out for goals and the UAE players soaking in the pressure and plotting their own counter-attacks.So while the Indian players huffed and puffed trying to enter the rival half, the UAE midfielders and defenders ensured that the Indian inroads were foiled before they threatened threatened their citadel.The ground conditions did not help India’s momentum either. India had their first attempt at goal in the eighth minute with Sunil Chhetri getting into the box from the left flank to find an unmarked Jeje Lalpekhlua. But the defenders converged on the youngster and all he could do was pass it on to Steven Dias, who had moved in from the right.But Dias failed to beat UAE goalie Ali Khaseif. Chhetri was at it again in the 25th minute when he aimed at goal only for Khaseif to fist the shot over the bar.The visitors went ahead when moving in from the left, Ahmed Khalil foxed defender Samir Naik to feed Shehhi with a perfect pass from the left wing. The latter headed in -much to the dismay of goalkeeper Karanjit Singh and the Ambedkar crowd.UAE’s Mohamme Al Shehhi(left) celebrates with All Al Wehalbl after scoring a goalThe second half saw UAE attacking from all quarters and despite the Indian defence putting up a composed show, the visitors scored with Wehaibi moving in from the left to wrongfoot the Indian defence and hit the back of the net.India looked to up the ante further and the move to replace Dias with Lalrindika Ralte paid dividends as he moved in beautifully from the right to find Jeje waiting for the cross inside the box.Jeje completed the formalities by heading in.India kept looking for the equaliser and their efforts bore fruit when Gouramangi jumped on to a loose ball inside the box and hit the back of the net -ensuring India did not end on the losing side.The crowd erupted as if the match had been won, but it was only a draw and the end of the road for India as far as the 2014 World Cup in Brazil is concerned.”Today we played a better game. Conditions were difficult but it is not easy for a team to come from 0- 2 down to draw 2-2. Heavy rains made it difficult to pass the ball around but we played a better passing game,” said India coach Colaco after the match. read more
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What is Windows Polaris?
Polaris could be the most important version of Windows in years. Here's why. Since the release of Windows 10 in 2015, Microsoft has made it clear that it wants to move away from its past style of operating system releases and towards a new, more singular and unified approach. It’s already brought together its desktop Windows 10 OS with Windows 10 Mobile, and Xbox Live infrastructure — and Polaris could be the next step in that trend. But what is Windows Polaris? Although we don’t know for sure just yet, as Microsoft hasn’t made any sort of official announcements, the general line of thinking is that it’s the PC component in Microsoft’s future Windows strategy. Windows Core OS will act as a base for all future Windows iterations. We’ve had hints that Andromeda OS will be the version used in mobile, which could be used on a future Surface phone. Meanwhile, Polaris could be the one you run on your desktop or laptop.
The main element that’s needed to make Windows Polaris a reality is Windows Core OS. It’s been hinted at by anonymous sources and reports since the latter months of 2017 and is the baseline operating system that Polaris and other iterations will likely be built on top of. The idea behind Windows Core OS is to turn Microsoft’s aging Windows platform into something far more modular so it can react more swiftly to changes in the market. Where OEMs looking to build new devices at this time have to opt for pre-packaged versions of Windows, possibly containing features they don’t need, Windows Core OS would make it so that new versions could be crafted specifically for devices without much effort. Windows Core OS would mean that any new form-factor of device could have its very own Windows operating system with all and crucially, only, the features it needs. That should in turn speed up battery life, performance, and make the whole experience easier to understand for the casual user. In that way, they wouldn’t be unlike the operating systems that have come to dominate the mobile space in recent years. Microsoft began to move towards this ideal back in 2015 when it unified its kernel and OS core across all Windows devices. UWP apps served through the Microsoft Store are another component of that plan. With those elements in place, the last piece of the Windows Core OS puzzle, as per WinowsCentral, is Windows CShell. It lets Microsoft and device makers overhaul the look and feel of its operating system for specific devices, without having to rebuild it from the ground up. It could even allow models to shift between UIs depending on their usage at the time — a little like how Microsoft’s already existing Continuum feature works. Once those components of Windows Core OS are in place, Microsoft is said to be planning to release a multitude of variants off of that baseline, each known as separate “composers.” One of those is said to be called Andromeda, designed for the mobile space, while Polaris is thought to be the one aimed at traditional Windows PCs of various form-factors.
Polaris benefits
Even if Windows Core OS may be a form of Windows that more commonly mirrors the streamlined mobile operating systems like Android and iOS, Microsoft hasn’t forgotten about the desktop and laptop market. Indeed, according to Windows Central, Polaris is Microsoft’s attempt to strip back all of the legacy elements of the Windows experience to shed some fat and become far better for it. By stripping out some of the legacy components that make the modern Windows operating system so compatible with hardware and software of yesteryear, it should operate faster, especially on lower-end devices. Its security will also be improved and we could see better battery life on portable devices as well. Aimed more towards casual users and possibly built as a successor to Windows 10 S, Polaris will likely make itself easier to manage through a simplification of settings and back-end systems. A new UWP version of the Windows File Explorer should make navigation easier for those who haven’t been brought up on decades of Windows usage. Likewise, the Settings App would replace much of the typical functions of the Control Panel, making accessing certain backend functions more intuitive.
What will be lost?
A major component of all that streamlining though is removing functions and features that have been part of Windows for multiple versions. While that’s great for casual users who didn’t need advanced or legacy features anyway, for those more versed in Windows usage, there could be some notable absences from Windows Core OS and Windows Polaris specifically. The traditional File Explorer and Control Panel could be just the tip of the iceberg. Certain apps like Microsoft’s Paint and Notepad could be lost, alongside things like fax support. There’s even talk of Win32 app functionality being removed, making it so anything not built using Microsoft’s UWP wouldn’t function. While it seems unlikely that Microsoft would remove that functionality entirely — the suggestion is virtualization and cloud-streaming could allow legacy apps to still run on Polaris — Microsoft has been very keen to push people towards the Microsoft Store. There are obvious benefits to that kind of ecosystem and Android and iOS have leveraged their own application marketplaces successfully for years, but that’s not likely to be a ‘feature’ of Polaris that appeals to everyone.
How do you get it?
For now, you don’t. Polaris is very much an internal development project at Microsoft with no official anything. Although there has been some suggestion that it could see the light of day in 2019, that’s far from certain. Should Polaris make an appearance at some point in the future though, it won’t be forced on anyone. Thought likely to run alongside traditional Windows 10 systems rather than instead of, Polaris would be something that manufacturers could offer for entry-level systems, or as a customizable option for consumers. Certain market segments with specific needs, like education and enterprise, could also be potential audiences. Due to the way Polaris is designed off of a new baseline Windows ecosystem too, it’s unlikely that there will be an upgrade path to or from Windows 10 as it exists now. That separation may please Windows users who want the full control offered by a more traditional Windows operating system, but it would be interesting to see how that effects uptake. Existing editions of Windows 10 have taken years to overtake the beloved Windows 7 install base. Polaris could take far longer if only new devices can support it.
Via digitaltrends.com
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Kia ora, welcome!
My name is Alyn Ware and I’m a peace educator and nuclear disarmament consultant.
On this blog, I will write about nuclear disarmament, peace education and other things that interest me, including ecology, vegetarianism, sports & peace, prevention of violence.
UN Conference on establishing a Middle East WMD-Free Zone: Will it lead anywhere?
The Middle East is a region where nuclear, chemical and biological weapons programs arise from, and contribute to, tensions, instability and conflict. The 2003 invasion of Iraq was launched by the US and the UK with the stated purpose to ‘disarm Iraq of weapons of...
UN Human Rights Committee condemns the threat or use of nuclear weapons and other WMD
by Alyn Ware* On October 30, 2018, the UN Human Rights Committee adopted a new General comment No. 36 (2018) on article 6 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), on the right to life. According to the General Comment (paragraph 3), the...
Containing the nuclear weapons corporations: Nuclear weapons divestment in the United States
The United States spends over $60 billion annually on nuclear weapons – more than the other eight nuclear-armed States combined. This colossal amount of spending on nuclear weapons is unnecessary, regardless of whether or not you support unilateral nuclear disarmament...
Feb 19. New York. PNND/IPU Parliamentary roundtable: Parliamentarians and the UN Disarmament Agenda.
Feb 9-11. PyeongChang, South Korea. PyeongChang Peace Forum.
Jan 10. Basel. Basel Peace Forum
Jan 9. Basel. Climate, peace and security: From youth voices to policy action. Launch of the Peace and Climate action of European Youth (PACEY) Award.
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Dec 3-4. Seoul. Speaker at the Seoul Peace Conference hosted by Seoul Mayor. Alyn Ware Seoul presentation.
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Nov 19: Basel. Basel Peace Office AGM. My annual report as BPO Director.
Oct 20-Nov 1: New York. UN General Assembly and Count the Nuclear Weapons Money.
Oct 13-17. Belgrade. Inter Parliamentary Union Assembly: Advancing parliamentary action on the climate and nuclear disarmament.
Oct 7-8: Prague. Lay down your arms international conference
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Sep 12-17 Cairo. World Future Council Annual meeting.
Sep 11: Edinburgh. ATOM Project and PNND event with Karipbek Kuyukov in Scottish Parliament.
Sep 9: London. ATOM Project and PNND event in the House of Commons
Sep 5: Vienna. Move the Nuclear Weapons Money and Pension fund divestment roundtable
Sep 2: Geneva. Cooperation amongst NWFZs to advance a nuclear weapon free world, Diplomatic roundtable to commemorate the International Day Against Nuclear Tests
July 21-28: Mumbai and Delhi. Right Livelihood Foundation speaking events
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June 20: Washington DC: Roundtable event on Move the Nuclear Weapons Money. USA Launch of Global Peace Index
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May 7: New York. Move the Nuclear Weapons Money event at the UN;
May 5: New York. Annual meeting of Abolition 2000, the global network to eliminate nuclear weapons. Co-chair of new working group Peace, disarmament and SDGs: Global week of action Sep 21 – 26;
May 1: New York. PNND event at Non-Proliferation Treaty Prep Com. Parliamentary actions for nuclear disarmament.
April 12-13: Basel. Nuclear weapons and fossil fuel divestment conference.
Mar 18-22: New Zealand. Peace Bike Ride
Feb 15: Canberra. PNND event in parliament on nuclear risk-reduction and disarmament
Feb 8-10: Seoul, South Korea. PyeongChang Global Peace Forum. Adopts Resolution on Peace in Korea and 5-Point Action Plan for Global Peace.
Jan 30: Global. Release of Mayors & Parliamentarians call on on Russia and the U.S. to preserve the INF Treaty
Jan 16: Basel, Switzerland. European Regional Meeting of Parliamentarians and City Leaders on
Nuclear Disarmament and Divestment
Jan 15: Basel. Public event. Investing in peace and sustainability – divesting from fossil fuels and war.
Jan 14: Basel. Basel Peace Forum: Action to highlight Euoropean weapons exports.
Jan 12: Trento, Italy. A Nuclear-Weapon-Free World. Is it desirable. Is it feasible. Presentation at the ISODARCO Winter Course
Jan 14-15: Basel, Switzerland. Where are the Nukes? Are you banking on the bomb? Pavilion at the Basel Peace Forum.
Feb 22-23: Vienna, Austria. Information booth for parliamentarians at the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly Winter Session.
Mar 8. Prague, Czech Republic. Presentation for Nuclear disarmament Update, Prague Institute of International Relations.
Mar 15-18. Prague, Czech Republic. Presentations to the regional Model United Nations (plenary, UN Security Council and UN General Assembly sessions).
Mar 24-27: Geneva, Switzerland.138th IPU Assembly. Side-event on new PNND/IPU/SCRAP project on comprehensive disarmament. Intervention to IPU Assembly on nuclear disarmament and SDGs.
March 28: New York, USA. Press conference at the UN to launch Move the Nuclear Weapons Money platform and civil society statement supporting diplomacy in North East Asia.
April 5. Tauranga, NZ. Presentation to the United Nations Association AGM, Implementing the United Nations goals of peace and disarmament.
April 12. Wellington, NZ. Public presentation Nuclear Threats, Diplomacy and the United Nations.
April 19. Geneva, Switzerland. Co-chair of diplomatic round-table on Reviving Nuclear Threat Reduction and Disarmament.
Apr 23. Geneva, Switzerland. Organiser and Chair of Parliamentary Action for a Nuclear-Weapon-Free World, side event at the Non-Proliferation Treaty Prep Com.
April 28. Geneva, Switzerland. Co-chair of the Abolition 2000 AGM.
May 1. Geneva, Switzerland. Organiser and speaker at the event Nuclear weapons and the law on human rights and future generations
May 11: New York, USA. Co-Chair of the Abolition 2000 International Strategy Meeting.
May 24: Geneva, Switzerland. Press conference at the UN to release the international appeal of women legislators Common security for a sustainable and nuclear-weapon-free world.
June 3: Berlin, Germany. Interview with Roger Waters (Pink Floyd) for the Move the Nuclear Weapons Money campaign.
June 7-9. The Hague, Netherlands. Events in the Peace Palace and Humanity House to commemorate the 175th birthday of Bertha von Suttner, first woman to receive the Nobel Peace Prize.
June 11-12. Berlin, Germany. Consultation event with German NGOs on the Move the Nuclear Weapons Money Campaign including on nuclear weapons divestment in Germany.
Jun 25-27. London, UK. Parliamentary event to release the CND report on military diversification and economic conversion.
July 1-4. Basel, Switzerland. Planning meetings for a regional conference in 2019 on a European Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone and on nuclear weapons divestment in Europe.
July 7-11. Berlin, Germany. Information booth for parliamentarians at the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly Annual Session
July 12-14. Buchel, Germany. International Action Camp outside military base where US nuclear weapons are deployed.
Jan 20: Vienna consultation on nuclear disarmament negotiations and parliamentary action. NH Danube Hotel, 9:30-11:30
Jan 24: Geneva consultation on nuclear disarmament negotiations and parliamentary action. Right Livelihood Foundation Office, Maison de la Paix. 13:00-15:00
Jan 26: Washington DC consultation on nuclear disarmament negotiations and parliamentary action. Green Cross International Conference Room, L St and 15th. 9:30-12:00.
Feb 15: New York consultation on nuclear disarmament negotiations and parliamentary action. Bahai Conference Room, 866 UN Plaza. 10:00-12:00.
Feb 23-24: PNND information booth at Parliamentary Assembly of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe winter meeting, Vienna.
March 7. London. PNND briefing and discussion on Nuclear risk-reduction measures, disarmament negotiations and the role of parliamentarians. Millbank House, House of Lords, London, UK. Hosted by PNND Co-President Baroness Sue Miller.
March 22: Berlin. PNND/UNFOLD ZERO consultation event on nuclear disarmament negotiations.
March 27-31: New York. First session of UN negotiations for a nuclear prohibition treaty.
April 3: Dhaka, Bangladesh. PNND side event Nuclear-risk-reduction and achieving a nuclear-weapon-free world at the 136th Assembly of the Inter Parliamentary Union.
April 5-7: Dhaka, Bangladesh. 2017 PNND Assembly. Adoption of the Parliamentary Action Plan for a Nuclear-Weapon-Free World.
April 20-22: Berlin. Workshops for the Evangelische Schule Berlin Centrum.
April 25: Fribourg, Switzerland. No weapons for Mass Atrocities. Public event at Fribourg University.
May 2-12: Vienna, Austria. Conference of States Parties to the NPT (Preparatory Meeting for the 2010 NPT Review Conference).
Oct 14-18: St Petersburg. Panel at IPU Assembly and release of the Parliamentary Action Plan for a Nuclear-Weapon-Free World
Nov 10-11: The Vatican. Meeting Pope Francis and participating in the Vatican Conference on Nuclear Disarmament.
Nov 12: Bonn. Presentation to the Parliamentary Meeting of the COP 23 Climate Change Conference.
Nov 15: Madrid. Keynote speaker for two parliamentary events.
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Powellhurst - Gilbert Neighborhood
Located just on the north border, Arbor View Dental Center is proud to serve the Powellhurst - Gilbert Neighborhood. Powellhurst - Gilbert is a neighborhood in the Southeast section of Portland, Oregon. It borders the neighborhoods of Montavilla, Hazelwood, and Mill Park on the north, Centennial on the east, Pleasant Valley on the east and south, and Lents and South Tabor on the west. It contains approximately 10,000 households.
Arbor View Dental Center is one of the only dental offices in the Powellhurst - Gilbert area that offers biological dentistry services.
Douglas K. Matz, DMD is a holistic dentist that focuses on how your mouth can affect your overall health. He takes care of his Mill Park patients by using a variety of biocompatible materials for dental comfort and treatment. Dr. Matz will work with your naturopath to perform compatibility testing for individuals that would like to find suitable materials for crowns, fillings, and anesthetics.
About Powellhurst - Gilbert Neighborhood
According to the Neighborhood Plan, the neighborhood is named after two of its schools: Powellhurst (named in the 1920s after 1850s settler Jackson Powell) and Gilbert (named after William M. Gilbert, an Indiana emigrant who settled in the area c. 1890). Settlement of the community by farmers via the Donation Land Claim Act began in the middle of the 19th century. Rail service to Portland began in 1892, spurring residential development. The resulting suburb was gradually annexed by Portland beginning in the 1960s and completing in 1994.
Come Visit Arbor View Dental Center
Arbor View Dental Center - Douglas Matz, DMD, 10011 SE Division St, Portland, OR, 97266 - Associated Words: dentist Portland OR : Mill Park Montavilla and Powellhurst-Gilbert Portland OR : dentist Portland OR : (503) 465-4848 : www.arborviewdentalcenter.com : 1/6/2020
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Arthouse Reviews: Mr Turner
By ArtHouse Crouch End, 06 Nov 2014
In Mr Turner Timothy Spall shows he’s a major contender for best English actor of his generation, but there can be no doubt at all that he’s wrapped up the prize for grunting. He can convey a range of subtle and complex emotions from sounds that seem to emanate from somewhere deep in his throat and nasal passages. This, combined with a face that’s so asymmetrical it’s capable of expressing contradictory feelings simultaneously, as the extraordinary scene in the brothel demonstrates, helps him produce a masterclass in acting.
But then Mike Leigh seems to make even ordinary faces extraordinary as he assembles a cast of regulars such as Ruth Sheen (as the mother of Turner’s children), Lesley Manville (as Mary Somerville) Marion Bailey (as Mrs Booth, Turner’s lover, as well as Dorothy Atkinson. Among the black suited and hatted men of the Royal Academy Joshua McGuire stands out, who, as John Ruskin, moves his upper body round in waves as if to gather in all the available oxygen to inflate his pompous ideas. The actors obviously had a lot of fun with their roles, as do the audience.
I don’t know if Turner was a good man. He didn’t treat his female servant or his wife and daughters well. But Spall plays him sympathetically, portraying his fierce independence and deep commitment to his own controversial and ground-breaking style of work, and demonstrating the extraordinary lengths he went to create it. He was a working class bloke who could storm about the Royal Academy dismissing the toffs with a grunt and a sweep of his arm. He wasn’t the typical self-important artist, referring to one of his masterpieces casually as a ‘marine scene’. Perhaps that’s why he fell with a woman who describes his drawings as ‘nice little pictures’. He also had a close and touching relationship with his father, played by Paul Jesson.
The visuals are quite breathtaking. Paintings of landscapes and sea scenes seem to merge into reality and you wonder how cinematographer Dick Pope could recreate such burning intensity of colour in the skies of the south coast, or the moors of the highlands. There are some unforgettable scenes, like Turner being tied to the mast of a ship to witness a snowstorm at close quarters, or his heartfelt and tuneless rendering of Dido’s Lament. But among the most memorable must be the scene where he mounts the back of his long suffering servant, growling like some desperately wounded beast. You almost felt yourself suffocated by the weight and dimensions of his body.
It’s a long film and Timothy Spall is on screen for most it. It’s a performance that Arthouse audiences definitely won’t want to miss.
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Around Asia
The Asahi Shimbun
Locals bid sad farewell to Uko ferry that carried Olympic torch
December 16, 2019 at 18:45 JST
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A ferry operated by Shikoku Express Ferry navigates waters slowly from Takamatsu Port, back, on the afternoon of Dec. 15 in Takamatsu, Kagawa Prefecture. The Uko ferry route that connects Shikoku and the Honshu main island ended its 109-year operation that day. (Mari Endo)
A historic ferry route that connected Shikoku and the Honshu main island for more than a century ended on Dec. 15, as many people waited in line at both ports to buy a ticket for the final voyage.
“I wanted to show my grandchild the view from the ferry that I used to ride to work,” said Toshiyuki Tokuno, 69, of Imabari, Ehime Prefecture, who came with his 9-year-old grandchild. “I feel really sad."
The last ferry departed at 7:50 p.m. from Takamatsu Port, as many people waved goodbye from the dock.
The Uko route that served as part of the 1964 Tokyo Olympic torch relay route will be sorely missed by locals who have fond memories from their youths and of the piping hot “udon” noodles served on board.
The route opened in 1910 as a central government project to connect Takamatsu Port in Kagawa Prefecture in Shikoku with Uno Port in Tamano, Okayama Prefecture, on the Honshu side.
The route immediately became a regular major line with 24-hour ferry services operated by the Japanese National Railways (JNR), today’s Shikoku Railway Co. (JR Shikoku), and private companies.
In 1988, the Seto-Ohashi bridge was built across small islands in the Seto Island Sea, connecting Okayama and Kagawa prefectures.
JR Shikoku abandoned regular ferry service on the Uko route. Other ferries have seen a decrease in passengers over the years.
Since 2017, only the Shikoku Express Ferry has operated five round trips per day.
FERRIED OLYMPIC DREAM
On Sept. 21, 1964, the Uko ferry carried the Tokyo Olympic torch and relay members from Takamatsu Port to Uno Port, on a bleak day under heavy leaden gray skies with clouds.
At Takamatsu Port, a ship named the Konpira-maru, decorated with flags, was at anchor, awaiting torch runners to arrive and board.
Nobue Saito, 72, was one of the runners who crossed the sea that day on the ferry operated by Utaka Kokudo Ferry Co.
Saito, a senior at Tamano High School in Tamano, was designated to be a runner by her tennis club coach.
“Why me?” Saito recalled feeling about being selected.
Her classmate, the late Shinya Sato, who belonged to a basketball club, ran as the first torch bearer in Okayama Prefecture. He received the torch at Takamatsu Port.
Saito was one of the 20 runners who accompanied Sato and ran behind him.
In a white half-sleeve T-shirt and shorts, Saito and others boarded the ferry and crossed the 18-kilometer route, which took about an hour.
She said she enjoyed talking with other runners and eating “bento” boxed lunches together.
When the ferry passed near Naoshima island in Kagawa Prefecture, many boys and others welcomed the torch relay members using semaphore flag signs from the island.
“I didn’t understand what that flag signaling meant, but it excited me,” Saito recalled. “It was a memorable page from my youth.”
When the ferry arrived at Uno Port, the relay members ran a few hundred meters to the JNR Uno Station, today’s JR Uno Station, where the second group of runners were waiting.
Hideaki Sato, 73, who was a senior at Tamano Commercial High School, today’s Tamano Commercial and Technical High School in Tamano, took over the torch.
Sato, a resident of Okayama, was captain of the high school track and field club.
The station building was overflowing with people and some were even on the roof, Sato recalled.
“I saw the Konpira-maru entering Uno Port, and I became nervous if I could run the way I was told,” he recalled.
DECLINE SIGN OF THE TIMES
After the 1988 opening, the Seto-Ohashi bridge toll was reduced time and time again, which contributed to the decline of ferry passengers.
But many people, including Saito, hoped to see a revival of the glory days of the ferry route when the torch relay of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics passes through the area next year.
However, Shikoku Express Ferry decided to abandon the last-remaining regular ferry connecting Takamatsu and Uno ports from Dec. 16.
“I used to ride the ferry to go shopping in Takamatsu," Saito said in disappointment. "The last time I used it was about 10 years ago. The suspension (of the ferry service) makes me sad.”
Sato also said he hadn’t used the ferry service in about three years.
“Considering the passenger volume, it was probably inevitable,” he said. “But I wish the ferry would carry the torch at the next Olympics. The halt of (ferry service) arrived too soon.”
The torch relay of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics is expected to pass through Okayama Prefecture from May 20. The torch will travel overland from Hiroshima Prefecture.
(This article was written by Itsuki Soeda and Miyuki Kanno.)
Part 1: Ghosn says can’t wait decade for trial to clear name January 13, 2020
Part 2: Ghosn says conspiracy against him to be exposed in court January 13, 2020
Ghosn happy to be in Lebanon surrounded by family, friends January 9, 2020
Ghosn says he faced a choice of fleeing or dying in Japan January 9, 2020
Ghosn says lawyers in Japan knew nothing of his escape plans January 11, 2020
Full skeleton of 5th century horse on display in Kumamoto
Oldest sake brewery found at former temple site in Kyoto
Ghosn: Japan’s biggest plea bargaining case
This special page portrays the dramatic arrest of Carlos Ghosn and the twists and turns that followed.
Light and Darkness brought by Carlos Ghosn
This special page reviews what the former Nissan Motor Co. chairman left during his 19 years in Japan.
From Ichiro
Baseball star Ichiro Suzuki had much to say on March 21, the day he hung up his spikes.
This special page details how journalists uncovered shady transactions through Bermuda and other tax havens.
Transform through SDGs
Here are reports about efforts in Japan and abroad to achieve the U.N. sustainable development goals.
Blue Impulse planes practice drawing Olympic rings in sky
A spring haze in Tokyo? In January? Well, actually yes
Teacher shows youth how it’s done at ‘luckiest man’ dash
Asahi Shimbun on Twitter
Asahi Weekly
In-house News and Messages
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Annal: 2002 Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award
Results of the Coretta Scott King Book Awards in the year 2002.
Goin' Someplace Special
Patricia C. McKissack, Jerry Pinkney
2002 CS King-Illustrator winner
There's a place in this 1950s southern town where all are welcome, no matter what their skin color...and 'Tricia Ann knows exactly how to get there. To her, it's someplace special and she's bursting to go by herself.
When her grandmother sees that she's ready to take such a big step, 'Tricia Ann hurries to catch the bus heading downtown. But unlike the white passengers, she must sit in the back behind the Jim Crow sign and wonder why life's so unfair.
Still, for each hurtful sign seen and painful comment heard, there's a friend around the corner reminding 'Tricia Ann that she's not alone. And even her grandmother's words - "You are somedbody, a human being - no better, no worse than anybody else in this world" - echo in her head, lifting her spirits and pushing her forward.
Patricia C. McKissack's poignant story of growing up in the segregated South and Jerry Pinkney's rich, detailed watercolors lead readers to the doorway of freedom.
20 January 2010, 09:13:00 GMT
About the Coretta Scott King Book Awards
Honor roll:Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award
Honor roll:Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award authors
Honor roll:Children's authors
Honor roll:Children's books
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A podcast I enjoy, The History of English Podcast, had an episode a while back called "The Lion Kings" where the host discussed the etymologies of animals that were exotic to medieval England. One of them was the elephant, which is discussed in minutes 31-36 of that episode.
The host presented a theory that I had always kind of assumed, but never saw written down anywhere. That theory says that the word ultimately derives from the Hebrew elef אלף - "ox" (which I discussed in my post on the letter alef) - or from some Semitic cognate. They are both big mammals, so I assumed that it would be easy for the word to transfer from one to another.
But again, I never saw it anywhere before listening to the podcast. The theories that I had always seen were closer to the one proposed by Klein, in both his Hebrew and English etymological dictionaries, which I'll share with you now.
First of all, it's generally agreed that the English word "elephant" derives from the Greek, as described here:
c. 1300, olyfaunt, from Old French olifant (12c., Modern French éléphant), from Latin elephantus, from Greek elephas (genitive elephantos) "elephant; ivory"
Klein breaks down elephas into two parts. Regarding the first part, "el" he writes that it:
appears also in Hamitic elu, 'elephant', whence probably Persian p-il, Arabic ph-il, Mishnaic Hebrew p-il of same meaning.
In his entry for the Hebrew pil פיל, he adds the Akkadian cognates piru and pilu, and says that elu became pilu due to the Egyptian article "p-" (which according to this article means "the".)
Klein writes that the second component, ephas, is an Egyptian loan word. He adds that it is related to the Middle Egyptian word yb, "elephant", from where the name Yebu (the original name of the Egyptian island Elephantine) derives. This name appears in the Hebrew word for ivory, shenhav שנהב, a Biblical word that appears only twice in the Bible (Melachim I 10:22 and Divrei Hayamim II 9:21), both times in the plural as shenhavim שנהבים. Shenhav, Klein writes, is:
compounded of shen שן (=tooth) and hav הב, also yev יב (=elephant)
He then adds that
From Egyptian ab, abu derives also Latin ebur (=ivory), probably through the medium of the Phoenicians. From Latin ebur, eboris comes the adjective eboreus (=of ivory) whence French ivurie, ivorie, whence English ivorie, ivory.
All this seems pretty convincing to me, but the part I don't get is that both components, the "el" and the "ephas", mean "elephant." Why would the word have two parts with the same meaning? I know there are no rules about how words must develop, and you can find that phenomenon in the English word "likely" (which literally means "like-like") and the Hebrew afilu אפילו -"even if" (which can actually be broken down to something like "if-if-if".) But still it feels strange to me.
Even stranger is a related etymology that Klein provides. He writes that the word "element" ultimately is cognate with "elephant". In his entry for "element" he writes:
Of the many etymologies suggested, the most probable is that which derives the word elementum from *elepantum, 'ivory letter', an ancient Latin loan word from Greek elephantos, elephas ('elephant;ivory'.) The change of *elepantum to elementum is probably due to Etruscan influence.
The "ivory letters" that Klein mentions, according to this book, refers to the letters of the alphabet inscribed in ivory. That's an etymological connection I didn't see coming!
Posted by Balashon at 10:59 PM
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British Television Drama
Biographies & topics
Dramas by decade
Contributors: all
David Rolinson
Play for Today section
PLAY FOR TODAY INTRODUCTION
Episode guide: 1970
Episodes: unbanned 1987-1991
Episodes: unofficial 1980, 1983-85
Episodes: repeats under PFT banner
Alan Clarke section
Tag: Peter Bowker
The Singing Detective 25th Anniversary Event (2011)
“in keeping with the modernist sensibility and self-reflexivity of Hide and Seek and Only Make Believe, the decision to root a view of the past in the experiences and imagination of a writer protagonist, emphasises the fact that, far from being an objective assessment, any perspective on history can only ever be subjective” – John R. Cook.1
This one-day symposium, staged by Royal Holloway University of London on 10 December 2011, celebrated the 25th anniversary of The Singing Detective (1986).2 It paid tribute to the serial’s “narrative complexity, generic hybridity and formal experimentation” and placed writer Dennis Potter’s contribution alongside the contributions made by his collaborators, several of whom were present: producer Kenith Trodd, choreographer Quinny Sacks and actors Patrick Malahide and Bill Paterson.3 Other guests included Peter Bowker (as a modern television writer inspired by Potter), plus academic speakers and, mixing practitioner and academic perspectives, Professor Jonathan Powell, who was Head of Drama at the BBC when The Singing Detective was made. This mixture of academic and practitioner perspectives has been a welcome and often rewarding feature of British television drama conferences in recent years: see, for instance, the conference proceedings published as part of British Television Drama: Past, Present and Future.4 Read more... (6851 words, 13 images)
Posted on 20 December, 2011 5 February, 2017 by adminPosted in David Rolinson, EssaysTagged 1980s, Blackpool, Complex narrative, Dennis Potter, Doctor Who, Emergency Ward 9, Jon Amiel, Jonathan Powell, Kenith Trodd, Missing Believed Wiped, Oz, Peter Bowker, Random, Reichenbach Falls, Six Feet Under, The Singing Detective, The Sopranos2 Comments
Wycliffe (1994-98) 31 January, 2019
A Day in Summer (1989) 28 February, 2018
Re-recording live drama: the fallibility of the television drama record 1 January, 2018
‘An ideology red, white and blue in tooth and claw’: David Edgar’s Destiny (1978) – Part 3 of 3 2 June, 2017
‘An ideology red, white and blue in tooth and claw’: David Edgar’s Destiny (1978) – Part 1 of 3 31 May, 2017
James O’Connor 31 March, 2017
Call the Midwife Notes #2: Style and meaning; or, Trixie’s fingernails 28 February, 2017
Call the Midwife Notes #1: Why Sunday nights? 31 January, 2017
Giles Cooper 30 September, 2016
We often update posts with new information. Here are some of the biggest recent revisions with new research findings:
Underground. Updated in November 2018 with new material and substantial revisions.
Out of This World. Updated in June 2018 with new material, images and revisions,
You dirty old man! Masculinity and class in Steptoe and Son. Updated in February 2016 with new material, images and revisions.
The Good Companions. Updated in November 2015 with more information on the Did You See...? discussion.
Ian Curteis. Updated again in April 2015 with further contributions from Mr Curteis.
Stalingrad. Replaced in December 2014 with a new version including lots of archive research.
Traitor. Updated in December 2014 with new material.
Tony Parker. Updated in November 2014 with new material.
Ian Curteis. Updated in October 2014 with new material including replies from Mr Curteis.
Underground. Updated in August 2014 with new material.
The Creature. Updated in January 2014 with new material including production documentation and audience research. Further updated in March 2014 with new information.
The July Plot. Updated in January 2014 with new material including production documentation and audience research.
Doctor Korczak and the Children. Updated in January 2014, with new material including audience research.
Michael Barry. Updated in November 2013 with new material and a list of credits.
Iain MacCormick. Updated in October 2013 with new material and a list of credits. Further amended in January 2014 with archive research.
Auteuse Theory: A Blog on Women's Cinema
British Cold War Culture
Broad Thoughts From A Home
Cathode Ray Tube
Dreams Gathering Dust
Feeling Listless
Forgotten Television Drama
Heroine Addict
Lady Don't Fall Backwards
Movie: A Journal of Film Criticism
Neil Sinyard on Film
Parrot Knight
Potter Matters
Queen Margot and the Supper Club
Real Lives on Screen
Screen Plays: Theatre Plays on British Television
Screenonline
Screens and Stages
Spaces of Television
St James's Evening Post
Televisionforwomen
The Patient Centurion
Thierry Attard's Double Feature
Tim Worthington
Words for Sam
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The Leadership Series
: Hiring Great People
Posted by THiNKTaNK on February 8, 2014 at 12:00pm
▼
Recruitment Mistakes of the Social Media Era▼
How to cure the incompetence epidemic and hire the right people? Employees who always
over-perform irregardless of who is watching. Employees who bring qualitative judgment
and perpetual acuity, instead of mediocrity & accrued incompetence. As Peter Drucker
once said: “The only thing you'll ever have in abundance is incompetence”. And that is
the hirability, management and professionalism challenge organizations and business
people face in the Social Media era. Finding talent that brooks no nonsense about
inefficiency, ineptitude, inauthenticity, two-faced buffoonery, corruption and
the antics or gimmickry business. “After looking deeply at ourselves”, said
Fleishman Hillard, “and talking candidly to those who know us, all things
intersected at one word: True. It’s our reality, as well as our aspiration.
True speaks to our commitment to the highest values. True reflects
the trust clients have long placed in us. At the end of the day, if
you ask what drives Fleishman Hillard, the answer is clear. Our
belief in the power of true.” That, to my mind, is credibility
that has true mileage. Credibility that truly matters, and is
verifiable is linked to a history and pattern of outcomes
resulting from qualitative & excellent choices. From
the best global brands to high velocity, high-level
policy-making government jobs, scandals & poor
choices like the ones Justine Sacco and Jofi
Joseph made and rightly paid for, serve as
strong reminders to recruiters. Recruiters
and leaders who forget perfect grades,
technical skills and “who you know”
or even hiring people who are as
affluent as other senior execs,
are not proof of good hiring
decisions. Responsible Use
should be investigated.
Unmasking Anonymity
is best handled by
& the web
The best recruiting decisions of this Social Media era — particularly for high profile organizations that can't afford embarrassing episodes that damage their brand — will feature coherent and holistic Social Media strategy that factors in Social Media Risk and Reputation Management.
Discernment or damage control alone won't cut it. Because having “a good feeling” about a double-faced candidate doesn't reveal their secret or locked Social Media accounts, use & conduct. And as seen in 2013 (ante), it's only a matter of time before tomfoolery and unprofessionalism surfaces. After such characters have been wrongly rocketed up the corporate ladder. That means, getting your ethos right. Creating, in other words, a culture of consistent professionalism.
Professionalism isn't about how loud, two-faced and/or obnoxious one is. Authenticity and Consistency are key. So, having the right expertise in place to verify is vital.
Like leadership, professionalism is not a position but rather, constantly evolving and consistently positive set of qualities seen through the prism of habits and skills that one commits to honing over a lifetime. And it beautifully complements their passion and purpose.
Such is the story of one of America's “Best Places To Work”, FleishmanHillard. The firm “ranked as having the best reputation among the PR field”. And whose selection process, like American Express, is thorough.
Why then, is it important to understand
words like
honesty and integrity aren't just fine words? That professionalism isn't a coat of pretense you put on to suit an occasion and take off when it suits you? Sure, you can play the game. But that makes you fake, which reminds me of a call I once received from a woman claiming to work for the Shanghai branch of architecture giant SOM (Skidmore, Owing & Merrill). She was articulate. But throughout our conversation I was a little taken aback by the verbose, self-assured promises, professions and affirmations she kept making in the name of the organization. As quickly as she appeared on my (telephone and e-mail) radar, she was 'gone with the wind'. And there was no professional acknowledgement when we attempted ensuring she had everything she'd previously requested.
That is classic inauthenticity.
○ ○ ○
○ ○ ○
Here, you have both discourtesy and failure of accountability that otherwise wouldn't be tolerated from a corporate executive working for the U.S. arm of the same organization. And so, I once told a Chinese Mainlander: finding professionalism here in China is a rarity although occasionally, I catch a glimpse. And it makes no difference whether it's an MNC based in Shanghai or Beijing. Personally though, I don't believe China is currently culturally wired for the kind of professionalism you crave. And I say that with tremendous humility and respect. That's what I say.
Honesty
is all about speaking the truth without calculating or factoring in consequences, rewards, or risks.
Not to be confused with Honesty, Integrity, which we discussed in both 4a and 4b of this Series and as you'll see below: is one of the
3 Core Values of the United Nations. It is derived from a person or organization's (moral) code of honor and/or (professional) ethics below which they resolve to never stoop, lest they compromise, devalue, debase or jeopardize their identity, dignity, mission and/or vision.
For example, fact: I work only for certain organizations sharing my values and have resigned from a company where a "supervisor" physically threatened and verbally abused me among a litany of professional improprieties and violations (listed under 3 Core Values below). Fact: Professionalism is a primary reason for moderating my web content. Others include the expectation of
civility, maturity, good/positive humor or camaraderie and constructive (not destructive) criticism. That, and nothing less. All unauthentic ("gotcha-type") communication attempts are filtered out so that the humanity, dignity and importantly productivity (including the more important priorities or direction/goals) of the individual, artist or visitor on the other side of the pixel is preserved, as is the positive energy or narrative they're trying to put out.
Well, Hans Hofmann encapsulates the underlying purpose-driven aim best:
“The ability to simplify means eliminating the unnecessary so that the necessary can speak.”
The United Nations doesn't believe in the fallacious notion of "respect must be earned".
When you begin with unconditional respect for humanity or an employee, you have a better chance of exciting passion in your employees or people you come into contact with; achieving productivity & high performance on the scale of companies on the Fortune 500 or 'Most Admired' list, say. And lasting human relations and cooperation which happens to be a by-product of mutual understanding is also realized. The values that foster peace, whatever the context. As the Indian Proverb goes: “There is no point in cutting off a person's nose and then giving them a rose to smell” which is the problem with all things unauthentic or disrespectful.
Now to the selective and partial eye/conscience: Note, what follows doesn't say "treats people we like, favor or drink beer with" but
“ALL”. See the
3 Core Values of the United Nations followed by Core Competencies on which the foregoing habits, skills & qualities (esp, Professionalism) rest
Professionalism
is all about readily observable and consistent behaviors and attitudes that form the basis of a person's character and in turn drives their high standard of performance. Moreover, that standard isn't just pulled out of thin air, hence the relevance of Henry Ward Beecher's exhortation:
“Hold yourself to a higher standard than anyone else expects of you. Never excuse yourself.”
You cannot just go from nothing to something. And businesses like FleishmanHillard which was founded in 1946, high performers, high profile organizations as well the United Nations recognize that. That's why we have Core Competencies that great recruiters seek.
○ ○ ○ Words and phrases often used to describe the Consummate Professional
How To Be Smart And Retain Your Top Talent
(Follow the Dove)
HYPERLINKED
More Videos Here
F I N I S
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Twilight at Taronga tickets selling fast!
From the world class vantage point of a harbour-side amphitheatre, the Twilight at Taronga series will return this summer for its 20th anniversary edition - today announcing a landmark musical program to span each Friday and Saturday night from Friday 30th Jan through Saturday 21st March.
Celebrating the Sydney summer with breathtaking 180-degree harbour views, Taronga Zoo will present performances from iconic Australian artists including Bernard Fanning, Paul Kelly presenting Merri Soul Sessions, You Am I, Sarah Blasko, Dan Sultan, Something For Kate, international guests Belle and Sebastian, Conor Oberst and Rufus Wainwright and many more.
While boasting Twilight at Taronga’s most modern and eclectic program yet, the series remains an all ages affair, where concertgoers are invited to pull up a picnic blanket and enjoy delicious hampers curated by renowned chef Giovanni Pilu, available to pre-purchase online.
“We’re thrilled to be introducing Twilight at Taronga to a new generation of audiences with this vibrant line-up,” says Paul Davies, Taronga’s General Manager Marketing, Fundraising and Commercial Services. “It’s the first time in our history that we’re introducing big-name international and contemporary artists to complement our regular favourites and we hope this will pique the interest of younger festival-goers while keeping our regular patrons coming back for more.”
Twilight also welcomes back fan favourites Bjorn Again, the James Morrison Big Band and ARIA Award winner Anthony Callea will celebrate the songs of George Michael with his full band on Valentine’s Day.
Across the series, a striking new visual identity designed by iconic Australian artist and Mosman local Ken Done will be on display at the already picturesque site, further establishing Twilight at Taronga as an essential Sydney experience.
As part of the 2015 re-vamped Twilight at Taronga series, free public transport is included in the price of all tickets - covering bus, rail, light rail and ferry from Sydney metropolitan areas. The best way to get to Twilight at Taronga is a short 15 minute ferry ride from Circular Quay on one of the dedicated routes that will be running continuously from 5:00pm until 11:30pm; alternatively take advantage of the extra buses transporting guests to Spit Junction departing the Zoo from 9:30pm.
Profits from the series continues to support the Taronga Conservation Society Australia, whose ongoing work is experienced by the Zoo’s 1.5 million Australian and international visitors each year.
Tickets on sale now from Twilight at Taronga
Starring in chronological order:
Fri 30th Jan - Bernard Fanning, supported by Little May
- SOLD OUT
Sat 31th Jan - Belle And Sebastian, supported by Special Guests
Fri 6th Feb - Paul Kelly Presents The Merri Soul Sessions
featuring Clairy Browne, Kira Puru, & Vika and Linda Bull
Sat 7th Feb - You Am I, supported by Jack Ladder & The Dreamlanders
Fri 13th Feb - Sarah Blasko, supported by Luluc
Sat 14th Feb - Anthony Callea presents Ladies & Gentlemen, The Songs of George Michael, supported by Caterina Torres
Fri 20th Feb - The Beautiful Girls, supported by Caravãna Sun
Sat 21st Feb - The Bamboos, supported by Katalyst with special guests (Original beats set)
Fri 27th Feb - Boys In The Band - 50 years of hits!
Sat 28th Feb - Björn Again
Fri 6th March - Conor Oberst, supported by The Felice Brothers
Sat 7th March - Rufus Wainwright performing The Best of Rufus Wainwright, supported by Lucy Wainwright Roche
Fri 13th March - Dan Sultan, supported by Benny Walker and Pierce Brothers
Sat 14th March - James Morrison Big Band
Fri 20th March - Something For Kate, supported by Jen Cloher
Sat 21st March - Ross Wilson and Mental As Anything
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Supervisor and Sponsor
Media Decoder Blog: Beijing International Screenwriting Competition Announced for U.S. Writers
By MICHAEL CIEPLY LOS ANGELES â” What can be built for almost nothing, usually can’t find a buyer and may soon put a dent â” a small one, anyway â” in the United States trade deficit with China?
Screenplays.
On Sunday, the Cultural Assets Office of the Beijing municipal government announced the Beijing International Screenwriting Competition. Screenwriters who live in the United States are invited to submit feature film proposals or completed short film scripts in a contest that aims, ultimately, to get movies made from some of them.
The only condition: All of the stories must be about Beijing.
Chong Liu Zhang Huiguang, director of the municipal Cultural Assets Office in Beijing.
Otherwise, writers should just follow their muse â” at least as far as the city limits. âWhat interests them is what matters most,â said Zhang Huiguang, director of the cultural assets office.
âWe hope a feature film will be born out of the competition,â added Ms. Zhang, who spoke by telephone through a translator last week. âOnce we have a good script, we will try to find investors.â
Any writer, professional or otherwise, is invited to submit a feature film proposal by April 7 under guidelines posted on the competition’s Web site. Short film scripts are due by April 20 and may be submitted only by students in the United States. Feature finalists will then move to the script stage. All of the finalists will be flown to Beijing in June, when cash prizes totaling more than $100,000 will be awarded.
As many as seven of the short films will receive production financing, while the feature film contestants will be introduced to potential investors who might make a movie.
If everything works as planned, Ms. Zhang said, the contest will become a regular affair. It was proposed, she said, by people associated with Harvardwood, a nonprofit run by Harvard University alumni, faculty members and others who have an interest in entertainment, media and the arts.
The scripts will be judged by two Americans: Mark Harris, who won Oscars for his documentaries âThe Redwoodsâ and âInto the Arms of Strangers,â and Tracey Trench, a producer whose credits include âThe Pink Pantherâ and a consultant to Oriental DreamWorks.
Asked about her own movie preferences, Ms. Zhang, who is president of the competition, said her favorite Hollywood film lately was Ang Lee’s âLife of Pi.â But contestants shouldn’t be too quick to mimic Mr. Lee’s big-budget, effects-driven fantasy.
âWe will select the most interesting script, rather than the most expensive,â she said.
Movies, Beijing (China), Movies
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Share your thoughts here.
Mrs. Obama may have been criticized for handing out the Best Picture award at the Oscars, but her appearance on NBC’s âLate Night With Jimmy Fallonâ has been immensely popular.
Screenwriters who live in the United States may submit feature film proposals or completed short film scripts in a Beijing-based contest that aims to turn some of them into movies.
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About Media Decoder
Media Decoder is an insider’s guide to the media industry that tracks the transformation of the movie business, television, print, advertising, marketing and new media. It’s a showcase for the extensive media coverage throughout The New York Times and a window on how the business of connecting with consumers is changing in the digital age.
The latest on the arts, coverage of live events, critical reviews, multimedia extravaganzas and much more.
Read more: http://mediadecoder.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/03/03/beijing-international-screenwriting-competition-announced-for-u-s-writers/?partner=rss&emc=rss
http://www.passfail.com/news/ny-times/media-decoder-blog-beijing-international-screenwriting-competition-announced-for-us-writers/media-decoder-blog-beijing-international-screenwriting-competition-announced-for-us-writers-7720032.htm
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Chinese Reach Out to U.S. Screenwriters With Competition Read more at http://www.onenewspage.com/n/US/74vr1ew23/Chinese-Reach-Out-to-Screenwriters-With.htm#XgckkmaoL8R05Wt1.99 March 22, 2013
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Copyright © 2020 Beijing Screenwriting Contest all rights reserved. | Contact | Private Policy | English | 中文 | Facebook | Twitter
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Honor Groups
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Mike McCoy (French Horn)
Mike McCoy, a San Diego native, is the founding Horn player for the Presidio Brass since its inception in 2006. Presidio Brass is a brass quintet that plays recitals all over the world. For every show they play they offer a free educational outreach show and demonstrations for local schools. With a focus on education the Presidio Brass have played for over 10,000 kids across the country as well as Canada and China. He is also a Yamaha and TrumCor sponsored artist through the Presidio Brass.
In addition to Presidio Brass, he is the Horn Professor at SDSU and is 4th Horn with the Las Vegas Philharmonic. He also plays with the Millennia Consort (a brass, organ, and percussion group in San Diego). He has been Co-Principal with San Diego's Orchestra Nova, and currently performs in the horn sections of, San Diego Symphony, San Diego Opera, and Pacific Symphony. His Horn playing has accompanied the talents of Frank Sinatra Jr., Pink Martini, Liza Minnelli, Luciano Pavarotti, Aretha Franklin, Dave Brubeck, Burt Bacharach, and many, many more. Mike has played Lead Horn with the traveling Broadway shows Lion King, Tommy and Wicked to name a few, as well as subbed with the Las Vegas "Lion King" show.
He is an active movie and commercial recording artist with notable credits. He played lead horn on the "Everquest" video game and can be heard on the "Cinebrass Pro" project (2011), as well as the "Diablo 3" (2011) and "Bionic Commando Revived" (2007) video game soundtracks. He has performed with many Orchestras including Billings MT. Symphony, Riverside Philharmonic, Mexico City Philharmonic, Orchestra de Baja California, Strauss Symphony of America as well as toured the West Coast as a soloist with the New England Youth Ensemble and played lead Horn in Carnegie Hall under John Rutter conducting his choral works.
He has been an adjudicator for California's All-Southern Honor Band and Orchestras Horn auditions for multiple years. He enjoys teaching when not performing. Most recently he has been invited to teach at the Idyllwild Music and Arts Camp. Another of his ventures in education was to record the "how to" horn videos for the band books "Tradition of Excellence" Book 1 and 2 by Kjos Music. Mike studied at the San Diego School for the Creative and Performing Arts, followed by San Diego State University and the Boston Conservatory of Music.
Mike McCoy
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Nissan company produces new electric cars to help fight China's smog
Automotive company Nissan recently announced the production of new electric cars exclusive to China to help prevent worsening air pollution.
Indonesia's Widodo Sends 'Clear Message' to China
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The U.S. military is currently testing the maneuverability and cost of the OV-10 Bronco, a Vietnam-era warplane that's now seeing combat in the fight ...
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Cameron Dueck
Writer, Adventurer, Filmmaker
Corporate Writing & Training
Tag Archives: sail
Posted on May 20, 2017 by CAMERONDUECK
Read this story as it was first published in the April issue of Cruising World.
Finnish sailors are proud of their submerged rocks. They grinned as they told me about the many skerries that barely break the surface of the Baltic Sea.
“Surely most of them are well marked,” I begged.
They shrugged their shoulders in a worrying, non-committal way and gave a rueful chuckle, like someone who has learned their lesson the hard way.
Those rocks were on my mind as I helmed west through the Finnish Archipelago.
I couldn’t afford to mess this up. My Finnish friends had generously lent me their sailing boat, Valaska, for three weeks, no strings attached, and I didn’t want to betray their trust.
The island of Korpo was to starboard. I’d just dropped off the owner’s son after a two-day shakedown cruise out of Turku, during which I tried to memorise where all the switches, sea cocks and latches were, which bits to jimmy and which ones were jammed. Now the yacht was my responsibility, and nothing but the hull stood between the rocks and I.
“After this west cardinal there are three north cardinals in a row, and then a south cardinal,” my crew told me, sitting in the cockpit, paper charts on his lap, checking the veracity of the chart plotter. He looked worried.
“I see an east cardinal there…is that ours?” I stood up, straddling the rudder of the trim little H323, ready to turn either way at moment’s notice, my eyes scanning the water for the waves in the middle of nowhere that characterise skerries.
And so it would go for the next few hundred miles as we wove our way through the thousands of islands sprinkled across the Gulf of Bothnia. Our destination was Åland, a place I’d never even heard of until I’d begun planning this cruise.
When the owner first made his offer I proposed that I sail to Sweden and explore its famous archipelago. And as soon as the words were out of my mouth I sensed that this was not what he had in mind.
“Yes, you could sail to Sweden, but Finland has thousands of islands as well. You would have to pass right by Åland. Look it up, you might want to spend your time there instead.” There was raw nerve of competition between the Scandinavian neighbours, I realised.
They were right about this little-known corner of Europe, where berries grow wild, the sun stays high in the sky during summer nights and the fluttering Åland flag reminds visitors that Finland may own the land, but the hearts and spirit of the people remain free.
Åland is an archipelago of 6,500 islands and skerries. It was under Swedish rule for 700 years until the Treaty of Fredrikshamn forced Sweden to hand it, along with Finland, to Imperial Russia. In 1917 Finland declared independence from Russia and took Åland with it. Ålanders argued for their own self-determination, with a request for annexation by Sweden, but there were concerns that independence could make them vulnerable to Nazi Germany or Soviet influence.
In 1920 Finland granted wide-reaching cultural and political autonomy to Åland, including its own flag, postage stamps, police force and a seat in the Nordic Council. This demilitarised region is part of Finland’s Archipelago Sea, the largest archipelago system in the world and the spiritual home of Tove Jansson, the Finnish novelist and comic strip author of the Moomin books for children.
Dotted with natural harbours, remote islands and weatherbeaten pilot houses, Åland’s history is visible at every turn. In small ports I saw iron mooring rings pounded into granite shores by Russian sailors more than a century ago, which today are used to moor yachts. Lonely pilot houses top windswept islands and remind sailors that this was once one of the great shipbuilding sites of Europe.
It is rare to see sailors from outside Scandinavia in these waters, and most of those you do meet are German. So, when we arrived in the marina at the top of Bärö, next to the island of Kumlinge, we were surprise to find a dozen cruisers filling the tiny harbour. But there was still one spot left — arriving in a 32 foot boat with a 1.4m draft is a distinct advantage in these waters. These brackish waters have no significant tides, allowing for an extra degree of bravery when edging a yacht into shallow anchorages.
After the customary anchor drinks I changed into swimming shorts and headed for the sauna built on a floating dock, eager for the full experience of Finnish sailing. I threw open the door with a cheery “Hello!” — sometimes it’s an advantage to have everyone know you’re not local. The three women inside pulled their towels a little bit tighter around them and looked at me suspiciously.
“This is a private sauna,” one of them cooly informed me.
I stammered my apologies, backing out the way I’d come, and returned to the boat for additional anchor drinks. Soon one of them swam over with a smile on her face to explain that we had to book the sauna — but unfortunately it was already booked solid for the evening. Our first sauna experience would have to wait.
The next morning we returned to the steady southwesterly 15-18 knot breeze that had brought us here. It carried us to the remote northern shores of Fasta Åland, the main island, where the region’s most untamed forests and islands are. Saggö, nestled against its sister island Saggö ön, forms a narrow strait that provided us protection from the wind and showed promise ashore.
It was my first attempt at Finland’s unique mooring system. I motored along the shore to check depths, then picked my spot. The crew stood on the bow, mooring lines in hand, and I dropped the anchor from the stern as we approached the rocky cliffs. I edged the boat close enough for the crew to jump ashore, where they banged iron pitons into cracks in the granite. Mooring lines were looped through the pitons, while I tightened the anchor line. When we were done the bow of the boat was only two feet from the rocks, but the steep shore and taut anchor line kept the keel in deep water.
I jumped onto a boulder covered in orange lichen and scrambled up the rocks, using the scrawny fir trees to pull myself into the forest. The forest was deep and quiet, with only the sigh of wind against the tops of the fir trees to break the silence. The thick, springy silenced my steps. I reached down and pulled out a damp handful, releasing a woodsy, earthy smell — a scent I don’t normally associate with cruising holidays.
Then I spotted them…a cluster of red ones here, some deep purple ones there. Bilberries and lingonberries — in North America commonly known as blueberries and cranberries — growing wild in thick clumps.
I dropped to my knees and gorged on them. They were tart and sweet, making my tongue tingle. I picked until my fingers were blue with juice and had filled a small bag with those that somehow escaped my mouth.
That evening we sat around a campfire on the rocks, sipping coffee and eating fresh berries with scones baked in Valaska’s oven. The firelight flickered on her white hull, confusing me for a moment — was I on a camping or a sailing holiday?
We continued across the north of Fasta Åland, alone but for the Whooper swans — Finland’s national bird featured on the 1 euro coin — and even an occasional seal, but we saw few other boats. Eventually we turned south, down the western side of the island, past the Ådskär lighthouse to Mariehamn.
The southern coast is the part of Åland that most visitors see. Mariehamn, the region’s capital, was named for a Russian empress. Here huge ferries disgorge tourists from Sweden, Estonia and mainland Finland, and the streets are lined with cafes and restaurants in ornate, historic buildings. It’s home to summer music festivals and nearly half of Åland’s population.
That night the wind rose until waves broke over the marina docks and the air was filled with the screech of rigging, so in the morning we switched to bicycles, Åland’s other great mode of transport. Fasta Åland and the outlying islands have hundreds of kilometres of well maintained and signposted bicycle paths, and we followed one of them north. It took us through rolling fields of ripe barley and wheat growing between forests of fir and silver birch, past small farms with bright red outbuildings and summer cottages with stacks of firewood outside their doors. Every few kilometres the path cut back towards the coast, and I caught glimpses of the sparkling Baltic Sea.
Twenty-five kilometres later we arrived at Kastelholm, a Swedish-built medieval castle occupied by Finns, Swedes and Russians over the centuries. It was used as a prison and execution grounds in the late 1600’s when Åland was in the grip of a hysterical witch hunt. Åland’s independent postal office has just issued a stamp to commemorate the execution of seven suspected witches.
From the castle walls I looked down on the Kastelholm Yacht Harbour, nestled in the narrow inlet of Ladängsviken, making a mental note to sail rather then pedal next time.
By the next morning the winds were more manageable, and we set off through the complicated fairway leading from Mariehamn to open sea. We shared the channel with several massive international ferries, which added to the navigational challenge. Despite the apparent remoteness of the region, there are also small ferries criss-crossing the archipelago, requiring sailors to keep a constant watch.
Rödhamn, an island port I’ve heard about from numerous other sailors, is just 10 nm south of Mariehamn. Its name refers to the red (röd) colour of its rocky shores, which have provided safe haven to centuries of seafarers. The shores of the southern, sea-lashed side of the island are dotted with stone cairns left behind by passing sailors. There is no electricity or running water in the marina, making it a quiet, peaceful place. A small bakery delivers hot rolls to your boat in the morning.
But the real reason I came to Rödhamn was its famed sauna. Late that night we hiked across the island with our towels around our necks. The air had turned chilly and the sky was filled with the kind of clear light only found in a high-latitude summer night. On the far side of Rödhamn, perched at the tip of a peninsula, was a small hut facing the sea. Smoke puffed from its chimney.
We stripped and ducked into the warm darkness. It was nearly dark inside, with just a glimmer of evening light coming through a small window. The wood-burning stove hissed as I threw a scoop of water at it, producing a searing hot steam that rose to ceiling. Soon I was dripping with sweat and conversation ebbed to the occasional sigh.
When the heat became unbearable I burst out of the sauna and ran, stark naked, across the smooth granite rocks that sloped towards the sea. The indigo sky was streaked with yellow light, the sun still high above the horizon despite the late hour.
“Whoo hooo!” I shouted as I launched myself, my yell becoming a yelp as I hit the frigid Baltic Sea. Within seconds the cold became too much, and I swam for the shore to dash back into the sauna.
The summer was coming to an end, and the wind turned from westerlies to easterlies as we began our 150nm voyage to Valaska’s home port of Helsinki. The easterlies brought a cold rain that slashed at our faces as we tacked our way home, as if cajoling us to return to Åland and its sunny skies.
Posted in Photos, Published Articles | Tagged adventure, Aland, archipelago, baltic, boat, bothnia, cruising, cruising world, europe, finland, finnish, Helsinki, island hopping, islands, magazine, marina, rodhamn, sail, sailing, scandinavia, sea, sweden, swedish, turku, yacht, yachting | Leave a reply
Fastnet Race aboard ADOR’s Azzam
Posted on August 24, 2013 by CAMERONDUECK
I’ve just come back from England where I sailed in the Fastnet Race (my second time) aboard Azzam, the 70-foot racing yacht of the Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing team. They are in early training and try-outs for the round-the-world Volvo Ocean Race, which starts in Alicante, Spain in September 2014. The team is led by skipper Ian Walker, a double Olympic medal winner for Britain.
The Fastnet Race is one of the world’s most famous and classic offshore yacht races, organized by the Royal Ocean Racing Club in the UK. The biennial 608-mile race takes boats from Cowes past Land’s End, across the Irish Sea to the Fastnet Rock, around the rock and home to Plymouth.
Azzam won the race in 2011 and set a new course record, so there was plenty of attention on the boat. However, this year the winds were much lighter, giving the advantage to the bigger boats designed for ocean sprint races such as the Fastnet. Azzam, designed to race around the world in much rougher conditions, still did well, coming across the line in second place, beaten only by a 100-foot boat with electric powered winches.
I was invited to join the race as an onboard reporter, and here’s the film I made.
Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged abu dhabi, adventure, Cameron Dueck, fastnet race, sail, volvo ocean race, yachting | Leave a reply
Biblioasis to publish Menno Moto
Buying into my Mennonite roots
Kerry F on Hopelchen Old Colony Mennos
Cora on 145 Years Ago
J Dyck on Hopelchen Old Colony Mennos
Blake on Loma Plata, Paraguay
Rod on Cruising through the Cold War
Menno Moto
Rambling Thoughts
The New Northwest Passage
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Happier Far
FROZEN, Olaf, and Damning with Faint Love
From my review of the original Frozen:
Olaf, the anthropomorphic snowman, is the comedic highlight of the film. Practically everything he said or did had me in stitches. I don’t want to exaggerate, but Olaf may be my favorite Disney sidekick, right up next to Pixar’s Dory.
My opinion has not changed. Olaf’s antics in Frozen serve to caress my funny bone like a giddy six-fingered tickler. The prospect of seeing and hearing more from him in Frozen 2 is exciting.
As we prepare for another narrative romp with the world’s favorite magical (literally) princess, I’m reminded of a scene in the original film that has stuck with me ever since 2013. For reference (and your viewing pleasure), here is the clip:
I’m sure you remember this segment. Olaf sings of his eager anticipation of summer’s arrival, when he’ll “find out what happens to solid water when it gets warm.” He imagines all the enjoyable activities he’ll participate in, blissfully unaware of what summer will actually do to him.
Near the en…
SHE HAS A NAME (2016) – Film Review
While researching and evaluating films for inclusion in my upcoming online course, I came across this movie. The trailers intrigued me, primarily because of two factors: 1) the quality of the production looked higher than your typical independently-produced project, and 2) it looked like a film that highly regarded the sexual dignity of its actors. That was enough reason for me to check it out for myself, and I had enough thoughts to warrant a belated movie review for this 2016 film.
The film’s synopsis, as listed on the movie’s website, is simple:
Jason, a lawyer, poses as a john to build a legal case against a ruthless pimp who is trafficking girls in Asia. He meets Number 18, a girl forced to work as a prostitute in a busy red light district whose testimony is key to his case.
As a reminder, I rate movies based on three criteria: objectionable content (C), artistic merit (A), and my personal opinions (P). (C-A-P. Get it?)
CONTENT (C): 9 out of 10
With a nightclub being a major set piec…
“More Like This, Please”: How Good People Perpetuate Rape Culture
Early American slavery wasn’t a tragedy simply because it was a societal evil. That was bad enough. What made matters worse was that so many good people did nothing to stop it—probably in part because it is uncomfortable to confront such a pervasive and culturally-ingrained practice. And yet, the silence of good people, in order to avoid discomfort, spoke volumes to those enslaved—not only to their discomfort, but to their humiliation—and, in many cases, to their death. For too long, too many in society just didn’t care—or, at the very least, didn’t care enough.
In light of that reality, read the following 2017 quote from Sarah Polley:
The only thing that shocked most people in the film industry about the Harvey Weinstein story was that suddenly, for some reason, people seemed to care. That knowledge alone allowed a lot of us to breathe for the first time in ages.
That is a heartbreaking statement. Whereas a majority of us were shocked by what Harvey Weinstein had done over the years, th…
An Exciting Announcement about My Next Public Work
With the publication of my essay “When Art Becomes Sinful” in the book Cultural Engagement (Zondervan, 7/9/19), I am now working to further promote an often-overlooked message that seems to hit a nerve every time I write about it. Toward that end, I am creating an online course that will help people find greater clarity and freedom in addressing entertainment choices with hypersexual content (nudity, sex scenes, etc.). This material will enable Christians to better understand, evaluate, and engage with sexualized media.
Some content from previous blog posts and articles will be repurposed, but a large portion of the material in this course will be completely new. Beta testing of the course will commence in a month or two, during which a select and generous group of authors, pastors, and artists have agreed to provide me with feedback.
As it now stands, this material will be divided into 12 lessons. Each lesson will include the following components:
1) Video content
Video introductions wil…
CULTURAL ENGAGEMENT is Now Available for Purchase
It’s not every day you get to announce the official release of a book you contributed to.
As many of you know, I’ve had the privilege of working with Drs. Joshua Chatraw and Karen Swallow Prior on an anthology about Christian engagement with cultural beliefs. Dr. Prior asked me to contribute an essay a year and a half ago, and it has been a tremendous pleasure and privilege to be involved in this project.
The book, Cultural Engagement: A Crash Course in Contemporary Issues, releases today. It explores nine controversial topics—sexuality, gender roles, human life & reproductive technology, immigration & race, creation & creature care, politics, work, the arts, and warfare & capital punishment—from a variety of angles. Contributors to the book include Makoto Fujimura, Rod Dreher, Rosaria Butterfield, Andy Crouch, Joe Carter, and Katelyn Beaty.
There is a wide range of beliefs represented in this book, not because all positions are equally valid, but because there needs to …
When to Question Your Entertainment Choices
Entertainment isn’t inherently shallow, but we can be shallow in our response to it sometimes. One such way is viewing and treating entertainment as nothing more than a simple tool for proselytizing. This belief has led to a plethora of shallow faith-based movies that are just thinly-veiled sermons.
Another shallow way to respond to entertainment, as Trevin Wax once pointed out, is to subscribe to the idea that “all sorts of entertainment choices are validated in the name of cultural engagement.” Wax then rightly asks, “What’s the point in decrying the exploitation of women in strip clubs and mourning the enslavement of men to pornography when we unashamedly watch films that exploit and enslave?”
These are excellent questions, and after mulling them over for quite a while (the above-linked article was published over five years ago), I have attempted at least a partial answer in my newest article for Reformed Perspective: There is a line that shouldn’t be crossed, somewhere between the qu…
What REALLY Went Wrong with Desiring God’s Critique of CAPTAIN MARVEL
The proverbial hornet’s nest got a solid whack with a stick when Desiring God published an article by Greg Morse entitled Behold Your Queen: The Real Conflict in Captain Marvel. When the piece was initially published, I was concerned. After further reflection, I became more concerned. And after seeing the angry, hurt, and incredulous responses from many women I know, I became deeply concerned.
That concern turned into a lengthy written response, divided into two separate blog posts (here and here). I laid out what I believed were four problematic components of the article.
Because of the great respect I have for those at Desiring God, I personally reached out to Mr. Morse and shared my concerns. He thanked me for contacting him directly, and even offered to schedule a video chat for further discussion.
We were finally able to participate in that video chat just over a week ago. During our conversation (which he opened and closed with earnest prayer), Morse displayed a depth of humility t…
All content © Cap Stewart, 2006-2019. The views expressed on this blog are my own
Cap Stewart
I love to write about the arts and theology. My wife loves to write about sci-fi and fantasy. My children love to write on any hard surface. You can follow me on Twitter: @capstewart.
A Tale of Two Sexual Assaults on Jennifer Lawrence
The first assault against Jennifer Lawrence was heavily discussed in the news and on social media. It resulted in an FBI investigation, subsequent prosecution, and an upcoming sentencing.
The second assault has received similar coverage, but more as a human interest piece than anything else. The legal ramifications of this second incident are practically nonexistent.
The overall response to the first assault was outrage. The response to the second was indifference.
What were these two incidents? The first, as you may have guessed, was the 2014 iCloud hack in which private/nude photos of several female celebrities, including Lawrence, were stolen and published online. The second incident involved the filming of Jennifer Lawrence’s first sex scene (for the sci-fi movie Passengers). Let me set the stage by sharing three similarities between the photo hack and the sex scene.
First, in the aftermath of the photo hack, Lawrence experienced anxiety. “I was just so afraid,” she later said. “…
Hollywood’s Secret Rape Culture
Several years ago, Kate Beckinsale was conned into signing a movie contract that required nudity—something she didn’t want to do. With her acting career in jeopardy, she found herself browbeaten by the director. “I was really disturbed and I was sobbing and begging,” she said. At long last, she gave in to intimidation and performed the nude scene, which made her feel “violated and horrible.” Afterwards, she secretly urinated in the director’s thermos in revenge.
In the realm of television, actress Ruta Gedmintas faced her first sex scene for the HBO show The Tudors. “I was absolutely terrified and had no idea what was going on,” she later said. “I cried afterwards because I was thinking, ‘This isn't acting, what am I doing? My mum's going to see this.’”
Would you believe me if I told you that stories like these are numerous? Sadly, it’s true. The amount of pressure and intimidation Hollywood places on actors—especially women—to undress for the camera is commonplace. It’s well …
GOD’S NOT DEAD and the Bastardization of Christian Filmmaking
If you’re a fan of the 2014 film God’s Not Dead, and if you’re excited about its upcoming sequel, you and I probably have several things in common. We likely agree that historic Christianity is becoming less and acceptable in the public sphere. We likely agree that many of our nation’s college campuses are becoming more and more hostile to individuals who adhere to any form of absolutes. We also likely agree that there is an increasing need for believers of all types—students, teachers, pastors, filmmakers, etc.—to engage with our world in an effective and countercultural way.
It’s actually because of these shared beliefs that I’m majorly concerned with the popularity of God’s Not Dead (and other movies like it). And it’s because of these shared beliefs that I want to explain my concerns to you.
I’ll put aside most of the artistic issues I have with the film. (For that, I’ll direct you to my cyber friends Steven D. Greydanus and Peter T. Chattaway). My main focus here will be on the mov…
Hollywood Sex Scenes vs. Porn: So What if They’re (Kind of) Different?
* CONTENT ADVISORY: This topic requires a certain level of frankness that may be inappropriate for some readers. While I have taken great pains to avoid titillation, reader discretion is still advised. *
Last week, we looked at the four main ways in which motion picture sex scenes and pornography are different. Now I want to show how these factors actually prove to condemn Hollywood’s methods rather than excuse them.
Argument #1: There is often a difference in production values. Motion pictures are a form of art, whereas porn is unabashed titillation.
Hollywood’s mash-up of blatant sexuality (nudity and sex scenes) and aesthetics only serves to make its displays of sex more alluring to the viewer. As works of art, Hollywood films are concerned with giving their audiences pleasure through beauty. That’s what aesthetics are all about.
What is ultimately more alluring: a sex scene with bad lighting, poor audio quality, and shoddy production work, or a sex scene with good composition, stellar…
What I Learned from Wetting My Pants
So there I was, surrounded by church members, my pants wet, my blood boiling. This wasn’t what I needed—at least, that’s what I told myself.
The morning had started innocently enough. Shannon and I arrived at our church building later than normal. Because of the pouring rain and the packed parking lot, I said I would drop Shannon off at the front and then go park and bring our Bibles and notebooks in. (After all, with an umbrella and a raincoat at my disposal, my trek across the parking lot wouldn’t be too bad.)
Shannon didn’t want me lugging the books in the rain, so she grabbed them before heading into the building. I then parked near the back of the lot and reached for the umbrella.
It wasn’t there. Not in the back seat…not in the front seat. Not anywhere. Shannon must have taken it inside with her.
Okay. No big deal. I still had my raincoat, and thanks to my memory of a once-watched YouTube video, I had learned the trick to staying relatively dry while traveling in the rain: wal…
How “A Million Dreams” Brilliantly Foreshadows the Entire Plot of THE GREATEST SHOWMAN
Yes, I am still on a Greatest Showman kick. Cut me some slack, though. My wife and I only saw it for the first time just under three weeks ago. The soundtrack still plays almost daily in our home, providing near endless opportunities for our toddlers to daintily prance and spin as they sing along with “The Circus Man” (as they gleefully call him). Besides, for someone who’s as unhip as myself, it makes sense that I would be taken in by such an uncool (according to critics), and yet wildly popular (according to general audiences), movie.
So, what is my point in writing another post about this particular film? To gush like a fanboy who has staked a personal claim to gold-encrusted, front-row seats on the Greatest Showman bandwagon? Not exactly. (That’s just a happy side effect.) The point of this blog post is to…well, point out a unique aspect of the song “A Million Dreams.” After listening to this song a bajillion times (give or take a few), I’ve noticed something extraordinary about i…
Captain Marvel, Disney Princesses, and the “Feminist Agenda”
A few days ago, an international Christian ministry I greatly respect published an article critiquing the new movie Captain Marvel. I found the article to be confusing, troubling, and even dangerous. It doesn’t so much critique the content of the movie as it does the existence of the movie and the reason for the movie. Those are issues I can address without having first watched the film (which, for the record, I have not).
As I see it, there are four main problems with the article: unclear language, genre confusion, reverse chronological snobbery, and (most importantly) a demeaning attitude toward women.
1. Unclear Language
The article’s author, Greg Morse, pushes back against what he calls the “feminist agenda,” but he never clarifies what that term actually means. It may be that he views all forms of feminism as inherently opposed to Scripture; I can’t say for sure. The truth of the matter is that feminism, like many other ideological positions, is too broad a description to condemn or…
A Scandalous Righteousness
I recently read through Genesis 15, where God reassures Abram, who is currently childless, that he will have numerous descendants (which God had initially promised in Genesis 12:1-3). Abram’s response leads to something amazing: “And he believed in the LORD, and He accounted it to him for righteousness” (Genesis 15:6).
Commenting on this verse, Martin Luther says, “Righteousness is nothing else than believing God when He makes a promise.” The anti-intuitive nature of this statement struck me forcefully. You see, I am unconsciously inclined to think that my striving hard to do well is the kind of righteousness that pleases God. When I obey a particular law, do a good deed, or reject a temptation, then I have earned at least a small degree of God’s favor. But that is not how it works.
God definitely blesses our faith-inspired efforts, but such efforts are…well, based on faith—that is, confidence in God’s promise to pardon and accept me through Christ’s atoning work. If I attempt to som…
Is it My Job to “Rescue” Women Who Undress for the Camera?
From a concerned reader (with a few slight edits):
Your argument robs adult women of agency because it says outright that they are not consenting and implies they cannot consent. It infantilizes adult women and asserts that they can only be protected by men with a white knight impulse. We’re getting into an area where women are regarded as little more than sheep, being led by whatever crook is nearest.
As regular visitors know, over the past few years I have focused much of my blog’s attention on how the entertainment industry places pressure on actors to perform nude and/or sex scenes for audiences. It’s a problem that is at once both tacitly acknowledged and blithely ignored. I have argued further that those who suffer most under this burden are actresses.
With my emphasis on women, some readers have responded with major concerns. I am both thankful for and alarmed by this feedback, because the quoted critique above is not what I have meant to communicate. Not at all. I offered a …
What About Actors Who Willingly Undress for the Camera?
Last week, we looked at Hollywood’s underground culture of sexual abuse: how actors are routinely coerced into violating their consciences by performing nude scenes and/or sex acts on screen. While audiences have grown comfortable with watching such scenes, actors are often uncomfortable (or worse) with filming them.
Isn’t it true, though, that some actors willingly undress for the camera? The simple answer is, of course, yes. But it’s an answer that requires at least two clarifications. And since women are the majority of the victims in these circumstances, we’ll focus on women for the rest of the article.
First, it’s not as easy as you might think to discern the difference between willing and unwilling performances. Take just one example (or, rather, an example in several parts) from recent history, all involving a “willing participant.”
Actress Margot Robbie recounts how her audition went for the movie The Wolf of Wall Street. She showed up for the audition in her usual look: jeans …
Links that Make You Think
Exploring Stories Biblically
Karen Swallow Prior
Reformedish
Russell Moore
SEX IN CINEMA
Shannon Stewart Writes
Steven D. Greydanus
Bondage of the Will
Cho Seung-Hui
Christian hedonism
Cue Awards
Dan Cathy
E. Stephen Burnett
felix culpa
Fight the New Drug
Gene Edward Veith
Henry Scougal
Inky Johnson
Jack Bauer
Jeffrey Overstreet
law of love
law vs. gospel
Lutheran Study Bible
meekness
mock news
Namesake Entertainment
Paradise Regained
Perelandra
Preface to Paradise Lost
Screwtape Letters
self-forgetfulness
Shane Windmeyer
Spectacular Sins
Telos Institute International
theology in real life
Thomas Chalmers
Tracksounds
Virgin Tales
Wayne A. Wilson
WOG Magazine
Worldly Amusements
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Cloudflare Announces New 1.1.1.1 DNS for Privacy
by Lara Hammed
People who use the 8.8.8.8, the Google DNS, to surf the internet, now know that a new alternative has been born: 1.1.1.1 by Cloudflare.
It is a new public DNS that, according to Cloudflare, fully respects the privacy of users and is the fastest on the internet. The company claims to have talked with those who create internet browsers and that one of the recurring requests was always privacy.
“Beyond committing ourselves not to use user navigation data to help advertisers, the developers wanted all traffic records removed after a week,” explains Cloudflare. Therefore, with their new DNS they went further and decided to delete the records after 24 hours.
In addition, there is concern that the Google DNS -8.8.8.8- is widely used even when the company is always in the crosshairs of everyone for the amount of information it stores on its users. “Google’s DNS is good, but we think it’s better to have some diversity,” says Cloudflare.
The company says that all this is done to help everyone have a better internet, as they have done in the past with other actions such as offering their customers free tools to defend against DDoS attacks or encrypt information. “Three years later, the rest of the industry started doing the same thing, the web should have been encrypted from the beginning and that it is not, it’s a bug, we’re doing everything we can to correct it.”
Configuring Cloudflare’s new public DNS is relatively easy in the Wi-Fi settings of all computers and operating systems. Given its advantages in terms of speed and reliability, it seems highly advisable to start using it.
Eliminate Computer Viruses or Malwares
If your computer became infected with viruses, spyware or any type of malware and it is difficult to disinfect it, we recommend that you make the following indications, for an effective elimination of these computer parasites.
1. Deactivate ‘System Restore’:
Disable the “System Restore” (Windows 7).
Disable the “System Restore” (Vista).
Disable the “System Restore” (XP).
After cleaning, you can activate it again.
2. Show hidden files and extensions:
For “Show hidden files and folders and extensions for known file types”, follow these instructions.
3. Restart in “Safe Mode” (this point only for Win 7 / Vista / XP / 2000):
Start in “Safe Mode” (7 / Vista / XP / 2003/2000).
4. Proceed to cleaning:
Empty the recycling bin.
Delete all temporary files:
Uninstall suspicious programs:
Run your updated antivirus and scan your entire PC.
Run your updated antispyware and analyze your PC.
Install a firewall temporarily (Optional):
It is likely that the virus or the hacker wants to try to attack your computer again, to avoid this it would be advisable to install a firewall even temporarily.
Install the Microsoft patches (Optional):
Install critical and important Microsoft patches. You can see the latest bulletins issued by Microsoft from here or from the official website.
Note: This can be fast or slow depending on your Internet connection. Some time ago Microsoft added a validation system, that is, only users with a legal license will be able to install these patches.
Final observations
Effective disinfection
If your network was infected, perform these procedures on each of the computers by first disconnecting them from your network and the internet.
If after the disinfection, Windows is unstable (error messages, slowness, etc.), then it is recommended to repair the system with these indications. To have the best results use a professional for computer virus removal in Huntsville.
1. In spite of making all these indications my PC is still slow, why is this?
If after Windows disinfection was unstable, it is recommended to repair the system with these indications. If it is still unstable, it may be that the slowness is not due to viruses, but to the applications that are loading when you start your PC. It is recommended to uninstall programs that use less or that are expired, or simply to prevent them from loading when turning on the PC with utilities such as Microsoft autoruns.
If in spite of this the system is still slow, it is likely that the virus has damaged some important file, for that it is recommended to format and install the system again.
2. Have I removed the virus from my PC but I get messages when I turn it on, will it still be infected?
Most viruses are added to the system registry “Regedit” (a path key), in the “System Startup Files” or in “Start” of the Start Menu to auto-run every time we turn on the computer . When these viruses are eliminated these additions could continue in the system showing possible error messages (without this means that the PC remains infected). What you can do is remove them manually for example with the Microsoft autoruns utility.
© Copyright 2020 - CheapWebArt
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Entertainment in Chennai
Tamil Movie Actors/ Actress/ Play back Singers
Biography of Music Director G.V. Prakash
Posted Date: 15 May 2011 |Updated: 15-May-2011 |Category: Tamil Movie Actors/ Actress/ Play back Singers |Author: Balasubramanian S |Member Level: Gold |Points: 60 (Rs50) |
This article provides the details about the young and energetic Music director G.V. Prakash. Along with the music composition he is also very good in singing songs. Some of the songs in his compositions are sung by him.
Young musician – G.V.Prakash kumar
G.V.Prakash Kumar is an Indian film music composer and a nephew of the notable Oscar award winning music director and sound engineer, A.R.Rahman. Prakash has been a part of south Indian film industry composing songs and back ground scoring for many Tamil and Telugu movies. At present, he has been regarded as the sought after musician in the film industry. G.V. Prakash is very good in making music that is very much comfortable and highly suitable for the movie. There are many music directors who are emerging nowadays and are also giving wonderful songs to the Tamil film Industry. This wonderful contribution to the Tamil film industry is brought based on the creativity and also based on the experice a person gains.
Personal Life and Family of G.V. Prakash Music Director
Prakash Kumar is the one and only son of Venkatesh and A.R.Reihana, a playback singer and an elder sister to the veteran music director and singer A.R.Rahman. G.V.Prakash singer is a engaged to a noted famous play back singer Saindhavi. He learnt lots of thing from A.R. Rahman and also proved himself to be one of the best young music directors for the Film industry. Recently he has also given various wonderful compositions to the film industries so that it is very much comfortable for the people to keep the songs in their mind for many years.
Creating unique songs for the films is a difficult task for the music directors. When they are composing a song it is common that the tune that they are making will be taken from some other songs and the birth of that tune will be with the idea that is brought from some other songs. The songs are also composed based on the situation that it has to be composed. The situation the song appears also stands to be highly responsible for the song to get set with the film and also with the listeners. These complicated things are to be learned by the music directors with the experience. But in general G.V. Prakash is highly talented to know these stuffs in the young age itself. Getting such type of music directors for the Tamil film industry is a very good gift.
Career and Earning of Music Director G.V. Prakash
Prakash entered into the film industry at a very young age and his film music was critically acclaimed with the entry of the shankar’s production company directed by Vasantha Balan called Veyil. Prakash was taken over by many film directors for his new era of music composing where heavy beats created a big craze amongst the youngsters. His melody numbers were equally spoken. “Maalai Neram”, “Pookal Pookum Tharunam” for Ayirathil oruvan and Madrasapattinam respectively topped the box office hits this year.
Before entering into the film industry as a music director, Prakash appeared as a vocalist on the sound track of the movie Gentleman composed by his maternal uncle, Rahman for the song ‘chikku bukku raile’. After this venture, Prakash has made a number of other vocal combinations with his uncle for various movies in the Indian film industry. Apart from singing for his uncle, Rahman, he has sung for Harris Jayaraj’s tunes for the movie Anniyan and Unnale Unnale.
Prakash’s composition for the movie “Polladavan” created a break for him in his career. With the highest hit song – “Engeyum Epodum” which was a remix of the M.S.V’s 80s hit he swiped out the floors. One noteworthy composition of Prakash was his music set for the movie “Madrasapattinam” which was in the top of the box office for few months – that would rarely occur in the industry for the hit songs stay on the top only for a few weeks randomly.
Some of Prakash’s striking movies were Veyil, Ooram po, Ayirathil Oruvan, Velli Thirai, Kaalai, Kuselan, Ananda THandavam, Anghadi Theru, Madrasapattinam, Aadukalam and Seval.
The success trio Vettri Maaran, Dhanush and G.V.Praksh Kumar rejoined in Aadukalam after their colossal success in Polladavan. Songs in Aadukalam especially “Yaathey Yathey” and “Otha Sollala” turned out to be mammoth hits. Other songs like “Maalai Neram” from Aayirathil Oruvan starring Karthi,Reema Sen and Andrea, “Edhu ena Maayam” from Ooram Po, “Pookal Pookum Tharunam” from Madrasapattinam for Kalapathi S Agoram, “Kaana Kangiran” for the movie Aananda Thandavam, “Saaral” for the movie Kuselan staring Rajinikanth, Nayanthara, Pasupathi and Meena in the lead roles, “epo ne ena paapae” for Kaalai, “Akkam Pakkam” for Kreedam and “Veyilodu Velaiyadi” for the movie Veyyil starring Bharath and Bhavana were his legendary credits.
Forthcoming Vinyl of Music Director G.V. Prakash
There are many movies coming with the composition of the music director G.V. Prakash. Being a young Music director he understands the entire requirement for the recent trends and makes music based on that requirement. It is a very great aspect to be noted about the music director G.V. Prakash. Some of the upcoming works of G.V. Prakash is listed below and it is expected to be great hit and also provides maximum satisfaction to all his fans.
• Deiva Magan
• Joker
• Alien Sahib
• Vada Chennai
• Adal Yeru
• Eduru Ledu Muppozhudum un Karpanai
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Christian Life Poetry, Music & Writing
The Harp's Top String
London and Paris
For My Father
Little Songs for Little People
Every Knee Shall Bow
Singing Scripture
THE LOVELIEST CHURCH IN PARIS: LA SAINTE CHAPELLE
How lovely to be in Paris on a balmy late spring morning,
especially if you are going, as we were, to see one of the loveliest churches in
the world – Sainte Chapelle (Holy Chapel).
As the River Seine flows through central Paris, it surrounds two
islands which are linked by a small footbridge. The Parisii, who founded Paris
in the 1stcentury, lived here. Two magnificent churches, Notre-Dame
and Sainte Chapelle, are on the Ile de la
Cite.
When John and I went there, I was glad I had studied a map
because the entrance was tucked away at the back.
I hope to see it again if I can manage the narrow spiral staircase that
winds up to the upper chapel for there are two sanctuaries in Sainte Chapelle.
(There is limited disabled access). The lower chapel, dedicated to the Virgin
Mary, was for the King’s staff, while the upper chapel, which could be reached
directly from the palace, was for the King. This is the sanctuary you mustn’t miss.
(The palace no longer exists). http://www.sainte-chapelle.monuments-nationaux.fr/en/
King Louis IX of France, a devout Christian, built Sainte
Chapelle to house what he believed was Christ’s crown of thorns and other relics
associated with our Lord. The crown of thorns cost the saintly King three times
what he paid to build this exquisite church.
This High Gothic Chapel, consecrated in 1248 is long (36m), and
narrow (17m) and very high (42.5m). It’s breathtakingly beautiful!
Its walls are almost entirely stained glass in vibrant colours with
shades of red and blue predominating – absolutely magnificent with light shining
through them. The two sides of the single nave have 15 stained glass windows, 14
of which illustrate stories from the Old Testament, John the Baptist and Jesus’
childhood. The 15th window tells the history of the relics. There are
altogether 1113 scenes depicted in roundels and the stories should be read from
left to right and from bottom to top.
The rose windows portray Christ: his Passion at the eastern end,
and his glorious return as Judge of the living and dead, at the western
I sat and stared and stared. I could only praise God for the
devotion and dedication of King Louis and the countless artisans who had
laboured to build such a sanctuary for his glory. It is a witness that has stood
through centuries and I pray that future generations will preserve it. (It is now a national
monument.)
Afterwards we saw the lower chapel.
It seemed cramped after the soaring beauty of the other.
Nevertheless, it is beautiful with its low vaulted ceiling and red and
gold decoration.
Outside John and I came down to earth with a bump and thought of
lunch. I would like to have suggested that you visit the huge nearby store,
Samaritaine as we did in 2004. Unfortunately it’s been sold and a new
development is scheduled to open there in 2013. So for me it will be a memory I
wrote about in A CHRISTIAN IN LONDON AND PARIS called
But never fear!
You won’t starve! There’s a
multitude of eating places nearby on the Left Bank to suit every taste and
pocket. Cross the Seine to the Left Bank on to Place St Michel. On your left is
the Latin Quarter and on your right St-Germain-des-Pres, two historic and very
interesting areas.
If you do visit Paris and see Sainte Chapelle, you’ll treasure
the memory forever.
www.christian-life-poetry.com
Merle's reflections.
Photos used under Creative Commons from Roland Ostermann, jimw
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Authors Posts by Hattie Martin
Hattie Martin
Hattie Martin is an editorial intern at Cincy Chic. She attends University of Cincinnati, majoring in Public Relations and Fashion Studies, complimented with a Creative Writing Certificate. When she is not found writing, you can find her at your local coffee shop or spending time in her hometown of Owensboro, Kentucky. Contact her at hmartin@cincychic.com.
The Hearty Leaf
by Hattie Martin - Jan 6, 2020
See how a local Cincinnati family has turned their passion for plants into a community full of succulents, workshops and love.
There’s something gratifying about growing a plant. After a little time and love, you see it grow, thrive and maybe even blossom.
That’s the idea behind The Hearty Leaf, a family-operated and community-focused business, founded by Mike and Janet Grueter, hosting private and public succulent workshops, as well as arrangements for gifts, home décor, party favors, and table arrangements.
“The Hearty Leaf started with a small cactus that was maybe six inches tall. Twenty five years later, and it sits in our house over seven feet tall,” says Janet. “There’s a sense of satisfaction and happiness watching your sweet plant grow and thrive through the years. With the right care and the right love, we know everyone will be able to enjoy a succulent arrangement that makes their life a little sweeter.”
Today, The Grueter’s house has grown since its humble beginning of a cactus and Jade plant party favor to 160 arrangements and 23 single potted plants. The family’s memories of “Succulent Sundays” with their daughter Olivia and connecting with one another by making living pieces of art are the inspiration behind The Hearty Leaf.
The two options customers have with workshops are public and private. Each month, several public workshops are held all over the Cincinnati area. “We partner with local businesses and venues for public workshops. Our next one will be held on January 12 at the Gorman Heritage Farm. Guests will not only make a fun barnyard succulent, but also receive a tour of the farm,” says Janet. “On January 21, we are continuing our partnership with Branch and Bone and hosting a succulent workshop with a complimentary beer and brewery tour.”
The Hearty Leaf’s public and private workshops are unique, just like their succulents. The Hearty Leaf also specializes in party favors. “Weddings, showers, birthdays, baptisms, Bar and Bat Mitzvahs, or a corporate gift, we will make your event unforgettable with succulent favors and table arrangements,” says Janet.
“People tell us all the time all they do is kill their plants. We hope that providing a workshop or even best care suggestions when they purchase an arrangement that will utilize the provided proper sol and light so when a little leaf falls off, a new baby can propagate from it. Afterall, our tagline is ‘We love succulents, and so will you,’” Janet says.
For more information on The Hearty Leaf or those interested in partnering to host a public succulent workshop, visit their website and follow on Facebook and Instagram.
Crush: Events by Hart & Cru
by Hattie Martin - Dec 16, 2019
While they’re known for artisanal wine curation, this local business is extending into the event space with the launch of Crush -- a new concept that will have you crushin’.
A Cincinnati-based concierge-style consulting service, Hart & Cru, is expanding into their latest evolution, Crush Events. Hart & Cru’s main focus is on bringing artisanal wines to avid drinkers through special events, wine tasting, cellar offerings, and wine classes. Hart & Cru was officially launched in 2015 by founder Kevin O. Hart after years of venturing and connecting within the world of wine. “The inspiration behind the company comes from Kevin’s love of telling stories, and belief that food and wine are central to building and sustaining communities, says Sarah Wilson, Hart & Cru’s Director of Client Relations and Logistics. “We champion incredible passion and talent of farmers and winemakers, giving them a voice in the wine world.”
Since curation and hospitality have been at the center of Hart & Cru’s philosophy since the beginning, on November 6, 2019, Crush was launched. Crush is an extension of the passion, wine curation and storytelling that serve as the foundation of Hart & Cru into your event experience. “Whether you are hosting a private dinner party or a large-scale event this style of hospitality, where attention is paid to every detail in the décor, the wine, and the food, is what inspired us to launch a new event planning service,” says Wilson.
The term Crush goes deeper than just a name, it is also a vital part in the winemaking process. After the harvest, “Crushing” occurs during the “pressing” of the grapes to allow the juice to flow and the winemakers to officially experience the fruit of their labors.
The process of planning an event with Crush has 4 simple steps that are outlined on their website:
Introduction: An email, quick call, or a cup of coffee or wine with Crush’s team to gain a sense of the client’s vision. “Through the years, we have helped to host many events, large and small, and not one has been the same as the other – the evening should be catered to both the host and the guests’ unique experience,” says Wilson.
Inspiration: Ideas are shared for the experience, everything from design to proposed vendors to drink of choice.
Details: Approve budget and guest list to plan the logistics.
Event: Time to enjoy and become a guest at your own party!
Since they Crush is a new launch, the events are focused around only wine and food and the team is small-scale in size, but mighty in impact – seeing as they have support of several Cincinnati partners in the community and years of experience under their belt. Businesses and restaurants such as Dutch’s, Boca, Sotto, and The Budding Florist, just to name a few, work together with Crush to create a top-tier experience for clients and guests. As far as the future is concerned, Crush hopes to expand to larger events incorporating many elements, such as design, décor, and entertainment, on top of the best in class food and beverage and continue to make a positive impact in the Cincinnati community.
For more information or to contact them to plan your next event, visit Hart & Cru’s website or Crush’s website. You can also find them on Facebook and Instagram.
Mixicles
by Hattie Martin - Dec 9, 2019
Making cocktails easy and smoothies even healthier, one local woman’s creation is creating quite a stir. Read on for all the delicious details.
It’s an all natural, frozen botanical mixer, locally-made to easily shake up any cocktail or make smoothies even tastier.
Mixicles — a concept created by co-founder Jen Morales — are an all-natural, frozen, non-alcoholic botanical mixer that can be popped into any cocktail or sparkling wine, and even used as a natural foundation for distinctive zero-proof drinks and smoothies.
The idea came to Morales the summer of 2018 when she wanted to make some cocktails for some friends, but quickly realized how cumbersome the concoctions were to make.
“I wanted to come up with a way to make cocktails as easy as pouring a glass of wine, without compromising flavor or freshness. Traditional cocktail mixers last longer, but they are full of syrup, preservatives and artificial flavors,” says Morales. “The ingredients in Mixicles are 100% natural and frozen immediately, so you get the pure taste of flavor of the botanicals perfectly preserved in your drink and can sit in your freezer for up to a year.”
Mixicles are vegan, dairy free and naturally low in sugar and calories and less than 25 calories a cube. Currently, the mixicles are being crafted in small batches at Findlay Kitchen, the non-profit business incubator located in the heart of Findlay Market. They are sold directly to consumers, restaurants, special events, and soon, Findlay Market.
Picky about flavors? No problem! Mixicles come in 12 different flavors, as well as seasonal and limited-edition flavors. Collaborations with customers to create custom cubes for weddings and special occasions are also available. The cubes have been spotted at Cincinnati events such as Ombre Gallery, the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra and openings hosted by Miller Gallery in Hyde Park.
As far as the future is concerned, Morales has big dreams. “We are currently focused on bringing Mixicles to retail outlets in the Greater Cincinnati area, and then expanding from there. We are always exploring opportunities for growing our customer base, including in the service industry, but believe that our core business will be in retail for home use,” says Morales.
Mixicles come in a 12-cube package with an MSRP for $14.99. For special event and larger orders, Morales says wholesale pricing is an option. For more information, visit their website and follow them on Instagram and Facebook.
Moira Shine Free
Need meditation or a cleared headspace? Check out Cincinnati’s unique Reiki Master, Intuitive Healer and Meditation Teacher who is making an impact.
If you are looking to find your inner light or taking a step back and relaxing through meditation, Moira Shine Free could be the perfect place. For the past 20 years, founder Moira Reed has been meditating, receiving energy healing and teaching the Cincinnati community in her unique practices.
Moira Shine Free entails individual healing sessions, group meditation classes and intuition classes, all taught by Reed, a Reiki Master, Intuitive Healer and Meditation Teacher.
When it comes to finding inspiration, Reed discovers it through motivating others. “The inspiration behind my brand is encouraging everyone to shine their own light. I believe we all came to this earth with our own unique qualities and I believe this world needs us to share them,” says Reed. “I want everyone to be confident in themselves and proud of who they are; this is why I stand by the manta of ‘Shine in your own way and shine free.’”
Meditation is not simply sitting in silence; it is an art form, Reed explains. If performed just right, mindsets can be shifted, and lives can change, she adds.
“The Life Force Energy that is inside all of us can be blocked by pain, trauma and false beliefs. When you receive Reiki, an ancient Japanese healing modality, you clear and remove blockages from your energetic body. When we meditate, the Life Force Energy naturally allows our moods and lives to flow more smoothly,” Reed explains.
Within Moira Shine Free, the healings offered can be found one-on-one, in a corporate setting or in a class setting. The Corporate Meditation Package that spans over 15 consecutive working days and on-campus visits to schools to speak about the importance of mediation are also available.
Moira Shine Free also has a studio that offers hour-long Intuitive Healing and Reiki sessions, group-oriented meditation classes, and sessions with Moira to learn how to open up one’s intuition.
In the future, Reed sees nothing but expansion and growth. “I am constantly learning and helping others grow to becoming more self-aware in terms of their energy,” she says. “I would like to participate in more speaking engagements to discuss the importance and beauty of our inner energy, specifically to an audience suffering with anxiety and depression, as well as children.”
The studio is located in Cincinnati at 5912 Kellogg Avenue, Suite 2.
For more information, call 513-235-1435 or visit Moira Shine Free’s website. You can also follow Moira on Instagram and Facebook.
MasquerAID
by Hattie Martin - Nov 25, 2019
See how a local organization is helping children afar with an upcoming gala that’ll be filled with fun, food and fundraising. Keep reading for details.
Great food, delicious drinks and supporting a good cause…name a better way to spend your Saturday night. Infinite Chance, a local nonprofit, 501©(3) organization, is hosting their first ever MasquerAID to celebrate their success and work towards their goal of building a trade school in Guatemala.
In early 2011, founder Daniela Weaver traveled to Guatemala after college and after a life-changing trip, decided to relocate her life in the country. After falling in love with the people and discovering a deep need of education in the country, Daniela established Infinite Chance.
“The organization is dedicated to providing infinite chances to Guatemalan children, through education,” says Infinite Chance’s Rachel Atkinson. “By means of our many ongoing projects and future plans, we are able to provide long-term opportunities for children to escape poverty. We strive to create sustainable programs that ultimately provide much brighter futures for Guatemalan children, all thanks to our donors and sponsors.”
MasquerAID is the inaugural fundraising event of Infinite Chance, the first large scale fundraiser of the organization’s kind. Guests can expect live music, delicious food and open bar, exquisite auctions, entertainment by the Cincinnati circus, the founders of Hogar Miguel Magone in Guatemala and emceed by Paola Suro of WCPO 9 On Your Side. All aspects of the night will serve as a celebration of Infinite Chance’s success to date and the impact that both Infinite Chance and attendees can have across the world.
Funds raised will assist with ongoing projects. “The money will go towards our computer and English programs and the future goal of establishing and building a trade school in Guatemala,” says Atkinson. If individuals want to become involved in the organization, other than the MasquerAID, they can join the team, travel with the team to Guatemala, or sign up for the DARÉ program by pledging $20 a month. Infinite Chance is expecting between 150 to 200 people to be in attendance.
“We want all of our attendees to leave the event with knowledge of how big of a difference they can make in a child’s life, and also Infinite Chance as an organization.”
MasquerAID will take place on December 7, 2019 at 6pm at the Manor House in Mason. To learn more, or purchase tickets online, visit the Infinite Chance’s website.
Take a behind-the-scenes look at Cincinnati’s Human Trafficking multi-media art installation coming January 2020.
A new experiential exhibit will shed light on a dark topic. On January 10, 2020, Motel X, a multi-media art installation, will be on exhibit at the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center. The purpose of the exhibit is to bring awareness and prevention to Human Trafficking within the Greater Cincinnati area.
The inspiration behind the exhibit is something very close to creator, Christine Shrum Marque. “I came across the words ‘Human Trafficking’ at 14 years old while I was researching a paper for school. I didn’t understand what it meant and thought it was a type of highway violation. After searching for the definition, I found that it means modern day slavery,” says Marque, “I had no idea as a 14-year-old female in Ohio that I was most at risk for being Trafficked, I had to do some about it. I created Motel X as an interactive experience for visitors to uncover clues and information about Trafficking that happens in our backyards.”
The name of the exhibit derives from both the anonymity and location of Trafficking. The letter “X” has an anonymous feel bringing attention that it can happen anywhere. In 2018, Ohio was reported as the state with the 5th most reported trafficking cases. In 2016 alone, 1,000 were identified in the state of Ohio. Human Trafficking is the highest-grossing industry worldwide, seeing as it has affected 24.9 million people and counting, according to Marque.
When visitors plan to attend, they will be welcomed by a 70’s motel meets Alice in Wonderland visual inspiration. The experience will be unlike anything you could ever imagine. “Motel X will allow participants to touch anything and everything. You’ll look for clues hidden in the furniture following an aggregate story of a sex traffic victim and a labor traffic victim, intended for all ages,” says Christine. Visitors are intended to take away practical information about the Human Trafficking that happens in front of our very eyes, a conversation starter to start the process of preventing this act within our own circles.
For the past three years, Christine has been pouring her heart and soul into this exhibition and she is very excited to see it come to life. Along the way, she has received a lot of support from many partners in the Cincinnati community. “We have been lucky enough to partner with the Intercommunity Justice and Peace Center since the beginning. We have also worked with Kim Belew, The Freedom Center, US Bank Haile Foundation, Deerfield Construction, and so many more to allow the exhibition become what it is today.”
January 10, 2020: The sponsor-inclusive Premiere Night event will be at the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center.
January 14, 2020 – April 4, 2020: Open to the public during Freedom Center’s operational hours.
If you would like to snag opening tickets or donate to Motel X and the mission, please visit https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/themotelx/motel-x. Follow them on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook or visit their website for more information.
WhiteBox Real Estate
by Hattie Martin - Nov 4, 2019
Local real estate gurus teamed up to launch a new tool to help buyers build their dream home without the typical nightmares of custom builds.
110419CAREER UPDATES
When one thinks about building a house, the word “easy” does not usually come to mind, but the idea behind WhiteBox is to make the process of building a home much easier.
WhiteBox, a tool for people considering building a home, leverages an online platform created by builders, agents, new home buyers and construction experts to ease each pain point where buyers may struggle. With WhiteBox, the building process is simplified and less intimidating.
For the past two years, founders Michael Hines and Matt Stanley have helped families build their forever homes. With Hine’s background with Build Collective, a local real estate team with Coldwell Banker West Shell focusing on new construction and Stanley’s background with a local high-end builder, the two make up quite the dynamic duo. “We know that one of the most difficult parts in getting started and understanding what the home of your dreams could cost. Our goal is to put the Buyers in the driver’s seat by giving them necessary information to make good decisions when considering building a home to save them time, money, and a LOT of headache,” says co-founder, Matt Stanley.
“We have been compiling necessary new home data within our proprietary database so that Buyers can accurately price out a house by answering key questions,” says Hines. The best part? The service is absolutely free!
How does the process work to use WhiteBox?
Visit WhiteBox’s website.
Answer the New Home Quiz questionnaire, a new feature to the site.
Explore the price range for your house, lot cost averages, home price range based on recent new home averages, top builders in the area, top lenders, and even your Pinterest board.
Create profile to share with builders so they can know exactly what you are looking for.
Connect with a Building Coach for follow-up questions and additional guidance.
According to the co-founders, their clients have been the inspiration behind launching this new tool. Since the website has the consumer’s experience as an end goal, Buyers also have access to a Build Coach. “A Build Coach is a building expert that are local, custom home experts that can answer any questions on builders, building costs, the process and pretty much anything you can think of,” says Hines, “Our partnership with various professionals as your Build Coach allows you to obtain non-biased information and even land, lot, or new home opportunities since the search process can be quite a bit different than the search for a typical home.”
In the future, Hines sees WhiteBox becoming a “Go-To” community for custom home buyers across the country. “Building, just like real estate in general, is local and our goal is to compile hyper-local building information by leveraging Build Coaches in areas across the US that will help Buyers make the best decisions and realize the potential in building a new home. “We plan to expand with podcasts, blogs, and articles published by our very own Build Coaches across the country.
“Getting started on the right foot by using WhiteBox will allow buyers to avoid the rabbit hole of misinformation that flies around when it comes to home building. The potential with WhiteBox is limitless and we are excited to see where it goes,” says Hines and Stanley.
You can see WhiteBox in-person at the Ferguson on December 12th.
For more information, visit WhiteBox’s website or email them at info@yourwhiteboxhome.com.
Glassroom
by Hattie Martin - Oct 21, 2019
A new glassmaking studio opened in Oakley that offers everything from kids classes to “glassy hour” social events. Read on for more.
Glass has always been a fascination and passion for Sandra Gross. In 2009, it became an entrepreneurial endeavor as well when Gross launched Brazee Street Studios in Oakley.
Brazee Street Studios is an artist community housing over 25 professional artist studios, Brazee Street School of Glass, and C-LINK Gallery. And as of September 2019, it’s now also home to Glassroom, a one of its kind walk-in glass fusing studio.
Those interested can join in anytime during their open hours and create in glass! Students will select from a range of glass project options in person, such as plates, platters, coasters, ornaments, among other options. Then they will use colorful glass accessories to design and create their own glass projects. Glassroom instructors will get get you settled at a table when you arrive, show you the process, and are available as needed while you create.
Gross says the program was conceived by artists and educators, so no experience is necessary, all skill levels are welcomed. The projects vary from plates, coasters, ornaments, and much more. The process fusing the glass in the kiln takes 18 hours, so there is typically a week between when the student comes in and create their project to when they pick up the finished piece.
According to Glassroom’s website, the involvement during your visit will be an experience you will never forget.
Sign a waiver and receive safety glasses to wear in the glass studio if you do not wear prescription glasses.
Instructor will walk through process with group.
Pick from over 25+ glass projects
Instructor will walk through design material and displays finished samples to spark inspiration.
Relax, create and have fun!
Want to get involved in the glass magic? “To experience Glassroom, you can reserve a time during our walk-in hours or sign up for a spot in any of our special guided classes by visiting our website, calling us or stopping in the studio,” Gross says. “Walk-in hours allow for a student to create whatever they can imagine, while out guided classes offer a step-by-step walkthrough of a specific design.”
As far as prices go, the most popular projects range from $15-$35 and guided classes vary by the project the class is focused on. “All of the materials are provides and there are no hidden fees – the price of the project includes the cost of materials and the cost to fire the project in the kiln,” Gross explains.
The Glassroom also hosts many events to accommodate any group. “Whether it be a baby shower, corporate team building, birthdays, GNO, etc. – we would be thrilled to help you host an event here,” Gross says.
The Glassroom is more than just glass fusing, it is a time for one to feel truly empowered by their creation. “After one has come in to design their project, we want all students to feel creative, empowered, confident and happy,” Gross says. “Once they’ve picked up their finished piece, we hope they feel all of the above, plus successful.”
Glassroom is located within Brazee Street Studios at 4426 Brazee Street, Cincinati, OH 45209.
Walk-in hours are:
1pm-8pm on Thursdays, with “glassy” hour from 5:30-7:30 for students to enjoy specials while they craft.
10am-4pm on Fridays and Saturdays. Private events can be hosted any time Monday-Saturday.
For more information, call them at 513-321-0206, visit their website, or follow them on Instagram or Facebook.
The Kitchen Bar
Find out more about OTR’s newest bar, offering craft cocktails, hospitality, and the escape you didn’t know you needed.
The escape you didn’t know you needed is located right in the heart of Over-the-Rhine. The Kitchen Bar is the perfect place for you to try not only a new venue, but a new drink as well. Homemaker’s Bar just recently launched its grand opening in June 2019. Even though the establishment is new to the OTR area, their impact they are making is wide-reaching.
“Homemaker’s Bar is its own, unique experience. Whether you want something more intimate, offered by the Kitchen Bar, or an all-night dance party fueled by world class cocktails – everything is done within the spirit of Homemaker’s and a fun, playful energy,” says Julia Petiprin and Catherine Manabat, founders of Homemaker’s Bar. “It’s a stitched together, perfectly imperfect, well-traveled but not-so-well-mannered vibes and forever a place where the welcome mat truly welcomes.”
The Kitchen Bar is an extension of Homemaker’s Bar’s passion for craft cocktails and hospitality. The inspiration from the Kitchen Bar came from the desire to create a unique space within Homemaker’s that allowed the team to craft cocktails and hone in on hospitality skills while offering an alternative experience for guests looking for something new private and intimate.
The Kitchen Bar’s specialty is world-class drinks and small bites. “Currently we are inspired by Baja California (Surfer’s on Acid). Guests will have a chance to try a variety of spirits and ask questions. Take our Peel Out, a beachy cocktail made with banana-washed rum and mezcal, pequeno pepper tea, coconut syrup, and a H. Made mole tincture; which pairs perfectly with fresh rooted vegetable salsa and pico de gallo,” says Petiprin and Manabat. The menu is constantly changing, but the intimacy and commitment to creating a memorable, one-on-one experience will always remain constant.
Want a taste of the action? The Kitchen Bar takes reservations beginning at 8:30pm for a minimum of two guests. Walk-ins are welcome after 9pm, but seating is limited. If you want the full experience, make a reservation using this link.
“At the end of the day, we want our guests to feel like they have made a real, lasting connection with out team and with each other. We want them to leave feeling like they’ve surprised themselves by learning and trying something they weren’t sure about,” says the owners.
The Homemaker’s Bar + The Kitchen Bar can be found at 39 E 13th Street in Over-the-Rhine. The main bar is open on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday from 4pm to 2am, Fridays from 3pm to 2am, Saturdays from 1pm to 2am, Sundays from 1pm to 12am.
For more information on visit their website.
Angie Knows the Truth
by Hattie Martin - Oct 7, 2019
From entertaining reviews and #momlife realness, to style inspiration and traveling experiences, learn about the local blogger behind this go-to lifestyle resource.
When it comes to entertaining reviews, style inspiration and traveling experiences, Angie Haering is your gal.
In 2012, “Angie Knows the Truth” was launched as a public journal to share her tried and true recipes, travel memories and even restaurant reviews. Today, it’s developed into a bonafide lifestyle resource in the Cincinnati area, with an inside look into the real life of being a mom, embracing new adventures, and trying to dress the part.
“The inspiration behind my blog is simply being fabulous and keeping things real as an everyday life Mama,” says 31-year-old Haering, adding that life can be messy, chaotic, and majority of the time not ‘Instagram-worthy,’ but she celebrates that as well.
The website has many different components to it. Haering says readers can shop her Instagram, read up on her current obsessions, get notified with sale alerts and even dive into her travel explorations from all over the world. The travel section is split up into different categories of states and even continents. Though her explorations are wide, her favorite topic to write about is close to her heart and under the category titled “Mom Life.”
“My favorite topic to write about is my two boys, JJ and Fitz. They are 3 years old and 2 years old,” she explains, adding that her content covers adventures such as their day at Gorman Farm Oasis and even the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo.
Since 2012, her blog audience and traffic has grown tremendously. “My blog receives between 5,000-6,000 views on my website per month. I reach between 5-10,000 impressions on Instagram and Facebook reaches around 300-1000 impressions. My main target market is the women who are looking for inspiration for style, mom life, entertaining reviews, and traveling experiences…and love Amazon. The bulk of all of my followers on Instagram reside in the Greater Cincinnati / Northern Kentucky area,” says Haering.
What is her purpose behind the pictures, editorials and posts? “I want my readers to be inspired to live their best life and know that not everything is ‘Instagram perfect,’” Haering says. “Readers will enjoy a lot of different aspects of my daily life in a very real way.”
Though the blog is online, Angie tries to make it as interactive as possible. “I mostly interact with my readers by offering fun giveaways or discounts on brands / businesses that I work with. I always try and support my followers by keeping in touch via email, DM, or liking and commenting on their photos,” says Haering.
For the future, Angie Knows the Truth will continue to keep a realness attitude with the blog by bringing honest reviews, fashion deals, and like always, being fabulous.
To visit her website, visit https://angieknowsthetruth.com/.
To read her blog, visit https://angieknowsthetruth.com/blog/.
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r THE ORIOLE When the donkey saw the zebra He began to switch his tail; “Well I never,” was his com- ment, “There’s a mule that’s been in jail.” “Charmed, I am sure,” said the watch chain as it was put on. “What are you going to do with your week-end?” “Put my hat on it.” “Have you ever been mar- ried?” asked the judge. “Ye-es,” stammered the prisoner. “To whom?” “A woman, sir,” answered -the guilty one. “Of course it was a woman,” snapped the judge. “Did you ever hear of any one marrying a man?” “Yes, sir,” the prisoner said, brightening, “my sister did.” N= Stage manager — All right, run up the curtain. Green stagehand — Say, wat- cha think I am, a squirrel? Smile if it kills you, and you will die with a grin on your face. Alonzo Carper — I am indebt- ed to you for all I learned in your course. Prof. Brugh — Not at all; it was a mere trifle. He tried to cross the railroad track Before a rushing train; They put the pieces in a sack But couldn’t find the brain. “A fool,” said the professor to the student who asked a catch question, “can ask things a wise man can’t answer.” “Is that the reason,” asked a student in the back row, “why I flunked last term in this sub- ject?” Mamma — Did you hear me when I called you this morning? Willie— Yes. Mamma — Why didn’t you answer, then? Willie — Couldn’t think of any- thing to say. Visitor — What is the hardest thing to learn about farming? William Allison — Getting up in the morning at five o’clock. Alyne Hurd (talking to Theo- dore Hall)— Theodore, you make me sick. Theodore — I am glad that I am good for something. Mr. Eckman — Late again. Marvin Harden — Not a word, professor; so am I. Daisy Lou Matheney — 1 don’t understand why women cannot become medical men.
THE ORIOLE The more than usual lack of intelligence among the students that morning got under the professor’s skin. “Class is dismissed,” he said, exasperated. “Please don’t flap your ears as you pass out.” Am I or am I not? I am. If I am not, what the duce am I ? Joke Editor (with a yawn and a stretch) — I’ve read them all over and haven’t cracked a smile. No matter how much mid- night oil ye editor burns on getting out his humor depart- ment, some one else always says, “I’ve heard that one before.” When the plumber makers a mistake he charges double for it. When a carpenter makes a mistake it’s just what he ex- pected. When a preacher makes a mistake no one knows the difference; but when an editor makes a mistake — tweet, tweet! Junior — That girl over there is a live wire. Senior — Introduce me; I want to be shocked. We knew not why his tie was neat and always neatly tied, until we pulled it; back it flew. “A snappy tie,” we cried. “Well, I slipped up on you, anyway, said the man to the banana peel, as he fell on the sidewalk. “I’m nobody’s fool,” she de- clared. “Be mine,” he offered gener- ously. Teacher — Some terrible things can be caught from kissing. Bobby — That’s the truth! You ought to see the poor fish my sister caught that way. Yes, it’s true, some people are so dumb that they think bridges were built to shade the fish. “Let me introduce Mr. Fish, he is an expert swimmer.” “Oh, yes, take him down and let him enjoy himself in the pool room.” Lady (purchasing ther- mometer) — And would you be so kind to set it to sixty-five, because that’s what the doctor says I’m to keep the room at. “I wish now,” said the lecturer “to tax your memory.” A wail in the audience: “Has it come to that?” “My good man, you should begin at the bottom and work up.” “It can’t be done in my line. I’m a grave digger.”
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Paris Hilton Apologizes to Gay Community, Praises -Strongest and Most Inspiring People I Know
Paris Hilton has apologized for the comments she made about gay men this week.
A cab driver secretly recorded Hilton talking to gay friend about the website Grindr. Paris called gay men disgusting, horny and most likely infected with AIDS.
Whatever the context, she didn't sound very good, to say the least.
In a letter to GLAAD, Paris Hilton issued a full apology and explanation, praising the gay community as the strongest and most inspiring group she knows.
Paris Hilton Hates Gays
"I am so sorry and so upset that I caused pain to my gay friends, fans and their families with the comments heard this morning," the heiress writes.
"I was having a private conversation with a friend of mine who is gay and our conversation was in no way towards the entire gay community."
"It is the last thing that I would ever want to do and I cannot put into words how much I wish I could take back every word."
"Gay people are the strongest and most inspiring people I know. Again, I am so sorry from the bottom of my heart and I feel absolutely horrible. I hope that everyone can accept my apology and know that it is not who I am or how I feel in any way."
Apology accepted? You tell us.
Grindr responded earlier to Paris' controversial comments, saying they're surprised she hasn't heard of the site, and questioning her taste in men.
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An Introduction to my new book - Green and Prosperous Land
Natural Capital & Sustainable Economic Growth
Presentation for University of Oxford, Plant Science department
Waste Policy - tidying up the mess we are in
Out-of-sight and out-of-mind could be the motto of waste policy over the last few decades....
Who owns the water companies?
Who owns the water companies? Are publicly quoted companies better than private equity and...
Water Boarding
The water industry is in play - with the regulators, and with the politicians. Labour pro...
Archive of Publications
HELM TALKS
HELM TALKS UTILITIES
HELM TALKS ENERGY
HELM TALKS: NATURAL CAPITAL
HELM TALKS: NET ZERO
Natural Capital WaterFlood defence: time for a radical rethink
Flood defence: time for a radical rethink
Flood defence time for a radical rethink
1. Flooding crises tend to follow an established pattern. First, there is immediate help and assistance. Then second, there is a “review”. On occasions, this leads to a third stage of genuine reform, but in most cases “sticking plasters” are applied. These are incremental and often sensible, but typically fail to address the core issues and hence provide only a temporary respite.
2. There are very good reasons why ”sticking plasters” will not work this time. The conventional approach to flood defence, carried out by the Environment Agency (EA),and...
@Dieter_Helm
Speaking on @BBCRadio4's Today Programme. Listen here (2:17) https://t.co/zidKDM8Lcm
Publication Regulation Thirty years after water privatization—is the English model the envy of the world?
The paper considers whether water privatization 30 years ago has delivered the promised superior performance to nationalization, which remai...
Publication Transport HS2: a conclusion in search of a rationale
What is the question or questions to which HS2 is supposed to be an answer? As with a number of big and long-term projects, as one rationale...
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Page d'accueil > Critical Reviews™ in Biomedical Engineering > Instructions de l'auteur
SJR: 0.207 SNIP: 0.376 CiteScore™: 0.79
ISSN Imprimer: 0278-940X
ISSN En ligne: 1943-619X
Retour à Critical Reviews™ in Biomedical Engineering Téléchargez les modèles LaTeX Politique sur l'accès du public aux NIH Téléchargez le guide des auteurs
CRITICAL REVIEWS™ IN BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING
Submitting Articles for Medical Journals for
Begell House Publishing
DESCRIPTION OF PAPERS CONSIDERED FOR PUBLICATION: Biomedical engineering has been characterized as the application of concepts drawn from engineering, computing, communications, mathematics, material science, chemistry, and the physical sciences to scientific and applied problems in the field of medicine and biology. Concepts and methodologies in biomedical engineering extend throughout the medical and biological sciences. Critical Reviews™ in Biomedical Engineering attempts to critically review a wide range of research and applied activities in the field. More often than not, topics chosen for inclusion are concerned with research and practice issues of current interest. Experts writing each review bring together current knowledge and historical information that has led to the current state- of-the-art.
Each issue contains one or more critical reviews of specified topics representing applied, clinical and basic science areas. Most articles contain in-depth appraisals of the current state-of-the-art in a specific area of research or practice and provide complete and up-to-date bibliographies. Each review attempts to be nearly exhaustive in a constrained area rather than broad and overarching. The critical evaluations of current research and development issues include interpretive discussions of major problems. From time to time, a series of articles in a related topic area are published in order to give comprehensive coverage. Collaborative works generated by multiple authors are frequently used to provide in-depth coverage from multiple viewpoints. Each article is reviewed by one or more independent experts in the field.
The editor invites comments and suggestions about the contents of the reviews.
Articles for the Critical Reviews™ in Biomedical Engineering must be submitted through the Begell House Submission Site. If you are already a registered user begin at https://submission.begellhouse.com, enter your username and password, and click on the Login button. If you are not a registered user follow the instructions below.
All users of the Begell House submission site must be registered. If you are a first-time users you can begin at https://submission.begellhouse.com/usr/login.html?prod_code=journals, click the New User icon located at the top of the page, on the next screen complete the registration form and then click the Submit button located at the bottom left side of the form. Your form will be reviewed and an email confirmation will be sent to you within 24 hours (not including weekends and holidays). Please note that due to the high security that some affiliations have on their email programs, this email may go into your junk/spam folder; please check. Keep your username and password available for further use on the submission site. Logon information is case sensitive; always be sure to enter the appropriate upper and lower-case characters. Never register a second time on the submission site. Having more than one account on the submission site will create difficulties in working efficiently and being able to access all articles assigned to you. If you forget your password go to https://submission.begellhouse.com/usr/login.html?prod_code=journals, click Forgot Password, and enter the email address that you used when you registered. Within seconds you will receive an email providing you with your username and temporary password (again remember this email may go into your junk/spam folder). Once you receive the email containing your logon information, return to https://submission.begellhouse.com/usr/login.html?prod_code=journals, enter your username and temporary password, and then click Login. On the next screen you will be asked to provide a password of your choice. Enter the password and click Login. You will now be logged onto the submission site. If the email that you used when you originally registered is no longer available to you please contact journals for assistance.
PROCEDURES FOR PROCESSING ARTICLES FOR POSSIBLE PUBLICATION:
PREPARATION OF ELECTRONIC ARTICLE FILES: Write in clear, concise English. The author is responsible for all aspects of article preparation. Extensive changes to the article will not be undertaken by the Editor or during the production process. Each manuscript must be accompanied by a statement that it has not been published elsewhere and that it has not been simultaneously submitted for publication elsewhere.
ORIGINAL ARTICLES SUBMITTED for possible publication in Critical Reviews™ in Biomedical Engineering should be submitted in a single PDF file that includes all text, figures, and tables in single-column. Please use 12-point type and Times New Roman typeface for all text and figure captions. Please ensure that high quality figures and tables are provided and that any text that is an actual part of the figure be no less than 9-point type. Please remember that although your original submitted manuscript is required to be in PDF format for reviewing purposes, your accepted article must be provided to the publisher using your program files (see #4 below).
DECLARATION OF ORIGINALITY: Each article submitted must be accompanied by a statement that the article has not been published elsewhere and that it has not been simultaneously submitted for publication elsewhere. The original electronic files of drawings, photos and the article should be retained by the author until the conclusion of the publication process. This statement should also confirm that all tables and figures are your original work and no permissions are required.
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REVIEW PROCESS: The editor will seek reviews of submitted articles from appropriate experts and will do their best to have the articles reviewed as quickly as possible. It would be helpful if you recommend 5 potential Reviewers when submitting your original manuscript. Each article will be reviewed by at least two reviewers. Submission implies that the author is willing to consider making any necessary revisions requested by the Reviewer/Editor. Retain all original figures until the conclusion of the publication process. Please upload your corrections onto the submission site.
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Accepted manuscripts are eligible for rapid online posting if a valid copyright form is received and nothing is missing, such as Word or LaTeX files, applicable figure files, permissions, key words, etc. Along with your program files we ask that you provide a PDF file of the complete article that includes text, figures, and tables. This PDF, which is the accepted uncorrected version of your article will be available on the Begell House Journal Home page, listed under “Forthcoming Articles.” Posted articles will include DOI numbers so that papers can be cited and referenced immediately. Authors will receive notification from Begell House when the typeset proofs are available and when the final version is posted. Papers listed under Forthcoming Articles will be removed once the edited and final typeset version is completed and posted online under the appropriate journal volume and issue.
TRANSMITTAL AND COPYRIGHT FORM: The copyright form can be found when you upload your original manuscript files or on the Authors Hub website at https://submission.begellhouse.com/help/hub.html. Each article submitted for publication must include a signed copyright form. All accepted articles, artwork, and photographs become the property of the publisher. We also require that you fill out a transmittal form. The transmittal form can be found when your article has been accepted for publication and you upload your final files. The transmittal form includes the following information: article title, short title for running heads, key words (3 to 10), and all author names (include affiliation and e-mail addresses). Corresponding authors must include their complete mailing address, e-mail address, telephone number, and fax number.
ALL ARTICLES MUST INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING:
Author Information: Senior author’s full name, affiliation, and e-mail address. Corresponding author’s complete mailing address and e-mail address. Co-authors’ affiliations and e-mail addresses.
Abstract: All articles must have an abstract not to exceed 250 words. Avoid using abbreviations, diagrams, and references in the abstract.
Key Words: All articles should have a list of key (indexing) terms. Three to ten key words or terms not in the title will assist indexers in cross-indexing your article.
Body: Group all tables, figures, figure captions, and footnotes at the end of the article, following the references. The body should be divided into several sections identified by headings and subheadings according to the following scheme:
PRINCIPAL HEADING
First Subheading
Second Subheading
Third Subheading
Italic or boldface type should be clearly indicated and Greek or unusual characters should be written plainly or explained by annotations. Simple fractional expressions should be written with a slant line rather than stacked, so that only a single line of type is required in the text.
Formulas and Equations: Displayed equations should be incorporated in the text and should be numbered using Arabic numerals (in parentheses) in sequence. In the text, they should be referred to as “Eq. (1),” etc. At the beginning of a sentence, the word Equation(s) should be written out. Equations should not be provided as pictures; use programs such as MathType, Microsoft Equation, etc. All symbols should be identified in the text at first mention. Symbols that denote mathematical variables should be in italics. A clear distinction should be made between the characters “I,” “l” (el) and “1” (one); “o,” “O,” and “0” (zero); “w” and “ω” (omega); “v” and “ν” (nu), etc. Please observe correct spacing: 25°C (not 25° C or 25 °C). For numerical values of measurable quantities, show no more digits than are significant. The use of powers of ten is recommended, e.g., 1.23 x 105 instead of 123,000. Use decimal points, not commas. Empirical and structural formulas and mathematical and chemical equations should be arranged to fill the width of a single or double column. Subscripts and superscripts (i.e., exponents), such as +, -, =, <, or >, (ex: 102 + 114 or 125 – 47) should be spaced, but the components of mathematical products should not be spaced.
Organic Structural Formulas: Organic structural formulas should be submitted as copy suitable for direct photographic reproduction. Do not use structures when a simple formula will suffice. Do not use multiple lines unnecessarily. In order to avoid errors, carefully arrange and execute all formula matter, paying special attention to correctness of symbols; location of subscripts, superscripts and electric charges; and the placing and close join-up of single and multiple bond lines. Originals should be grouped at the end of the manuscript with other figures.
Units and Quantities: Units follow the Systeme International d’Unites (SI https://www.physics.nist.gov/cuu/Units/units.html). Symbols for physical quantities should be those recommended by IUPAC, IUPAP or ASTM.
Figures: Figures should not exceed the size of the journal pages (size requirements can be obtained by emailing journals). Use only Arial and Symbol fonts for text within figures. Acceptable formats for figures are TIFF, JPEG, EPS, or similar program files saved from the original application at 300-700 dpi. Because of the loss of resolution, we do not accept figures embedded in word or PDF. The preferred format is TIFF; however, maintaining a clear quality of the figures is most important. Do not use gray rules, only black. If the text is printed over gray backgrounds for any reason, the gray must be at least 50% lighter than the text. If possible, avoid grayscales entirely. For best results, figures must be submitted at the highest possible quality. Figure captions should be typed at the end of the article, after the references. The author can submit color figures that will appear in color online, but will print in black and white. Color reproduction of figures is possible at the author’s expense; rates will be provided upon request. If you are providing color figures and do not want to pay to print the figures in color, please do not refer to the colors when describing the figure in the text or figure caption. Please be sure to call out all figures in the text in numerical order.
Tables: Tables cannot be embedded in the text or provided as a picture. Provide tables at the end of the article and be sure to call out the tables in numerical order in the text. A short descriptive title should appear above each table with a clear legend and any footnotes suitably identified below the table. All units must be included.
Footnotes: Footnotes should be identified in the text with symbols such as * † ‡ § || ¶, and cited consecutively within the paper. If you have many footnotes you can double the suggested symbols.
Please Carefully Follow the Reference Formatting: Incorrectly formatted reference lists or reference callouts in the text will be returned to the author to correct before processing for publication.
Reference Format: References follow Vancouver Style, which is available in all reference management software. Detailed instructions to set up Vancouver Style references can be found on the NLM site at https://www.nlm.nih.gov/bsd/uniform_requirements.html. Cite references in the text in numerical order using superscript numerals, placed close-up (no space) after punctuation. References to classified documents and reports or to unpublished material not generally available to the scientific public should not be used. Journal abbreviations should be consistent with Index Medicus (check journal abbreviation at http://www2.bg.am.poznan.pl/czasopisma/medicus.php?lang=eng).
NOTE: Previously the first six authors were followed by et al. However, NLM now lists all authors.
Format references exactly as follows:
Agarwal S, Rao A. Modulation of chromatin structure regulates cytokine gene expression during T-cell differentiation. Immunity. 1998 Dec 25;9(6):765-75.
As an option, if a journal carries continuous pagination throughout a volume (as many medical journals do) the month and issue number may be omitted.
Agarwal S, Rao A. Modulation of chromatin structure regulates cytokine gene expression during T-cell differentiation. Immunity. 1998;9:765-775.
Optional addition of a database's unique identifier for the citation:
Agarwal S, Rao A. Modulation of chromatin structure regulates cytokine gene expression during T-cell differentiation. Immunity. 1998 Dec 25;9(6):765-775. Cited in PubMed; PMID 12000309.
Organization as author
Diabetes Prevention Program Research Group. Hypertension, insulin, and proinsulin in participants with impaired glucose tolerance. Hypertension. 2002;40(5):679-86.
Both personal authors and an organization as author
Vallancien G, Emberton M, Harving N, van Moorselaar RJ; Alf-One Study Group. European men suffering from lower urinary tract symptoms. J Urol. 2003;169(6):2257-61.
No author given
21st century heart solution may have a sting in the tail. BMJ. 2002;325(7357):184.
Article not in English
Ellingsen AE, Wilhelmsen I. Sykdomsangst blant medisinog jusstudenter. Tidsskr Nor Laegeforen. 2002;122(8):785-7.
Volume with supplement
Geraud G, Spierings EL, Keywood C. Tolerability and safety of frovatriptan with short- and long-term use for treatment of migraine and in comparison with sumatriptan. Headache. 2002;42 Suppl 2:S93-9.
Issue with supplement
Glauser TA. Integrating clinical trial data into clinical practice. Neurology. 2002;58(12 Suppl 7):S6-12.
Volume with part
Abend SM, Kulish N. The psychoanalytic method from an epistemological viewpoint. Int J Psychoanal. 2002;83(Pt 2):491-5.
Issue with part
Ahrar K, Madoff DC, Gupta S, Wallace MJ, Price RE, Wright KC. Development of a large animal model for lung tumors. J Vasc Interv Radiol. 2002;13(9 Pt 1):923-8.
Issue with no volume
Banit DM, Kaufer H, Hartford JM. Intraoperative frozen section analysis in revision total joint arthroplasty. Clin Orthop. 2002;(401):230-8.
No volume or issue
Outreach: bringing HIV-positive individuals into care. HRSA Careaction. 2002 Jun:1-6.
Books and Other Monographs
Personal author(s)
Murray PR, Rosenthal KS, Kobayashi GS, Pfaller MA. Medical microbiology. 4th ed. St. Louis: Mosby; 2002.
Editor(s), compiler(s) as author
Gilstrap LC 3rd, Cunningham FG, VanDorsten JP, editors. Operative obstetrics. 2nd ed. New York: McGraw-Hill; 2002.
Author(s) and editor(s)
Breedlove GK, Schorfheide AM. Adolescent pregnancy. 2nd ed. Wieczorek RR, editor. White Plains (NY): March of Dimes Education Services; 2001.
Organization(s) as author
Royal Adelaide Hospital; University of Adelaide, Department of Clinical Nursing. Compendium of nursing research and practice development, 1999-2000. Adelaide (Australia): Adelaide University; 2001.
Chapter in a book
Meltzer PS, Kallioniemi A, Trent JM. Chromosome alterations in human solid tumors. In: Vogelstein B, Kinzler KW, editors. The genetic basis of human cancer. New York: McGraw-Hill; 2002. p. 93-113.
Harnden P, Joffe JK, Jones WG, editors. Germ cell tumours V. Proceedings of the 5th Germ Cell Tumour Conference; 2001 Sep 13-15; Leeds, UK. New York: Springer; 2002.
Christensen S, Oppacher F. An analysis of Koza's computational effort statistic for genetic programming. In: Foster JA, Lutton E, Miller J, Ryan C, Tettamanzi AG, editors. Genetic programming. EuroGP 2002: Proceedings of the 5th European Conference on Genetic Programming; 2002 Apr 3-5; Kinsdale, Ireland. Berlin: Springer; 2002. p. 182-91.
Issued by funding/sponsoring agency
Yen GG (Oklahoma State University, School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Stillwater, OK). Health monitoring on vibration signatures. Final report. Arlington (VA): Air Force Office of Scientific Research (US), Air Force Research Laboratory; 2002 Feb. Report No.: AFRLSRBLTR020123. Contract No.: F496209810049.
Issued by performing agency
Russell ML, Goth-Goldstein R, Apte MG, Fisk WJ. Method for measuring the size distribution of airborne Rhinovirus. Berkeley (CA): Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Environmental Energy Technologies Division; 2002 Jan. Report No.: LBNL49574. Contract No.: DEAC0376SF00098. Sponsored by the Department of Energy.
Borkowski MM. Infant sleep and feeding: a telephone survey of Hispanic Americans [dissertation]. Mount Pleasant (MI): Central Michigan University; 2002.
Pagedas AC, inventor; Ancel Surgical R&D Inc., assignee. Flexible endoscopic grasping and cutting device and positioning tool assembly. United States patent US 20020103498. 2002 Aug 1.
Other Published Material
Audiovisual material
Chason KW, Sallustio S. Hospital preparedness for bioterrorism [videocassette]. Secaucus (NJ): Network for Continuing Medical Education; 2002.
Veterans Hearing Loss Compensation Act of 2002, Pub. L. No. 107-9, 115 Stat. 11 (May 24, 2001).
Unenacted bill
Healthy Children Learn Act, S. 1012, 107th Cong., 1st Sess. (2001).
Cardiopulmonary Bypass Intracardiac Suction Control, 21 C.F.R. Sect. 870.4430 (2002).
Arsenic in Drinking Water: An Update on the Science, Benefits and Cost: Hearing Before the Subcomm. on Environment, Technology and Standards of the House Comm. on Science, 107th Cong., 1st Sess. (Oct. 4, 2001).
Pratt B, Flick P, Vynne C, cartographers. Biodiversity hotspots [map]. Washington: Conservation International; 2000.
Unpublished Material
In press (Note: NLM prefers “forthcoming” because not all items will be printed.)
Tian D, Araki H, Stahl E, Bergelson J, Kreitman M. Signature of balancing selection in Arabidopsis. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. In press 2002.
Electronic Material
Anderson SC, Poulsen KB. Anderson's electronic atlas of hematology [CD-ROM]. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2002.
Journal article on the internet
Abood S. Quality improvement initiative in nursing homes: the ANA acts in an advisory role. Am J Nurs [serial on the Internet]. 2002 Jun [cited 2002 Aug 12];102(6):[about 3 p.]. Available from: http://www.nursingworld.org/AJN/2002/june/Wawatch.htm
Monograph on the internet
Foley KM, Gelband H, editors. Improving palliative care for cancer [monograph on the Internet]. Washington: National Academy Press; 2001 [cited 2002 Jul 9]. Available from: http://www.nap.edu/books/0309074029/html/.
Homepage/web site
Cancer-Pain.org [homepage on the Internet]. New York: Association of Cancer Online Resources, Inc.; c2000-01 [updated 2002 May 16; cited 2002 Jul 9]. Available from: http://www.cancer-pain.org/.
Database on the internet
Who's Certified [database on the Internet]. Evanston (IL): The American Board of Medical Specialists. c2000 - [cited 2001 Mar 8]. Available from: http://www.abms.org/newsearch.asp.
AUTHOR PROOFS: Corresponding authors will be notified by email when the typeset proof of their article is ready for them to review. Please note that due to the high security that some affiliations have on their email programs this email may go into your spam/junk folder; please check. Upon receipt of the email please log on to the submission site to review the proofs. After reviewing your author proof you must return to the submission site to either approve your article as is or upload your corrections. If approving your article as is, log on to the submission site, click on the article, click Submit, follow the prompts to the comment field, in the comment field, indicate that you are approving the article as is, then click Submit. If you are providing corrections, log on to the submission site, click on the article, upload your corrections file, click Submit, and follow the prompts to submit the article to the typesetter. Alterations made in the proof stage should be absolutely minimal. If the author makes numerous revisions to the author proof, they will be charged a fee of $25.00 per hour (please see the cover letter provided with author proofs). Typesetter mistakes will not be charged to the authors. We usually request that corrections be returned within 48 hours (not including weekends or holidays). If more than 48 hours is needed, to return your corrected proofs, please contact journals as soon as possible.
OFFPRINTS: An order form for offprints, copies of issues, subscriptions, and color figures will be sent to the corresponding author with the author proofs. Authors who wish to purchase any of the above should fill out the order form and return it with author’s corrections. Corresponding authors are asked to provide their co-authors with the above information. Corresponding authors will receive a complimentary PDF file of their article upon publication of the journal issue in which the article will appear. This PDF file is for your own personal use and cannot be posted on any other websites or used for distribution purposes. If the corresponding author does not receive their complimentary PDF of their article, within 3 months after receiving their page proofs, they should notify Begell House immediately. Begell House will not honor claims for missing complimentary PDFs after the year in which the article is published.
Portail numérique Begell Bibliothèque numérique Contactez-nous Carte du site Index A-Z des produits Politique de confidentialité © Begell House Inc. 2020
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Ulyanovsk State University
home russian
[Authorization]
Regional Telemedicine Center
Healthcare Center
俄中战略伙伴中心
Faculty of Medicine named after T. Z. Biktimirov
Faculty of Ecology
Faculty of Physical Education and Rehabilitation
Russian-Chinese Center of Strategic Partnership
Academics»Institutes
Institute of Medicine, Ecology and Physical Education
Director of the Institute: Professor Vladimir Ilyich Midlenko — Honored Worker of Higher School of Russia, Doctor of Medical Sciences.
The idea of creating the Institute originated in 1999. At that time our university already had the the Faculty of Ecology, Faculty of Medicine and Faculty of Physical Education and Rehabilitation. Institute of Health — is a unique structural association of scientists that emerged at USU with the establishment of the Institute of Medicine, Ecology and Physical Culture — the association of biologists, ecologists, physicians, psychologists, physiologists, specialists in the field of adaptive physical education and physical culture.
Faculty of Medicine named after T.Z. Biktimirov
Faculty of Postgraduate Medical and Pharmaceutical Education
The Institute provides the following programs of study:
• Medical care
• Pediatrics
• Ecology
• Forestry
• Biology
• Chemistry
• Soil science
• Physical culture for health-impaired people
• Physical Culture and Sport
Faculty of post-degree medical and pharmaceutical education (PDM and FO)
• Nursing care
• Pharmacy
The Institute has the following departments: Department of Academic Affairs, Research Department, Library, Regional Telemedicine Center, Department of Information Technology, vivarium, natural science and anatomical museum. Medical Simulation Center began its work in December, 2012. Currently, there are 25 faculties with 1907 Russian students and 106 students from foreign countries.
There are 42 doctors of science, including 28 professors, 121 candidates of science, 2 Honored Workers of Higher Education, 8 Honorary Doctors of Russia, 3 RANS Academicians, 2 Honored coaches of Russia.
To create an effective system of training the following key activities were accepted and are implemented at the institute now:
1) compliance of basic training of students to the principles of university education;
2) maximum orientation to demand of the region in personnel;
3) a wide application of information technologies;
4) formation of the system of vocational guidance for prospective students (university complexes and districts);
5) active involvement of students in research work;
6) creation of schools of scientific apprenticeship and investigation of human health problems and environment.
The integration of secondary, vocational secondary and higher education gained development at the Institute of Medicine, Ecology and Physical Culture. The institute has been fruitfully working for a long time with profession-oriented classes in medical and biological sciences. Such form of interaction with district educational institutions and municipalities of the region promotes close, fruitful work with prospective students, helps to recruit a student. Affiliation of the medical college to USU turned out to be especially effective that allowed it to improve a high-quality vocational guidance. The unique feature of the Institute incorporating a medical college expands possibilities of the subsequent training of college students not only at the Faculty of Medicine, but also at the Faculty of Physical Culture and Rehabilitation. Such combination of education considerably increases quality of specialists in adaptive physical culture and reduces terms to gain higher education. The uniform educational and methodical commission of the Institute gives every possibility to increase quality, to unify and structure programs of study, to write educational, methodical textbooks and manuals according to the general ideology of the Institute, in particular, through regional standards and elective courses.
The Institute offers programs in clinical internship on 23 areas and internship — on 46. In total 106 clinical interns and 150 residents are trained at the institute. A lot of work is conducted for professional development of doctors, nurses, teachers, workers of forestry and nature protection bodies. The state certification of doctors, and also the average medical personnel of regional hospitals is conducted with the application of telemedical technologies.
The staff of the Institute is actively engaged in research. Throughout the departments of the institute 124 graduate students, from them 72 full time, 52 part time students take postgraduate courses. Scientists of the institute annually take part in work of Russian and international scientific forums which are held in Russia and abroad. They collaborate with their colleagues from the leading Russian higher education institutions and research institutes, and also with scientists of England, Germany, Italy, the USA, Israel.
2 dissertation councils for defending doctoral and master's theses function at the institute:
medical sciences – D 212.278.06
• 14.01.04 – internal diseases
• 14.03.02 – pathological anatomy
• 14.01.17 – surgery
Chairman of the dissertation council — Midlenko Vladimir Ilyich.
biological sciences — D 212.278.07
• 03.02.08 — ecology (biology)
• 03.03.01 — physiology
Chairman of the dissertation council — Churakov Boris Petrovich.
Contact information: 2/1, Architect Livchak St., (former K. Libknekht St., 1), room 110 Ulyanovsk,
E-mail: imefc@ulsu.ru
phone: (8422) 32 29 80
Admission committee: 41-20–90
Appointment hours of the director:
Monday: 15.00 — 17.00
Copyright © Ulyanovsk State University, 1995-2020
Last update of the document: 2015-10-07
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Australia said Friday it had offered compensation to Save the Children staff after "regretting" relying on allegations the charity had encouraged...
Australia asylum-seeker sets herself on fire
Colin Packham May. 04, 2016 | 12:15 AM
Australia blamed refugee advocates Tuesday for “encouraging” asylum-seekers in remote camps toward acts of self-harm after a woman set herself on fire, as the...
Australia blames refugee advocates after asylum seeker sets herself alight
Australia blamed refugee advocates on Tuesday for "encouraging" asylum seekers held in remote camps towards acts of self-harm after a woman set herself on...
Australia rules out settling 800 asylum seekers as PNG says it will close camp
Apr. 27, 2016 | 03:14 PM
Papua New Guinea said on Wednesday it will close an Australian immigration center on a northern island after its Supreme Court ruled it unlawful, but...
Australia's asylum seeker detentions on Papua New Guinea island ruled illegal
Apr. 26, 2016 | 10:45 AM
Papua New Guinea's Supreme Court Tuesday ruled that Australia's practice of detaining asylum seekers on PNG's northern Manus Island was illegal and must stop
Costly Australia resettlement program proves a failure
Mar. 09, 2016 | 12:11 AM
Two more refugees resettled in Cambodia from an Australian detention camp returned home, the government said Tuesday, sparking criticism about the 55 million...
'Homesick' refugees resettled in Cambodia return to Iran: Australia
Two more refugees resettled in Cambodia from an Australian detention camp have returned home, the government said Tuesday, sparking renewed criticism about...
Infant refugee becomes face of Australia's tough asylum seeker policies
Feb. 22, 2016 | 09:50 AM
The significant sympathy generated by the detention and likely deportation of a baby girl born in Australia to Nepalese parents could be a watershed in public...
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Feb. 20, 2016 | 06:48 PM
Australia is in talks with Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines, among six nations, to resettle asylum seekers detained in Papua New Guinea and the Pacific...
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Australian Immigration Minister Peter Dutton on Thursday rejected charges his country was dragging its feet in resettling refugees from Syria and Iraq, having...
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Self-harm at Australia detention centers once every two days: report
Jan. 16, 2016 | 08:13 AM
Self-harm by asylum-seekers being held at Australia's offshore detention centers takes place on average once every two days, a report said Saturday, with some...
Australia police teargas machete-wielding migrants
Nov. 10, 2015 | 10:03 AM
Australian police used tear gas to put down a two-day riot at a migrant detention center Tuesday, where detainees, reportedly armed with machetes, chainsaws...
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Oct. 06, 2015 | 08:46 AM
Australia said Tuesday it is seeking new countries to resettle refugees in after confirming only four people have moved to Cambodia, which has agreed to...
Traffickers act like tour operators: investigator
James Politi Apr. 27, 2015 | 12:05 AM
The best way to understand the commercial scale of human trafficking across the Mediterranean, says a leading Italian investigator, is to view the people...
Hundreds launch hunger strike in Australian refugee jail
Matt Siegel Jan. 14, 2015 | 09:49 AM
Hundreds of asylum seekers have gone on hunger strike at an Australian immigration detention center in Papua New Guinea, rights groups said on Wednesday, with...
Australia urged to come clean on asylum-seekers' mental health
Australia's human rights commissioner says the government must come clean about conditions at offshore asylum-seeker camps after an inquiry heard of an...
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French government backs minister engulfed by row over Nice attack security
French policewoman Sandra Bertin gives a press conference on July 24, 2015, in Nice, southeastern France. / AFP / VALERY HACHE
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France's government closed ranks around Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve Monday amid an intensifying dispute over allegations his staff tried to alter a report into policing on the night of the deadly Bastille Day attack in Nice.
Valls' Socialist government is under fire for not doing enough to prevent a 31-year-old Tunisian ploughing his rented truck through a crowd of revelers on a Nice beachfront boulevard, killing 84 people.
Ten months ahead of general elections, conservative politicians from Nice led by regional government president Christian Estrosi have aggressively criticized the strength of the national police force presence on the night of July 14 .
Nice, a French Riviera city of nearly 350,000 people, is France's most heavily policed urban area and has an extensive network of surveillance cameras.
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David's Book World
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Tagreview of the year
30th December 2019 / David Hebblethwaite / 2 Comments
The end of the year has come around again, so it’s time to look back. Going through my list of books read this year has brought back some happy memories, so here are my twelve favourites. As ever, the list is in rough descending order of enjoyment, but they’re all warmly recommended.
12. The Perseverance (2019) by Raymond Antrobus
I’ve been dipping my toes into the world of poetry this year. Antrobus’ highly personal collection – which explores themes of language, communication and family relationships – stood out to me. A worthy winner of the Young Writer of the Year Award.
11. Tamarisk Row (1974) by Gerald Murnane
I’ve never read a novel that evokes childhood imagination quite like this. A boy in 1940s Australia imagines hidden worlds in the abstract patterns of everyday reality (such as the play of light through glass). The raw, deep feelings of growing up are made vertiginous in Murnane’s prose.
10. Notes to Self (2018) by Emilie Pine
A collection of personal essays in which the act of writing seems at least as important to the writer as what she’s writing about. Pine is unflinching as she explores issues of the (her) family, body and self. The sense is that she’s taking the stuff of her life apart and building it anew.
9. The Years (2008) by Annie Ernaux
Translated from the French by Alison L. Strayer (2017)
An account of the mid-to-late 20th century whose writing stopped me in my tracks. The narrator’s personal history plays out against and within the broader passage of time. I was particularly struck by the way the text changes shape to reflect different ways of knowing and remembering – stories giving way to fragments of information.
8. The Drover’s Wives (2019) by Ryan O’Neill
Possibly the book that was the most pure fun to read this year. The Drover’s Wives consists of a classic Australian short story retold in 101 different ways, from ‘Hemingwayesque’ to ‘A 1980s Computer Game’ and even a chart of paint swatches. O’Neill brings out different sides to the original story, and though there’s a lot to smile about, there are some poignant moments too.
7. The Cheffe (2016) by Marie NDiaye
Translated from the French by Jordan Stump (2019)
The very last book I read before compiling this list, but one that made a considerable impression. It’s the tale of an elusive culinary genius through the eyes of a former employee who thinks he has insight into her that may be the product of obsession. The ‘double remove’ between us and the Cheffe makes the novel so tantalising.
6. Strike Your Heart (2017) by Amélie Nothomb
Translated from the French by Alison Anderson (2018)
Nothomb takes my ‘should have read this author sooner’ slot for the year. This novel is a short, sharp, 360-degree view of its protagonist’s female relationships, from her jealous mother to the assistant professor who may not be as much of a friend as she appears.
5. Transfer Window (2017) by Maria Gerhardt
Translated from the Danish by Lindy Falk van Rooyen (2019)
Talking of short and sharp… This is the piercing portrait of a terminally ill young woman who has moved to a wealthy suburb of Copenhagen, recently turned into a hospice. Transfer Window is harrowing in its sense of life cut short. Inside the hospice, the protagonist’s old life slips away: for everyone outside, life goes on.
4. The Artificial Silk Girl (1932) by Irmgard Keun
Translated from the German by Kathie von Ankum (2002)
Doris is a secretary with dreams of being a star; she leaves her job and travels to Berlin, where she finds that life’s pendulum may swing in a different direction without warning. Doris’s voice is compelling as the world shifts around her. There are moments of joy, but also signs of the darkness that was to come – signs that seem all the more pronounced from this historical distance.
3. Nocilla Lab (2009) by Agustín Fernández Mallo
Translated from the Spanish by Thomas Bunstead (2019)
The final part of Fernández Mallo’s Nocilla Trilogy, and my personal favourite. We follow a version (or versions) of the author on a trip to Sardinia, through four sections written in different styles. The question becomes, can we trust the narrator to be the same individual throughout? The sense of a single coherent ‘I’ grows ever more fragile.
2. Follow Me to Ground (2018) by Sue Rainsford
A novel of genuine strangeness that gains power from refusing to explain itself. Ada and her father heal people, but exactly what they do (or even what they are) is a mystery to us. When Ada falls in love with one of her “Cures”, this threatens to upend her entire existence… and that core of mystery gnaws away all the while.
1. Berg (1964) by Ann Quin
I first heard about this novel ten years before reading it, and eventually got to it at just the right time. I was expecting the prose to require some concentration, but I wasn’t expecting the book to be so funny. Quin’s hapless protagonist goes to the seaside intending to kill his father in revenge, but finds he can’t actually go through with it. Events descend into outright farce… and I found a new book to treasure.
So, that was my 2019. How was your reading year?
If you’d like to catch up on previous yearly round-up, they’re here: 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, and 2009. Thank you for reading, and I’ll see you next year on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook or here.
27th December 2018 / David Hebblethwaite / 16 Comments
By accident rather than design, I read less in 2018 than I had in quite some time. However, unlike last year, it feels right to do my usual list of twelve favourites. One thing that really stands out to me is what a good year it’s been for short story collections – I have four on my list, more than ever before. 2018 was also the year when I started reviewing for Splice, and you’ll see that reflected in my list, too.
As always, the ranking is not meant to be taken too seriously – I like to have a countdown, but really I’d recommend them all. I haven’t differentiated between old and new books, though as it turns out, most are from this year. The links will take you to my original review of each book.
You can also read my previous favourites posts from 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, and 2009. Thank you for reading, and I’ll see you next year. It’ll be the tenth anniversary of this blog, so I have some plans for looking back as well as forward.
12. And the Wind Sees All (2011) by Guðmundur Andri Thorsson
Translated from the Icelandic by Andrew Cauthery and Björg Árnadóttir (2018)
I read this book only a few days ago and it made such an impression that it went straight on to my end-of-year list. Part of Peirene’s ‘Home in Exile’ series, And the Wind Sees All is set in an Icelandic fishing village, during a couple of minutes during which Kata, the village choir’s conductor, cycles down the main street. Like the wind, the novel flows in and out of the lives of the villagers Kata cycles past, revealing secrets, losses, fears and joys. The writing is gorgeous.
11. Fish Soup (2012-6) by Margarita García Robayo
Translated from the Spanish by Charlotte Coombe (2018)
The English-language debut of Colombian writer García Robayo, Fish Soup collects together two novellas and seven short stories. Among others, we meet a young woman so desperate to escape her current life that she can’t see what it’s doing to herself and others; a businessman forced to confront the emptiness in his life; and a student being taught one thing at school while experiencing something quite different in her life outside the classroom. All is told in a wonderfully sardonic voice.
10. Three Dreams in the Key of G (2018) by Marc Nash
This is a novel of language, motherhood, and biology, told in the voices of a mother in peace-agreement Ulster; the elderly founder of a women’s refuge in Florida; and the human genome itself. Perhaps more than any other book I read this year, the shape of Three Dreams is a key part of what it means: it’s structured in a way that reflects DNA, and the full picture of the novel emerges from the interaction of its different strands.
9. Frankenstein in Baghdad (2013) by Ahmed Saadawi
Translated from the Arabic by Jonathan Wright (2018)
This was a book that had me from the title. A composite of corpses comes to life in US-occupied Baghdad. It starts to avenge the victims who make up its component parts, then finds those disintegrating, so it has to keep on killing to survive… and becomes a walking metaphor for self-perpetuating violence. Saadawi’s novel is powerful, horrific, and drily amusing where it needs to be.
8. The Last Day (2004) by Jaroslavas Melnikas
Translated from the Lithuanian by Marija Marcinkute (2018)
A collection of stories where the extraordinary intrudes on the everyday – such as a cinema showing the never-ending film of someone’s life, or a mysterious treasure trail leading the narrator to an unknown end point. Melnikas’ stories become richer by reflecting on what this strangeness means for the characters, an approach that was right up my street.
7. The White Book (2016) by Han Kang
Translated from the Korean by Deborah Smith (2017)
Another deeply felt book from a favourite contemporary writer. The White Book is structured as a series of vignettes on white things, from snow to swaddling bands, all haunted by the spectre of a sister who died before the narrator was born. Reading Han always feels more intimate than with most other writers; her prose cuts like glass, bypassing conscious thought and going straight to the place where reading blurs into living.
6. T Singer (1999) by Dag Solstad
Translated from the Norwegian by Tiina Nunnally (2018)
My first experience of Solstad’s work, and it’s like reading on a tightrope. A synopsis would make it seem that nothing much is going on, as Solstad’s protagonist seeks anonymity by becoming a librarian in a small town. But the busyness of Singer’s inner life creates a contrast with his essential loneliness, an abyss for the reader to stare into.
5. The Girls of Slender Means (1963) by Muriel Spark
Every time I read Muriel Spark, I’m reminded of why I want to read more. Set in a post-war London boarding house for young women, this is a tale of lost (and sometimes found) opportunity and missed communication. I love the way that Spark twists her characters’ (and reader’s) sense of time and space, the undercurrent of dark wit… No doubt there’s even more to see on a re-read.
4. The Sing of the Shore (2018) by Lucy Wood
Everything that Lucy Wood writes ends up in my list of favourites. I love the way that she evokes a sense of mystery lying beneath the interaction of life and place. The stories in The Sing of the Shore are set in off-season Cornwall, a place where children take over other people’s unoccupied second homes, the sand advances and recedes, and both people and things are transient.
3. The Ice Palace (1963) by Tarjei Vesaas
Translated from the Norwegian by Elizabeth Rokkan (1993)
I loved this Norwegian classic about a girl trying to come to terms with her friend’s disappearance. Vesaas’ novel is full of the raw sense of selves and friendships being formed, and examines what it takes to find one’s place in a community or landscape. The prose is beautiful, crystalline and jagged, like the frozen waterfall that gives The Ice Palace its title.
2. Mothers (2018) by Chris Power
Stories of family and relationships, travel and searching – each illuminating and resonating with the others. Three stories following the same character’s journey through life form the backbone of Power’s collection. In between, there’s a frustrated stand-up comedian, a couple walking in Exmoor who find their relationship tougher terrain, a chess-like game of flirtation in Paris, and more. I can’t wait to see what Power writes next.
1. Convenience Store Woman (2016) by Sayaka Murata
Translated from the Japanese by Ginny Tapley Takemori (2018)
A novel about a woman who has worked in a convenience store for 18 years, trying to find her own sort of normality. The protagonist’s sense of self is challenged, and the reader is also challenged to empathise with her. Convenience Store Woman is a vivid character study that builds to the most powerful ending I’ve read all year. I won’t forget this book for a long, long time.
Some book recommendations from 2017
2017 was a year of ups and downs. With my reviewing hat on, I was especially pleased to make my debut at Minor Literature[s]. But I can’t escape the fact that this year was structured around illness as I’d never experienced before. It didn’t exactly stop me from reading, but it did have certain subtle effects on my reading choices, how I engaged with books, that sort of thing.
So, 2017 was not a normal reading year. When I tried to put together my usual countdown of twelve, I wasn’t happy with it, couldn’t recommend everything wholeheartedly. Instead I’m going to stick to a few books which were first published this year. I’ve got three books written in English and two translated from Spanish. I’m listing them here in no particular order, but they’ve all given me the shiver up the spine that I get from my favourite fiction.
Such Small Hands by Andrés Barba, tr. Lisa Dillman. The claustrophobic tale of a young girl sent to an orphanage after losing her parents in a car crash. She barely has the language to describe her experiences, but her very individuality poses a threat to the other girls around her in the orphanage. The prose of Such Small Hands is beautifully – dangerously – fluid, as the mental worlds of its characters form and re-form. Probably the most intense piece of literature I read all year.
The Photographer by Meike Ziervogel. The story of how a German family is broken when forced to flee west in 1945, then heals itself in the years after the war. This is novel structured as photo album: whole lives narrated intermittently, each scene a moment of experience adding to a greater whole. Ziervogel explores themes of image and appearance, and the individual within the sweep of history, all with a wonderful openness to her writing.
Reservoir 13 by Jon McGregor. Oh, how I love Jon McGregor’s way with words, his ability to bring out the mystery within the everyday. In this novel, he starts with the disappearance of a teenage girl, and builds up, layer by layer, an extraordinary portrait of a rural community. A new year begins with each chapter; some faces go, others stay. The disappearance becomes another part of local lore; only nature retains any true semblance of constancy. The resulting work is spellbinding.
Fever Dream by Samanta Schweblin, tr. Megan McDowell. A discovery from this year’s Man Booker International Prize shadowing. Amanda is dying in hospital (or some dark liminal space) and talks to David, a child who is not her own. With David’s help, Amanda sorts through her memories of holidays, her own daughter, and a tale told by David’s mother (whom Amanda met on holiday). Fever Dream constantly shifts between levels of reality; it’s a thrilling ride.
One of the Boys by Daniel Magariel. A portrait of a violent family relationship, in extreme close-up. When it’s clear he will gain custody of his sons, a father takes them from Kansas to New Mexico, promising that the three can be kids again. Life turns out to be very different, though. Magariel keeps the father-and-sons unit at the centre of view, which distorts how we see the novel’s world, and helps give the book its distinctive power.
There are my recommendations for 2017; I hope you find something that interests you. You can also check out my previous best-of-year posts: 2016; 2015; 2014; 2013; 2012; 2011; 2010; and 2009. I’ll see you next year!
This time last year, I wrote that I wanted to understand more deeply why I respond to some books as I do. I think I’m on the way there, and certainly when I look at the books that have stood out most to me in the reading year, I can see a continuity. They belong together in ways that reflect what, how and why I read.
So, here’s the selection: these are the books that I count as my strongest reading experiences of 2016, roughly in ascending order. The links will take you to my reviews.
12. Nocilla Dream (2006) by Agustín Fernández Mallo
Translated from the Spanish by Thomas Bunstead, 2015
A novel that feels like a statement of how fiction should relate to the wider world in the 21st century. Nocilla Dream is an assemblage of adapted quotations and character vignettes, with recurring images and locations… but it won’t fit together into a stable whole, however much you try. Like the globalised world it depicts, Fernández Mallo’s novel has no centre; reading it was an experience of glimpsing a deeper meaning through the haze, only for that to recede shortly after.
11. The Queue (2013) by Basma Abdel Aziz
Translated from the Arabic by Elisabeth Jaquette. 2016
In a Middle Eastern city, the flow of life has been disrupted by a bureaucracy that forces people to queue for days on end in order to obtain authorisation for the smallest things. This is a novel that works through quietness and precision: its measured tone persuades one to accept the reality of this situation; then, the chilling implications unfold. A similar process occurs with the city’s inhabitants, as all the queueing changes the way they think and behave, until there’s no easy way for them to imagine something else.
10. Never Any End to Paris (2003) by Enrique Vila-Matas
Translated from the Spanish by Anne McLean, 2011
This was a book that seemed superficially light: a fictionalised account of the author’s time in Paris in the 1970s, where he sought to live like Hemingway. But as I carried on reading, the novel circled around issues of reality and imagination – how the place in the mind can endure longer and loom larger than the real one. That led me to confront the basic questions of what it is to read fiction: ultimately, nothing in Vila-Matas’ book is solid, but the reading of it persists regardless.
9. Tainaron: Mail from Another City (1985) by Leena Krohn
Translated from the Finnish by Hildi Hawkins, 2004
I didn’t get around to reviewing this one, and I really must. Like The Queue, Tainaron is precisely balanced on a knife-edge between reality and unreality. It’s told a series of letters sent home from someone living in a city of giant insects – a city that might be more a state of mind than an actual place. For me, this is on a par with Viriconium in terms of dismantling the certainties of story, and the disorientation that follows in the reading.
8. The Weight of Things (1978) by Marianne Fritz
Translated from the German by Adrian Nathan West, 2015
The Weight of Things is the short opening slice of a much larger, untranslated (and possibly untranslatable) fictional project – and the shadow of two world wars looms over its apparently small tale of a couple visiting the husband’s ex-wife in her asylum. Broken chronology destroys the sense that there can be progression beyond the fictional present; and there’s one moment cuts though the reading as much as in any book I’ve experienced. At the time, I described reading Fritz’s book as like waking from a beautiful nightmare, and I still feel the same.
7. Tram 83 (2014) by Fiston Mwanza Mujila
Translated from the French by Roland Glasser, 2015
Here’s a book where it really is all about the language: the rhythm, the pulse, the interplay of voices. Lucien travels to the newly seceded ‘City-State’, intending to concentrate on his writing – but he gets caught up in other matters. The city has its own soundtrack of voices, bewildering and exhilarating to Lucien and the reader alike. The protagonist tries to bring his own language to the city, but all he can do is merge into its web; likewise, the best way I found to read Tram 83 was to lose myself in its words.
6. Good Morning, Midnight (1939) by Jean Rhys
This is the second novel on my list set amid the streets of Paris, but shows writing transformed by place in a different way. The Paris of Rhys’s protagonist is so quietly anonymous that the present day fades in comparison to the memories that continue to haunt her. This was my first time reading Rhys; I found her novel so piercing that I must read more.
5. Like a Mule Bringing Ice Cream to the Sun (2016) by Sarah Ladipo Manyika
I love this book for the way that Manyika slides between viewpoints to explore the gap between an individual’s self-perception and the person by others. Retired literature professor Morayo breaks her hip and has to move temporarily into a nursing home – and suddenly she is a vulnerable old woman to people who don’t know her. Reading the novel, and being able to see all sides, allows the gap to be bridged. That Morayo is one of the most delightful protagonists I’ve encountered all year is a welcome bonus.
4. Martin John (2015) by Anakana Schofield
Schofield’s novel takes readers inside the mind of a flasher – not so much in a way that tries to explain him as one that challenges the reader to engage with his character. While most novels are organised to create meaning for the reader, Martin John is arranged to create meaning for its protagonist, constructed around his loops and preoccupations. This is what makes it such a strong, disorienting experience: there is no map of this novel’s singular landscape.
3. Mend the Living (2014) by Maylis de Kerangal
Translated from the French by Jessica Moore, 2016
At one level, Mend the Living is a novel about a heart transplant. At another level, it’s an all-pervading cloud of language which explores the different meanings of this event, and the human body itself, as life effectively passes from one individual to another. At times, reading de Kernagal’s book was like having several extra senses with which to perceive what was being narrated.
2. Mrs Dalloway (1925) by Virginia Woolf
2016 was when I finally introduced myself to Woolf’s work, and not before time. I read five of her books, and liked some more than others; but the first one I read is still the most vivid. Mrs Dalloway showed me a different way to read, as I found a novel in which events take place at the level of thought and consciousness, as much as in geographical space. There’s such power in being brought so close to the characters’ viewpoints and flowing between them. And the ending, which brings the horror of war crashing directly into Clarissa Dalloway’s polite society, is one of my year’s finest reading moments.
1. Human Acts (2014) by Han Kang
Translated from the Korean by Deborah Smith, 2016
I thought about it for a long time, but there was no escaping the conclusion that a Han Kang book would top my list for the second year in a row. Like The Vegetarian, Human Acts is a novel of the body, but this time as the level at which to process conflict (or try to do so). Though there’s violence and bloodshed on a large scale in Han’s depiction of the Gwagju Uprising, it is the small human movements that I found most vivid. That contrast helped to create the strongest experience ofall the books I read this year.
I’d like to write another post that explores what this list could tell me about how and why I read. For now, though, I’ll leave you with my previous lists of favourites: 2015; 2014; 2013; 2012; 2011; 2010; and 2009.
21st December 2015 / David Hebblethwaite / 9 Comments
It’s been a year of ups and downs, really: I relaunched the blog with a new focus and name, and later with its own domain; and I feel I’ve got closer to what I wanted to achieve. However, especially in the latter part of this year, I haven’t had as much time as I expected for reading and blogging, so some of my plans are being put back into 2016 instead. I would like to dig more deeply into why I respond to certain books in the way I do (I also have plans for a series of posts going back to books I read in my pre-blogging days, to trace where the reader I am now came from). I’d still like to focus in more on the kinds of books that speak to me most, and explore older works… Well, more on that later.
For now, here are my twelve favourites from all the books I read in 2015. I’m especially struck that I have my most globally diverse list to date: authors from ten different countries; books originally written in six different languages; and, for the first time, translations predominate. More than that, though, I look over this list and think: yes, these books – in all their different ways – are what I like to read. That’s what this is all about.
Enough preamble: on to the books. The countdown is a bit of fun, but the books are all well worth your time.
12. Miranda July, The First Bad Man (2015)
I started off thinking I knew what sort of novel this was going to be: offbeat tone, middle-aged, middle-class American protagonist… I have the measure of this, I thought. Well, I was wrong. There is a good deal of eccentricity and artifice in July’s tale of a fortysomething woman whose careful household routine is disrupted by the arrival of her employers’ twenty-year-old daughter. But it is shown to be a front and a defence mechanism – and when July breaks through her characters’ façades, her novel cuts sharply.
[My review] – [Foyles affiliate link]
11. Ivan Vladislavić, The Folly (1993)
A story of how easy, and dangerous, it can be to fall for someone else’s dream. The husband of a suburban couple is captivated by a stranger who moves on to the neighbouring plot and announces that he’s going to build a new house. Soon the husband is doing all the hard work for the newcomer while the ‘house’ remains little more than an idea – but what a powerful idea. Vladislavić’s first novel is equally delicious and disturbing, reminding one of the darker shadows that lie behind its playful tone.
10. Sunny Singh, Hotel Arcadia (2015)
A novel about the distance between image and reality, set in the heightened environment of a hotel under attack from terrorists. Singh maintains a tight focus on two characters – a war photographer who roams the corridors, and the hotel employee who uses CCTV to help her evade capture – and never leaves the building, except in flashback. But that very stylised approach helps give Hotel Arcadia its power, as reality becomes concentrated, and a few days can hold a lifetime.
9. Dan Rhodes, When the Professor Got Stuck in the Snow (2014)
Hands down, the funniest book I have read in a very long time. You can sum it up in a single line – Richard Dawkins forced to stay in a village at the vicar’s house – but you can’t capture its essence without reading. The mixture of broad, cartoonish humour and sharp satire (aimed in several directions) lulls you into a false sense of security… Then comes the moment – as in all of Rhodes’ fiction that I’ve read – where you see behind the curtain, and that is really why I love this novel so much.
8. Iván Repila, The Boy Who Stole Attila’s Horse (2013)
Translated from the Spanish by Sophie Hughes (2015)
A small, hallucinatory jewel of a book in which two boys are trapped at the bottom of a well and trying to get out. This novel plays out in my mind’s eye as a scratchy animated film, each chapter-scene limned in a slightly different colour. Repila constantly changes the imaginative space of the well through his style and imagery; and, as with The Folly above, there’s a grim reality apparent beneath the surface of metaphor.
7. Hiromi Kawakami, Manazuru (2006)
Translated from the Japanese by Michael Emmerich (2010)
If you’d told me last year that I would have a Kawakami novel on my favourites list this year, I may well not have believed you. I had read The Briefcase/Strange Weather in Tokyo twice and scarcely felt close to unlocking it. But Manazuru is a different kind of book, one I took to straight away: a combination of hazily blurred realities and pin-sharp emotional detail, as a woman retreats to a seaside town in search of something – possibly her missing husband, possibly herself. A third read of The Briefcase/Strange Weather is clearly in order…
[My review] – [Publisher link]
6. Jenny Erpenbeck, The End of Days (2012)
Translated from the German by Susan Bernofsky (2014)
A worthy winner of what turned out to be the final Independent Foreign Fiction Prize. The first page may be the single most potent scene that I’ve read all year. In each of the five main sections, Erpenbeck’s protagonist dies at a different point in time, which changes the meaning of her life and death, and the way she interacts with history. The End of Days sets an individual life against the sweep of the twentieth century, to quite marvellous effect.
5, Paulette Jonguitud, Mildew (2010)
Translated from the Spanish by the author (2015)
The protagonist of this short novel finds mildew growing over her body, and Jonguitud’s writing creeps through the reader in the same way. The narrator merges together fallible memory, physical space, and possibly faulty perception, to the point that there’s no meaningful boundary between the real and the imaginary to begin. We are invited into this seamless imaginative space, and can only hold on as the narrator tries to keep control of her own story.
4. Per Olov Enquist, The Wandering Pine (2008)
Translated from the Swedish by Deborah Bragan-Turner (2015)
Of all the books on this list, Enquist’s was the one that caught me most unawares, in that I wasn’t prepared for how deeply it would affect me. The Wandering Pine is based on its author’s life, combining closeness to its subject with a distance and mystery that comes from the oblique fictional framing. It’s a novel that explores what explores what it is to engage with the world through writing, not to mention one of the most powerful depictions of childhood that I have read.
3. Lucy Wood, Weathering (2015)
Three years after the wonderful Diving Belles, Wood goes from strength to strength. In someone else’s hands, this could have been a run-of-the-mill tale of a woman returning to her rural childhood home. In Wood’s work, all lines between metaphor, place and action are erased; here, she situates her characters in a raw, unknowable landscape that haunts them as they haunt it. This author is carving out a path all her own, and I am excited to see where she will go.
2. Yuri Herrera, Signs Preceding the End of the World (2009)
Translated from the Spanish by Lisa Dillman (2015)
A woman travels from Mexico to the US with a message for her brother, in this tale where borders of all kinds are crossed or dissolved: borders of geography, language, culture. There’s a fuzzy, mutable quality to both the language and the space of this novel, where a journey to another country reads like a metaphorical (or literal!) descent into the underworld. I’m still astonished at how much ground Herrera covers in so small a space.
1. Han Kang, The Vegetarian (2007)
This was the very first book I read in 2015, and nothing since has ever quite supplanted it. Three novellas, linked by the character of a woman who decides to give up eating meat, eventually refusing all food, for reasons we are never fully allowed to comprehend. We only view the main character through the eyes of those around her, as Han explores the ramifications of someone stepping outside social norms, and asks who really makes the self. The Vegetarian is an extraordinary experience.
And if you want more favourites, here are my previous lists: 2014; 2013; 2012; 2011; 2010; and 2009.
As I write this, I’ve read 158 books in 2014, which is probably a record for me, and certainly more than I intended. I’ve already talked on the blog about taking stock of my approach to reading; I have been thinking about that further, and you’ll see some changes fairly soon. But let’s wrap up this year first.
2014 was going to be the year when I read more translations, which I did; though I didn’t manage to stick to the elaborate plan I had. I may as well report back on the goals I set myself. The idea was that two-thirds of my reading would be ‘non Anglo-American’ (including Anglophone writing from outside the UK and US). I achieved 43% on that score, with 35% of my reading being in translation. I also aimed for gender parity in my reading this year, but didn’t quite get there: not counting anthologies, 41% of the books I read were by women.
Already, though, I can feel the limitations of this sort of number crunching. Don’t get me wrong: as a reader, it’s valuable to me to know what I read (and all too easy not to pay attention). But the essence of reading is individual responses to individual books.
On that note, here’s my list of favourites for the year. All books I’ve read for the first time this year are eligible, regardless of when they were first published. I traditionally limit myself to twelve, so naturally some very good books have been left off. I compile this mostly by instinct, so the countdown is just for fun – all these books are warmly recommended.
12. Janina Matthewson, Of Things Gone Astray (2014)
A novel of fantastical losses: lost buildings, lost ideas, lost selves. Matthewson achieves a careful balancing act: the novel is dream-like without being too whimsical; and fantasy reflects reality without being reducible to simple metaphors. Of Things Gone Astray creates a world all of its own, one that takes time to shake off.
11. Yoko Ogawa, The Housekeeper and the Professor (2003)
Translated from the Japanese by Stephen Snyder (2008)
I read three of Ogawa’s books this year; the one that makes my list is a departure from the others, but its measured wistfulness really worked for me. It’s the story of a woman who goes to work for an elderly professor, and how they bond through mathematics even though he has little short-term memory. Ogawa contrasts the transient human world with the eternal web of numbers.
10. Helen Oyeyemi, Boy, Snow, Bird (2014)
Oyeyemi is always a skilled sculptor of the fantastic; this may be her subtlest work to date. She draws on the iconography of Snow White to tell the story of a girl named Boy, and a black family passing as white, in 1950s America. The use of the fairytale changes the rhythms of Oyeyemi’s novel, highlighting the complexities of the real world.
9. Ray Robinson, Jawbone Lake (2014)
This is a novel of disruption: a Land Rover disturbing the tranquillity of an English lake; a father’s abrupt suicide shattering his family’s world; the language of a gangster thriller intruding on realist prose. Jawbone Lake is a study of grief and a thriller that treats ‘thrills’ as strange and unknowable. After Forgetting Zoë, it’s also a fine demonstration of Robinson’s versatility as a writer.
8. Angharad Price, The Life of Rebecca Jones (2002)
Translated from the Welsh by Lloyd Jones (2010)
A novel about Price’s great-aunt, and the valley in which she spends her long life. This is a meditative study of the passing of time and a life that’s ultimately well lived. Though Rebecca’s life may be limited geographically, it’s shown to be intellectually rich – which is just as valid to her as any other sort of experience.
7. Nina Allan, The Race (2014)
Allan has become one of my favourite science fiction writers over recent years, and this – her first novel – is the single best piece of her work that I’ve read. The Race begins as a tale of genetically enhanced greyhounds, then mutates into a broader novel of thwarted lives. It exhibits Allan’s keen eye for landscape, and is finely calibrated enough to know the weight of all its fantastic words.
6. Naomi Wood, Mrs. Hemingway (2014)
Two novels into her career, Wood is developing an intriguingly stylised approach to historical fiction. The Godless Boys placed her characters in the distorting world of an artificial alternate history; this time the distorting factor is marriage to such a larger-than-life figure as Ernest Hemingway. Wood creates an intricately patterned dance from the chaos of her subjects’ lives.
5. Joanna Kavenna, Come to the Edge (2012)
Kavenna gives free rein to characters without inhibitions in this dark comedy of rural apocalypse which begins when a woman decides to ‘resettle’ some evicted locals in the often-unoccupied second home of a banker. Come to the Edge has a relentless, driving energy, and is very much concerned with the sound of its prose.
4. Cynan Jones, The Dig (2014)
Jones’s novels tend towards the short and stark; this tale of a grieving farmer and a badger-baiter is no exception. It’s an unflinching and very physical tale, whose imagery continues to haunt me.
3. Agota Kristof, The Notebook (1986)
Translated from the French by Alan Sheridan (1989)
There are some expressions that it’s easy to use without thinking when describing books – such as ‘spare prose’. Well, the prose of The Notebook is so spare that it hurts. In what may be wartime Hungary, twin boys describe their project to harden themselves physically and emotionally, and the cruelties they inflict on themselves and others in the process. Their account becomes a timeless nightmare, and I’ll be looking out for Kristof’s two sequels next year, to find out how it continues.
2. Eimear McBride, A Girl is a Half-formed Thing (2013)
I was a latecomer to reading McBride, which was my loss (or was it just the right time?): I found her novel every bit as powerful as it promised to be. This is a book whose form and style are integral to its project (a quality I’m coming to value more and more in fiction): its shifts in language are part of what the book means. As a character study, t’s remorseless – and all the better for it.
1. Emma Healey, Elizabeth is Missing (2014)
To say that Healey’s debut works is both a promise and a warning. Its protagonist has dementia, and searches for her friend in a constantly renewing present; while a thread set seventy years earlier fills the gaps in a picture that only the reader can see. Elizabeth is Missing inspired a rawer, deeper reaction in me than any other book I read all year; it’s a reaction that seemed to come out of nowhere, and I find that fascinating to contemplate. This is actually something I’d like to explore on here next year; but more about that later…
Want to know what I liked most in previous years? Take a look at my other ‘favourites’ lists: 2013; 2012; 2011; 2010; and 2009.
I love end-of-year list time, because it’s a chance to reflect on the best moments. I read over 150 books this year, which I’m sure must be a record for me, and is certainly unusually high. There were plenty of highlights amongst all those books, but I have managed to sift them down to twelve, my usual number for these lists.
You can see my previous best-of-year lists here: 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009. I’ve kept changing the format over the years (ranked or unranked; books from all years, or just the year in question); I’ve settled on including books from all years of publication (as long as I read them for the first time this year); but I think it’s more fun to rank them, so I’m also going to do that. And, taking a leaf from Scott Pack’s book, I’m going to list them in reverse order.
So, here (with links to my reviews) are my Top 12 Books of 2013:
12. Viola Di Grado, 70% Acrylic 30% Wool (2011)
Translated from the Italian by Michael Reynolds (2012)
Of all the books I read in 2013, this may be the one that most thoroughly depicts the real world as a strange and treacherous landscape. This is a novel about the power of language to shape perception, as it depicts a young woman gradually discovering a new way to look at life (and, just possibly, finding love) when she meets a boy who teaches her Chinese.
11. Andrew Kaufman, Born Weird (2013)
This is the third Andrew Kaufman book that I’ve read, and he just gets better and better. Born Weird tells of five siblings who were given ‘blessings’ at birth by their grandmother, which she now plans to undo on her death-bed. Kaufman has a wonderfully light touch with the fantastic: there’s just enough whimsy to illuminate the family story, and there’s real bite when the novel gets serious.
10. Project Itoh, Harmony (2008)
Translated from the Japanese by Alexander O. Smith (2010)
A searching exploration of self-determination and authoritarianism in a future where remaining healthy is seen as the ultimate public good. One of the most intellectually engaging books I read all year.
9. Colm Tóibín, The Testament of Mary (2012)
Chalk this one up as the book I liked that I wasn’t expecting to. A short but powerful character study of a mother becoming distanced from her son as he is swept away by social change and the great tide of story. This would have been my second choice for the Man Booker Prize. (My first choice? That’s further down/up the list.)
8. Ayana Mathis, The Twelve Tribes of Hattie (2012)
A wonderfully fluid composite portrait of an African-American family making their way in the North across the twentieth century. Just recalling the range and vividness of this novel makes me want to read the book again.
7. Sam Thompson, Communion Town (2012)
Ten story-chapters that make the same fictional city seem like ten different places. Communion Town depicts the city as an environment crammed with stories, each vying for the chance to be told. It’s invigorating stuff to read.
6. Mohsin Hamid, How to Get Filthy Rich in Rising Asia (2013)
With one of the strongest voices I’ve encountered all year, this is a nuanced account of a man’s pragmatic rise from childhood poverty to business success – with a keen sense that there are costs to be borne along the way. The second-person narration, which could so easily have been a gimmick, works beautifully.
5. Evie Wyld, All the Birds, Singing (2013)
It has been really exciting over the last five years to see fine writers of my age-group emerge and establish names for themselves. Evie Wyld is one such writer; her debut was on my list of favourite books in 2009, and now here’s her second novel. Wyld remains a superb writer of place, in her depiction both of the English island where sheep farmer Jake Whyte now lives, and of the Australia that Jake fled. I also love how elegantly balanced this novel is, between the volatile past and the present stability that’s now under threat.
4. Alina Bronsky, The Hottest Dishes of the Tartar Cuisine (2010)
Translated from the German by Tim Mohr (2011)
Here’s the most memorable character of the year for me: the gloriously ghastly Rosa, who will do anything for her family if it suits her, and will do anything to them if it suits her better. This book is a joy – blackly hilarious, with a bittersweet sting.
3. Shaun Usher (ed.), Letters of Note (2013)
My non-fiction pick of the year. This is a lavish collection of facsimile letters, which is both beautiful to look at, and a window on very personal aspects of history.
2. Jess Richards, Cooking with Bones (2013)
Jess Richards’ work was my discovery of the year: Cooking with Bones is a magical novel that defies easy summary; but it includes a girl who doesn’t know who she wants to be, when all she can do is reflect back the desires of others; supernatural recipes; and one of the most richly textured fictional worlds I’ve come across in a long time. More fool me for not reading Richards’ debut, Snake Ropes, last year; but at least I have the wonderful promise of that book to come.
1. Eleanor Catton, The Luminaries (2013)
Once in a while, a book will come along that changes you as a reader, affects you so deeply that the experience becomes part of who you are. Eleanor Catton’s The Rehearsal was like that for me, which is why it topped my list of books read in 2009. With The Luminaries, it has all happened again. Several months after reading it, I am in awe at the novel’s range and richness; yet I feel that I’ve still glimpsed only a fraction of what Catton has achieved in the book. I was overjoyed at her Man Booker win, and can only hope that it will bring Catton’s work to the attention of as many people as possible. My wish for all readers is that they find books which mean as much to them as a work like The Luminaries means to me.
Now, what about you? What are your favourite books of the year? Also, if you’ve read any on my list, let me know what you thought.
Strange Horizons: 2012 in Review
2nd January 2013 / David Hebblethwaite / 0 Comments
I have a little piece in today’s 2012 in Review feature on Strange Horizons, talking about my speculative fiction highlights of the past year. The books I chose to talk about won’t come as much of a surprise to anyone who’s seen my favourite reads of 2012 list; but I have tried to tie everything together in a way that makes a larger point:
…the key opposition in the field right now is not between genre and mainstream, but between texts that play into genre conventions and those that go their own way.
I’ll be looking for more of those works that “go their own way” over the months ahead.
(Incidentally, I was especially surprised – and pleased! – to see three other mentions for Hawthorn & Child: not bad going for a novel that isn’t, technically, speculative fiction.)
My favourite reads of 2012
It’s that time of year again, for looking back over what I’ve read and picking out the highlights. In previous years, I’ve limited my list to books published in the year in question, or split it equally between old and new titles. For 2012, I’m just doing a straightforward list of my favourite twelve reads of the year, regardless of when they were first published.
So, in alphabetical order of author surname, here they are:
Adrian Barnes, Nod
Telling of a battle of words and perceptions in contemporary Vancouver, this is a dystopian novel with the nervous energy of a new world still being negotiated, and a keen sense of its own precariousness. It never feels as though it’s about to settle.
M. John Harrison, Viriconium
Possibly the ultimate anti-escapist fantasy (and almost certainly the only major work of fantastic literature to be set partly in my home town of Huddersfield). In this collection of novels and stories, it’s fantasy that does the escaping, leaving readers and characters alike scrabbling at mirrors.
Katie Kitamura, The Longshot
The tale of a mixed martial artist heading for one last shot at glory. This short novel is as taut and focused as a winning fighter; it’s a brilliant unity of form and subject.
Jonathan Lee, Joy
A fine character study of a successful young lawyer who attempts to take her own life in front of her work colleagues, and of other key figures in her life. Lee has superb control of voice and tone, and the whole novel is a great pleasure to read.
Simon Lelic, The Child Who
Here, by coincidence, is another incisive character study focusing on a lawyer – this time the solicitor defending a twelve-year-old accused of murder whom he (and everyone else) knows is guilty. This unusual angle enables Lelic to give certain key scenes an unexpected texture, and to give a complex picture of the issues he raises.
Karen Lord, Redemption in Indigo
A Senegalese folktale spliced with quantum physics. A morality tale whose only moral is that the reader should decide on one for herself. An examination of choice wrapped up in a glorious piece of storytelling that knows just when to turn on itself.
Julie Otsuka, The Buddha in the Attic
A chorus of narrators tells the story (and stories) of a group of Japanese ‘picture brides’ who go to the US at the start of the last century, and their descendants. Otsuka’s short novel is a beautiful composition whose focus shifts elegantly back and forth between a wider and more individual view.
Keith Ridgway, Hawthorn & Child
An anti-detective novel in which any semblance of narrative or coherence dissipates as soon as you look. Its pieces are brought together into a whole by superb writing and Ridgway’s distinctive aesthetic.
Adam Roberts, Jack Glass
Read during my ongoing semi-hiatus, this novel brings together Golden Age detective fiction and science fiction, and interrogates them. It is very much alive to the limitations and shortcomings of those types of fiction, but still plays fair with the reader. (See Jonathan McCalmont’s masterful review for more on the book.)
Zadie Smith, NW
A collage of a novel that examines the connections between several characters’ lives in north-west London. Smith goes through several different styles and approaches in NW, but all combine successfully in this insightful read.
Muriel Spark, The Driver’s Seat
A deeply unsettling piece of work that turns the concept of the murder mystery on its head and – perhaps even more effectively – puts a dark twist on the notion of a character study. This is the sort of novel that makes me want to explore the rest of its author’s œuvre.
Lucy Wood, Diving Belles
My favourite debut of the year, this collection brings Cornish folklore into the present day. These stories are by turns amusing, mysterious and evocative; I can’t wait to see what Wood writes next.
This will be my last blog post of 2012. Wherever you are, I’d like to thank you for reading and wish you well for the coming year. See you again in 2013.
A selection of 2011 favourites
Wherever you are, I hope you’re enjoying the festive season. Now it’s time for my annual look back on my favourite reads of the year. I’m going to split 2011’s list in two: six books from this year, six published in previous years. The lists are in alphabetical order of author surname, and all links will take you to my reviews.
Without further ado, then, here are six of my favourite books that received their first UK publication in 2011:
Aimee Bender, The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake
I love fantasy with structural elegance, and this book has it: it’s the tale of a girl who can taste the feelings of whoever made her food (and hence detects trouble in her family’s relationships); what I like most is that it works equally as well whether you read the protagonist’s ability literally or metaphorically.
Stuart Evers, Ten Stories About Smoking
Certainly the best-designed book I read in 2011 (it comes in a flip-top box made to resemble a packet of cigarettes, this is also a fine set of stories which use smoking as a metaphor in various ways; I look forward eagerly to Evers’ debut novel next year.
Helen Oyeyemi, Mr Fox
Variations on the tale of Bluebeard, embedded in the broader narrative of a writer and his muse, who is rather less imaginary than she appears. The sheer range of Mr Fox is impressive, but it’s a great read to boot.
Nat Segnit, Pub Walks in Underhill Country
The idea of a novel written as a ramblers’ guide might seem gimmicky, but what makes this book work is the way Segnit uses the structure as a means of characterisation: the protagonist’s wife has left him, and the walking-guide format is set against a more novelistic style as the narrator tries to keep a hold on his world.
Conrad Williams, Loss of Separation
A fascinating psychological portrait of a pilot who’s recovered from an air crash, only to find that his girlfriend has disappeared. Williams brilliantly plays creeping personal fears of decline and loss against grander horrors, and asks which is truly the most frightening.
Naomi Wood, The Godless Boys
A superb portrait of a divergent England ruled by the Church, where members of the Secular Movement have been exiled to a nearby island. Wood creates a vivid sense of place and character, and a subtle sense of how isolation has changed the Islanders’ ideas about faith.
And now half a dozen from previous years:
Chris Beckett, The Holy Machine
A translator in the world’s only atheist city-state falls in love with one of the city’s lifelike robots; when a new law raises the possibility that the android’s personality will be erased, the pair are forced to flee. Becektt’s complex examination of science, religion, and what it means to be human makes an interesting comparison with The Godless Boys, which I read in tandem with this.
Joe Moran, On Roads: a Hidden History
A wide-ranging and perceptive history of the British post-war road system. If that sounds dry, I can only emphasise that it’s quite the opposite, as Moran spins gold from such an everyday topic.
Sarah Salway, Leading the Dance
Another book which turns the ordinary into something more, this time in the form of short stories which reveal the significance of ostensibly mundane events to the people involved in them.
Robert Shearman, Love Songs for the Shy and Cynical
The single best book of short stories I read in 2011. Shearman combines the unremarkable and the fantastic to brilliant effect in a collection whose main subject is love, seen from various angles.
Rebecca Skloot, The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks
The story of how cancer cells taken from a poor African American woman played a vital part in modern medicine, though for twenty years her family didn’t even know a sample had been taken. Though this is a fascinating tale in its own right, Skloot’s orchestration of her material makes it all the more so.
Mike Thomas, Pocket Notebook
I didn’t know what to expect from this story of a police officer going off the rails, and it utterly blew me away. One of the best written books I’ve read all year, one of the sharpest character-portraits… I can’t wait to see what Thomas writes next.
So that’s my dozen picks from the reading year. What books have you most enjoyed?
© 2020 David's Book World
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Heroes of Feonora
Dungeon Misadventures
Well. Here it is. After no small amount of toil and trouble (and rewrites) we are glad to be able to share this refreshed and updated version of the Dungeon Card deck.
In addition to expanded content and card mechanics we've tried to find ways to enable more opportunities for players to add their own little touches of dramatic flair. Take turns reading each card aloud and see if you can draw the other players into the scene of the encounter.
On an aesthetic level this deck is now in parity with the Adventure deck ~ updated this past April. Also, as you'll soon see, a handful of cards were either reworked or developed specifically for this update.
The full changelog
The Dark Mushroom Creature (D001) was eaten by a Belching Troll Monster, who wasn't even hungry. It's a tough world out there. But there are plenty of other Mushroom creatures roaming the dark places ...for one reason or another.
Strange thing about Leaping Elasti-Leeches (D002). It turns out they have a medicinal purpose (and therefore some monetary value) in the remote tribal areas of the Northlands, which is why brave warriors have been combing the caves and dungeons of the land to harvest these things. So you aren't likely to see any more Elasti-Leeches unless you happen to develop the Scivvyboggoms whilst traveling through some of the wilder regions of the Northlands.
The Dungeon Scribbles (D005) heard about what you did to their topside cousins' great ancestor and joined up with them to hunt you down like the no-goody stompy stompers you are. Consider yourself warned.
The Colony of Bear Bugs (D006) moved above ground once they realized there was much higher quality garbage to be found in that one region of the land where wastefulness is a bad habit and so many folks are just "throwing away perfectly good food while others go hungry." Well the Bear Bugs certainly aren't going hungry that's for sure. Thanks everyone.
At some point, we won't say when, you are going to learn something about Cockroaches (D009) that you probably never knew... but it's totally true.
Gelatinus Gelatin (D010) was stomped into a messy puddle of gelatinus by-product by a Belching Troll Monster. And it wasn't even in the way!
The Group of Fierce Goblins (D012) are still around, only they've been hitting the pubs, originally to look for girl Goblins (yeah! right! as if!) but ultimately because it seemed like that's what all the cool Goblins were doing on telovision and they didn't want to feel left out.
The Band of Brigands (D015) you'll be glad to know met with some of those Northland warriors mentioned earlier and, suffice it to say, didn't fare too well.
Oh and it turns out that Bands of Brigands don't tend to carry around Leaping Elasti-Leaches in those packs of theirs. Now we know.
A word of advice, should you run into any Undead Pirates (D017)
...don't try any funny business.
Oh, the Rock Golem (D024). Turns out it wasn't exactly what we all thought it was. Not in the Oh heck who IS this person I just took on as a roommate! sort of way, but more like the what you start to notice by the third or fourth date sort of way. Yeah.
Okay, there's actually a really funny story about the Purple Ooze (D026) but we don't have time to tell it here. Suffice it to say you do not want to buy any street tacos from those Goblins over in the swamps.
Actually, we are pretty sure the Mud Creature (D027) is still around. It's just that it's rather difficult to locate when it doesn't want to be found. I mean, have you beeen to some of these deep, dark underground places all dank and damp and,
well... Muddy! Like omigosh.
Pay attention to the Restless Mummy (D028) and you might just learn something about how to be a true winner at the next corporate team-building function.
Turns out Undead Ogre (D029) has escaped from the Dungeon and now wanders the countryside selling questionable "Hot Dogeys" from his secondhand food truck. They're a big hit in Orc country.
Coin Grubber (D034) has been re-imagined as something similar, but different.
Meanwhile, Yeti Coin Grubber (D035) was taken away (with a beam of light) by aliens, in the dark of the night, to be studied as some form of "early ancestor" that just happened, by coincidence, to somehow have developed on a planet over four parsecs from the homeworld. Pretty cool huh.
Take note. If properly smited (smote?) the Garbage Heap (D038) now counts toward the Battle Badge. Be sure to collect the card.
The Booby traps are still there. Try to watch your step.
We've given the Suffocating Smoggy Fog (D047) something of an, let's say "immersive quality."
The mechanics of the Basilisk (D048) encounter are now more about the Group Leader doing their jolly best to look out for the other members of the party, as a dutiful Group Leader should.
The various snaggly encounters (D049) to (D051) can now be avoided with a solid attack roll. If you're quick.
Both Secret Passageways (D053) and (D054) have been replaced with entirely new situations.
The Trap Doors are still there. Try to watch your step.
Mipflop the Merchant (D058) in addition to selling his usual three items to each player, will now also trade one of his items for one player item with a successful Persuasion roll. The intent is that each player must make their own attempt at persuading him to trade. You don't actually have to purchase to attempt the trade.
More Unfortunate Souls (D063) has been replaced by a character encounter.
Lost Goblin (D065), Foreboding Wind (D067), Footloose Hand (D069), Cryptic Messages (D070) and Potion of Curiosity (D072) have all been changed over to a more open-ended form of Group Roleplaying card, each slightly unique from the other. It's best to read and listen carefully.
The Lost Adventurer (D074)? Well. She's gone home of course. I mean, you did show her the way out did you not? After all that is what true heroes do when they encounter a lost fellow adventurer. What is she up to now? Oh. We're not sure.
Actually we heard someone mention she had given up adventuring to go back into the pet grooming business. Apparently there's good coin to be made doing that, especially if you call it a "Doggy Daycare Health Spa Envy Retreat."
Now, just a bit of trivia on her replacement. We were pretty tempted to let the group decide the fate of the Group Leader on this one... you'll understand.
The Goblin leader of the Wandering Theatre Troupe (D079) that you are bound to meet at some point... if you want to know, his name is "Mercutio Baby!" (but we couldn't fit it on the card).
Tavern Talk
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These ranking sets have been generated by a recent version of the software, using recent data and will not match previously published issues of the rankings, especially since a majority of these generated sets are for dates much earlier than the site’s inception.
Rankings will list until the next relatively standard increment (Top 5, 10, 15, etc.) after the last fighter at 20 points is found, to a maximum amount (found in the current rankings). At a bare minimum, a fighter needs at least 15 points to be displayed.
Gathering data for the “unknown division lists” are crucial in building these sets, so if you want to help us research, please review these lists and inform us in the forum.
Some of the older divisional lists are very small, or even blank, due to limited fights and/or limited data.
Once deemed as retired or assumed as such (no fights scheduled, no fights in past 900 days from last update or manually marked as retired/deceased/etc), fighters are removed from any ranking pages more recent than their last fight. This is the one major difference between these sets and the current rankings.
Note: Fighter records within these historical rankings represent their records at the date of the rankings.
Ranked Fighters: 1-25 >>>
<< Previous Issue Next Issue >>
Issue 01/01/202010/01/201907/01/201904/01/201901/01/201910/01/201807/01/201804/01/201801/01/201810/01/201707/01/201704/01/201701/01/201710/01/201607/01/201604/01/201601/01/201610/01/201507/01/201504/01/201501/01/201510/01/201407/01/201404/01/201401/01/201410/01/201307/01/201304/01/201301/01/201310/01/201207/01/201204/01/201201/01/201210/01/201107/01/201104/01/201101/01/201110/01/201007/01/201004/01/201001/01/201010/01/200907/01/200904/01/200901/01/200910/01/200807/01/200804/01/200801/01/200810/01/200707/01/200704/01/200701/01/200710/01/200607/01/200604/01/200601/01/200610/01/200507/01/200504/01/200501/01/200510/01/200407/01/200404/01/200401/01/200410/01/200307/01/200304/01/200301/01/200310/01/200207/01/200204/01/200201/01/200210/01/200107/01/200104/01/200101/01/200110/01/200007/01/200004/01/200001/01/200010/01/199907/01/199904/01/199901/01/199910/01/199807/01/199804/01/199801/01/199810/01/199707/01/199704/01/199701/01/199710/01/199607/01/199604/01/199601/01/199610/01/199507/01/199504/01/199501/01/199510/01/199407/01/199404/01/199401/01/199410/01/199307/01/199304/01/199301/01/199310/01/199207/01/199204/01/199201/01/199210/01/199107/01/199104/01/199101/01/199110/01/199007/01/199004/01/199001/01/1990 Division Pound-for-PoundDivision Dominance ListHeavyweightLightHeavyweightMiddleweightWelterweightLightweightFeatherweightBantamweightFlyweightStrawweightWomen - Pound-for-PoundWomen - Division DominanceWomen - Featherweight+Women - BantamweightWomen - FlyweightWomen - StrawweightWomen - Atomweight
Note: Rankings include fights on selected date.
Last Generated on 01/12/2020
Rank ↑ ↓ Fighter Record Points
1 Joanna Jedrzejczyk 11-0-0
2 Claudia Gadelha 13-1-0
3 2 Livinha Souza 9-0-0
4 -1 Jessica Aguilar 19-5-0
5 2 Rose Namajunas 4-2-0
6 2 Karolina Kowalkiewicz 8-0-0
7 -1 Carla Esparza 10-3-0
8 1 Valerie Letourneau 8-4-0
9 1 Tecia Torres 7-0-0
10 1 Joanne Calderwood 10-1-0
11 1 Alexa Grasso 7-0-0
12 1 Jessica Penne 12-3-0
13 2 Maryna Moroz 6-1-0
14 8 Mizuki Inoue 12-3-0
15 1 Michelle Waterson 13-4-0
16 1 Viviane Pereira 10-0-0
17 1 Randa Markos 5-3-0
18 1 Juliana Lima 8-2-0
19 NR Justine Kish 5-0-0
20 Polyana Viana 7-1-0
21 Virna Jandiroba 6-0-0
22 21 Bec Rawlings 7-4-0
23 Sharon Jacobson 4-1-0
24 NR Tatiana Suarez 3-0-0
25 -1 Sheila Gaff 9-6-0
Last 5 Fights
'Big League' Record:
Qual Perf %:
540 Opp Strength:
Win Finish %:
Combat Age:
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The Hepton Singers
Hear the choir
Hepton Singers/Rudsambee exchange
Hepton Singers in Europe
DO YOU SING ALTO, TENOR OR BASS?
If you’re an alto, a tenor or a bass and are interested in joining Hepton Singers, please ring our Director, Richard Bunzl, on 01422 846867 or email choir@heptonsingers.co.uk
The Hepton Singers is a chamber choir based in Hebden Bridge, West Yorkshire. The choir performs varied programmes of mainly a capella music from the 16th Century to the present day. The Hepton Singers has a strong local following, performing regularly in Heptonstall Parish Church as well as other venues across the north of England. The choir’s Musical Director is Dr Richard Bunzl.
Photo: Craig Shaw photography
The choir also tours nationally and internationally, usually through exchanges with similar ensembles. In 2011 the choir welcomed visiting choirs Ars Nova Sacra and Le Vezzose from Budapest. In July 2012 The Hepton Singers returned to Hungary, having last performed there in 2005. Between 2013 and 2015 the choir took part in a European-funded project called SOL/Grundtvig, which also involved eight other choirs (click here to read more). In April 2016 The Hepton Singers visited Edinburgh in the first leg of an exchange with Rudsambee Company of Singers. A year later Rudsambee came to Hebden Bridge and we performed a joint concert at Heptonstall Church.
In the summer of 2018 we said farewell to Alison West, who had been our director and co-director for 16 years, and had sung with the choir for 17 years before that.
“I just blew into Kilkenny, home now from the windy city of Manchester – the weather was not for the fainthearted. On Saturday night,myself and my pal Ruth O’ Gorman, made the journey to what I perceive as the centre of Wuthering Heights universe, Heptonstall to experience Helen Plaice with The Hepton Singers perform live in St. Thomas Church. It was a truly beautiful concert, mysterious and ethereal, its brave and technical programme kept the audience on their toes. It was made even more special as the wind wrapped itself around the church in the heart of the Yorkshire highlands. We received the heartiest of welcomes and found it difficult to head back into the city. No sign of Heathcliff alas, but plenty of tea and cake on offer. The Hepton Singers, not to be missed !!” Mary Hogan, Kilkenny.
Here’s a video of The Hepton Singers, conducted by Alison West, singing Britten’s Chorale from an Old French Carol and Palestrina’s Sicut Cervus.
Come to a concert
e: choir@heptonsingers.co.uk
Click here to be added to our mailing list
Tweets by HeptonSingers
© 2015 – 2020 The Hepton Singers
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of all the message boards on the internet, this is one...
1206959 Posts in 42572 Topics by 8836 Members
Latest Member: Riggan
Here Today... Gone To Hell!
Guns N' Roses sue brewery over Guns 'N' Rosé beer 0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic. « previous next »
Author Topic: Guns N' Roses sue brewery over Guns 'N' Rosé beer (Read 2075 times)
GypsySoul
SLAM DUNK!!!
Guns N' Roses sue brewery over Guns 'N' Rosé beer
Rock band argue the beer will look to consumers like an official product and has caused them ‘irreparable damage’
Axl Rose and Slash of Guns N’ Roses. Photograph: Victor Lerena/EPA
Guns N’ Roses are suing a Colorado brewery for trademark infringement over a beer named Guns ‘N’ Rosé.
In a California court filing, the band argue that consumers are likely to be confused by the branding from Oskar Blues Brewery, part of the Canarchy Craft Brewing Collective, and could assume it is an official partnership. The complaint argues that the band’s brand has thus had “irreparable damage” done to it by the craft beer, and has “suffered and continues to suffer and/or is likely to suffer damage to their trademarks, business reputation, and goodwill”.
It argues that the brewery “should not be entitled to continue to sell infringing products and intentionally trade on the GNR’s goodwill, prestige, and fame without GNR’s approval, license, or consent”. The band are seeking damages and legal costs.
Oskar Blues Brewery has not yet responded to the lawsuit. It had attempted to trademark the Guns N’ Rosé name and abandoned the application after opposition from the band – but is understood to intend to continue selling the beer until March 2020. Its flavour is described as “sticky prickly pear and floral hibiscus with a subtle hop profile”.
Guns N’ Roses continue to tour following their 2016 reunion, with Slash and Duff McKagan saying that writing is under way for a new album, their first since 2008’s Chinese Democracy.
The band have faced numerous lawsuits in the past: separate claims by former members Steven Adler and Chris Pitman over unpaid earnings were both settled, and they were also sued in 2008 by German ambient musician Ulrich Schnauss, after two of his pieces were used on Chinese Democracy. The band denied the claim, saying they had been told the samples had been sourced legitimately.
https://www.theguardian.com
God chose those whom the world considers absurd to shame the wise (1 Corinthians 1:27)
D-GenerationX
Just A Monkey In The Wrench
Re: Guns N' Roses sue brewery over Guns 'N' Rosé beer
So they approach the band, get rebuffed, and plow ahead anyway?
My god. Who is THEIR lawyer?
I Can Finally Say I Saw Guns N' Roses Without Any Caveats, Qualifiers, Or Preambles. And It Was GLORIOUS. Best Concert Of My Life.
PermissionToLand
Quote from: D-GenerationX on May 10, 2019, 09:51:49 PM
Not quite, they tried to trademark the name but the band stopped them. That is more understandable but I don't think Guns have much of a case on simply naming the beer that. If they named it "Guns N Roses Beer" they might have a case, but simply making a pun based on their name isn't the same.
And are they selling a competing beer? If not, how has it caused any damages?
Lord Stan
Quote from: PermissionToLand on May 11, 2019, 01:13:17 AM
I agree there is no damage because how could there be but this is still crazy. The brewery knows full well they are using the name of a famous rock band hoping to sell more because of the name.
And that is unacceptable. They could name their shit anything else. Trying to be clever not using the exact name but meaning it to be the same.
allwaystired
Here Today...
Pretty dumb thing to do really. If it was my company I'd have knocked it on the head with a sincere apology at the first sign the band weren't happy.
"Beyond the realms of dedication, venturing worryingly deep sometimes into obsessional delusion"
Quote from: Lord Stan on May 11, 2019, 03:02:34 AM
I agree there is no damage because how could there be but they are using the name of a famous rock band hoping to sell more
That's exactly it. There isn't any "damage" per se, but they ARE making money off the band because the beer is going to sell based on the similar name. If I were GNR, I wouldn't take too kindly to that either.
Quote from: Bridge on May 12, 2019, 05:31:52 PM
Is it though? I mean, would anybody actively go out of their way to seek out this beer at this bar just because of the name? Whether somebody picks that over another drink at the same bar makes no difference to the bar if they are already there drinking something either way. The only way it drives up sales is if people come specifically because of that beer.
If you're reading this, you've just wasted valuable time!
"You're an idiot"
Quote from: PermissionToLand on May 12, 2019, 08:14:55 PM
The bar doesn't matter in this case.
Selling more beer doesn't imply making people go out and actively look for the beer and buy it.
It's the brewery that's using the GN'R name and has decided to closely associate one of their products with the band's famous name. So just one person buying one bottle of this beer because it has a cool name, almost like the rock band's, means their tactic worked....
/jarmo
Disclaimer: My posts are my personal opinion. I do not speak on behalf of anybody else unless I say so. If you are looking for hidden meanings in my posts, you are wasting your time...
pilferk
Marmite Militia, taking over one piece of toast at a time!!!
So....we might not like how this is being done, but....
Satire is protected, even in product names, by the Constitution in the US.
And the brewery can make a pretty good case this is satire.
The brewery can't use GnRs logo, likenesses, etc, but in this case, GnR would have to prove the name causes one of two things:
1) Confusion
2) Dilution
I would guess GnR are going to argue Confusion (that people might mistake this for an official GnR product). I think that's a tough sell as long as there are no logo infringements or pictures of band members on the label. The name, itself, could be considered a satirical take without some other form of "relationship" indicators. I've seen TONS of other beer names (Dr. Strangehaze, Hop Wars (using the Star Wars font), Fruit Loop, etc) go through similar C&Ds and the courts usually rule it's fair use based on satire, as long as there aren't other product indicators (ex: The Fruit Loop beer couldn't show actually ringed fruity breakfast cereal on their labels).
And Dilution would be near impossible because it would be tough to argue that even a shitty beer would effect perception of the bands musical efforts. Ask Metallica. Their official beer is pretty shitty.
I don't like it either...and I'm of a mind that if the big time musical act doesn't see it as a flattering homage, you just pull it and relabel it as something else. But I think in a court case.....it's not a great case for GnR. And, honestly, all it's doing is selling more beer for the brewery.
« Last Edit: May 13, 2019, 07:27:55 AM by pilferk » Logged
Together again,
Gee, it's good to be together again,
I just can't imagine that you've ever been gone
It's not starting over, it's just going on
I was aware of this beer prior to this- i wasn't aware of the brewery, or any other beers they make or have made.
The reason? GNR. That says all you need to know right?
The band have to take a stand on things this, otherwise it's a slippery slope. It's just business really. Sounds like they offered the brewers a sensible solution first too- say sorry and stop producing it, or rename it. That's a route most peoople would take then up on- that they chose to ignore that suggests to me that they're making money off the GNR name, rather than the quality of the product.
I tried this beer a couple of months ago. it is on tap at Brickwall Tavern in Philly. I saw it on the list, so it was a no brainer to try. i liked it. pretty good beer.
sucks about the lawsuit, but can't blame them. in the end, free press for brewery so they won't be hurting.
"We're from Philly, fuckin' Philly. No one likes us, we don't care."
(Jason Kelce, Philadelphia Eagles, February 8, 2018
Quote from: sandman on May 13, 2019, 11:56:37 AM
No doubt the GNR reference would have caught my attention but I doubt I would have tried it because no way am I drinking what possibly could actually be "Rosé" flavored beer!!! And they can also keep all their micro-brews or whatever. I'll have a Bud!
That being said,
A little bit of an ironic lawsuit from a band with the major hit song "Nightrain"
I confess, I bought it just because of the GNR connection.
Quote from: allwaystired on May 11, 2019, 03:56:21 AM
This is what I was getting at.
ITARocker
"Ol? Ol? Ol?, Axl Axl!!!"
I don't think this lawsuit would work here in Europe, I studied a little bit of antitrust law and for what I can remember if you use a similar brand but you work in a different sector you won't create confusion for consumers. If i have a brand named cola cola and i sell red cars, i can do it without any problem. But maybe i remember wrong, too many years
Quote from: ITARocker on May 14, 2019, 03:11:25 AM
I don't think this lawsuit would work here in Europe
Europe is Europe and thankfully we don't have that American bullshit where you sue everyone for a ridiculous amount of money that they couldn't possibly pay anyway. Sometimes something probably even didn't happen but let's sue. See you in court.
Guns N' Roses settles lawsuit over Guns 'N' Rosé beer
FILE PHOTO: Axl Rose, lead singer of U.S. rock band Guns N' Roses, performs during their "Not in This Lifetime... Tour" at the du Arena in Abu Dhabi
(Reuters) - Guns N' Roses has settled a lawsuit in which it accused the Colorado brewery Oskar Blues of trademark infringement for selling Guns 'N' Rosé ale and merchandise without permission.
According to a Monday court filing by the rock band's lawyers, both sides agreed in principle to settle on July 31, and are working on a written settlement that would lead to the lawsuit's dismissal.
Guns N' Roses, whose general partners include singer Axl Rose, guitarist Slash and bassist Duff McKagan, accused Oskar Blues on May 9 of deliberately trading off its fame and goodwill by selling Guns 'N' Rosé, starting in early 2018.
It also objected to the sale of related T-shirts, stickers, buttons and bandannas, saying Oskar Blues confused beer drinkers into thinking Guns N' Roses and Guns 'N' Rosé were connected.
The Longmont, Colorado-based brewery, whose products include Dale's Pale Ale, has described Guns 'N' Rosé as combining "sticky prickly pear and floral hibiscus with a subtle hop profile."
Lawyers for the band and the brewery did not immediately respond on Tuesday to separate requests for comment.
Other craft breweries including Lagunitas, Rogue, Sierra Nevada and Stone have also been in trademark lawsuits, whether as plaintiffs or defendants, as the swelling ranks of breweries make it tougher to come up with new ways to sell beer.
The Brewers Association said the United States had 7,346 craft breweries in 2018, up from 3,814 in 2014.
The case is Guns N' Roses v Canarchy Craft Brewery Collective LLC d/b/a Oskar Blues Brewery, U.S. District Court, Central District of California, No. 19-04052.
(Reporting by Jonathan Stempel in New York; editing by Jonathan Oatis)
Guns N' Roses Settles Legal Battle Over Knockoff Guns 'N' Rose Beer and Merch
Ryan Naumann, TheBlast
Guns N’ Roses has reached a deal to drop the lawsuit they brought against a company allegedly hawking beer and merchandise using the band name.
According to court documents obtained by The Blast, Guns N’ Roses – including Axl Rose and Slash – have reached a settlement agreement with Canarchy Craft Brewery Collective.
The band informed the court, “Plaintiff and Defendant CANarchy Craft Brewery Collective LLC have been engaged in settlement discussions since the filing of the Complaint on May 9, 2019. On July 31, 2019, Plaintiff and Defendant reached an agreement in principle that resolves all claims asserted in, and will result in dismissal of, the Complaint. The parties are in the process of finalizing a written settlement agreement and expect to execute a written agreement that will lead to dismissal of the Complaint in the near term.”
Guns N’ Roses is asking the judge to allow them more time to finalize the deal and they will then dismiss their lawsuit.
Earlier this year, Axl Rose, Slash and Duff McKagan came together to sue Canarchy Craft Brewery Collective over a beer they've been selling called Guns 'N' Rose.
In addition, the band claimed the company has been selling hats, t-shirts, pint glasses, stickers, buttons, and bandannas with the name on them.
GNR claimed Canarchy tried to trademark the name but after the band objected, they agreed to abandon the application.
Axl and the boys claim they reached out several times to tell them to stop selling all the goods completely and claim Canarchy agreed to stop ... but not until March 2020.
That didn't fly with GNR but they claimed Canarchy “refused to immediately and completely cease sales and marketing" the beer and all the goods.
Guns N' Roses sued for trademark infringement and sought unspecified damages.
cineater
I don't think we are getting our beer. It's not on their site and the merchandise isn't even in the sales section. It's gone.
The wheel is turning and you can't slow down
You can't let go and you can't hold on
Re: Guns N' Roses settles lawsuit over Guns 'N' Rosé beer
Quote from: GypsySoul on August 13, 2019, 07:30:48 PM
Lol. You got guts kid.
Quote from: (t) on August 14, 2019, 12:24:03 AM
She went on to dispute the band’s claims of trademark infringement — and then took a direct shot. “We see no evidence that your client has reached a level of fame to warrant the extraordinary remedies of the Trademark Dilution Revision Act of 2006.”
And that's when they crossed the line from gutsy to, what are you smoking?
I still think it was an amazingly stupid move by the brewery.....and even more stupid not to just say "oh, sorry, we'll cease making it straight away, issue an apology and try and make amends".
Jump to: Please select a destination: ----------------------------- Guns N' Roses ----------------------------- => Guns N' Roses => GNN - GN'R News Network => Dead Horse => GN'R On Tour! ===> Not In This Lifetime 2016-2019 ===> World Tour 2009-14 ===> Past tours ===> Europe 2006 ===> North America 2006 ===> World Tour 2007 ----------------------------- The Perils Of Rock N' Roll Decadence ----------------------------- => Solo & side projects + Ex-members ===> Duff, Slash & Velvet Revolver =====> Spectacle - VR on tour ----------------------------- Wake up, it's time to play! ----------------------------- => Nice Boys Don't Play Rock And Roll => Appetite For Collection => BUY Product ----------------------------- Off Topic ----------------------------- => The Jungle => Bad Obsession => Fun N' Games ----------------------------- Administrative ----------------------------- => Administrative, Feedback & Help
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Air India to get Rs 1,713 crore as equity support
The centre has agreed to grant equity support to Air India under the Rs 30,000 crore bailout package
GN Bureau | November 28, 2016
#Air India #equity support #bailout package
State run carrier Air India will receive less than half of the equity support it sought from the government this fiscal. The national carrier had sought Rs 3,900 crore from the government, while the latter has agreed to grant only Rs 1,713 crore in 2017 fiscal, The Financial Express reported.
The government is granting equity support to Air India under its plan of Rs 30,000 crore bailout package, the report said.
Sources said due to less financial support from the government, Air India is likely to face hardships to meet its operational and financial targets. Notably, for the first time in a decade, Air India posted an operating profit of Rs 105 crore in the last fiscal.
“Air India is going to induct new aircraft and would require funds for that and to meet other key expenses. The only way left is to approach the banks which means rise in our interest cost,” an official said.
According to the report, during the April-June quarter of the current fiscal, the airline registered an operational loss of Rs 246.14 crore. The target fixed by Air India for operating profit for the first quarter of 2016-17 was Rs 87.28 crore. The reason attributed for the loss during the quarter was decline in revenue yields by around 6 percent over the budgeted target resulting in decline in passenger revenue. Fall in cargo revenue compared was also emerged as one of the reason behind depleting earning.
Sources said the national carrier, this year, is slated to induct 14 Airbus A320 aircraft and 6 Boeing Dreamliner (787) and three 777 aircraft on lease. The airline also needs additional manpower to run a new fleet of aircraft.
#equity support
#bailout package
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A School Engaging in the Steep Part of the Innovation Curve: University Prep, Seattle
Home/Education Innovation Journey of Learning, Uncategorized/A School Engaging in the Steep Part of the Innovation Curve: University Prep, Seattle
It’s one thing to hear a school boast that it is “innovative” or to see that word splashed across their website. It is quite another, and still rarer than we would like, to find a trove or artifacts at at school that, together, paint a real picture of sustained, intentional, innovation. The later is what I found when I toured University Prep School in Seattle, and spent the morning with their head of school, Matt Levinson. Twenty minutes on a school’s website and I can usually tell if they are on the arc of change from traditional to post-industrial, but it takes wandering around, asking provocative questions, and poking into classrooms for me to fill out that “innovation rubric” or scorecard that I first built several years ago.
Here are some of those “artifacts” that I found at University Prep:
Their strategic plan is remarkably simple and contains almost none of the numerous, common, banal, and therefore relatively meaningless clauses that we find in so many school strategic plans. It lays out just a handful of key goals that will specifically impact learning, and each of those goals is now a north star for integrated teacher-admin-student (with parent advisor) design team who are tasked to investigate, design, and produce prototypes in one year.
They have doubled their pool of qualified teaching candidates in just two year, particularly amongst people of color. As Matt says, they have “changed the supply network” by reaching out to historically black colleges and universities, increasing their presence at job fairs, and very loudly stating “this is who we are and we are looking for the right match. If that is you, seek us out”.
A teacher who told us that an alum who graduated just two years ago visited last week and told him, “The school looks and feels very different than just two years ago (in very positive ways)”.
When several students had the courage to tell their teachers “I don’t see myself in this curriculum”, the faculty stopped, gathered, listened deeply to the students, and almost immediately began re-crafting units with greater attention to the racial, gender, ethnic, and interest identification of their students.
In the first year that the school has offered online courses (through Global Online Academy), almost 15% of the student body have signed up to take at least one online course next year.
Every member of the faculty is on a continuous looping three-year self-growth plan, which includes significant funding for every teacher to design and pursue professional growth that is aligned to the school’s rubric of the “characteristics of good teaching”. It does not matter how senior; the expectation is that we all can and must continue to grow as educators.
Matt told me that he wants every member of his team to feel comfortable with “launching ideas or pilots that are 75-80% baked, when most traditional teachers are really only comfortable when something is 97% baked”. Those are bold directives, but University Prep appears to me to be one of those schools that is building culture, not just trying things. By hiring, supporting, and expecting teachers to break out of the traditional shell, innovation happens. As detailed in a blog by Richard Kassissieh, Academic Dean and Director of Strategic Program Initiatives, the UPrep Next Generation Learning Strategic Plan is being enacted by design teams that are tackling big pieces of the school operating system. These teams of diverse stakeholders sound exactly like those I have worked with other schools to set up when they are serious about aligning “what they do with what they say they value” in their forward-looking visions.
Today, University Prep is not a school at which others might say “Wow; that is SOOO different than my school”. But they are absolutely on the path to becoming one of those schools, and, in my opinion, in the very near future. They are passionate about some qiuite lofty goals that imagine an education richer in both themes and action related to social justice, student well-being, global citizenship, and deep learning in the community that will be vastly more sustainable with this cultural foundation that is reflected in artifacts that truly stand out to this observer.
By Grant Lichtman| 2017-05-26T15:46:20+00:00 May 26th, 2017|Education Innovation Journey of Learning, Uncategorized|0 Comments
The Time We Spend in School
A GREAT Example of a School’s North Star
Make 2020 a Change Year!
Busting Myths That Inhibit Change
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High-End Italian Meets the Laid-Back Berkshires
Nichole Dupont 02:32PM / Monday March 28, 2011
Fiori more than fills the empty void at the end of Railroad Street.
GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. — The haunting of Railroad Street has come to an end, hopefully. The dark shell of Pearl's, which has stood empty for nearly two years, is now bustling with a stylish crowd and an impressive menu of new Italian classics.
Enter Fiori, which opened recently at the "bottom" of Railroad Street. Of course, I wanted to go in on opening day and do my little write-up then, but reviewing a restaurant when its first opens is, I feel, in bad form. So, last week when a friend suggested that we meet at the bar for a drink, my curiosity got the better of me.
"Of course, sounds great," I said, thinking that I was being rather gallant by steeling myself against ordering any food, because then I'd absolutely have to write a review.
When I arrived there, I was relieved to discover that my usual attire of jeans and black T-shirt was actually fine. In fact, the place was crawling with jeans and T-shirt folks (one was even wearing a baggy sweat shirt) just looking to eat some good food. But, again, I was not there to eat, just to sip a cocktail and watch everyone's dishes go sailing by leaving the delicious fumes behind to torture me.
Needless to say, the torture didn't last long. I tried sipping my Old-Fashioned with indifference, until my friend piped up.
Fiori is operated by brothers Alexander and Matthew Feldman at 47 Railroad St. Serving dinner daily beginning at 6; expected to open for lunch this summer. Find out more by calling 413-528-0351 or friend them on Facebook.
"You want to get some apps or something? I'm a little hungry."
And that was that. Before I knew it I was looking at a little bar menu (on very nice card stock, I might add) deciding on whether I wanted the cheese plate, the fries with garlic anchovy sauce or the duck liver pate over crispy bread. I finally settled on the pate and this curious little dish that sounded so intriguing I had to try it — anchovy-stuffed sage leaves fried with a panko breading. How could I not. My friend ordered the fries with the sauce and scallops from the dinner menu.
"I'm not trying to impress anyone tonight," she said.
We waited and chatted and enjoyed the general feeling of vibrancy around us. Once our pungent order came, it was all business. In fact, we didn't even try to carry on a conversation for the first 10 minutes. We just savored and sighed.
The pate, which is always an acquired taste, was the perfect mix of salt and the mild, irony tinge of all things liver-related. It was served on warm bread (spread for you) and that warmth seemed to allow the flavors of the pate to mix and soften. After taking a few bites of that farm-y deliciousness, it was time to move on to the anchovies. What struck me immediately was the breading. It was practically greaseless and when I bit into it, my mouth did not fill up with the oil that usually comes out of such a dish. In fact, the panko breading was just a formality compared to the explosion of sage on the palette. It seemed that the flavor would stop there, but the anchovy in the middle immediately dissolved the taste of the sage so that all that remained was a salty, herbal taste on the roof of the mouth.
"You've gotta try one of these," I said, pushing the basket of little fish to my friend. She dove in and had three while I took liberties with her saucy fries.
Don't be intimidated by Fiori's Manhattan, hipster-esque reputation (thanks to Pearl's). Although the high-end Italian cuisine gives pause, especially to local diners, it also encourages you to eat with your hands and savor every bite.
Tags: Fiori, Great Barrington
Riverbend Cafe Serves Up Healthy Fare
Nichole Dupont 09:48AM / Thursday December 30, 2010
Riverbend Cafe, dares her customers to try something new and healthy.
GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. — Lindsey Tuller's got a good thing going and she knows it.
For the last eight years, the 31-year-old owner of the Riverbend Cafe (formerly Uncommon Grounds) at 403 Stockbridge Road has been serving up organic coffee, vegan biscotti and specialty smoothies to customers looking for a healthier food experience. And for eight years, they keep coming back for more. The secret to her success, she said, is not being afraid to try something new.
"I get a lot of suggestions from customers and from my employees. I take their input seriously," she said.
The cafe offers up several specialty fair trade coffees.
As a result of that input and of Tuller's own food sense, the cafe has become a hotspot for tourists, locals and passers through. The menu includes 20 different homemade smoothies geared toward every taste, Fair Trade organic coffee beverages, hearty sandwiches on bread made in-house, a full breakfast menu and a children's menu that includes the classic Peanut Butter, Banana and Honey Sandwich.
"We really get everybody in here," Tuller said. "We definitely get more of a family crowd, but we also get the construction guys. At first they come in here and kind of make fun of each other for ordering, especially the soy meats. I guarantee them that they will like the breakfast sandwich with soy sausage, and they always do. It's about trying something new."
In addition to the breakfast sandwich, which is "affordable and fills you up," the menu also includes baked goods, all of which are made on the premises.
"We now do all of our own baking. All of our flours are organic, the bread is homemade, there is no butter in any of our cooking," she said. "We do try to cater a little bit more to the vegans as far as our bakery items go. I don't think any other cafe does what we do."
And does it well. Tuller said the Riverbend is solely reliant on its local clientele to keep the place hopping. Art, statuary and good food make Riverbend home to a diverse crowd of skiers, writers, builders and, most importantly, area residents.
Art, statuary and good food make Riverbend home to a diverse crowd of skiers, writers, builders and most importantly, locals.
"The summer crowd makes it doable, but we are only here because of the regulars," she said. "In July and August a lot of our customers go into hiding and they return right after Labor Day. They get their coffee, their sandwiches; they buy pounds of coffee and get gift certificates for their teenage kids. I have one customer, he's from South Africa, and he's here every day at 7:30 in the morning waiting for us to open up. That says a lot."
The family atmosphere, according to Tuller, is a natural offshoot of the atmosphere surrounding the Riverbend staff itself.
"It's hard to stay inspired in this business. I rely on my employees to keep me inspired. I need them to tell me what I'm not seeing," she said. "We call each other family. We are a family."
Tuller's place at the head of the family table was hard-earned. At 23, she bought the business (that she managed for two years prior to the sale) and became an instant entrepreneur. While most people were supportive of her endeavor, Tuller said she would have done a few things differently.
"For the first four years, I wish I'd asked for more support. I learned that over the years," she said. "A lot of business owners, especially women, have come forward and given me things that they think I need and that's been great. This isn't the kind of business that will pay you while you're not here. I'm not a vacationer. I'm here, every day, right alongside my employees. I'm in it."
The Riverbend Cafe is open Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and weekends from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, call 413-528-0858.
Tags: Great Barrington, cafe
Stephanie Farrington of Berkshire Food is contributing to our Eats blog — all about food, all the time.
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Interview: Innovation with Machine Learning
Iprova founder and CEO Julian Nolan discusses Iprova’s invention process and technology in an interview with Rahim Rahemtulla at the…
Iprova opens Cambridge, UK research facility at the heart of the Science Park
Data-driven invention firm, Iprova, is proud to announce the opening of its new research facility in the Cambridge Science Park…
Bill Fischer, Professor of Innovation Management, shares his view on data-driven invention and its impact on the ideas business
There’s nothing Prof. Bill Fischer doesn’t know about the ideas business, especially when it comes to how new ideas are…
Ruud Peters, former CIPO at Philips talks about today’s challenges in R&D and how data-driven invention can help solve them
Ruud Peters, former Chief Intellectual Property Officer and Executive Vice President at Philips has provided us with his view on…
Sir Hossein Yassaie announced as keynote speaker at the 2nd Data-Driven Invention Forum
With less than a week to go, Sir Hossein Yassaie has been announced as keynote speaker at the 2nd Data-Driven Invention…
The science behind invention – 2nd Data-Driven Invention Forum in Switzerland
When technology and intellectual property leaders meet at an exclusive villa in Switzerland and put their heads together to discuss…
8 years strong
It’s time for a little celebration here at Iprova – it’s our 8th anniversary and with each year we are…
Working for Iprova in the United Kingdom
Iprova recruits at the University of Cambridge Iprova will be looking for smart graduates at the University of Cambridge’s “Engineering,…
Reinventing Invention
University of St. Gallen invites Julian Nolan as speaker From 8th to 10th November 2018, experts will meet at the…
Iprova in the news...
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Photos by Kim Moran
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Churchill Road fourth graders Mia Aikman, Isabella Scott, Aoi Yanase, Emma Yang and Caroline Wicker formed an assembly line to make sandwiches for Martha’s Table, in Washington, D.C.
Preparing Sandwiches for Martha’s Table
A snow day didn’t stop Churchill Road Elementary School third and fourth graders from making sandwiches for Martha’s Table, a nonprofit organization in Washington, D.C. that serves sandwiches to those in need. Even though the event had to be rescheduled, an enthusiastic group of students and family members were able to make more than 2,100 sandwiches for this organization.
namoseo123 2 years, 4 months ago
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News Archive » CP/RAC organized a H2020 Site Visit on Sustainable Management of Industrial Sites in Marseille
CP/RAC organized a H2020 Site Visit on Sustainable Management of Industrial Sites in Marseille
11th October 2013 | Updated: 4th June 2014
Within the EC funded Horizon 2020 Capacity Building program, around 15 delegates from various ministries, business associations and consultants from Morocco were invited to Marseille from 17th to 19th September, 2013, to have a better understanding of the sustainable management of industrial sites and the development of green business policies.
The site visit, organized by CP/RAC with the support of the Mediterranean Information Office for Environment, Culture and Sustainable Development (MIO-ECSDE), started by a guided visit of the industrial port of Marseille with a focus on how to include environment (eco-mobility, waste management, biodiversity protection...) in the daily management of a major logistical site.
The second day was spent at the Arbois Technopole site, that was the first in France joining on the same site high level public research with private start-ups focused on solving specific environmental issues such as water cleaning, renewable energy production or carbon sequestration.
The last day was a general debriefing on the strategic framework to promote eco-innovation in the economy from our local partner Institut Inspire, including group exercises to develop national and local sustainability policies and active multi-stakeholders governance in the industrial regions in Morocco.
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AURANET
Rock Art Research (Journal)
IFRAO
The AURA Congress
Rock art dating
Palaeoart epistemology
Cognitive Archaeology
The EIP Project
Cave Art Research Association (CARA)
Interpretation of rock art
Rock art conservation
Rock Art Glossary
Save Dampier rock art
Portable palaeoart of the Pleistocene
The First Mariners Project
Robert Bednarik auranet@optusnet.com.au
Alleviating physical deterioration
Robert 07/06/2014 Alleviating physical deterioration2017-12-22T03:30:33+00:00 No Comment
A great deal of physical deterioration of rock art is attributable to the effects of moisture as discussed above: the deposition of various mineral skins (silica skins, rock varnish and similar ferromanganous laminae, oxalates, carbonates and others); the deposition of water-soluble salts (as surface efflorescence, interstitially or as subflorescence which effects surface spalling); the removal of soluble salts and subsequent granular or massexfoliation. Here, however, we are primarily concerned with temperature or insolation-induced stresses; hydration (for instance of a clay matrix) and subsequent massexfoliation; brush or forest fire spalling; the release of tectonic stresses; kinetic damage by fluvial transport; and damage by lightning strike. Several of the processes involved in these preservation hazards cannot realistically be arrested, but some palliative action may be possible.
Where physical processes are attributable to moisture, a site’s hydrology can often be modified or managed indirectly as detailed above. Fracture by insolation or Kernsprung can only be averted by planting shade trees, but in the arid regions where this is most relevant such measures might not be feasible. Tectonic stresses in rock structures are unavoidable, unless geophysical damage is humanly caused (through mining or water extraction). Similarly it would be unrealistic in most cases to seek to arrest lightning damage at topographically prominent sites, although it is certainly possible to do so. Petroglyphs occurring in the seasonal flood zone of rivers are exposed to the abrasive action of sand and coarser material, which can be as effective in obliterating rock art as sand blasting. Again, there are no pros-pects of saving these petroglyphs in the long term, short of diverting the river. Where the petroglyphs occur on soft rock in high-velocity fluvial conditions, as at Siega Verde (Spain), it needs to be accepted that they will not survive the next few millennia.
However, damage from brush and grass fires is avoidable by keeping fuel away from the art panels. Back-burning is practised at some Australian sites, for instance in the Grampians. Fire is a particularly effective form of physical deterioration, because it focuses on the surface zone of rock, and depending on the availability of fuel, whole rock art panels can be stripped off in minutes. Therefore fuel control is one of the most important measures in the management of rock art sites.
The salt deposits caused mostly by capillary or gravitational water within the rock can occur either within the rock’s fabric, or on the surface. In the latter case they are considered unsightly by site managers and visitors. Since these precipitates are readily water soluble, their removal is possible by compresses or poultices (Schwartzbaum 1985). Sheets of long-fibre, wet strength tissue paper are applied with water and a flat bristle brush, from the bottom of the area to be treated to its top. The poultice is intended to soak up the dissolved salts. However, salts may retreat into the porous rock as well upon mobilisation, so the technique must be applied by experienced conservators. The same applies to the poultice treatment of pictogram panels in which specific solvents are introduced to target such unwanted substances as dust, soot or body grease.
At a number of sites, massexfoliation has led to programs of consolidating disintegrating panels by grouting and other physical means. The perhaps largest project of this type was at Mootwingee, New South Wales (Probert and Wallace 1970; Chestnut 1972), where in 1973 it was attempted to arrest the exfoliation of a massive layer of sandstone on a steep slope. Destabilised by the disintegration of the supporting substrate, large blocks of capstone were gradually sliding due to their weight, a condition aggravated by heavy visitor traffic. Large pins of stainless steel were installed in the gaps between blocks, with wooden and later plastic space blocks. This did not arrest deterioration, but introduced new factors leading to further remedial action in the form of grouting experiments. This interfered with the site’s hydrology, and after catwalks were installed the site was eventually closed to tourism.
Small exfoliating rock fragments of the engraved pavement were occasionally fixed into position with epoxy resin at Mootwingee. The same method has been employed at another site in Australia, Trotman’s Cave in the Great Sandy Desert. Here, J. Clarke reattached exfoliated fragments of a pictogram panel with epoxy resin, using only spots of this material to ensure that moisture could not be trapped in an impervious layer of resin. The same approach has been recommended to affix a thin exfoliating skin on sandstone at Shishkino, central Siberia (Bednarik 1992b). In Canada, polyester resin was used to arrest congelifraction of a metamorphosed limestone pavement near Peterborough. A large separated rock slab at Deer Corral, British Columbia, was reattached by grouting with a mixture of sand and acrylic resin (Kennedy 1979).
Exfoliating rock surfaces at rock art sites have been impregnated with various synthetic sealants, for instance in India and the United States, generally with negative results. Rather than alleviating the deterioration of porous rock, it is accelerated by the application of substances that produce an impervious skin, such as water repellents and resins. Interstitial moisture in rock must be free to move and evaporate. Therefore consolidants to be used must be pervious to moisture. Spry (1981) recommended the use of silicon esters (alkoxysilanes), silicones (polymerised alkoxysilanes) and acrylics or related polymers for building masonry. However, the first do not bond well with rock and penetrate pores poorly, especially in hot surface conditions, while the silicones are adversely affected by ultraviolet radiation (Rosenfeld 1985: 61-3). Experiments conducted by Clarke (1978) suggest that the key to successful treatment is to get enough resin into the pigment layers to make them water repellent without rendering them impermeable. Such methods have been used only experimentally in Australia, and no long-term results are available from them. It seems reasonable to conclude that there is no known ‘safe’ method of stabilising rock surfaces by concealing or impregnating them, be it with silicon esters, silicones or silanes.
The failure of such treatment has been reported from other regions, such as Siberia (Bednarik 1992b, 1995a; Bednarik and Devlet 1993). At the major sandstone site of Shishkino, exfoliation had been arrested with a preparation of eroded sand and tetraethoxysilane (C8H20O4Si) which failed structurally within a year of application. Cracks developed between the repair grout and the rock — or to be more precise, within the weathering zone of the rock, 1 or 2 mm beneath the interface. order nolvadexSo the net result was an acceleration of weathering. Similarly, the repair of rock varnish (Elvidge and Moore 1980) has been described as yielding unsatisfactory results (Bock and Bock 1990) and should thus be avoided.
After observing how rock paintings can survive very well under silica skins, Watchman has investigated the possibility of synthetically creating thin transparent epilithic silica deposits to protect paint residues. He attempted to use an artificial silica gel consolidant in the early 1990s (Watchman 1995).
A viable form of structural repair of rock art sites concerns the rapid erosion and retreat of specific rock strata in vertical exposures bearing rock art. This can lead to the collapse of better-cemented rock above once it loses its support. The method of arresting such impending damage is to install a parcel of grout, together with an elastomeric membrane compensating for stresses and with provision of draining gravitational water from the rock’s interior.
Most other tectonic adjustments in a rock mass, be they caused by seismic or other factors (e.g. oscillating aquifer level), are more difficult to deal with, and any action depends very much on the specific circumstances at a site. Nevertheless, remedial action of providing support structures for rock components of a site is certainly possible in many cases. It can take a number of different forms as required by site conditions and resources. Similarly, aeolian erosion in the form of sand blasting, which affects numerous sites, can be reduced considerably. Artificial barriers, including vegetation, reduce such effects considerably. Some sites have been buried under sediment or other material, for this and other reasons (e.g. congelifraction). Examples are the fragile sandstone petroglyphs at Mt Cameron West, Tasmania (Blanks and Brown 1991) and the granite pavements at Tanum, Sweden (Bertilsson and Magnusson 2000: 100).
REFERENCES –Bibliography of Rock Art Conservation
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Ikon Icons: John Salt
19 February — 21 April 2014
Ikon Icons sees the return to Ikon of five key British artists from an exhibition programme that has extended over five decades. John Salt is our Ikon Icon for the 1960s, to be followed by Ian Emes (1970s), Cornelia Parker (1980s), Yinka Shonibare (1990s) and Julian Opie (2000s). A presentation of work by each takes place, consecutively, throughout 2014 in Ikon’s Tower Room.
The series is a major component of Ikon 50, the programme of exhibition and events celebrating Ikon’s 50th anniversary.
John Salt, the first artist ever to exhibit at Ikon, shows paintings, prints and sculpture made before he embarked on an artistic career both in the US and the UK that saw him acknowledged internationally as a major exponent of Photorealism. They reflect a pop sensibility, a subtle sense of humour and an abiding interest in cars.
John Salt, Cadillac, 1967. Courtesy Ikon Gallery
John Salt. Ikon Icons: 1960s. Photo: Stuart Whipps.
Those Were The Decades: 1960s
Ian Emes
Ikon Icon 1970s
30 April — 22 June 2014
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Internet Giants : Masters of the Universe
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Flash Fiction By DB Cox: "Hope"
DB Cox is a blues musician/writer from South Carolina. He grew up in a Southern Baptist Orphanage called Connie Maxwell Children’s Home in Greenwood, SC. He graduated from high school in 1966, and joined the Marines Corps right after the Vietnam TET Offensive in 1968. After being discharged in 1972, he spent several years playing guitar in bars, juke joints, and honky tonks across the South.
In 1977, he moved to Boston, Massachusetts to attend the Berklee School of Music where he discovered a thriving blues scene. After thirty years of playing the music he loves with some great bands, he moved back to South Carolina where he writes and plays in a blues band called “P.C. Red & Almost Blue.” He has previously published four books of poetry, and one collection of short stories called "Unaccustomed Mercy." The EBook collection of poems called "Low Blue Notes” was recently released by Underground Voices Publishing, and is available at Amazon Kindle EBooks. He has been nominated for the Pushcart Prize multiple times.
Vietnam, Mekong River
When Levon gets drunk, he rambles on about the war. Sometimes, when he’s really high, he can almost convince you that his younger brother will someday return from the Mekong River where he was lost and left for dead more than forty years ago. Levon has never stopped waiting and hoping.
Levon is sitting on a wooden crate in a makeshift shack—a temporary shelter constructed of a rusting piece of tin held up on one end by a stack of railroad crossties, and on the other, by two metal pipes. The only wall is a paint-spattered canvas tarpaulin anchored to the roof with a couple of bricks. The hut is located on the edge of a hobo jungle—a shantytown hidden in a stand of trees on the outskirts of the city.
A steady rain has been coming down since nightfall. From the corner of his eye, Levon catches a movement just at the edge of the campfire light. When he looks, he immediately recognizes the bony face of the Preacher. The rain is rolling off the brim of his dilapidated fedora and onto the shoulders of a black overcoat.
Once a hard-time, hallelujah hustler, the Preacher now has the look of a man who knows the long shot has gone terribly wrong. He has spent his entire life preaching about, and waiting for the “Second Coming”—interpreting every notable event as a sign of the apocalypse. Years ago, he lost his only church by wrongly predicting the time and date of Armageddon at least a half-dozen times.
The Preacher hitches up his pants, ambles over to the shelter, and sags to the ground beside his comrade. He leans back, spreads his arms along one of the wooden crossties, and stretches his long legs toward the fire. For a few minutes, they sit silently, while the rain drums a solo on the metal roof.
Levon reaches into the left side pocket of his field jacket and pulls out a butt. He lights the leftover with a battered Zippo, then holds the lighter in his right hand clicking the cover open and closed with his thumb.
“I’m plumb tuckered out,” says the Preacher, still lying back with his eyes closed. “God Almighty tired of walking and preaching—back and forth—up and down—town to town.”
“They say if you draw a map to everywhere you’ve ever been, you draw your own face,” says Levon, staring straight ahead.
Levon takes two more drags on the short smoke then, using his left thumb and middle finger, flips the butt out into the rain-filled darkness.
The Preacher opens his eyes and sits up. “You remember old Doc Wells, used to hang around at the mission? Always wore that dirty blue suit—every pocket, full of stuff he’d fished out of trash bins. Well, they found him dead this morning. Somebody put a bullet in his head, doused him with gasoline, and lit him up. Nobody knows why—probably just for the hell of it.”
The Preacher takes off his hat and runs his right hand through his hair. Looking down at the ground, he continues. “Today, I couldn’t even work up enough feeling to say a prayer for Doc. There’s no use talking to the dead—too late for sermonizing.”
The Preacher shakes the rain off his hat and puts it back on his head. “Fact is I’ve lost all hope—lost the calling—no more Holy Spirit left in me. The people on the street don’t even stop to listen anymore. I can’t take up enough collection to buy supper.”
“Preacher, there’s one thing that’s always struck me about ’hope’,” says Levon, the more familiar you are with it, the less beautiful it becomes.”
Levon reaches down and picks up a bottle. He takes a long pull and passes it to the Preacher. The Preacher wipes off the top with the sleeve of his coat, takes a swallow, and sets the bottle on the ground between his feet.
For a few seconds no one says anything and then Levon speaks up.
“Once when were on patrol we came across this old Vietnamese guy propped against a tree—just like he was waiting there for us. He’d stepped on a mine and there wasn’t much left of his left foot. So this kid Blake walks over to where the old dink is sitting, and without saying a word, unslings his shotgun and points it into his face. The old man actually manages a smile. That’s when Blake lowers the barrel and blows off his other foot. Nobody says a fucking word. We just walk away and leave him there on the ground, screaming.” Levon’s voice trails off. He seems absent from his words.
“There’s no way to understand things like that,” says the Preacher. “It’s impossible to stamp order on bedlam in a world where life means nothing. And if life means nothing, death means nothing.”
The preacher reaches down and picks up the bottle. He takes a swallow and passes the wine back over to Levon, who stops thumbing the cover of his Zippo long enough to kill what’s left in the bottle.
A sudden strong breeze rustles the leaves in the trees. Levon stands up, walks just outside the cover of the shack, and stares out into the murk. Almost trance-like, he mutters, “There’s something stirring out there tonight.”
The Preacher immediately looks up at Levon with a troubled expression on his face. A huge rat flashes through the shack and stops next to a discarded McDonalds bag. As hard as he can, Levon throws the empty wine bottle toward the rat. By pure chance, the bottle hits the rat, square on. It lies there sprawled on the ground—quivering in the dirt—dead as hell.
“Worthless son-of-a-bitch never knew what him,” says Levon, staring down on the gruesome scene.
The rain has slowed to a steady drizzle. Fog crawls along the wet ground. The Preacher and Levon are wrapped in old Army blankets, sleeping, on opposite sides of a dying campfire.
Crouched in the bushes overlooking the campsite, Lady Speed lights a joint, inhales deeply, and passes it over to Taylor. Taylor White is the creator and producer of “DownHill Films”, an independent film company specializing in documentary-style videos. Lady Speed is the one-person camera crew.
They like to refer to themselves as “reality artists,” or “de-humanists.” They are purveyors of “degenerate art,” out to provide the insatiable public with one more taste of the extreme—attempting to wrest art away from the elitists and put it straight in the face of the people.
This highly motivated team plans to make one documentary, which they will call “Streets Afire.”
These two underground artists know their time is short. They know they’ll probably be exposed in a matter of weeks. To this truth, they are utterly cold.
Taylor takes one last toke off the joint, extinguishes the roach between his index finger and thumb, and slips it into the pocket of his camouflage jacket.
“You ready to roll?” he asks, getting to his feet and pulling a black ski mask over his face.
Lady Speed does a quick inspection of the video cam. “All set.”
Taylor looks into the camera lens and says, “Roll it.”
Then he begins his well-rehearsed prologue.
This is “Downhill” continuing with Scene 2 of the documentary, “Streets Afire.”
The players are innocent, unremarkable characters that, up until now, have lived wayward, aimless lives.
With this movie we are looking to shoot something that lives outside the subject matter—reality. It is blunt. It is relentless. It is something that has always been there, waiting for someone to pick up a video camera, and point it in the right direction. You might want to turn your head, but you will continue to watch—because it will speak to you directly.
The movie will express extreme ideas. Things out of control. Things that move past logic and human reason. You can think of this film as instructional. It asks the vital question: “What is the risk of being alive in this new millennium?”
You can be sure that at some point you will see this movie. It will have to be shown, because it exists. Maybe, it will scare the hell out of you, but you will demand to see it.
“Okay, cut it.”
Taylor touches the .38 revolver tucked in his shoulder holster.
He picks up a red-metal can of gasoline, and steps out of the underbrush.
Two muffled shots, one right behind the other, set dogs to barking in the distance. A few seconds later, the fire breaks out…
Levon dreams he’s somewhere else. Everything moves away—from one dark place to another. Years streak by in a blur of milliseconds until there is no time left. He hears a rushing sound and feels hot wind on his face. Purple smoke blows across a flaming river. When it clears, he begins to make out a familiar figure standing under the war-torn trees that line the red riverbank. He calls out his brother’s name and starts to run in that direction.
A shiver runs through the Preacher, but he does not shake. He is not afraid. In fact he is peaceful. He feels as though he is turning to stone. It starts in his head and moves down through his body until he is completely petrified. Unable to speak, he knows his job is finished. He will no longer have to explain or make excuses for God’s continued absence. And even though his hope has been scorched by anger and disappointment, the Preacher still waits and listens for some purposeful movement in the empty darkness.
~DB Cox
JANUARY 2016 ISSUE #17
Three Poems By Caleb Allison: "And when do we embr...
Three Poems By Alison Moncrief Bromage: "In the P...
Three Poems By JD DeHart: "Brother", Bunker", "Har...
A Poem By Ken Allan Dronsfield: "Jack Speaks R2"
Three Poems By Ricky Garni: "I Can Feel The Wind O...
Three Poems By John Grey: "Being Unidentified", "A...
Two Poems By Ananya S. Guha: "Man Dies", "Summer I...
Three Poems By David Howerton: "pain of job hunti...
Two Poems And a Flash By Belinda Hubert: "Strivin...
Three Poems By Frances Klein "Eve ate the apple/c...
Three Poems By Milton Montague: " "Sweet Spot", "T...
Three Poems By Simon Perchik
A Poem By Gerard Sarnat: "Orestes Of Theses, Not T...
Three Poems By David Subacchi: "You Wouldn't Laugh...
Three Poems By Y.X. Xia: "Not Running Away", "Will...
Visual Art: Three Paintings By W. Jack Savage
Flash Fiction By Glenna Blomquist: "It's Alive!"
Flash Fiction By Simon Brown: "These Pretty Roses"...
Fiction By Nels Hanson: "Can You Tell Me Now?"
Fiction By Muhammad Nasrullah Khan: "Raja and his ...
Fiction By Jim Kjeldsen: "The Glob"
Fiction By Jack Daniel Miles: "Jasper County"
Flash Fiction By Colin Rowe: "Peppered Eggs"
Flash Fiction By L.D. Zane: "Where's The Cow?"
Photography By David J. Thompson: "Cadillac Ranch,...
Nonfiction Essay By Lynda McKinney Lambert: "A Jan...
Nonfiction Article By Charles E. J. Moulton: "Cole...
Nonfiction Portrait Piece By K.R. Riordan: "Swimm...
Memoir Excerpt By Bruce F. Rosen: "Phillip Rusty S...
Memoir By Adreyo Sen: "Roots"
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A clinicopathological evaluation of postmenopausal bleeding and its correlation with risk factors for developing endometrial hyperplasia and cancer: A hospital-based prospective study
Jasmina Begum1, Rupal Samal2
1 Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India
2 Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Mahatma Gandhi Medical College and Research Institute, Puducherry, India
Date of Web Publication 26-Dec-2019
Jasmina Begum
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Bhubaneswar - 751 019, Odisha
DOI: 10.4103/jmh.JMH_136_18
Objective: The aim of this study is to investigate the clinical data from history and endometrial pathology by endometrial sampling in patients with postmenopausal bleeding and to identify risk factors associated with future development of endometrial cancer (EC). Methods: We prospectively studied 76 postmenopausal women with vaginal bleeding and endometrial thickness (ET) >5 mm undergoing endometrial biopsy or dilatation and curettage. Patient characteristics and endometrial assessment of women with or without EC and hyperplasia were compared. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression identified factors associated with risks of endometrial neoplasia. Results: In this study, the mean age at the time of presentation was 57.17 ± 7.11 years, mean menopausal age was 49.18 ± 3.69 years, and mean thickness of endometrial was 11.13 ± 6.37 mm. The histopathological analysis showed atrophic endometrium (30.3%), proliferative endometrium (27.6%), EC (15.8%), endometrium hyperplasia (11.8%), disordered proliferative endometrium (9.2%), and endometrial polyp (5.3%). Women of EC and hyperplasia group were more likely to be multiparous, diabetic, hypertensive, obese or overweight, has a history of recurrent bleeding episodes or thick endometrium. Using multivariate logistic regression, we found ET (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 17.76, confidence interval [CI] 1.91–165.02, P < 0.011, criterion ≥11 mm), recurrent episode of bleeding (AOR = 13.21, CI 1.10–158.91, P < 0.042), diabetes (AOR = 8.03, CI 1.15–55.78, P < 0.035) the best predictors of EC. Conclusion: As clinical characteristics are possible predictors of EC, these should also be taken into account in risk estimations and in the formulation of management plans. This not only has benefit in the process of disease detection but also may result in improved the efficiency of care.
Keywords: Cancer, endometrial, hyperplasia, postmenopausal, risk factors
Begum J, Samal R. A clinicopathological evaluation of postmenopausal bleeding and its correlation with risk factors for developing endometrial hyperplasia and cancer: A hospital-based prospective study. J Mid-life Health 2019;10:179-83
Begum J, Samal R. A clinicopathological evaluation of postmenopausal bleeding and its correlation with risk factors for developing endometrial hyperplasia and cancer: A hospital-based prospective study. J Mid-life Health [serial online] 2019 [cited 2020 Jan 19];10:179-83. Available from: http://www.jmidlifehealth.org/text.asp?2019/10/4/179/274006
Postmenopausal bleeding (PMB) is defined as abnormal uterine bleeding occurring after 1 year of permanent cessation of menstruation resulting from loss of ovarian follicular activity.[1] About 90%–95% of postmenopausal women with endometrial cancer (EC) experience a vaginal bleeding, whereas about 10% of symptomatic postmenopausal women reveal an intrauterine malignancy.[2]
Endometrial atrophy is the most common cause of vaginal bleeding among postmenopausal women, whereas endometrial hyperplasia and polyps are other common causes.[3] Several risk factors such as obesity, tamoxifen use, increasing age, early menarche, late menopause, hypertension, diabetes, hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer, and unopposed use of exogenous oestrogens are strongly associated with increased risk of type-I EC.[4] Type-I cancers have an endometrioid histology and account for 70%–80% of endometrial carcinomas. Type-II cancers have a nonendometrioid histology and arise in women who are less likely to have the clinical associations as seen in Type-I cancers.[5]
Therefore, PMB should always be investigated no matter how minimal or nonpersistent. Transvaginal sonography (TVS) is an efficient and acceptable noninvasive method for the early detection of endometrial pathology. A woman with PMB has a pretest probability of 10% for EC. A negative endometrial thickness (ET) test result can reduce the posttest probability of EC to 2.4% (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.3–3.9) at ≥4 mm and 5.0% (95% CI 2.9–9.1) at ≥5 mm. With a threshold of 5 mm for ET, the sensitivity for detecting any endometrial disease was 92%, and the sensitivity for detecting EC was 96%. Currently, controversy exists as to whether transvaginal ultrasonography or endometrial biopsy should be used as the initial diagnostic step for clinical evaluation of women presenting with PMB.[6] In addition, decisions made about the most appropriate investigations that needs to be performed, are not always guided by clinical history.
Therefore, PMB requires complete assessment to ensure the absence of malignancy and to identify and treat high risk patients, this will leads to reduction in the considerable societal burden imposed by EC. Hence, this study was undertaken to investigate the clinical data from history and endometrial pathology by endometrial sampling in patients with PMB with a secondary objective to identify risk factors associated with future development of EC.
This study was a prospective study of the patients with PMB admitted for evaluation in Obstetrics and Gynaecology department of tertiary care hospital and medical college, Puducherry.
The present study was done after approval of Institutional Ethics Board and after taking informed consent from women. For this study, we included patients who were new referrals for the symptom of PMB. We excluded all symptomatic postmenopausal women with a vaginal bleeding arising from a cervical or vaginal or vulvar disease, women with bleeding disorders, on anticoagulants on menopausal hormone therapy (MHT). All patients satisfying the above inclusion criteria were enrolled in the study and detailed history regarding age of the patient at presentation, age at menopause, time since menopause, body mass index, any unscheduled vaginal bleeding with use of MHT, presence of hypertension and diabetes, single episode or recurrent episodes of vaginal bleeding. Recurrent episodes were defined as any bleeding episode lasting 7 or more days or two or more separate bleeding events within the past 12 months. Then, the patients were subjected to routine gynecological check-up where abdominal and pelvic examination was performed, followed by TVS for uterine volume, ovarian volume, and ET. The double-wall ET was measured in an anterioposterior dimension from one basalis layer to the other. In keeping with departmental guidelines, women with ET equal to or >5 mm were admitted for dilatation and curettage (D and C) under anesthesia to yield sufficient tissue for histological diagnosis. The histopathological examinations were performed by pathologists and the reports of the curettage were reviewed for all patients.
Sample size estimation
In a study done by Kadakola B et al., it was observed that the mean ET in postmenopausal group with PMB was 8.84 mm with a standard deviation (SD) of 8.04 mm.[7] We estimated sample size required to show the significant difference in means at 3 mm with a desired level of power of 90% and level of significance 0.05, by using the formula:
z= 1.96 (critical value that divides the central 95% of z distribution from 5% in the tails).
z β = 1.28 (critical value that separates the lower 10% of distribution from upper 90%), σ = SD, μ1−μ2 = difference of two means.
Accordingly, it was estimated that 76 patients are required to show the difference of 3 mm from established mean. We achieved this sample size by studying the patients from June 2015 to November 2016.
Data were summarized using standard descriptive methods, frequency and percentages for categorical variables, and mean and SD or median and range for continuous variables. Comparisons between categorical variables were tested by the use of contingency tables and by the calculation of the Chi-square test. Comparisons between normally distributed continuous variables and categorical variables were performed using Student's t-test and analysis of variance, whereas the nonparametric Mann–Whitney and Kruskal–Wallis tests were used for asymmetric continuous variables. For each factor of interest, a separate conditional logistic regression model was fit to evaluate the association between the factor and the case–control status. In addition, a multivariable, conditional logistic model was fit using stepwise and backward variable selection methods. Associations were summarized using the adjusted odds ratio (AOR) and the corresponding 95% CI. All calculated P values were 2 sided and P < 0.05 were considered statistically significant.
A total of 76 women with complaints of PMB and having ET ≥5 mm were referred to D and C. The basic characteristics (mean, SD, 95% CIs, range, and IQR) of the postmenopausal women are shown in [Table 1]. The mean age at the time of presentation was 57.17 ± 7.11 years. The mean menopausal age was 49.18 ± 3.69 years and the duration of menopause was 7.95 ± 6.52 years. Of these 76 women, all are multiparous. About 47.4% (36/76) of the study participants were diabetic, 38.2% (29/76) were hypertensive, 53.9% (41/76) were either obese or overweight, 61.8% (47/76) has recurrent episodes of vaginal bleeding, 1.3%(1/76) has unscheduled vaginal bleeding with the use of HRT. In this study, the mean thickness of endometrial was 11.13 ± 6.37 mm.
Table 1: Basic characteristics of women with postmenopausal bleeding
Histological examination revealed the presence of 23 (30.3%) women with endometrial atrophy, 21 (27.6%) with proliferative endometrium, 12 (15.8%) with EC, 9 (11.8%) with endometrial hyperplasia of which 4 (5.3%) cases of simple endometrial hyperplasia, 3 (3.9%) cases of complex hyperplasia with atypia, 2 (2.6%) cases of atypical hyperplasia, 7 (9.2%) with disordered proliferative endometrium, and 4 (5.3%) cases of endometrial polyps [Table 2].
Table 2: Histopathology of endometrium
The final sample consisted of 17 cases and 59 controls, a total of 76 participants. The 17 cases included 12 women with EC, 3 with complex hyperplasia with atypia, 2 with atypical hyperplasia. In 57 controls, 55 had benign pathologies and 4 with simple hyperplasia.
The results of the univariate analysis to assess for correlation between individual clinical characteristics and the development of EC are given in [Table 3]. Patient characteristics showed no significant differences with regard to age at presentation, age at menopause, year since menopause, past menstrual cycle, parity, and HRT use. Conversely, significant differences were present with regard to diabetes (P = 0.006), recurrent vaginal bleeding episodes (P = 0.002), presence of hypertension (P = 0.047), presence of obesity/overweight (P = 0.008), and ET (P < 0.001).
Table 3: Basic characteristics of the population
The five variables that showed significant difference in univariate analysis were included in multivariate analysis (diabetes, presence of hypertension, obesity/overweight, recurrent vaginal bleeding, and ET). Then, multivariate logistic regression analysis showed the significant predictive variables associated with EC: ET (AOR = 17.76, CI 1.91–165.02, P < 0.011, criterion ≥11 mm), recurrent episode of bleeding (AOR = 13.21, CI 1.10–158.91, P < 0.042), diabetes (AOR = 8.03, CI 1.15–55.78, P < 0.035) [Table 4].
Table 4: Multivariate logistic regression model showing the adjusted predictors of cancer (odds ratio)
Women with postmenopausal uterine bleeding may be assessed initially with either endometrial biopsy or transvaginal ultrasonography. Initial evaluation does not require the performance of both tests.[8] No further investigations need to be performed in women with ET <5 mm as suggested by recent evidence.[9],[10] This study was undertaken to investigate the clinical significance, to identify the risk factors and to study the endometrial pathology in PMB. We tried to gain information from the clinical history for performing risk assessment for postmenopausal women with vaginal bleeding so that individualized risk prediction will allow clinicians to make more efficient use of the available diagnostic resources and simultaneously minimize false-negative results from various investigations.
In the present study, the age at presentation was 45–75 years with a mean age was 57.17 ± 7.11, the age at menopause was 42–58 years with mean age was 49.18 ± 3.69 years and the mean year since menopause was 7.95 ± 6.52 years. The results are in accordance with the study done by Lidor et al. in 226 PMB cases and revealed that the ages of patients ranged from 40 to 81 years, with a mean of 56 years.[11] Whereas a similar study done by Ubeja and Singh in 100 PMB cases, it was observed that the age of presentation was 41–70 years with a mean age of 54.51 years and the mean year since menopause was 7.20 years which was similar to our study.[12]
In our study, PMB was most commonly found in multiparous associated with risk factors of obesity/overweight (53.9%), diabetes (47.4%), and hypertension (38.2%); these results were similar to studies done by Kothapally and Bhashyakarla and Nirupama et al.[13],[14] Kadakola et al. reported that most of the PMW with bleeding had ET 1–5 mm (<4 mm) with mean ± SD of 8.84 ± 8.04. The mean ET in PMW with bleeding in our study was 11.13 ± 6.37 mm, as we had excluded participants with ET of ≤5 mm for further evaluation.[7]
The most important finding of our study is that, despite identifying clinical factors significantly associated with the risk of endometrial neoplasia in univariate analysis, the results of multivariate logistic regression analysis showed the significant predictive variables associated with endometrial neoplasia were ET, recurrent episode of bleeding, diabetes with moderate ability to identify endometrial hyperplasia or cancer in women with PMB. The above-mentioned clinical and imaging criteria warrant further diagnostic testing as these women with PMB are at increased risk for endometrial hyperplasia or cancer. We also observed based on our results that diagnostic testing cannot be withheld safely from women without these characteristics.
We performed a prospective assessment of our patient which allowed us to standardize any type of examination, so as to have more reliable data and all our women had a definitive histological diagnosis with an optimal reference standard which is the strength of the study.
Some patient-related data were collected retrospectively, with clinical questions to our women about past events (e.g., recurrent vaginal bleeding). We choose symptomatic postmenopausal women with ET >5 mm because women with a lower ET have a very low incidence of cancer and usually, we do not perform further examinations in our centers as per institutional protocol so, we selected only women those can be subjected to endometrial biopsy which can be a limitation of our study.
With our given sample size, it is not possible to differentiate the whole spectrum of endometrial neoplasia as they are associated with varied biological behavior, different demographic parameters, and clinical risk factors.
Clinical characteristics play a major role in predicting in the diagnosis of EC and these should be considered in risk estimations and in the formulation of management plans. Postmenopausal women with new or recurrent bleeding symptoms should be advised to re-attend for evaluation.
We have seen that incorporation of clinical information aided with initial investigations like TVS allows us in guiding the subsequent investigations and treatment strategies. The beneficial effects are evident for disease detection and improved patient care.
Research on the menopause in the 1990s. Report of a who scientific group. World Health Organ Tech Rep Ser 1996;866:1-107.
Giannella L, Mfuta K, Setti T, Cerami LB, Bergamini E, Boselli F. A risk-scoring model for the prediction of endometrial cancer among symptomatic postmenopausal women with endometrial thickness > 4 mm. Biomed Res Int 2014;2014: 130569. doi:10.1155/2014/130569.
Iatrakis G, Diakakis I, Kourounis G, Sakellaropoulos G, Rammos G, Ladopoulos J, et al. Postmenopausal uterine bleeding. Clin Exp Obstet Gynecol 1997;24:157.
Burbos N, Musonda P, Giarenis I, Shiner AM, Giamougiannis P, Morris EP, et al. Predicting the risk of endometrial cancer in postmenopausal women presenting with vaginal bleeding: The norwich DEFAB risk assessment tool. Br J Cancer 2010;102:1201-6.
Bokhman JV. Two pathogenetic types of endometrial carcinoma. Gynecol Oncol 1983;15:10-7.
Goldstein RB, Bree RL, Benson CB, Benacerraf BR, Bloss JD, Carlos R, et al. Evaluation of the woman with postmenopausal bleeding: Society of radiologists in ultrasound-sponsored consensus conference statement. J Ultrasound Med 2001;20:1025-36.
Kadakola B, Gurushankar G, Shivamurthy G, Rashmi MN. Ultrasonographic evaluation of abnormal uterine bleeding in postmenopausal women. Int J Reprod Contracept Obstet Gynecol 2015;4:229-34.
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. ACOG committee opinion no 440: The role of transvaginal ultrasonography in the evaluation of postmenopausal bleeding. Obstet Gynecol 2009;114:409-11.
Karlsson B, Gransberg S, Wikland M, Ylo¨stalo P, Torvid K, Marsal K, et al. Transvaginal ultrasonography of the endometrium in women with postmenopausal bleeding – A Nordic multicenter study. Am J Obstet Gynecol 1995;172:1488-94.
Smith-Bindman R, Kerlikowske K, Feldstein VA, Subak L, Scheidler J, Segal M, et al. Endovaginal ultrasound to exclude endometrial cancer and other endometrial abnormalities. JAMA 1998;280:1510-7.
Lidor A, Ismajovich B, Confino E, David MP. Histopathological findings in 226 women with postmenopausal uterine bleeding. Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand 1986;65:41-39.
Ubeja A, Singh A. Clinicopathological evaluation of postmenopausal bleeding in rural hospital set up. Int J Reprod Contracept Obstet Gynecol 2017;6:3556-9.
Kothapally K, Bhashyakarla U. Postmenopausal bleeding: Clinicopathologic study in a teaching hospital of Andhra Pradesh. Int J Reprod Contracept Obstet Gynecol 2013;2:344-8.
Nirupama V, Suneetha Y, Prabha Devi K. Post menopausal bleeding: An analytic study of 100 cases. Int J Sci Res 2015;4:2319.
[Table 1], [Table 2], [Table 3], [Table 4]
Begum J
Samal R
postmenopausal
Article Tables
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Tag Archives: Norway
Extremism & Terrorism, Faith & Spirituality
London Bridge is Falling but its people rise in love not hate
4th June 2017 Katy 1 Comment
London Bridge is NOT Falling!
It’s a beautiful day outside but it was an ugly night. The terrorist incident overnight in London brought out the best in the many and the worst from a few. Three perpetrators are now shot dead. Seven innocents (at this time) are counted among the dead and nearly 50 in hospital, several critical including a number of police officers. Whilst “London Bridge is Falling” may have trended on ISIS channels, #HopeNotHate, #LondonIsOpen and #SofaForLondon did here.
“Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that.” – Martin Luther King Jr.
Hope and Hospitality
Most of London resorted to opening their homes in response, a taxi driver tried to run down one of the attackers, a policeman lies in hospital injured during the 8-minute long initial and immediate response to prevent further carnage. The London Mayor Sadiq Khan, and several politicians called for “normality” and not changing our way of life.
Khan is emblematic of London’s diversity, its first ethnic minority and Muslim Mayor. I lived in central London for 7 years and it’s a place of community and cohesion despite its differences. The Blitz spirit lives on 77 years later, though the Londoners who embody it are more diverse but no less united against attacks on their open city.
Emily Thornberry, shadow foreign secretary said we need to:
“defend the essence of London as a multicultural and multiracial city.”
It’s a spirit, well – a beverage, that saw some hurling pint glasses at their attackers and others fleeing the scene pint in hand! Others fighting back including a Spaniard with a skateboard and a Romanian man with a crate.
The political campaign and election on 8 June must go ahead, as democracy is part of our culture that needs defending. Needless to say, some will be calling for clampdowns on immigration, increased surveillance and security, and Muslim bans, like Donald Trump has. What we need is not necessarily less immigration, but more integration, more community, less conflict. I live in Norwich, a city whose response to hate is community and cooperation. Our security should be intelligence-led, not driven by fear.
Back in 2012, Norway suffered an extremist attack on its young people. No, not an Islamist terrorist, but a far right xenophobe, Anders Breivik. There are many kinds of terrorist – but the response to them all should be along the lines of their Prime Minister:
“Our response is more democracy, more openness, and more humanity…We will answer hatred with love.” – Jens Stoltenberg
Hate and Islamophobia
Whilst messages of hate and hope circulated on social media, Katie Hopkins called for the incarceration of “the lot of them”, deportation, and even blamed the attacks in mock humour on food deprivation during Ramadan fasting. Who are this “lot”? All Muslims? When the IRA used to bomb London we didn’t round up all the Irish!
That’s the language of Donald Trump’s white and right Christian America, who nonetheless just returned from visiting Saudi Arabia and like the UK exchanging arms contracts worth billions.
Faith and Ideology
Friday, I was invited to a Shabbat meal at which another ideology’s desire to kill a people of an alternate belief was discussed, today many will go to church and pray. Yesterday evening Sikh Gurdwaras opened to people in need during the terror attack, as did many Londoners. Faith or no faith, nationalism or internationalism, it’s the actions and adherents of extremist ideologies, the interpretations and “twistings” of beliefs that lead a few to latch hold of isolated texts as justification to kill and maim. Those texts only excuse fighting if “oppressed” or denied freedom of expression of Islam – take away the oppression and the justification of military jihad is gone.
“if anyone saves a life it should be regarded as though he had saved the lives of all mankind.” – Quran 5:32 (but see interesting context and alternate interpretations and its Jewish origins here)
The fact that last night’s terrorists wore fake suicide bomb vests makes me think these were “inspired by” ISIS rather than orchestrated by.
The issue remains that they recruit, radicalise, foment extremism. They are able to celebrate terror on social media with virtual impunity. Free speech should never include hate speech and incitement to violence and terrorism. But even if we stop that, terror preaching behind closed doors wouldn’t stop. The funding of terror needs to stop too.
“Muslims everywhere are outraged and disgusted at these cowards who once again have destroyed the lives of our fellow Britons. That this should happen in this month of Ramadan, when many Muslims were praying and fasting only goes to show that these people respect neither life nor faith.” – Muslim Council of Britain
Practising Muslims in Britain and the Muslim Council of Britain condemn these attacks each time, so we can be clear this is not Islam attacking the West.
“There will always be particular groups which take views that are different from the mainstream but what is clear over the weekend is the extraordinary level of condemnation by every significant Muslim leader we know and every significant Muslim body we know.” – Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury
Kabul should be indicative of that too, with 100 killed in the last few days there during Ramadan and a funeral, Muslims are the majority victims of extremist Islamist terror. They are waging war within Islam more than they are waging war outside of it. The violence is as much sectarian and territorial as it done “in the name of Allah”, a claim opposed by the majority of other Muslims.
“Kabul has just suffered one of the bloodiest weeks in years, leaving its streets devoid of life and its residents gripped by fear – and feeling unprotected.” – Al Jazeera
Historically, Christians killed Christians in the name of interpretative differences, empire and territorial gain. They also targeted Muslims in the past and as recently as Bosnia. The story is repeated across most religions and ideologies. Settling differences by destruction not constructive dialogue.
True Muslims, yesterday, were praying and fasting not killing and maiming. They were celebrating Ummah – the “community” of its faith, not the extremism of its terrorist false prophets who seek to divide and destroy by preying on the vulnerable with the promise of heavenly gain after earthly jihadist carnage.
“Yes, there are evil Muslims who have carried out acts of terror, which are totally un-Islamic. The sooner we stop giving any credence to these evil people by attaching the label of the religion to their evil the better it will be for us, because by giving them that label we are giving them a platform that they seek to legitimise their evil ways.” – MCB
Practice peace, preach peace, encourage love not hate. Engage and educate!
Discriminate too – YES, yes discriminate between terrorists and people of faith, don’t tarnish all people with the same brush. Hate against Muslims rose five-fold after Manchester. Let it not deteriorate further.
Origins of Terrorism
The reasons people become terrorists are complex and though they include taking a cut and paste approach to the out of context and out of time scriptures of a religion, they also include revenge for bombings on family members by Western interventions in the Middle East.
“Let him who is without sin cast the first stone”. – The Bible, John 8:7
It is undeniable that Saudi Arabia, Iran and others have contributed to the rise of extremist ‘Islamist in name’ terrorism, but also that the USA encouraged Osama bin Laden and Saddam Hussein in the past, then invaded Iraq, Afghanistan etc; the West including Britain bombed Libya and Syria – the primary recruiting grounds of recent terror attacks.
Using military might to crush terrorism by creating more collateral damage victims only recruits more terrorists who’ve lost a brother, mother, daughter in a less-than-precision bombing raid.
A better way?
I don’t have answers, but what is clear is that returning hate for hate and bomb for bomb is not working. It is only perpetuating and escalating.
“No problem can be solved from the same level of consciousness that created it.” – Einstein
You don’t solve an issue or many conflicts in any permanent way using the same weapons with which they are being waged. There is no lowest common denominator to which we must sink, it’s not a race to the bottom and basest instincts of people. We need a higher level of consciousness and rising above with which to end the recruitment to humanity as its most hopeless when it seeks to take the lives of others in the name of any ideology of hatred.
AfghanistanAlbert EinsteinAnders BreivikBorough MarketDiversityDonald TrumpEmily ThornberryHate CrimeHope not HateImmigrationIntegrationISISIslamophobiaJens StoltenbergJihadistKabulKatie HopkinsLibyaLondonLondon BridgeLondon Bridge is FallingMartin Luther KingMulticulturalismMuslim Council of BritainNorwayRamadanSadiq KhanSaudi ArabiaSyriaTerrorTerrorismUmmah
Human Rights, Middle East, World News
Imagine all the people Living life in peace…Paris, Beirut, Baghdad, Sharm
15th November 2015 Katy Leave a comment
A Response to Paris, Beirut, Baghdad, Sharm…
…And countless other cities, countries, rural Nigerian towns, American schools, where people take it upon themselves to gun down others in the name of, well in the name of their hurts, offense, injuries, desires, greed, whatever. It’s not about Islam, or indeed any religion – each has been there with its own extremisms, the Crusades, the Inquisition, Biblical Judaism, even Buddhism and Hinduism, and Sikhism. As John Lennon sang – “Imagine … no religion”. But then there’s the Hitlers, Stalins, Maos and Polpots, of this world. Roman pagans trying to wipe out Christianity, Communist extremism. It is the extremism they have in common, not faith or race. Paris, Beirut, Baghdad, Sharm el Sheikh, or Ankara, a month ago, have also seen similar scales of atrocity, not just once, but some of them daily.
You may say I’m a dreamer
#PrayForParis / #PrayForBeirut / #PrayFor…
France and Lebanon, Paris and Beirut, Peace
…Or don’t pray at all. My thoughts are with ALL the victims of extremist ideologies (religious and non-religious ones). Whether you pray or don’t pray, do not use this as an opportunity to promote or condemn people of faith. As with Charlie Hebdo, Muslim policemen and security guards were among those trying to stop the terrorists. Nor is it the time to berate people for turning their Facebook profile pics French, although opportunities to easily do so in solidarity with Lebanon, Egypt, Syria, Turkey etc would be appreciated. I modified mine to include France and Lebanon, not either/or.
Reactionary responses will only lead to more radicalisation, terror, civilian deaths, in the wars of fanatical idealogues.
Now is not the time for shutting borders, scapegoating, retaliation – but, as with the reaction of Norway’s prime minister Jens Stoltenberg after the terror attack on Utøya Island by far right white ‘Christian’ extremist Anders Breivik:
“Our response is more democracy, more openness, and more humanity…We will answer hatred with love.”
Brevik believed in a “monocultural Christian Europe” and was against “multiculturalism” and “Islamization”. Islamic State (ISIS/ISIL) believes in a monocultural Islamic empire. Its attacks in Beirut were against the wrong kind of Muslims – Shia. Elsewhere in Paris, it was against the hedonism of the infidel West. The justifications need not be consistent or rational, but they are forms of tribalism and monoculturalism, the fear and despising of that which is other. Nature and the world need diversity and multiculturalism to survive and thrive.
Now is the time to embrace refugees and migrants, not point out that just one or two of them out of the countless tens of thousands entering Europe may have been ISIS cells. Indeed, the 99.9% peaceful migrants, some Muslim, some Christian, some agnostic, were fleeing Islamic State or other state sanctioned terrors themselves. They too are victims. Innocent bystanders very often in the West’s continued interference in the Middle East, whether past or present. Nobody has clean hands.
At a No to Hate vigil in Norwich – a city that has its own dark past with the Blood Libel, killing and expelling its Jewish population – last month, I spoke and ended with the words of Martin Luther King:
“Returning hate for hate multiplies hate, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that.”
Whether John Lennon or Martin Luther King, I too am a dreamer and have a dream that one day we will all live as one, without hate, in an ideal world without the kind of idealism that kills your fellow human beings in the name of any belief – political, religious or nationalist.
Anders BreivikAnkaraBaghdadBeirutBlood LibelCharlie HebdoChristianExtremismFranceHitlerIdeologyISISIslamic StateJens StoltenbergJohn LennonLebanonMaoMartin Luther KingMiddle EastMulticulturalismMuslimNigeriaNorwayNorwichparisPolpotRussiaSharm el SheikhShiaStalinSyriaTurkey
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KJB Textual Technology
To Readers: The website is subject to ongoing revision to optimize the language
Home page: Summarizing the primary content of the present website
About Dr Bednar
Unscholarly & uncivil internet criticism of the KJV-Only position
The nature of modern English versions: An introduction to the topic
Introducing the case for inerrancy preservation: The role of scholarship
Inerrancy preservation in the KJV illustrating the Divine Hand on text history
Refuting claims by scholars of error in the KJV, based on items from the essays
Essay 1 -Our guide to eternity: God's Word or text-tinkering of scholars?
Essay 2 - Inerrancy & Greek-manuscript variance: An Introduction to the topic
Essay 3 -Is there evidence of tampering by Gnostics in Alexandrian Greek texts?
Essay 4 -Outstanding accuracy of the Greek Received Text
a- 1 John 5:7,8 -Establishing the authenticity of the Johannine Comma
b. -Acts 20:28 - The Blood of God, or the blood of his own: Our unique Savior
c -Col.1:14 -Redemption through the blood of the Savior
d- 1 Pet. 4:1 Jesus did not have any sin of his own to suffer for
e- Order of Resurrection Morning events in the gospels
f -John 8 -The adulterous woman & the missing man: Proving passage authenticity
g- The Received Text -No support given to works or universal salvation
h- The Received Text -No renderings based upon conjecture
i -R.T. Inerrancy: Exact equivalence preserves it; textual evidence reveals it
j -Evidence that the Received-Text ancestor is older than Alexandrian texts
k. The Biblical Christmas story: Identifying the star & the wise men
l -Jude 25 "God our Savior" is a correct indirect reference to the Trinity
m -The authenticity of the concluding doxology of the Lord's Prayer
n. -Which is correct, the Sermon on the Mount, or the sermon on the plain?
Essay 5 -The KJV preserves the accuracy of the Received Text: Various examples
a- Acts 12:4 -"Easter" is correct: One case where "passover" does not apply
b -The KJV: Distinguished by never teaching salvation by works to its readers
c- The Holy Spirit and the use of the pronouns "it" and "itself"
d -Is Jesus or Joshua referenced in Hebrews 4:8 and Acts 7:45?
e -The KJV never teaches abuse of the body to its readers
f -Mt.2:1-12 The KJV wise men vs. modern-version magi
g -The love of money really is the root of all evil, not just some evil
h -Which rendering is correct, devils or demons? The nature of evil
i -Hebrews 10:23 "Faith" or "hope?" Which one is the correct rendering?
j -Matthew 23:24 Is the right reading "Strain at a gnat" or "strain out a gnat?"
k -Saved or always being saved? Is there a sense in which salvation is ongoing?
l. Holy Ghost or Holy Spirit: Is there just one correct name or two?
m. -1 Pet.3:20-21 "Saved by water" is not salvation by water
n -Exact equivalence in traditional KJV editions preserves inerrancy
Essay 6 -Uniqueness & total accuracy of the Masoretic Hebrew/Aramaic Text
a- Ps.12 -God preserves His Word for His godly people; Also the ben Chayyim text
b. The Bible Rightly Designates animal species: Exposing the evolutionist agenda
c -No contradiction of numbers, names, etc. - Chronicles Amplification
-- 1. The years that king Asa reigned: Adding a figurative sense to the literal
-- 2. Age of king Jehoiachin: Did this king begin to reign at age 8 or 18?
-- 3. Was Ahaziah 42 years old or 22 years old when he began to reign in Judah?
-- 4. The great price of a sin of David: Does 2 Samuel contradict 1 Chronicles?
-- 5. Syrian horsemen & footmen slain by David: Do the numbers properly add-up?
-- 6. Horsemen, horses, stalls & chariots for king Solomon
-- 7. Amplification variance: How king Saul died: 2 Samuel amplifies 1 Samuel
d -Pattern Amplification: Clarifying patterns of Hebrew-text expression
--1. The number of years king Saul reigned in Israel - 1 Samuel 13:1
--2. 2 Sam.15:7 Did Absalom need 40 years or 4 years to overthrow King David?
e -Suggested other types of contradiction in scripture are refuted
--1. The number of Hebrews returning from the exile in Babylon
--2. Why king Saul fails to recognize David during the incident with Goliath
--3. The role of Hebrew-text qere marginal notes: Isa.9:3 - Joy or no joy?
-4. Was Nineveh in Jonah's day much larger than major modern-day cities?
f -Key Hebrew-text history: The Dead- Sea scrolls & the Samaritan Pentateuch
g - Exodus 25:31 - Is the Menorah a "she" or "he" or an "it"
Essay 7 -The KJV preserves the total accuracy of the Masoretic Text
a- Dan 3 Aramaic -Christ in theophany: The Son of God, not a son of the gods
b- Who killed Goliath -David or Elhanen? The unique nature of the name Goliath
c -YHVH -Gods sacred name that is never to be spoken by sinners
d -True science in the KJV: Identifying the "firmament" in the Creation account
e. -Why mythical creatures are presented in the KJV: Following correct Hebrew
f. -Is The correct rendering "Lucifer" or "Morning Star"? A danger of confusion
g. -Exodus 20:13 "Thou shalt not kill" or "You shall not murder?"
h. -Proverbs 18:24 Showing ourselves friendly, or coming to ruin?
Essay 8 -God's spoken Word in written form: The case for Dictation Inspiration
Essay 9 -The KJV as a true agent of text inerrancy preservation
Essay 10 -Problems with application of textual criticism of the Bible
Essay 11 - The uniqueness of God's Word: Perspectives of Bible-believers
a -One unchanging bible speaks inerrantly to ancient and modern people
b -Mk.16:16-18 -Significance of early miraculous signs & Christian baptism
c -The Resurrection of Christ and His people: A reality that extends to eternity
d -Christians are not called to be slaves: "Servants" fits all contexts
e -The Crucifixion hour -Did the Crucifixion occur at the 3rd hour or the 6th?
f -The authenticity of the big-fish experience of Jonah & the supportive science
g -Giant dinosaurs and their sea-going relatives are in the biblical book of Job
h. -Ps 22:16,8 Pierced my hands & my feet, or like a lion my hands and my feet?
Essay 12 -100 erroneous criticisms of the KJV & its textual basis
Essay 13 -KJV classical language of emphasis: Acts 5:30, Titus 2:13, 1 Chr. 5:26
Essay 14 -KJV older English glorifies God & favors study: Dayspring from on high
Essay 15 A Translation that God approves: Replenish the earth, John Baptist, etc
Essay 16 -Should faith in text accuracy be vested in scholar opinion?
Essay 17 -Refuting claims of dynamic equivalence in the KJV
Essay 18 -Biblical doctrine: a. Did Moses persuade God to change His mind?
b. -Why God questioned Adam & Eve about eating forbidden fruit
c. -Sermon on the Mount: Is it for churches? Did Christ teach works salvation?
d. -Mark 10:17,18 -Why callest thou me good? Christ did not deny His own deity
e. -Was God unfair in judging Egypt & Pharaoh after hardening Pharaoh's heart?
f -Does the Old Testament teach soul sleep in Sheol? Saul & the woman of Endor
g. -Can Old Testament institutions be restored in the Millennium?
Essay 19 -Topics on creation vs evolution: Which one is technically correct?
Associated organizations with goals related to those of this website
Received-Text Inerrancy: Exact Equivalence of literality
Preserves it, and Textual Evidence Reveals it
Some commentators view preservation of inerrancy in scripture as requiring an exact literal word correspondence. It is for this reason that they view a transfer of inerrancy from Hebrew/Aramaic & Greek texts to a translation as impossible, the differences in language syntax & word sense supposedly making this impossible.
However, the scripture is "Wonderful Words of Life," the written representative of our Savior who is the Living Word, the giver of life and the one who possesses power of life and death, as seen by John 12:48 that speaks of His Word as our judge in the final day of judgment. Justice in judgment requires that Word to be inerrant, and it is in written form today, requiring text inerrancy since we are expected to abide by the teaching, in expectation of final judgment. Obviously, the written form of concern to us is that of a translation in his own language, a totally reliable one based on a totally reliable Greek & Hebrew/Aramaic textual basis.
Now those who profess to be Bible-believers normally declare a belief that autograph originals of scripture were inspired by God, and thus inerrant. Yet today many have been convinced by scholars that considerable variance in extant manuscripts, especially those of the Greek texts, means that inerrancy did not transfer to biblical-language texts available today, having been lost long ago. But why would God endow inerrancy just to let it be lost early in text history so that thereafter, no one could have an inerrant text in any language, and could not be certain that he knows God's will for him? Why would God take His hand off scripture texts after inspiring them, and let the agents of darkness have their way with texts? He will be well aware of all the historical activities of agents who have sought to distort the Word and eradicate all copies at times.
The obvious basic problem here is that manuscripts are the work of fallible men, and various copies would be subjected to mistreatment or carelessness throughout the centuries. There is no way to know how many, or when, manuscripts have been lost or destroyed throughout the centuries of text history, but there are known major cases of manuscript destruction in history during persecution of early Christians, especially that of the Roman army. Further, the tendency of modern scholars to make manuscript age decisive in evaluating text merit is unwise since the fallible nature of men has been a problem throughout text history. To trust in manuscript age or numbers is problematic, yet modern scholars and their followers do just that. Reliance on readings of a majority of manuscripts only increases the possibility of preserving accuracy, but will often be misleading since errors can be repeated many times in the history of text copying.
The Greek Received Text
Continuance of inerrancy of the autographs can occur by periodic restoration in the power and providence of God working through men He has chosen for the task. Periodic preservation would offer the world at large texts that catch-up with inerrant ones continually preserved exclusively by God's people in Israel and in true biblical churches throughout the centuries. The Greek Received Text is the most notable case of God's Hand on text restoration in history since it marked the end of the Dark Ages in Europe, and began restoration of biblical authority in churches throughout Europe & beyond. That its timing in history was Providential is indicated in that Traditional-Text manuscripts, that were the basis of the Received Text, were carried west at the fall of Constantinople in the eastern Roman empire in 1453 A.D, near in time to invention of movable-type printing that would soon cause the widest distribution of the biblical text in history at that time. Further, the Received Text appeared when the Reformation was on the near horizon, and this event would invoke spreading this text all throughout Europe. The Received Text merits our deepest respect, and most conscientious study.
Now the number of manuscripts has basic value since conscientious scribes are most likely to do the work of copying scripture, which would put the best manuscripts in the majority. The Traditional-Text family of manuscripts does constitute a great majority, and while it shows textual variance, the minor general nature of it contrasts starkly with the major doctrinal & textual variance in the competing critical type based mainly on Alexandrian texts, establishing the Traditional type as highly superior. In this group is where manuscripts preserving inerrancy are expected to reside, and textual evidence of text quality regarding context, word-choice & grammar will be the primary factor revealing an inerrant text in this group. Textual studies indicate Alexandrian texts exhibit poor quality indicative of considerable mishandling (see essay 3), yet scholars today promote critical Greek texts based mainly on these Alexandrian texts that they think are superior on the basis of age. The Traditional Text was the proven standard of the eastern church, and so is most likely the text God ordained for the entire church. Scholars can't properly resort to Alexandrian texts removed from churches for ~1400 years, and unavailable until the late 19th century A.D. Alexandrian texts cannot be part of God's plan to guide all His people of His church. Thus, studies aimed at determining the significance of manuscript variance will emphasize role of the Traditional Text and its descendant, the Received Text.
Since God hasn't yet obliterated sin and evil in our world, they still abide alongside that which is good. Thus in the manuscript evidence, we can expect a need to separate that which is true from that which is false, and man with his sin nature naturally inclines toward error, no matter how well educated he may be. However, if God enters into text history, we likely will find evidence of this in select manuscripts, those that were provi- dentially endowed upon His people who desire to serve Him in truth. Thus traditional texts of God's people in true churches would be those that show the evidence of inerrancy. Others might be left to devices of men in recognition of a lack of desire to serve God, and an inclination toward humanism. That is, attitudes of various peoples and nations toward serving God would be basic in determining the state of the scripture text among them, and it would be a basis for judgment of them. Thus, since a majority of Traditional-Text manuscripts resided in non-biblical Greek Orthodox churches during most of text history, the majority of these manuscripts would be at risk of some error, yet overall, these problems are minor, by contrast with the Alexandrian type.
Now a printed finalized Received Text derived from the Traditional Text should be the representative of select Traditional-Text manuscripts preserving inerrancy, assuming God ordains periodic restoration of His Word. Preservation, despite hostility toward the text, is indicated by the fact that a few Received-Text readings have very slight, or no known, support by Traditional-Text manuscripts, yet are well supported by textual evidence. It is known that historical agents of darkness made extensive & thorough efforts to eliminate all manuscripts, which is especially true of the Roman army in its efforts to remove the authority by which early Christians refused to participate in pagan worship of emperors and other false gods. This persecution would result in loss of many true manuscripts until it ended in the 4th century, and restoration would then begin, which would explain why some true readings date no further back than the 4th century. Restoration would likely begin without delay, but the efforts of human scribes in general would fall far short of the goal, and God alone would be able to restore texts completely, final restoration of the Greek being the Received Text in printed form. God inspired scripture, and He is able to restore any lost readings. His restoration work, accomplished through His chosen men, would be mark a history of preservation, and this role of God clearly is to be preferred over mere human ability to preserve the true text. A case in which authenticity of a passage in the Received Text is established be- yond question by textual evidence, despite little manuscript support, and despite much doubt of its authenticity noted historically & today, is that of the Johannine Comma presented in essay 4a. Essay 4g presents various other cases of indicated restoration of authentic passages having very little, or no known, manuscript support. Restoration of authentic readings is also indicated in cases where manuscript support is notable, but not early enough to avoid doubts of authenticity by scholars, as in the case of the pass- age on the woman taken in adultery discussed in essay 4e. Some Received-Text pass- ages are said by scholars to derive from the Latin Vulgate, but even this version is expected to exhibit a major degree of accuracy that relates to the autographs if God is involved, so it could supply some readings appropriate for use in an inerrant Received Text. Texts of various types would be a potential source of inerrant readings; God alone is able to identify these, and men of His choosing would be the instruments by which He would make such readings available, judging by the way text history has unfolded.
Now even inerrant texts preserved for God's people can be expected to contain verses and passages that require careful study to resolve apparent difficulties that test faith in God's Word. These scripture portions may seem inaccurate, but will prove to be quite accurate through proper study, thus encouraging the kind of study required to develop confidence in God's Word. This is expected since we are all sinners, and must apply faith in our dealings with scripture in order to overcome all natural skeptical impulses toward questioning of truth. As scripture says, without faith it's impossible to please God (Heb.11:6), and we must develop a study habit based on faith that will eventually reveal the truth of God's Word in passages that seem erroneous. The primary purpose of the present website is to prove that passages in traditional texts (Hebrew/Aramaic, Greek and the English of the KJV) that are said by skeptical scholars to exhibit error, really are totally accurate. Such passages permit unregenerate readers to sneer at the accuracy of God's Word, which doubtless will be a factor in their judgment in that final day that scripture speaks of.
Crucial textual evidence reveals inerrancy
This view of manuscript history indicates great attention be given to context, grammar, word-choice & doctrinal soundness, separating manuscripts by such criteria of textual evidence. High quality of this type, along with great numbers of manuscripts, identifies a true text class. Older and few Alexandrian Greek texts that are preferred by scholars fail these basic qualifications of authenticity, as emphasized by some striking evidence of Alexandrian-text corruption by scribes having dogmatic motives, and careless scribes who likely were non-regenerate. When we apply to the Traditional Text the criteria of textual evidence, as is done on the present website, we conclude that certain manu- scripts of this type qualify as inerrant, and are represented by the Received Text derived from the Traditional Text. Inerrancy becomes recognizable, as expected if God reveals it to enable confidence in His Word.
Crucial exact equivalence of literality preserves inerrancy
Inerrancy means freedom from error, which most basically is freedom from an inexact sense in all passage meanings, and from grammatical error. Inerrancy preservation requires wording literality sustained adequately to attain exact equivalence with texts of long-lost autographs, which can only be judged today by the consistency & logic in copies of traditional texts (preservation over the centuries applies only to traditional texts). This doesn't require complete literality preservation, and copies of traditional texts all teaching the same concepts, exactly & totally, will preserve inerrancy, despite minor differences in rendering words, phrases or clauses. Inerrancy requires a state of the text teaching readers exactly & totally what God wants them to know, and what they are to practice when teaching takes the form of commandments or direction. This view of inerrancy recognizes the human factor involved as God preserves the text and individuality of human writers as they do their best to ensure accuracy. Exact equival- ence among traditional texts with minor literality differences is the form of inerrancy preservation that would result from combining the divine factor with the human one. It is vital to realize that different editions often don't exhibit exact equivalence, and in such cases textual evidence of context, word-choice & grammar distinguish inerrant readings. Either way, inerrancy is preserved, and readers should keep both of these concepts in mind.
This combination of divine & human factors in the written Word is perhaps meant to reflect the image of the Savior, the Living Word who is represented by the written Word. Christ the divine Son took on flesh, and had the nature of men to the fullest extent of love in its truest form of compassion, and was free of even the slightest tinge of sin & error. Yet even He was scorned by those of the world, as if He were like them, for they were unable to judge inerrant humanity. In related fashion, the divine Living Word works through merely human writers to give us an inerrant written guide to life, judgment and eternity, but various inerrant texts that present inerrant teachings show differences in literality due to human differences in language choice (like the variant renderings of a given teaching by different gospel writers). Thus the humanity of the writers provides grounds for rejection of the Word by scoffers who cannot discern the divine hand at work through human writers, just as the human form of the Savior provided grounds for scoffers to reject His deity.
The combination of divine and human aspects in inerrant texts applies to the various matured editions of the Greek Received Text. The Living Word evidently chooses to present His inerrant written Word in a way that logically reflects the humanity of us all, especially those involved in its transmission over the generations of mankind. We, as Adam's descendants, are made in the image of God, but the image is marred by sin, and the redeemed are transformed in a maturing process until they are ultimately perfected and made like the Savior, to the degree that they will behold Him in all His glory without being destroyed (1 Jn.3:2). Our inerrant Word of instruction, our guide to perfection that contains unimportant literality differences, seems meant to reflect the maturing process by which we are ultimately perfected in God's image. We are each identified by unimportant differences from other redeemed ones, as well as extreme differences from non-redeemed ones (paralleling the degrees of textual variance) who never show any basic change in their status, and even scoff at God's Word. One day all the redeemed, with minor differences today, will pass into a state of perfection in the image of Christ, all being made literally like the Living Word of God (1 John 3:2).
Textual evidence and exact literality equivalence establish inerrant render- ings preserved throughout the centuries
With manuscripts being subject to various early efforts to destroy all copies, connect- ions of most modern-day copies to autograph originals will be questionable, and use of majority readings will not resolve potential problems since all such can simply be the result of repeated copying of early copies not rightly linked to the autographs. The only way to identify preserved true readings will be to view texts in regard to the textual evidence, and/or exact equivalence of literality, and the best readings will often be in a minority, being linked to just a few early copies rightly connected to the autographs. With this in mind, we examine disputed readings.
Which Received-Text Edition(s) Preserve Inerrancy?
Received-Text editions exhibit minor literality differences from each other, yet the matured ones commonly present exact equivalence of literality in their readings, or inerrant ones can be distinguished by textual evidence, or even a combination of both factors. Noted below are passages that illustrate this, including those discussed by Dr. Hills in The King James Version Defended. He viewed differences in a given reading as minor & unimportant. The present writer views them as somewhat different ways to say the same thing, producing equivalent readings that preserve inerrant teaching, and thus preserve inerrancy. We'll find that matured Beza & Elzevir editions appear to achieve exact equivalence almost without exception, and that of Erasmus is close to them, but that of Stephanus is a bit less successful, and occasionally exhibits some grammatical error. Yet the Stephanus is close to the others in equivalence & textual evidence, thus supporting them, and pointing to the inerrant state, as illustrated by examples noted below. Further, the Stephanus too is vastly superior to modern critical texts that show much inaccurate teaching (essays 3,4a,b,c,f,g & essay 12 items 37,38, 39,41,65, 67,69). Critical Greek texts are based mainly on the Alexandrian type, and differ much from the Received Text, and from each other, to the point that teachings vary notably. The critical-type text is in a steadily-changing state due to the lack of certainty on many renderings, but it never exhibits any decisive overall improvement from a corrupt state.
Regarding translations, we find evidence that KJV translators consistently chose the best readings from differing equivalent ones in different Received-Text editions, so the inerrant state of the Received Text appears to have transferred to the KJV in English form, as judged by the substance of discussions below and by the textual perfection it exhibits in various topics of the present website. KJV literality evidently was optimized by very thorough consultation of related texts to corroborate & finalize all language, qualifying the KJV as completely representative of a literally-perfected English form of the Greek of God's Word. Now to reverse this process and derive a literally-perfected Greek text from KJV perfected English is impossible by human ability alone, only a good approximation of the best literality being feasible in this fashion, so literally-perfected versions can be providentially endowed independently & selectively upon all those truly devoted to God (as taught in Psalm 12 - essay 6a and in Jn.16:13 & 17:17 - See Principles of Bible Preservation by J. Moorman). This perfected state explains pre- KJV text history in England, the Dark Ages of Romanism & the partially-distorted Vulgate beginning to be dispelled with the work of Tyndale, and continuing with later English versions, until a perfected KJV based largely on exact equivalence in literality & good textual evidence (optimum possible in English form) appeared. This occurred in conjunction with establishment of biblical belief in the rise of dissenters & separatists, culminating in Baptists who became notable by 1611. Thus, some Baptists and those sympathetic to our cause remain as the parties holding exclusively to the KJV. On the other hand, departure from English-text perfection in popular modern versions relates t0 popular devotion to the humanism of self-exalting scholarship, in preference to a devotion to God's Word. Of course, satan can motivate some imposters who seem devoted to the KJV, but ignore doctrine taught by that true text, and thus distort the general view of devotion to the one true English version of God's Word.
Similar text histories should apply to the authorized versions of God's people in other languages. Nonetheless, inerrancy of the type we have discussed may not apply to those people groups not fully devoted to God's Word, and variant degrees of text inaccuracy or unavailability might apply to nations & people groups with predominant populat- ions of those indifferent to God's Word. Thus ancient Judah lost its text of the law through its rebellion against God during the long reign of evil king Manasseh, but his grandson Josiah ascended to the throne, and restored loyalty to God, and the text was restored (2 Kings ch.22). And true biblical Christianity in the early church of Europe was marked by a true Italic Old-Latin Bible, while corruption of this text by Jerome produced the Vulgate adopted by dominant non-biblical Romanists of the Latin world. And failure of Luther to depart fully from the error of Rome explains the basing of his translation on the 2nd edition of Erasmus, a matured text of Erasmus not being pro- duced until the 3rd edition (e.g. 1 John 5:7,8, with the vital Johannine Comma that directly affirms the doctrine of the Trinity, did not appear until the 3rd edition).
Those people groups devoted to God would receive inerrant texts in their languages, not just in Greek & Hebrew/Aramaic, accounting for reports of various true versions following the Greek Received Text in various languages, like the French Olivetan, the Dutch Statenvertalog, the Italian Diodati, the Spanish Reina-Valera, the Portugese Almeida, etc. We can expect totally accurate versions for all believers who are devoted to God's Word. Even so, all accurate texts would be subject to deterioration in variant degree as predominant populations move away from a devotion to God, which has occurred in large measure, not being limited to the case of modern English versions.
In light of what has been said above, it's no surprise that Erasmus, basing his work on Traditional-Text manuscripts, would be chosen providentially to begin the history of the Received Text. Despite his affiliation with the Roman church, he was a true critic of Romanism, and sought to reform it from within, ending his days with the reformers in Geneva, and he & Luther were the outstanding scholars of that day. Thus it is not surprising that the great reformer Luther based his German bible on an edition of Erasmus, contributing to expanded use of the Received Text in Europe.
Comparing Editions of the Greek Received Text
We begin comparing editions of the Received Text with examples from the internet* that illustrate the lack of a detrimental effect of differences in literality on teachings. The initial group is said to contain readings from the 1589 edition of Beza most closely followed in the KJV, according to the author of the data, (the 1598 edition is the one usually referred to as most closely associated with the KJV), and contrasted with those of the 1550 Stephanus edition. The Stephanus is the least consistent in adherence to good literality, yet commonly offers exact equivalence, indicating that autograph texts and their inerrancy have been well preserved among the Received Text editions.
*Dr. J. D. Price - www.KJVvariations.doc
KJV: And when the devil was cast out, the dumb spake: and the multitudes marveled, saying, It was never so seen in Israel
Stephanus has the added Greek word for the relative pronoun that, which makes the verse read...the multitudes marveled, saying, that it was never so seen...Clearly, there is not the slightest difference in the sense of meaning of the text verses, and grammar is quite proper in either case, the state of equivalence being exact.
2. Matthew 21:7
KJV: And brought the ass, and the colt, and put on them their clothes, and they set him thereon
Stephanus has he sat, making the verse read, and he sat thereon. Slightly different spellings of a Greek term result in two different ways to say the same thing, that Christ came to sit upon the two animals (at different times). The only difference is that the manner in which the Savior came to sit on the animal isn't noted in the Stephanus, which is a minor literality difference of no consequence regarding basic truth.
Regarding the fact that He sat, or was set upon, the colt & its mother, this is indicative of His riding both, the pure young colt at the start of the trip & during the triumphal entry to Jerusalem, and its mother during the descent from the mount of Olives since the young colt wouldn't possess enough strength for this part of the trip. The Savior showed compassion for the colt in this way, and also by not separating it from its mother.
3. Matthew 23:13, 14
KJV 13 & 14
23:13 But woe unto you, scribes and pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men...
23:14 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye devour widows houses...
The only difference here in Stephanus is that the order of the verses is inverted, verse 13 in Beza being verse 14 in Stephanus & vice-versa, which has no effect on accuracy.
4. Mark 6:29
KJV: And when his (John the Baptist) disciples heard of it, they came and took up his corpse and laid it in a tomb.
Stephanus.....laid it in the tomb. The literality difference clearly has no effect on the truth being taught.
KJV: And he (formerly blind man), looked up, and said, I see men as trees, walking.
Stephanus...he said, I see the men, for as trees I see (them) walking.
The double use of see, an added the and the awkwardness caused by omitting them in Stephanus doesn't change anything of the equivalence of teaching, though the clearer expression of the verse sense illustrated in the KJV is to be preferred.
KJV: For he that is not against us is on our part
Stephanus: For he who is not against you is for you.
The equivalence of the two renderings is exact, despite a difference in word choice. The teaching is the same, despite the pronoun difference. Anyone against Christ's people takes that position because he is against Christ, and against teaching of righteous living that is quite contrary to the natural bent of mankind.
7. Mark 12:20
KJV: Now there were seven brethren: and the first took a wife, and dying left no seed...
Stephanus: Now is absent - Again an exact equivalence of teaching is obvious.
8. Acts 17:25
KJV: Neither is worshiped with men's hands, as though he (God) needed anything, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath and all things.
Stephanus .....life and breath in all (things).
The teaching of the two texts is essentially equivalent, but textal evidence of word choice in the KJV is superior since it correctly teaches that God is the source of all things for all of mankind.
9. Romans 7:6
KJV: But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter.
Stephanus...having died in which we were held...
Here there is no real difference in the teaching since the reason we are dead to the law is that the law first died to us, through the sacrifice of Christ, so the two renderings are exactly equivalent in an unusual way (see essay 12, item 20 for further comment).
10. Colossians 2:13
KJV: And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses
Stephanus.......having forgiven us all the trespasses.
Paul speaks to Colossian Christians, and whether or not he includes himself in the teaching has no effect since it is obvious that he too is a Christian and the equivalence is exact. Nonetheless, you is the better contextual choice since Paul is directing his words to his audience, and you grammatically corresponds to your better than to us.
A second group of examples illustrate the superiority of matured Beza & Elzevir texts as the best in terms of exact equivalence & textual evidence, and thus best preserving autograph texts, and that of Erasmus is not far behind in this matter. The examples derive from Dr. Edward Hills, who offered nine cases of differences in the editions to show that they were unimportant, and he viewed the KJV as the best English form of the text. The present writer takes that a step further, viewing the KJV as entirely accurate and perfected in literality. This results in viewing Beza's 1598 edition, the one favored by the translators, as the Greek text closest to literality perfection. The nine examples of literality differences noted below relate to the editions in the manner noted by Dr. Hills. His work is greatly appreciated, as is the good manuscript research of Dr. Thomas Holland and brother Will Kinney in various textual matters.
Beza & Elzevir Greek texts are nearly always exactly equivalent, and other editions of the Received Text are normally exactly equivalent to them, so the text of the autograph originals appears to be well established. The Elzevir-type text was released after the publication of the 1611 KJV, and appears to have followed Beza primarily.
1. John 16:33 - shall have tribulation or have tribulation
KJV: In the world ye shall have tribulation...
The two renderings are exact equivalents, for in the world ye have tribulation speaks of an ongoing situation from the present to the future, and in the world ye shall have tribulation does the same. These are two slightly different ways of saying tribulation is an ongoing part of the Christian life.
Shall have: KJV, Beza, Elzevir
have: Erasmus, Stephanus
2. Romans 8:11 -by His Spirit or because of His Spirit
KJV...he that raises up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.
Some Received-Text editions have because in place of by, but this is just two slightly different ways to say the same thing, so equivalence is exact. Yet by is preferred since quicken in conjunction with by refers directly to application of God's power.
by his Spirit: KJV, Beza, Elzevir
because of his Spirit: Erasmus, Stephanus
3. Luke 2:22 -her purification or their purification.
KJV: And when the days of her purification (Mary at the birth of Jesus) according to the law of Moses were accomplished...
The KJV her is the correct rendering of this verse referring to Mary in regard to the teaching of the Mosaic law about a woman giving birth to a male child and associated purification, so textual evidence favors the KJV here. Some editions of the Received Text have their, yet retain an inexact equivalence in the verse since Mary is included, and the total purification process involves the Savior whether her or their is utilized. The Savior would be circumcised, a type of purification included in the law of Moses at the time of the birth of a male child. However, the immediate context in Lk.2:22 is the crucial factor, and it only mentions the circumcision in regard to the Savior being named Jesus, so her is correct, and is also the pronoun appearing in Lev.12:1-4 where the specifics of the law are noted. The purification spoken of in Luke 2:22 relates to taking the Child to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord, and the 40-day purification of Mary is the one that must be completed to permit this, circumcision of the Child being accomplished earlier on the 8th day of her purification, as noted in Lev.12:1-4. This is a case in which the Beza & Elzevir texts alone sustain inerrancy.
Erasmus usually is close to the standard of exact equivalence, and Stephanus is only a little less consistent, and with Beza & Elzevir texts nearly always achieving an exact equivalence, the autograph texts and their inerrancy appear to be well preserved. The KJV follows up with the fully correct term in English.
her: KJV, Beza, Elzevir
their: Erasmus, Stephanus
4. Romans 12:11 - serving the Lord or serving the time
KJV...fervent in spirit; serving the Lord
The theme here is the various types of service Christians are to perform in their work with each other and with the unsaved, and this is serving the Lord, but the service can only apply to the time in history in which Christians live. Thus serving the Lord during the time that the saints live is what the teaching is all about, and the variance presents two different ways to refer to one teaching. Even so, Lord is more direct and literal contextually, so textual evidence favors the KJV rendering as the inerrant one.
Lord: KJV, Beza, Elzevir, Erasmus 1
time: Stephanus D,G & Erasmus 2,3,4,5
5. 1 Timothy 1:4 -godly edifying or dispensation of God
KJV: Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do.
This speaks of avoiding fables and various false doctrines that minister puzzlement, instead of true teaching. Paul tells Timothy to help the saints with godly edifying, and that's what the dispensation of God (administration of His doctrine) is all about in this verse, so these are two different ways to say the same thing, and the equivalence is exact, but the term godly edifying is preferred since it is more direct.
godly edifying: KJV, Beza, Elzevir, Erasmus
dispensation of God: Stephanus
6. Luke 17:36
KJV:
17:34 I tell you in that night there shall be two men in one bed; the one shall be taken, and the other shall be left.
17:35 Two women shall be grinding together: the one shall be taken, and the other left.
17:36 Two men shall be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left
Verse 36 is missing in some Received-Text editions, but the teaching isn't affected, for the three verses teach one concept that is retained even when verse 36 is absent. The three verses deal with Christ's description of events in a future day when the Son of man is revealed, and the three provide examples of how men will be taken away or left behind at that day, and how women will be taken away or left behind. Verses 34 & 35 deal with the situation with men and women so absence of verse 36, though doubtless authentic, doesn't affect the concept taught. Inclusion of verse 36 is not essential since its absence just results in one less example of the teaching that is the same in either case. Even so, the absence of one verse is an error in grammar & syntax, and the KJV reading with all three verses should be the true rendering by textual evidence.
Verse present: KJV, Beza, Elzevir, Stephanus 4
Verse absent: Erasmus, Stephanus, 1,2,3
7. John 1:28
KJV: These things were done in Bethabara beyond Jordan, where John was baptizing.
Some editions have Bethany, rather than Bethabara. One school of thought is that the two names refer to the same place. Actually, names of Hebrew towns or locations have names reflecting some significant history, and Bethabara seems to refer to the specific place that the baptism occurred, while Bethany is likely the name of a town in the near vicinity. This is likely since Bethabara means house of a ford (a shallow watercourse that would be well-suited for baptizing), and Bethabara may even be a symbolic name for the specific place. Bethany would not be the specific place since the name means house of the afflicted one. Bethany cannot refer to the place near Jerusalem where the terrain is hilly and removed from the vicinity of the Jordan river.
All this would explain divided manuscript evidence favoring one or the other. Either name would be contextually correct, and if the two were names for one specific or one general place, they would be equivalent. We need to keep in mind that any one correct term isn't known from history, and manuscript evidence numerically favors Bethany. Nonetheless, we can consider either name as applicable, and they can be considered as equivalent since they both can only refer to the place where John was baptizing at this time. The crucial aspect of the verse is the fact that it speaks of the baptism of John as occurring beyond Jordan, and this baptism is what related context is all about. The identity of the name isn't crucial to this teaching, nonetheless grammatical/syntactical error in non-matured Stephanus editions is likely. At any rate, the KJV Bethabara is more specific and more logical, being contextually favored by textual evidence.
Bethabara: KJV, Beza, Elzevir, Erasmus, Stephanus 3,4
Bethany: Stephanus 1,2
8. James 2:18
KJV: Yea a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: show me thy faith without thy works, and I will show thee my faith by my works
Some editions have by in lieu of without. The theme is true faith that produces works. One man may emphasize faith and another works (18a), but the two are never to be separated. The text speaker says, in effect, show me thy faith without thy works (18b), and I'll show you a dead faith, or show me thy faith by thy works (no actual faith), and I'll show you my faith by my works produced by actual faith (18c). Thus the sense of verse teaching is the same whether by or without is utilized. The equivalence is exact, despite a seemingly opposite sense of meaning, but the KJV without is best since the contextual sense is more direct.
without: KJV, Beza (last 3 editions)
by: Erasmus, Stephanus, Beza (1565 edition)
9. Hebrews 9:1
8:13 In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away.
9:1 Then verily the first covenant had also ordinances of divine service, and a worldly sanctuary.
9:2 For there was a tabernacle made; the first, wherein was the candlestick, and the table, and the showbread, which is called the sanctuary
Beza and the KJV, eliminate tabernacle in 9:1, but the KJV alone substitutes covenant in its place, as implied by context, the last verse of chapter 8 contrasting the New covenant with the Old, and this thought continues in verse 9:1. The sanctuary of the tabernacle of the Old Covenant appears in verse 9:1, and then the tabernacle itself is introduced in verse 9:2. The KJV alone correctly adds covenant, which is evidence that the KJV finalizes perfection of the literality of the Received Text, but the contrast of the Old and New Covenants is taught in any case. The KJV & Beza are inerrant on the basis of textual evidence that rejects tabernacle as appearing too soon in verse 9:1, but the KJV is contextually preferred by its rendering of covenant in verse 9:1 to adhere to the proper order of introduction.
tabernacle not present in 9:1: KJV, Beza, Erasmus
tabernacle present in 9:1: Stephanus
Additional observations
1. Textual & historical evidence combine to identify inerrancy
Acts 9:4,5 Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me …I am Jesus whom thou persecute- st: It is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.
Textual evidence: Paul quotes the underlined Acts 26:14 clause, proving its validity. Indeed, the Acts passage is spoken by Christ Himself to Paul, so the contested clause must be part of what was spoken to Paul in both Acts passages.
Historical Evidence: The underlined clause is not in most mss: modern versions omit it. It's in Received-Text editions, a few Traditional-Text. mss. and the Old Latin & Peshitta translations of true churches of the 2nd century, versions much closer to the autographs than any extant mss are (4th century are the oldest extant mss.).
2. Two other cases noted in essay 4h, can be shown to be indicative of Beza's render- ings as superior, and we also reference a few others not included in essay 4h.
a. Rev.17:8. It's said in a passage about a beast representing a vile empire cult, the KJV when they behold the beast that was, and is not, and yet is should say the beast that was, and is not, and is present/come. The difference is due to different terms in the KJV and Greek texts and manuscripts in general, however, is present offers a sense similar to yet is, which is conducive to variance by faulty copying. Despite a degree of similarity in the two renderings, is present/come offers only a trivial sense, that an empire beast once present before all, and later absent from all, is now pre- sent/come before all so that it was simply out of view for a time. The KJV yet is off- ers the best sense, that the empire/beast was in existence, then was not in existence, having been wounded fatally, yet is now in existence (Rev.13:3,14 & 17:11 note the fatal wound). The contextual textual evidence identifies the inerrant reading.
b. Rev.16:5 Scholars reject the KJV/Beza, O Lord, which art, and wast and shalt be, but it replaces illogical language of earlier Greek texts that read who art and who wast and who/ the holy one (no verb). Now who/the holy one interrupts continuity of the reference to God's eternality, and omits a logical third verb. Beza's rendering speaks of eternal God of the past, present and future, as expected of a true reading, and in accord with the reading of Rev. 1:4 that says...him which is, and which was, and which is to come, and in accord with similar readings in Rev.1:8, 1:18, 4:8 & 11:17 that all acknowledge God's eternality by a future aspect.
The empire beast has no ultimate future, for Rev.17:11 describes him only in past & present tense as, the beast that was, and is not, and yet is. Because of close context- ual proximity, omission of the future aspect in Rev.16:5 can make this verse seem to say that God, despite His great power, is like the beast in having no ultimate future, and can't secure the eternal future of His people. This looks like satan's influence on text copying to suggest that, despite God's destruction of satan, antichrist & their forces and all other acts of judgment in the nearby text, God's people have reason to doubt their eternal security. This is reminiscent of Gen.3:1-5 where satan, through the serpent, puts doubt in the mind of Eve about God's command on not eating of the tree of the know-ledge of good and evil. Further, the holy one reading looks like a scribe's faulty effort to ensure a clear reference to God in a faulty reading caused by loss of manuscript support, by the 4th century most likely. Thus shall be is theologically and linguistically correct in this context, and the popular alternative is unsound, and Providential renewal of a lost true reading in Beza's 1598 edition is indicated. God, through Beza, corrects a faulty phrase in all Greek texts/manuscripts and earlier translations, correcting a vile interpretation, and the KJV alone supports this, as expected of an inerrant translation selectively ordained by God.
KJV translation, begun in 1604, favored the then-recent 1598 Beza edition. This timing made the edition prominent to the translators, and allowed study of it before translation began, so it looks Providential. The timing was so precise that Beza's final 1604 edition, issuing the same year KJV translation began, appeared too late to allow useful prior study by KJV translators, which likely happened because of new non-ordained changes by Beza in the 1604 edition.
Scholars say Beza’s reading is conjecture refuted by all Greek manuscripts/ texts & earlier versions. Yet in the 4th century, Gregory of Nyssa evidently quoted the Beza- type rendering with shall be to indicate there once was a Greek text reading this way, pointing to early Greek manuscript loss and a need to verify authenticity by the textual evidence. Beza appears to be part of the inerrancy restoration plan of God, as context identifies an inerrant reading.
3. John 8:6 Regarding the account of the adulterous woman, the KJV reads with Stephanus, and the clause as though he (Jesus) heard them not isn't in the Beza.
Stephanus: This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not.
There is little manuscript support for the additional clause in Stephanus, and the KJV recognizes this by italicizing it. Nonetheless, the clause is clearly implied by contextual textual evidence as part of the sense of meaning. The teaching isn't changed by the presence of the clause, italicized or not, the verse sense being that Jesus ignored His accusers for a brief period as they tried to create an incident by which they might accuse Him of not complying with the law regarding adultery.
4. 1 John 2:23 As in the case of John 8:6, the KJV italicizes a clause to reflect minimal manuscript support, and this portion is found in Beza, but not in Stephanus.
Beza: Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: he that acknowled- geth the Son hath the Father also.
The lengthy clause is again implied as part of the sense of meaning of the contextual textual evidence, and it does not change the teaching in any way, being a logical corollary, of the prior part of the verse. The italics serve an additional purpose here since the clause is in the small Alexandrian-text family, and it is important to provide some distance from that type of text. That is not to say that everything about this type of text is suspect, but that its association with major error makes it prudent to provide distance from it when there is important doctrine involved. Here the clause is ortho- dox, doubtless as part of a general Providence of God on those exposed to these texts.
5. Titus 2:10 Here the KJV renders with Beza & Erasmus our Savior, in contrast with your Savior in Stephanus, which is a minor difference characteristic of that among the matured editions.
Beza & Erasmus: Not purloining, but showing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in all things
Now our Savior is equivalent to your Savior since Paul, the speaker is among all those who have God as Savior. There is no effect at all on the teaching since it is obvious that Paul isn't exempting himself from the ranks of the saved. The Beza/Erasmus reading is also found in the small Alexandrian family.
Minor Literality Differences in the Oxford & Cambridge KJV Editions
We've seen how the KJV associates with the best renderings of the Received Text, and now we examine differences that appear among the two common editions of our KJV. It's been said that these differences are errors, which just illustrates the extremes of opinion common among scholars today. Inerrancy preservation extends to English-language texts, the most important ones to the typical reader. We need to know if the two editions are exactly equivalent in cases where they differ in literality due to the human factor, so we offer a few examples of the minor importance of such differences. They are all insignificant, yet a few are complex, despite their insignificance.
We begin with two cases that illustrate a typical insignificance of literality differences.
1. 2 Chronicles 33:19 Speaking of a repentant formerly-evil king Manasseh
Oxford: His prayer also, and how God was entreated of him, and all his sins, and his trespass, and the places wherein he built high places, and set up groves and graven images, before he was humbled...
Cambridge...and how God was entreated of him, and all his sin...
While grammar (pointing) favors singular sin, there's not the slightest difference in the sense of meaning here, sin & sins being two common different ways of saying exactly the same thing. The result is a slight difference in literality so that the Oxford presents the plurality of the errors of this king, while the Cambridge treats them collectively.
2. Nahum 3:16
Oxford: Thou hast multiplied thy merchants above the stars of heaven; the canker- worm spoileth, and fleeth away.
Cambridge...the cankerworm spoileth and flieth away.
The cankerworm is a term referring to the larva stage of a moth or locust, and in this stage it creeps, though it will eventually fly away, and the Hebrew verb here does mean to fly. The verse speaks of merchants figuratively as like the cankerworm that spoils goods (takes them without compensation), then flying away. Here grammar (spelling of the Hebrew) favors flieth, but fleeth teaches exactly the same thing in an exact equivalent, despite a small difference in literality due to the human factor.
We conclude with an example of occasional complex differences that are nonetheless insignificant in regard to literality.
3. Joshua 19:2 Speaking of towns inherited by Simeon & his descendants
Oxford: And they had in their inheritance Beer-Sheba, and Sheba, and Moladah.
Cambridge: And they had in their inheritance Beer-Sheba, or Sheba, and Moladah.
Here we have an issue of ambiguity in the Hebrew text that doesn't affect its inerrancy since this just illustrates language known to Hebrews, but not to Gentiles, and we can defer to Hebrew scholars to resolve it. The basic problem is that the number of cities given to Simeon and his descendants as an inheritance totals 13 in verse 6, whereas Sheba as a city separate from Beer-Sheba would make the total equal 14 cities. Hebrew scholars Kimchi & Ben Melech say that the name Sheba refers to the city Beer-Sheba so that the total of 13 cities is correct. Indeed, Sheba is just the Hebrew for the number 7, which it has in common with Beer-Sheba, in reference to the fact that Abraham originally donated 7 lambs to seal ownership of a well - the name means well of seven). Further, the cities inherited by the tribe of Simeon are noted again at a much later date in 1 Chronicles 4:28-32 where the name Sheba doesn't appear, so this is indeed a name associated with Beer-sheba. Here in 1 Chronicles names of certain of the cities are changed somewhat, indicating up-dating of spelling, which evidently resulted in the elimination of Sheba as a secondary shorter name linked to Beer-Sheba.
Some scholars think the Oxford and Sheba is erroneous, and the Cambridge or Sheba is correct. Hebrew grammar does not identify the conjunction here, so or or and can apply grammatically. Actually, either one is correct since here and selectively joins Sheba to Beer-Sheba, in contrast with other uses of and in the passage. This joining is very clear contextually in that these two names are the only related ones among the 13, and they uniquely appear together, like a pair. Thus context removes the need for grammatical differentiation, which may be the very reason why no such differentiation appears in the Hebrew, strong contextual orientation characterizing this language. Of course, joining of Sheba to Beer-Sheba is also in accord with a knowledge of Hebrew scholars that the two names specify one city. Actually, all those who trust in the accuracy of God's Word need only to see that treating all of the names as separate cities would suggest that the number 13 in verse 6 is erroneous, which isn't acceptable, and it is obvious that Sheba as a name relates to Beer-Sheba, resolving the difficulty in the number of cities so that textual inerrancy is not violated. A very minor literality difference, with an associated ambiguity, causes no actual problems, and is in accord with exact equivalence
The KJV finalizes the literality perfection of textual evidence, and examples from Greek-text editions noted above indicate Beza is closest to the KJV, which is no surprise since his 1598 edition was the main one followed by the translators. Yet all the Greek editions in the matured state usually offer readings exactly equivalent to those finalized in the KJV, which is the crucial issue on inerrancy since this makes it possible to know them with total certainty. Opinions of modern scholars regarding the identity and accuracy of the true text will be avoided scrupulously by those who trust God in preference to men. These scholars should point out matters that can relate to Received-Text preservation of inerrant teachings, but they never do, likely because of their bias for Alexandrian texts.
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Totalizm: the philosophy of happy and fulfilled life
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If the reader wishes to view a short filmed illustration of the principles of operation of the philosophy of totalizm described here, and the illustration of scientific foundations on which the philosophy of totalizm was formulated, then I encourage the reader to watch around 35 minute long video film with my scientific portfolio, available (for free) on YouTube. This film is entitled "Dr Jan Pająk portfolio" and it is available in English, in Polish (po polsku) and in German (auf Deutsch). The more detailed descriptions, internet addresses, links, and leaflets promoting this excellently-designed and produced HD and HQ film, are provided in item #J9 from this web page, as well as on the separate web page named portfolio.htm - which is entirely devoted to explaining the content and main ideas of this film. The portfolio.htm web page is available at all frequently upddated addresses with totaliztic web pages, e.g. at easy to remember pajak.org.nz/portfolio.htm.
Have a pleasant viewing,
Dr Eng. Jan Pająk - the creator of totalizm
This web page explains the essence of currently the most moral and most progressive philosophy on Earth created by man, called "totalizm". (Notice that the human origin of totalizm is intentionally emphasized here, because totalizm recognises, reinforces and documents the superiority of the Bible.) Therefore this web page indicates what are benefits from practicing totalizm, describes how to practice totalizm, makes available free textbooks of totalizm, defines basic ideas of totalizm (such as "moral field", "moral energy", "moral laws", etc.), explains the origins of totalizm, reveals relationships of totalizm with the scientific theory of everything called the Concept of Dipolar Gravity, and explains everything that initially is worth to know about totalizm. This web page indicates also verifiable for everyone body of evidence which confirms that totalizm is correct, that it works in real life, and that it really delivers what is described here.
The content of this web page is authorized by Jan Pajak, means by a researcher of New Zealand and Poland, and WorldCat Identity (see the web page http://worldcat.org/identities/), who in the early part of 21st century stand out from the crowd of still-living discoverers and inventors of these two countries and he became among them the most widely known in the world, most variously interpreted, and at that time the most productive - in spite of conducting his research without official funding and only on a scientific hobby basis, although, unfortunately, about his existence and results of research almost no-one wants to know in New Zealand, while to annul, deny and mute down his discoveries and inventions many inhabitants of Poland conspire into gangs that act as monopolies distorting the truth and trying to leave for future generations only lies, trash, poisoned water, polluted air, destroyed fertility of soil, and devastated nature.
Part #A: Examples how totalizm helps to solve everyday problems - means examples of a first category of benefits from practicing totalizm:
#A1. Recipes of atheistic science would be correct only in the world deprived of God, but in the world ruled by God everything depends on morality - as this is explained by the philosophy of totalizm:
Motto: "Quality of everything depends on the correctness of foundations on which it was build - so even the most majestic palace build on bog, ice or quick sand must collapse."
The non-admitted openly scientific "foundation" of the old "atheistic orthodox science" (i.e. this official human science which we learn in schools and at universities and which still carries out exclusively "a posteriori" research - as this is defined in item #A2.6 below) is the non-written and highly erroneous assumption that in there is NO God in the universe, and thus that everything is ruled by "deprived of intelligence" and "blind" laws of nature. This assumption initially resulted from the completely thoughtless use of so-called "Occam's Razor", but later it was adopted for the ideological foundation of present official science. What even worse, this old official science seems to stubbornly ignore the fact, that such "a world without God" would drastically differ from "the world created and governed by intelligent God". Thus these drastic differences between both these world could reveal only the new "totaliztic science". (For examples of differences between the old, official "atheistic orthodox science", and the new "totaliztic science" - see items #C1 to #C6 from my web page named telekinetics.htm. In turn for examples of these differences - see items #B1 and #B2 on the web page named changelings.htm.) This old science stubbornly ignores also the fact documented and even formally proven by the new "totaliztic science", that the world in which we live displays all attributes of the world created and intelligently ruled by omnipotent God - that formal proof is presented in item #B3 of the abovementioned web page named "changelings.htm". Hence this old atheistic science still disseminates amongst people the picture of life and the surrounding reality, that would be correct only if the universe really is NOT ruled intelligently by God. After all, for example in such a world without God, in fact everything would be like it is told to us by this old atheistic science. Thus, for example "women would be exact copies of men" - and therefore "women would be able to do everything that men can do" (and vice versa), the life of intelligent beings (i.e. so-called "intellects") would rule a leaden Darwin's principle of the "survival of fittest", every war would be wan by militarily most powerful side, the immoral acting would be the most beneficial, happiness would be proportional to richness, and thus only rich people could be happy while all poor people would need to be unhappy. Greatest successes in life would accomplish children of rich parents - since they would have the best conditions for growth and the most careful upbringing. In turn secure and peaceful lives would lead mainly people with power - after all only they would have the greatest choice where to live and how to protect themselves. In turn e.g. health and longevity would only be proportional to the correctness of eating, amount of exercises, and quality of rest, thus most healthy and most log-living would become people from the most rich countries.
On the other hand, in the world ruled intelligently by God, everything must work on completely different principles. After all, is such a world, for example "women are created by God as an extension and complement of men" (i.e. NOT as exact copies of men) - so that the union of men and women creates completely new quality which is much more rich and more perfect than both these genders composing it (as more comprehensively this is explained in item #B2 on the web page named antichrist.htm). The life of intelligent creatures in such a world is ruled by the highly justly principle of the "survival of most moral" (for details see item #G1 on the web page named will.htm) - which replaces the Darwin's principle of the "survival of fittest" that for the intelligent creatures would work only in the world deprived of wise God, while in the world ruled by God that can be manifested only towards wild animals deprived of conscience. In the final count every war is lost by the country (or countries) of aggressors - see #E3 on the web page named bitwa_o_milicz_uk.htm. One amongst numerous "punishments" served by God to everyone who acted immorally, is the invalidation in the long-term work of moral mechanisms of all benefits that this person accomplished for the short-term due to his or her immoral acting, combined with the additional escalation of problems for solving of which this immoral acting originally was taken - for details see item #C4.2 from my web page named morals.htm, item #J1 from my web page named pajak_for_mp_2014.htm, or item #B6 from my web page named p_instruction.htm. In the world governed by wise God the greatest successes in life and highest level of happiness experience people raised in circumstances opposite to the rich "glasshouses" - means raised accordingly to God's "principle of reversals" described, amongst others, in item #B1.1 from the web page antichrist.htm, in item #F3 from the web page wszewilki_uk.htm, and also in item #A2.10 below on this web page. Furthermore, in such God's world, for example happiness, security, health, or longevity, represents "rewards" which this intelligent God gives only to those ones who live accordingly to His commandments. Thus, in the world with God, practically everything is depend on "morality" that someone practices, NOT on richness that he or she accumulated, power gained, or just on food and exercises. It is so because in the world ruled by God by "morality" we should understand the strictness with which someone fulfils God's commandments in the everyday life - for more information on this definition see item #B5 on the web page named morals.htm.
If we look carefully around the world in which we live, then it turns out that principles and guidelines issued to people by the old "atheistic orthodox science" lead us to nowhere, and completely fail to prove themselves in the real life. After all, it is this atheistic orthodox science that caused such big mass which we now see around us in the world. This is because the old science ignored completely the fact, that "in the world governed by God, morality of people is the key to everything" (while the Bible is the key to morality). Notice here, that in this world governed by God "morality" must be understood the same as it is defined by the philosophy of totalizm, e.g. as the abovementioned "harmony with which requirements issued by God are obeyed in human behaviours" - for the totaliztic definition of "morality" see abovementioned item #B5 on the web page named "morals.htm".) Hence, from someone's "morality" depends whether this someone is happy, gains the respect of others, has kind of partner and neighbours, has enough food, etc. As this is proven on examples in item #C1 from the web page named quake.htm, item #I3 from the web page named petone.htm, item #G1 from the web page named will.htm, or item #E3 and #I2 from the web page named bitwa_o_milicz_uk.htm, it is the level of someone's morality, that decides whether a given person, community, or nation lives in peace and security, or rather is troubled by cataclysms, terrorism, wars, crimes, suicides, premature deaths, etc. Also on the morality depends e.g. the inventiveness, and thus also the level of technology and wealth, as well as breakthrough scientific discoveries (as I explained this in more details e.g. in item #B4.4 from the web page named mozajski_uk.htm. and also in item #G1 from the web page named eco_cars.htm - both of which items described the action of the so-called "curse of inventors" which destroys creative people in countries with a low level of morality). It is because of the too-low so-called "group morality" - i.e. the morality described in item #E2 below, or more strictly because of too high "group immorality", that in the majority of present countries of the world an official implementation of the "real progress" is NOT possible anymore. (Such a "real progress" depends on the accomplishing e.g. truly breakthrough inventions and really new scientific discoveries - as these are defined in item #G4 from the web page named eco_cars.htm.) Only achievements that these countries are accomplishing at present represent a "false progress" - which depends on the multiple "chumming again" whatever is already known to the humanity for a long time. (E.g. all signs seems to indicate, that for some time now such a making of "real progress", i.e. truly breakthrough inventions and new discoveries, apparently ceased to be possible even in the USA - means in the country which until recently was leading the world in inventiveness and in scientific discoveries. In turn already for a long time it is difficult to hear about the existence of any world-famous inventor or a genius scientists, who would officially carry out his creativity e.g. in Australia, New Zealand, or present Poland. The reason always seem to be the same - i.e. shifting in there to practicing a wrong kind of "group morality" which is based e.g. on a momentary belief of "atheistic luminaries of science", or on behaviours of politicians, rich people, or celebrities, instead of on timeless commands of God.) The attribute of inhabitants of countries which are characterised by incorrect "group morality" is, that unanimously they destroy and persecute these their countrymen, who do NOT follow the "sheep trend", policies of authorities, or fashion from a given country, but they have own opinion about a given matter - as e.g. in New Zealand was persecuted and destroyed Richard Pearse. This is where originates the "curse of inventors" which rages in there, as well as the "inventive impotency" which stems from this curse.
God issued to people a whole array of guidelines, according to which He wishes that people voluntarily live, and the level of fulfilment of which God uses for His judgement whether a given person or community is to be "rewarded" or "punished" (e.g. with cataclysms). These God’s guidelines, or commandments, can be found in all religions, and also in all holy books, e.g. in the Bible. But the religious manner of writing of these moral guidelines has several drawbacks. For example, they are written with quite an ancient language - which present people avoid to respect. Furthermore, in order to inspire people to seek knowledge creatively, God revealed with the use of religion only "what" rules of morality people should voluntarily obey, but He did NOT explain "why" people should stick to these rules. For this reason, there was a need to develop the "philosophy of totalizm" and a new science based on this philosophy - which the author calls the "totaliztic science". The philosophy of totalizm and the totaliztic science objectively research goals, methods, and ways of God, using for this research most sound and modern scientific methods. Then they formulate moral guidelines for the human behaviour, based on results of this research. As the outcome, totalizm arrives to the same moral recommendations as these commanded by the Bible. But in addition, these recommendations of totalizm are already expressed in present (modern) language, for each one of them totalizm indicates the justification "why" it needs to be obeyed, and together with each one of them totalizm explains what goal, intention, or method of God's action causes that this moral principle should be voluntarily obeyed by people. Sub-items from the item #A2 of this web page, summarise several examples of just such principles of moral behaviour worked out by totalizm. These examples are to illustrate the essence of outcomes of my research, as well as attributes of this currently the most moral, most modern, most correct, and the most progressive philosophy on the Earth created by a man.
#A1.1. The most vital advice of totalizm: do NOT be fooled by the short-term consequences of "moral field" work, which seem to "reward immorality" and "persecute morality":
Motto: "Are you NOT puzzled why lives of people are formed into one long chain of moral lessons, tests and exams? After all, continuous lessons, tests and exams may have only one goal - namely selecting a few best of the best, from a large crowd of already good ones."
I cannot stop marvelling over the genius of pre-programmed by God the so-called "principle of contradiction between the short-term and long-term effects of the work of moral field" - discovered only by totalizm and briefly summarized in item #H2 of this web page, while accurately described, among others, in items #C4.2.1 and #C4.2 of the web page named morals.htm and illustrated in "Fig. #I1" from the web page named pajak_for_mp_2014.htm. This contradiction (reversal) of effects allows that in the short-term work of moral field for all impatient and blind people may appear that "immorality pays off", but simultaneously that in the long-term work of moral field the justice is restored, because immoral acting people are severely punished, while morally acting people are handsomely rewarded. As a result, this reversal of short-term and long-term work of "moral field" allows God to quickly classify subsequent people and group intellects to the moral or immoral classes (after which classifying they can be treated as it is explained in item #C4.7 from the web page morals.htm), to check people's readiness for accepting the moral lessons and for implementing these lessons in everyday lives, to test the intelligence and dedication of subsequent people, to check who is suited for the future coexistence with God, while who systematically breaks moral criteria and thus must be removed prematurely from this world according to the described below in #A2.7 "principle of the extinction of most immoral intellects", etc., etc. That is precisely because of this reversal, when you do something morally correct, then rather be happy and treat it as a "good omen" if immediately (i.e. during the completion of given activities) you come across various obstacles and problems. However, begin to act very carefully and wisely (even to the point of abandoning a given activity) if everything goes for you "like a Swiss clockwork" and if all circumstances seem to help you in whatever you are doing as well as instantly reward you for what you are doing - means when the behaviour of moral field seem to indicate that you just carry out an immoral activity. The reasons for which I give you here this advice you may learn after the careful reading, among others, abovementioned items #C4.2.1 and #C4.2 from the web page named morals.htm, and also after reading the other totaliztic publications which illustrate examples and explain the operation of "moral field", for example items #N1 as well as #B5 and #F3 from the web page named solar.htm, items #B4 and #C2 from the web page named pajak_re_2017.htm, item #I2 from the web page named bitwa_o_milicz_uk.htm, etc., etc. Here I explain only, that in a world ruled by all-powerful and all-seeing God, the "immoral acting" NEVER pays off, because all the apparent benefits that in the short-term work of moral field seems to bring the violation of moral criteria, are carefully invalidated in the long-term work of moral field, at the same time all the problems which a given immoral acting supposed to solve are escalated further - as excellent examples of just such invalidation of the apparent benefits of immoral acting and the escalation of problems that it supposed to solve, consider the consequences of immoral implementation of pesticides, antibiotics, and the theory of relativity described in item #J1 from my web page named pajak_for_mp_2014.htm. Thus, the only human acting which actually brings permanent benefits, is the acting that fulfils the criteria of morality (i.e. which is the pedantically moral acting) - for explanations see item #B4 of my web page named pajak_re_2017.htm.
Until now only a small handful of people bothered to learn about powerful tools that God has created to be able to precisely control literally every second of life of each person. These tools have only recently been discovered due to the use of different research methods of the new "totaliztic science" - while under the names "omniplan" and "reversible software time" are summarized, among others, in the introduction and in item #G4 of my web page named dipolar_gravity.htm, and are described in detail in items #C4 and #C4.1 from another my web page named immortality.htm. But even without the knowledge of these powerful tools of God, still those more perceptive individuals eventually notice, that the life of every human has too many regularities and similarities to be governed just by "pure coincidences" - as erroneously makes us to believe the present official science. After all, "pure coincidences" are NOT e.g. able to cause, that practically every person sustains roughly similar amount of happiness and successes as well as misfortunes and problems - and this irrespective of his/her wealth or power, that all events which affect us display attributes of moral lessons, or that the fate of each person is controlled by the level of passing moral exams. All this together further confirms the truth about which I am warning in the motto to this item - namely, that to morality is worth to devote our utmost attention, because the way it impacts our lives proves that it serves for the immensely important choosing of the very few best of the best from a sizeable group of already quite perfect. In turn where such a choice takes place, there is also a certainty, that later it is to serve for an equally important further consequences.
After learning the above categorical finding of "totalizm", that "immorality never pays off", and after learning the finding of the new "totaliztic science" that "immorality is one amongst the tools used to educate people and to examine their suitability for divine purposes", in the reader probably arises the question "why in present times so many people deliberately close their eyes to the truth and choose the irrational belief that in life it is beneficial to behave immorally?" The answer to this question is equally complex as that proverbial "Gordian knot". After all, in order to properly respond to it, we have to agree, among others, with what in details is explained in item #B1.1 from the web page named antichrist.htm - namely that God purposely so designs our life, that with the help of the consequences of work of the "principle of reversals" our life is upbringing us into "soldiers of God" hardened in overcoming every kind of difficulties, and that all events which affect us in life are designed in advance to serve as "moral lessons" honed in us lasting habits of morally correct behaviour, and to test (examine) the level at which we are already implementing the principles of morally correct conduct. However, I still will try to "cut" here through that "Gordian knot" to show the reader what it is composed of. Here are the most common upbringing activities and subsequent moral tests or exams, to which we are constantly subjected (although most of us do not have the slightest idea about their existence), supplemented by my brief explanation of "why" every one of them makes an impression as if it rewards immorality while punishes morally correct behaviour:
1. Test on respect for moral traditions. In my opinion the primary reason for increasingly common today erroneous belief that "immorality pays off", is the testing of our respect for the morally-correct traditions. The reason for this test is that people who cannot bring themselves to respect the past and traditions which created them, cannot also bring themselves to respect anything else, including their own parents and God. In this test, for example the "toys" that our ancestors had to invent, because until recently they have NOT existed (e.g. computers, cell-phones, colour television, jet planes, cars, etc.) are used to amaze and to tell today's generations of people, that due to the use of such "trinkets" these generations supposedly become "more superior" than generations of these ancestors who invented these "toys" - see descriptions of the generation of "Midases in reverse" from items #K5 and #K6 of the web page tapanui.htm. In turn, by being such supposedly "better" generations, they have the right to "trample with their boots" over the traditions of our ancestors, which traditions already have proven themselves working for thousands of years. So some people fooled by those "trinkets", actually trample, among others, over the already established for a long time e.g. the Bible verses and folk wisdom stating that "immorality never pays off" - e.g. consider what percentage of people today takes notice of the true importance of the proverb "Though the mills of God grind slowly, yet they grind exceeding small", or the Polish-language counterpart of it, stating that "God does not act rapidly, but acts justy" (in Polish: "Bóg nierychliwy ale sprawiedliwy").
2. Test on believing today's mass media, that advocate "quick successes" achieved at any cost, but remain silent about the long-term consequences of immoral actions. All our current mass media (including television) are so controlled, that they produce long programs on "how effortlessly get a quick success in life", but that typically they are silent about disclosing to audiences "what happened in the long-term work of moral field with all those people who almost effortlessly achieved rapid success in life" (i.e. "what after the elapse of so-called. 'time of karma return' happened to these people, about whom moral field and moral mechanisms knew in advance that they belong to those 'bad trees that are to yield only bad fruit' " - described in item #C4.7 from the web page named morals.htm, and hence whom the "moral field" in its short-term work "helped" to get a success in life).
3. The test on believing in claims of official science, which does NOT hide its atheism and openly avoids researching of the actual work of moral field and moral mechanisms - and thus which fulfils the Biblical definition of a "bad tree that is NOT going to yield good fruit" (for more details see item #C4.7 from the web page morals.htm and item #K1 from the web page named tapanui.htm). This test checks the people's belief in false and constantly changed claims of present, official, monopolistic science, i.e. the belief persisting in spite that these people know that the present official science has been built on atheistic (i.e. false) foundations, that it refuses to undertake research on requirements of "true morality" (about requirements of "true morality" almost everyone knows, that these can originate only from God), and that as such, according to the Bible, the present official science is NOT able to give birth to any "good fruit", but yields only "bad fruit" that will only harm those people who are greedy enough to eat it. In general terms, this test boils down to checking whom a given person is to believe, when he or she is forced to choose between whatever in a given matter indicate our senses, logic, empirical experience, evidence, etc., but what is officially denied by scientists who look at the world from armchairs and through thick windows of their "ivory towers" - as an excellent example of the necessity of making just such a choice, see descriptions from item #E2 of the web page named cloud_ufo.htm. For example, this test checks whether a given person is already deterred by the situation, that the present official and monopolistic science - which leads a highly prosperous and trouble-free life due to research-grants received from the power-hungry politicians and from the greedy industries (e.g. armaments), has NO courage to promote any morally-correct truth, e.g. the truth that "in the long-term work of moral mechanisms every war is always lost by an aggressor" - broadly explained, among others, in item #I2 from the web page bitwa_o_milicz_uk.htm, that this science constantly changes its official statements and the contents of its textbooks, that is growing the number of its findings and statements that appear to be mutually contradictory, that instead of promoting the progress, this science persecutes and holds down every new ideas that are incompatible with its atheistic doctrines - such as, for example, the theory of everything called the Concept of Dipolar Gravity, or the starship called the Magnocraft, etc., etc. From what I noticed, this exam on belief in the claims of present official science, especially commonly fail women - obviously the opinions of titled experts mean for them more than logic, evidence, and common sense. For example, it is sufficient that somewhere they read an interview with someone with numerous titles, that, for example, allegedly smoking reduces overweight, and immediately they throw themselves onto cigarettes, knowing that these are to kill not only them, but also their family members. Just it suffices that some prize-winning researcher of e.g. cranks recommends in TV to NOT discipline children, but rather keep convincing them like adults, and immediately they report to police if anyone tries to implement what the Bible commands about the disciplining of small brats. It is just enough that in an illustrated magazine they read that a celebrity wife of some rich doctor eats certain weeds, instead of meals, and immediately this weed becomes the only dish in dinners NOT only for themselves, but also for their husbands and families. It just suffices that on the Internet they read what some dictatorial government state regarding salt, and immediately they ignore thousands of years of natural regulation of the demand for salt by our senses of taste and thirst, and force the whole family to eat everything without salt (see #D2 on the web page named healing.htm). Etc., etc.
4. The tests on noticing distortions of virtually all religious institutions. About testing of our level of noticing the deviations of practically all religious institutions in today's world one could write whole volumes (e.g. see item #A2.7 from this web page). But if we try to summarize these tests in a few sentences, they boil down, among others, to examining: (1) our noticing and remedying of the increasingly deeper departure of religions from doing what God commands them to do in holy books, but instead implementation of whatever imperfect human leaders of these religions tell others that they ought to do, (2) noticing and correcting the disappearance of teaching morality by religions, (3) noticing the avoidance of religions to research scientifically God's methods of work which are commonly used in the present everyday life, (4) remedying the negligence of religions in the empirical checking and confirming of every religious truth (in turn truths, which were NOT subjected to rigorous checking and confirming that later can be verified and approved by practically every interested person, cannot change their status from "belief" into "certainty"), (5) stopping the politicization of religions - that is, stopping the caring of religions mainly about the power over people and about the political influence and income, instead about the service for God. Etc., etc.
5. The tests on knowledge of the work of moral field and moral mechanisms. For example, each one of us is repetitively taught and then examined whether he/she is already aware of the fact, that in the short-term work of moral field and moral mechanisms these tools of God only give an impression that "immorality pays off", while the actual punishment for immorality comes only in the long-term work of moral field and moral mechanisms - it is summarised in item #H2 from this web page, while in detail it is explained in item #C4.2 of the web page morals.htm.
6. The test on the enthusiasm for persecuting and on hostility directed at everything that is moral - e.g. on every truth, on the "philosophy of totalizm", on the new "totaliztic science", etc. In this moral exam, people with immoral tendencies are "provoked" to attack and to suppress everything that is morally correct - e.g. every truth. It is from this test that originate, for example, such phenomena as the "curse of inventors", or as the vicious suppression with which the "philosophy of totalizm" and the new "totaliztic science" are troubled by various immoral forces - for examples of some forms of such suppression, see item #B5 from my web page named tapanui.htm, or items #J1 and #P5.1 from my web page named quake.htm. As another example of such suppression I should also disclose here that, for example, whenever in my professional life of an university professor I met up with the announcement of a university position in philosophical sciences focused on research and development of new philosophy, I always applied for this position - justifying my application by the need to further develop the already widely known in the world my philosophy of totalizm devoted to the "true morality". But in spite that I made hundreds of applications for such positions, and in spite that already then the achievements of totalizm exceeded everything that other philosophers have developed so far in the area of our learning the principles of moral mechanisms, NOT even a single of my applications was ever successful. Today's official science clearly does NOT want to have anything to do with academics who study and popularize the truth about the work of "true morality". (Note here, how extremely difficult it is to research and to popularize the knowledge about the true work of mechanisms of morality, if one is constantly expelled from the job, and if the bulk of one's energy must be spend on earning the bread and on keeping alive by lecturing e.g. the Software Engineering that is avoided by other professors and has little to do with what one is actually researching, and also if one is surrounded by a collection of hostile people who shout insults and continually put down of what one has already managed to accomplish.)
7. The test on such programming of the current systems of governance (including virtually all of today's democracies), which causes almost exclusively immoral actions of governments. It is this test that causes, that if someone matches today's decisions of governments to moral criteria - which matching, among others, sometimes I do and which also should periodically be done by every other citizen familiar with work of "actual morality", then it turns out that practically almost everything that today's governments make or decide, breaks various criteria of morality, and thus in the long-term work of moral field all the benefits that initially stemmed from it must be cancelled as the punishment, while the problems that these measures or laws were to solve must be escalated as the punishment. As excellent examples of today's breaking of moral criteria consider the presently existing "privacy laws" - that help to hide from people the committed immoralities and hamper learning about the actual work of moral field and moral mechanisms, or consider the introduced almost everywhere GST (also known as VAT), which works like sand thrown in the gears of working machine, and which is ruining economically the country that recklessly has introduced it - for details see items #T1 to #T5 from my web page named humanity.htm. More information on the subject of contradictive to moral criteria activities of governments can be found, among others, in items #J1 and #I1 from my web page named pajak_for_mp_2014.htm, and items #B1 to #B8 from my web page named pajak_re_2017.htm.
Of course, there is incomparably more moral lessons, tests and examinations similar to those listed above. Here I indicated just a few most common examples.
I was always intrigued by the thoughtlessness of people who play the "armchair philosophers", and with a loud voice full of admiration for the shrewdness of their own mind deliver in public opinions such as "we cannot believe in the existence of God, when we see the enormity of suffering, trouble and struggles of men, when we see little kids dying from some painful illness, as well as when we see microbes, mosquitoes, tapeworms, venomous snakes, crocodiles ..." Hearing this kinds of opinions I want to ask: "if you were god, would you create the world without pain, struggles, challenges, lessons, exams, work, deadly organisms, etc., which would be filled only with pleasures, self-supplying refrigerators and cups to which the supply of tasty wines and drinks would never have ended?" And if YES, then what you would do with those billions of immortal people that are used exclusively to pleasure and that cannot themselves do anything other than emptying their self-supplying refrigerators and cups? Yet you could not kill them, because death is also unpleasant. You could not order them to do anything, because the work is, after all, the effort, challenge, exam and the requirement to acquire skills - that is also a whole series of unpleasantness. (I am NOT going here to philosophize that even pleasure, in which one is forced to live for eternity, with time has become an unpleasant chore.) For many years in different places of my publications I am explaining to this type of "armchair philosophers", that a world devoid of pain, unpleasantness, threats, fears, struggle, demands, laws, homework, exams, challenges, responsibilities, work, etc., would be an useless form of nightmare and hell - just only an extremely inexperienced creator would agree to create and maintain it for longer than a short initial period of the childhood and learning of first humans. In addition, all-righteous God, like ours, even in the world having all of these unpleasant "attractions", can so choose who has to meet which kind of unpleasantness, that nothing unpleasant affects people who previously did NOT deserve it. Examples of publications explaining and documenting these facts, may be: item #A3 from my web page named god_proof.htm, item #G1 from my web page named will.htm, item #D3 from my web page named god_exists.htm, and items #D1 to #D6 from my web page named newzealand_visit.htm that summarize the role of "paradise". However, seeing the universality of such a misunderstanding of the constructive, motivating and balancing role that for people fulfils the pain, death, fear, responsibilities, lessons, exams, work, challenges, etc., I suspect that one day I should write and allow to read, a full article similar to this one, which would explain to this type of "armchair philosophers" what a useless nightmare and hell would be the creation and maintaining of a world filled up only with pleasures - after which writing, in this place I should place a link to such an article.
Although what I have described in this item is only an advice from totalizm, NOT e.g. the law or an explanation, still it reveals that in view of the increasingly widespread "failing" of moral tests and examinations by people, on one hand we should sympathize with those people, what systematically fail these trials. (After all, NOT without the reason a wise proverb states that "everyone receives in life what he or she previously has earned".) On the other hand, we should treat as a kind of miracle and the reason to wonder, that in today's world there is still existing this handful of exceptionally special people, who in spite of everything, know, openly insist and keep proving to everyone, that for certain "immorality does not pay off". (In item #I1 from my web page named quake.htm these exceptional individuals are described under the Biblical name of "righteous".) As it can be seen, "the philosophy of totalizm" and born from it the new "totaliztic science" are now having the increasingly difficult task ahead - i.e. to re-disclose to typical people today, what is NOT revealed to them neither by present religions, by present official science and education, by present governments, nor by famous people providing role-models, i.e. to re-disclose what a huge mistake people make due to their short-sighted belief that "immorality pays off", as well as people make due to the behaviour resulting from the belief that supposedly "morally correct behaviour totally does not count in life."
#A2. Let us learn several examples of general guidelines on how to act in our lives (i.e. guidelines identified, worked out and recommended by the philosophy of totalizm):
Motto: "Since the ancient times people seek a 'medicine for everything'. Such a medicine really exists - it is called 'morality'. Only that in order to use it effectively, it is necessary to know the philosophy of totalizm."
If someone already learned the entire philosophy of totalizm, then also learned mechanisms and principles which God uses in His control over fate of people and in His guiding us to behaviours that God expects from us. In turn, after learning these mechanisms and principles, our knowledge as to how act in specific life situations becomes automatic. But this web page is mainly addressed for people, who do NOT know totalizm yet. Thus, in order to illustrate also for them how look-like general guidelines for our acting in everyday life - as recommended by the philosophy of totalizm, below I am indicating several examples of these guidelines. All examples provided here stem from the consequently implemented by God "principles of guiding" people into the most desirable behaviours which God expects from us - i.e. principles described also in item #C6 from my another web page named god_exists.htm. The examples presented below reveal recommendations of totaliztic behaviours in the face of most common problems of everyday lives. Of course, a wider and more complete set of recommendations is explained in textbooks of totalizm - listed in item #A4 below.
#A2.1. In making decisions "always do exact opposite of whatever is indicated by the 'line of the least moral resistance' ":
In our everyday life we continually must make decisions on how we should act or what we should do in a given situation. The complacency and inborn human laziness push us to choose the action which lies on the so-called "line of the least intellectual resistance". Unfortunately, decisions and actions that follow the "line of the least intellectural resistance" always after some elapse of time turn out to be wrong and immoral. Thus, always then they prove themselves to be detrimental, always must be corrected, always the decision maker is charged with the moral responsibility for damages that they cause, and always one needs to live through the shame and dishonour of their erroneousness and immorality. After all, decisions and actions "along the line of the least intellectual resistance" run exactly down in the so-called "moral field", and thus it is known in advance that they are "immoral". (This "moral field" is described in item #H2 below this web page, while principles of its interaction with our minds during making our mental decisions are explained, amongst others, in items #C4.2 and #C4.2.1 from my web page named morals.htm, and in "Fig. #I1" and item #J1 from my web page named pajak_for_mp_2014.htm.) It is just because people most frequently act along such a "line of the least intellectual resistance", that our civilisation found itself in the present "black hole". After all, the physical world is ruled by the law that everything following the "line of the least resistance" always lands in the deepest hole (e.g. consider water or cosmic "black holes"). In turn, from such a hole it is extremely difficult to come out later. Therefore, the philosophy of totalizm recommends that every decision and every action in the life we should carry out along the direction which is opposite to the "line of the least moral (intellectual) resistance" (i.e. along the direction which lies on the "line of the greatest moral (intellectual) effort"). This is because such decisions lie on the "line of the greatest moral effort" (i.e. lie uphill in the "moral field") - and thus they always are "moral". In turn, by being "moral" they never turn to be erroneous. But the problem depends on the fact, that in typical life situation it is quite difficult to establish what action would lie on the "line of the greatest moral (intellectual) effort". But it always is easy to establish what in a given situation would be the most "immoral action" - i.e. what in a given situation would lie on the so-called "line of the least moral (intellectual) effort". Therefore, instead of a long thinking what we should do to make it the most moral, it is enough to instantly determine what would be the most immoral action in a given situation (and such determining takes only a split of second), and then we should do an exact opposite to this most immoral action. For example, if someone offers a bribe to us, the most immoral action would be to accept this bribe. Therefore we should act opposite to accepting it in a given situation. Similarly, when someone hurts us or offends us, the most immoral would be a revenge. Therefore we should act opposite to a revenge. Etc., etc.
It is worth to notice, that characteristics of the "moral field" and consequences of our actions "uphill" and "downhill" in that field, are also discussed in a number of other totaliztic web pages, for example in items #B1 to #B8 and #C2 from the web page named pajak_re_2017.htm, in items #J1 and #I1 from the web page named pajak_for_mp_2014.htm, or in item #F1 of a different web page named rok_uk.htm.
#A2.2. Mischievous inanimate nature, illnesses and problems control most effectively through corrections in own believes:
For a very vital reason (described e.g. in subsection A16 of monograph [1/5]), God adopted and consequently applies, the principle of interactions with people, which is really worth to learn. This principle is the source of many events which affect practically every person. Namely, it states that every intellect (e.g. every individual person, every community, every scientific discipline, etc.) always receives from God confirmations for beliefs that this intellect is using as a basis for its behaviour or actions. Such confirmations are issued by God to even these intellects which believe in something that actually do NOT exists in the real physical world - only that in such a case God realistically "simulates" what would happen if it existed. According to this principle, people who believe that e.g. some "talisman" brings them good luck, actually gain a good luck from that talisman. For people who believe in some superstition, this superstition actually works. People who believe in indications of radiesthesia, the radiesthesia really helps. People who deeply believe that something is to heal them, God actually heals after taking this something (thus e.g. comes the medical term of "placebo effects"). People who believe in UFOs actually do see UFOs. People who believe in Yeti or in monsters (of the "Nessie" kind) receive confirmations that Yeti or these monsters actually do exist. To people who believe strongly in demons, devils, or ghosts, God shows such demons, devils, or ghosts. People who believe in heaven and hell, actually receive manifestations of the existence of heaven and hell. People who believe in reincarnation, receive confirmations of consequences of reincarnation - consider the example of simulated reincarnation that I experienced and described in item #J1 from the web page malbork_uk.htm. Etc., etc.
The problem with such strong beliefs is that that if someone strongly believes in something that for him/her is unpleasant, painful, tragic, satanic, detrimental to people, etc., God also manifests it for him or her. In turn, because such strong beliefs in something unpleasant usually cause that one starts to be afraid of it, the result is that "whatever scares you the most, this will finally get you". (The same phenomenon English call the "self-fulfilling prophecy".) Thus, people who strongly believe and are afraid of, for example that they are to fall ill with some specific illness, or that they are to have an accident, in fact experience that illness or that accident - e.g. see item #G1 from the web page healing.htm. In turn to people who strongly believe e.g. in UFOs or in demons, these evil creatures begin to play "unpleasant tricks" - as if they really acted on the Earth and started to pick just on these people. Therefore in all life situations when we are plagued by some sequences of unexplained "mischievous of nature", illnesses, problems, etc., totalizm recommends to most easily and most effectively get rid of these through correcting our believes. If we are able to determine which our belief is the source of given problems, and then we change this belief into a deep belief that our problem results from the principle of God's acting described here, then the problem is to vanish.
The most useful such "correcting of beliefs" is for the treatment of "illnesses of the soul" - which can NOT be cured by material medicines. The philosophy of totalizm has established that in addition to the "illnesses of the body" that can be treated with material medicines, there are also "illnesses of the soul" - whose material medicines are NOT only able to heal, but even deepen these illnesses. I have indicated a whole range of such "illnesses of the soul" in item #F11 from my other web page named soul_proof.htm, and in item #E4 of my web page named prophecies.htm. In order to familiarize here the reader with their type, their well-known examples include the "psychological depression" described, among others, in items #D10, #D9, #D4 and #E5 from this web page; while other their highly educational example, is the illness of the soul in English called the "foreign accent syndrome" or (FAS) - the mechanism of work of which CANNOT be explained correctly on the basis of the knowledge focused solely on the human body and gathered by the today's "official atheistic medicine". The "illnesses of the soul" can NOT be permanently healed without drastic "corrections of beliefs".
Totalizm recommends, that in order to correct one's belief, firstly one needs to review of own deep beliefs (which sometimes can be well hidden and almost subconscious). The point is that we need to determine which one amongst our beliefs, if it is supported by God with given evidence, would become the source of our problems. This phase of elimination of our problems is the most difficult, because sometimes the "cause-effect chain" between our belief and our problems can be quite long and complicated. Then one needs to change this particular belief, into the deep belief that such our problems are just consequences of the "simulation" by God of the body of evidence which is to illustrate for us consequences of whatever we believe. For example, instead of deeply believing in the permanent existence of physical UFOnauts - when our almost new car, computer, washing machine, toilet, etc., rapidly are spoiled, we should start to believe that our problems stem from the fact that we believe in UFOs, so in order to illustrate for us what would happen when such evil UFOnauts actually operate on the Earth, good God "simulates" for us "tricks" that such evil UFOnauts would play on us and that would manifest themselves in spoiling our devices that are susceptible to detrimental action of the magnetic field of UFO vehicles.
As with everything that God does, also the principle described here is to develop in people moral knowledge and wisdom, as well as the fast ability to distinguish truth from false, good from evil, authentic from a fabrication, etc. Therefore, in His "simulations" of manifestations of someone's belief, God additionally imprints the information about a "moral value" of the belief itself. This information is always aligned with the reliable God's principle, which in the ancient language of the Bible is expressed with the words: "a healthy tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit" (see the Bible, Matthew, verse 7:17 - while for the interpretation of this verse see item #C4.7 from the web page named morals.htm). Therefore, beliefs into the correcting of which God persuades us through the "simulation" of detrimental, unpleasant, destructive, etc., manifestations of their consequences, in fact are false, non-authentic, anti-God, anti-human, etc. - while people believing in them should immediately change them into the correct ones, or completely cease believing in them. In other words, from what manifestations of "fruits" of someone's belief return to a given believer, one should recognise whether this belief is true or false, whether it serves for the good of people or is detrimental for the humanity, etc. (As an example consider suffering and disasters that are connected with the "simulations" of "skeletons of dinosaurs" described in item #A1 of the totaliztic web page evolution.htm.)
This recommendation of totalizm is also disseminated by atheists under the name of "positive thinking". However, in the totaliztic recipe described here it is more effective from the "positive thinking" and it is applicable in the elimination of practically all human problems. After all, it is following the God's intentions, is boils down to enforcing our knowledge about God and our morality, and it also serves to the uplifting of human wisdom, inquisitiveness, life experience, etc.
In item #C5.1 from the web page seismograph.htm, I am explaining how I would apply the above method to stop cataclysms that already plague the city of Christchurch in New Zealand. But notice that the method outlined in there applies to all cities and all communities in the world (i.e. it applies to all so-called "group intellects" defined briefly in item #E2 below, while controlled by moral mechanisms explained in items #B2 to #B4.4 of the web page mozajski_uk.htm).
#A2.3. From catastrophes and from extremes of nature defend yourself and your loved ones by surrounding yourself with a group of at least "10 righteous":
Starting from around 1992, due to "contributions" of our well-paid science, the humanity is openly in the "state of war with its God" - for more details see descriptions from item #K1 and "Tab. #K1" of my web page named tapanui.htm. The continuation of the present blind belief of people in erroneous claims of "atheistic orthodox science" additionally escalates this our open "war with God", instead of easing it down. In the result, everyone amongst us should be prepared, that the present cataclysms, catastrophes, extremes of weather and nature, etc., will be intensified as time elapses. So it is worth to begin to listen to the guidelines of totalizm as how to defend oneself from all these.
Totalizm recommends, that the best defence against cataclysms, catastrophes, extremes of weather and nature, etc., resorted in "crisis situations" when these disasters already trouble us and hang above our heads, depends on surrounding ourselves with a group of at least 10 people who fulfil the definition of so-called "righteous" - means people defined more precisely in item #I1 from my web page quake.htm, which live precisely according to either what in the ancient language recommends to us the Bible, or what with the modern language (and present examples) recommends the philosophy of totalizm. (Notice that the philosophy of totalizm actually is a "generator of righteous people". This is because people who practice the so-called "formal totalizm" described below in item #C1, in reality also fulfil the highly demanding definition of "righteous" from the Bible.) This method of defence results from the fact that God granted a guarantee in the Bible, that these communities in the midst of which lives at least 10 highly moral persons that fulfil the demanding definition of "righteous", are protected from consequences of any cataclysms. This God's guarantee is recorded in the Biblical "Book of Genesis, verses 18:23-32. In turn the actual keeping this guarantee in real life and in present times, I checked in person on the township of Petone in New Zealand (in which I live), while I documented it in item #I3 of two web pages named petone.htm and day26.htm. In fact, this Petone, in the vicinity of which live such "10 righteous" with highly totaliztic morality, is omitted by all cataclysms which lately almost continually trouble New Zealand. (Some amongst these cataclysms are described, amongst others, in item #C5 of the web page named seismograph.htm, in item #D5 of the web page named fruit.htm, and also in item #N1 of the web page named solar.htm.)
Unfortunately, NOT in every place of living one can surround himself or herself with these at least "10 righteous" - for a simple reason, that there is increasingly less of them on Earth. So if such people are lacking in the place of our living, nor we are able to convince 9 amongst our friends to join us - so that together we would form such a group of "10 righteous" that would pedantically practice the philosophy of "formal totalizm", while the place of our living is already endangered by deadly cataclysms, then perhaps we should consider either shifting to a different area, or "importing" the lacking "righteous" from elsewhere. In turn, if such a shifting or "importing" is out of question, then still we can defend ourselves by practicing totalizm just on our own. After all, even if our lone practice of totalizm does NOT defend from a cataclysm the community amongst which we live, it still for sure is to defend just us. This is because even when our possessions will need to be destroyed by the cataclysm send by God, still - because of our pedantic practicing of totalizm we ourselves for sure become somehow spared, or saved.
In item #I3.1 from the web page day26.htm is explained, that the "gift" of such "10 righteous" to protect against cataclysms the area in which they live, can probably be "projected" onto a single selected "righteous" person. Unfortunately, I do not have the required research funds to verify experimentally such a possibility.
#A2.4. If you are "pushed against a wall" or "cornered", then seek the hidden "doors of exit from the situation" that God prepared in there especially for you:
All inhabitants of the physical world, even those ones who behave most morally, occasionally God subjects to periodic exams, tests, checks, etc. - for details see item #A1.1 above on this web page. These are aimed at teaching us the awareness and perseverance, and simultaneously at testing what each one of us is capable of, how his or her skills compare to skills of other people, etc. These God's exams, tests, checks, etc., sometimes may even depends on the proverbial "pushing us against a wall" or on "cornering" us. But they are to test us, not to destroy us. Therefore, always before creating the situation which is to "push us against a wall" or to "corner us", God firstly prepares especially for us in this wall or in this corner a well-hidden "door" which allows that these moral ones amongst us can escape from the situation without any harm. Thus, the main our task is to find this "door" in even the most difficult situations, and then to use it for our advantage. Therefore, totalizm recommends that if you know that in life you mainly act morally, then after finding yourself in the situation which appears to have no exist, you shouldn't ever give up, but always find this "exit door" which God prepared long in advance especially for you.
The existence of such "exit doors" in every situation, even that most hopelessly looking, is confirmed by folk wisdom, e.g. through proverbs of the kind like the Polish "when God shuts the door, he always leaves open a small window". The fact that such an "exist door" God always prepares for us in every difficult situation is also emphasized in the Bible, e.g. with the example of the famous escape of Jews from Egyptians through the Red Sea. Just because of this biblical escape, the totaliztic principle described here stating that "we never should give up and always seek this hidden 'exit door' from a given situation", in my descriptions from #6A in subsection I4.1.1 of volume 5 in monograph [1/5], I call this principle the "law of a highway through a sea".
#A2.5. In your adult life be careful to NOT sabotage the plans and intentions of God, because your adult behaviour decides about what was happening to you in the young age:
Totalizm teaches, that what affects people in young age is actually shaped by what these people are doing in their adult age. Of course, NOT every person has the intellect capable of understanding that whatever they do as adults, in fact decides about what happened to them as children or teenagers. After all, people think in chronological categories. Thus everything that is earlier in time they consider to be a cause, while everything that happens later they consider to be an effect. However, God sees all times at once. After all, God intentionally created the "reversible software time" described in item #C4 from the web page named immortality.htm and in the introduction and item #G4 from the web page named dipolar_gravity.htm - so that He is able to always see not only the presence and past, but also the future. So everything that people do at any time and that introduces vital consequences for other people, for God becomes a cause, while the effect (that represents the reaction of God on this cause) God implements in the moment of time which from the God's prospective is the most adequate - frequently a long time before the elapse of the software human time arrives to the cause of that particular reaction of God. Therefore people whose intellects are unable to understand this capability of God, that effects of someone's actions are served sometimes much earlier than causes do occur, can only feel in their lives a kind of "supervision" or "care". Means, they only notice, that their lives in young age were like intentionally by someone controlled, so that in the adult age they could accomplish or do whatever they did. But in reality the situation is completely reversed. Namely, in reality God first checks what a given person is going to do in the entire its life, and only then God so directs the life of that person, that this doing agrees with plans and intentions of God. This is the reason for which we all should watch whether we do as adults only things that are agreeable with recommendations, plans, and methods of God (revealed to us by the Bible and philosophy of totalizm), because whatever we do as adults is to decide what happened to us in the young age.
The full understanding of the above recommendation of totalizm requires the explanation "why" God acts like this. Unfortunately, it so happens that the explanation "why" is quite complex and exceeds the size of this web page. But it is described in other my publications. Therefore, for this explanation I recommend to look in additional sources which I am indicating here. To these sources belong, amongst others, the second part of the descriptions from the web page god_exists.htm, and also item #F1 from the web page rok_uk.htm. Furthermore, more extensive explanations on the topic of dependence of what happens to us in a young age from what we do in the adult age, are provided in subsections NG5.7, NG5.6 and A16 from my newest monograph [1/5].
#A2.6. For true knowledge - research God and extrapolate your findings to the world around, for the impression of knowledge - research world around you and extrapolate it to God:
Motto: "The one-sided monopole of the 'atheistic orthodox science' to-date, makes the humanity poorer, divided, senseless and gloomy to the level which we see today around us. So it is about the time to restore the richness, harmony, sense and excitement of living on the Earth, by abolishing this monopole with the competitive development of new 'totaliztic science'."
The empirical life continually confirms to us, that "passing the same path, but in both opposite directions, always is the source of two different sets of knowledge which mutually complement each other". For example, if we stand on the top of a mountain, while our eyes catch images (light) arriving from the bottom of it, then our view is different than when we stand on the bottom of this mountain while our eyes catch the view (light) arriving from the top of it. But only the thorough watch in both these directions provides us with a full understanding of the entire situation with that mountain. Similarly, if we look at the landscape through one end of a telescope or binoculars, then whatever we see is to differ drastically from what we are to find out when looking at the same landscape through the opposite end of the same telescope or binoculars. But only combining together our findings from both these directions of looking, provides us with a full and balanced knowledge of work of these instruments. The same happens even if we e.g. just walk or drive "to", and then "from" a place - our road in both directions also provides us with a different knowledge, in spite that it is passing through exactly the same trajectory (e.g. the road "from" always subjectively "feels" as "shorter" and as if we pass it "faster" than the road "to", also during the road "from" we capture additional details of the "other side" which we missed during the road "to"). At outlets of some rivers tourists and locals are entertained by extraordinarily condensed "super-waves" that run "against the current", means "from the sea" - as this is described in item #D2 of the web page named dipolar_gravity.htm. But only seeing also the unusual "extended" waves that run "with the flow" on fast rivers, reveal to us that these "super-waves" are outcomes of collision between the motion of wave and motion of water - and that this collision causes their "condensing". Similarly, seeing the so-called "red shift" in the light of stars that is "condensed" due to run "against the gravity current" of heavy stars, only induces wild speculations of some under-educated scientists regarding "where this red colour of light comes from". Only seeing also the "blue shift" in the light coming from the blue sky and "extended" by motion "with the gravity current" of the Earth, reveals to some rational thinking people that "the gravity is a dynamic dipolar field" similar to a field formed by the air at the entry to a fan. To summarise the above, if one wants to gain a full and balanced knowledge about consequences of a given "pathway", then it is necessary to experience this pathway in both directions.
In spite of these empirical findings that "only travelling in both directions provides us with the full and balanced knowledge", in every matter people insist on going in only one direction. As an example of that insisting, let us consider the "road to God". In medieval times, the religion looked at everything by "starting from God and extrapolating this onto the surrounding reality", while it "burned on stake" every person which tried to accumulate an atheistic knowledge. In turn present-day "atheistic science" does opposite, namely "looks at everything starting from the surrounding reality and extrapolating this onto God", while it "burns on the stake" everyone who (like my "totaliztic science") tries to show the world from the prospective of God. Unfortunately, due to limiting its investigations to just this one approach, the science to-date arrives to the erroneous conclusion that "God does NOT exist". However, the empiric experience reveals to us, that in order to gain the "complete and balanced knowledge" it is necessary to learn about the surrounding reality (and about God), by passing the "road to knowledge" in both these directions, i.e. by "placing ourselves in the situation of God and extrapolating our analyses at the surrounding reality" as well as by "atheistic researching the reality which surrounds us and extrapolation our findings onto God". In this way, these two approaches mutually are to check and to complement each other. In order to realise here the benefits open for us due to such "two-directional" approach, let us briefly compare accomplishments of the monopole of the atheistic orthodox science to-date - means present official human science which "researches only the surrounding reality while the results tries to extrapolate onto God", with the rich competitiveness of the newly born totaliztic science - means the new science which is based on the philosophy of totalizm, and which "analyses everything after placing itself in the position of God and extrapolating God's prospective onto the surrounding reality". (For definitions and more detailed descriptions of both these sciences with opposite philosophical foundations, see items #C1 to #C6 from the abovementioned web page telekinetics.htm.)
As I am documenting this with countless evidence in a whole range of totaliztic publications, for example in item #B1 from the web page named changelings.htm, or in subsection H10 from volume 4 of my newest monograph [1/5], such "world ruled by God" that results from research of the "totaliztic science" must drastically differ from the "world without God" that stems from the research of the "atheistic orthodox science". For example, in the "world without God" finding "bones of dinosaurs" must mean that dinosaurs in fact lived on the Earth. In turn in the "world governed by God" finding "bones of dinosaurs" means only that God has some superior goal in showing these bones to people - as this is described in items #A1 and #E1 of the web page named evolution.htm. Thus God could "create" these "bones of dinosaurs" in the same way as He created people and created animals - in spite that dinosaurs did NOT need to live on the Earth. In a similar way in the "world without God" there is no place for "morality" nor "dreams", nor even for the "higher feelings" like love, pity, sorrow, etc. In other words, in order the humanity accomplished the balanced picture of the universe, reality must be simultaneously researched and interpreted by two competitive sciences, namely by the to-date "atheistic orthodox science" and by the "totaliztic science" which is just being established by the philosophy of totalizm. In turn results of both these sciences should be taught simultaneously in schools and officially disseminated amongst people - as this is emphasized, amongst others, in items #B1 and #G1 from my web page named pajak_re_2017.htm. This is because without such a parallel learning from both these "roads to knowledge", the picture of the universe is highly "biased", deviated, and poor.
As I already explained it at the beginning of this item, the competitive approach of the new "totaliztic science" is NOT entirely new in every its aspect. After all, it represents the approach to research of the reality, which by past philosophers was called a priori - means "from cause to effect". In a highly limited edition it was practiced in past by religions, while in the ancient times it was even used by Jewish scholars - who preserve the essence of it until today in the form of "kabala". But the "totaliztic science" introduces several new (highly creative) components to this old approach. For example, it states that the use in scientific research exclusively one approach, i.e. the use exclusively either "a priori" approach, or exclusively "a posteriori" approach (i.e. the one which climbs "from effect to cause" - means the one which is exclusively used by present "atheistic orthodox science") is a serious epistemological error which leads to deviations in the human knowledge. This is because, in order the knowledge is complete and balanced, it is necessary to use both these approaches simultaneously. In other words, in vital interest of the humanity lies the establishing and running on the Earth as many as two competitive sciences simultaneously, i.e. the continuation of to-date "atheistic orthodox science" with its exclusively "a posteriori" approach to research, and the simultaneous establishing and running a new "totaliztic science" which would be based on the Concept of Dipolar Gravity and on the formal scientific proof for the existence of God - thus which would scientifically develop the "a priori" approach to the same research - as this "a priori" approach is represented and illustrated already now in my publications, e.g. in my newest monograph [1/5]. Of course, many more such new and highly creative elements were introduced to the "totaliztic science" - only that their full description (and illustration on examples) requires rather voluminous publication, such as my newest monograph [1/5].
Sadly, the monopole of "atheistic orthodox science" is surely going to disallow for a long time to come, both - the official establishing and financing of the "totaliztic science", as well as the official dissemination of findings of that "totaliztic science". After all, the "atheistic orthodox science", similarly like every other monopolistic institution, gains significant financial benefits and complacent life due to its "monopole on knowledge" - which benefits it does NOT want to share voluntarily with anyone, while which complacent life it does NOT want to loose by creating a competition. Thus, for a long time to come the totaliztic researchers, similarly like Dr Jan Pająk - the author of this web page, will be forced to research the universe as "unemployed scientists", and perhaps some of them will be even skilfully deprived the right for an "unemployment benefit" - thus experiencing another manifestation of the "curse of inventors" described in item #B4.4 of the web page named mozajski_uk.htm. Because of this obstructing the free and official disclosure of the findings of the "totaliztic science", to balance own knowledge every person should try to learn these findings in his or her private capacity. After all, when starting from the point of view that God exists, and being aware of the method of God described in item #A2.2 above, rapidly the world around us begins to look differently. For example, everything that surrounds us begins to be just a kind of "hologram" formed by God to accomplish His superior goals - e.g. to inspire people for creative searches and to improve "morality". Thus, for example looking at "skeletons of dinosaurs" we start to know that these skeletons do NOT mean at all that dinosaurs actually lived on the Earth - but only mean that God wishes to inspire human creative searchers by "fabricating" them. Similarly, e.g. the so-called "red shift of lights from stars" and "expansion of the universe", do NOT certify at all for the "big bang", but certify for the high complexity and refinement of the laws of nature which God encoded into the software of the universe - as this is explained in item #D2 of the web page named dipolar_gravity.htm. In turn, when we realise all these, our lives again become enriched with the deep sense of purpose and with the understanding of direction - both of which the humanity lost recently because of the "biased" deformation of the knowledge due to the complacent "monopole" of the present "atheistic orthodox science".
The topic of urgent need for establishing the "totaliztic science" is extended in items #C1 to #C6 from the web page telekinetics.htm and in item #B1 from the web page tornado.htm.
#A2.7. Beware of "principle of the survival of most moral" (which can also be called "principle of the extinction of most immoral intellects"), which God consistently, although discreetly, implements on people:
Motto: "If we would determine the most primary cause for each premature death, then it turns out that it is the deafness to voice of own conscience (i.e. practicing of a form of immorality)."
No matter whether you are an individual person, or just a whole institution (i.e. so-called "group intellect"), the philosophy of totalizm has for you a vital advice. Namely, if you wish to protect yourself (and also your close ones) from a premature death, then you listen to the voice of your conscience, and also teach your children and all people close to you how to listen to the voice of their conscience. Do so, because for the majority of so-called "intellects" (i.e. for the majority of everything that leads independent "life" and has conscience), God consistently implements the principle of the "survival of most moral" described in more details, amongst others, in item #B1 of the web page named changelings.htm and in items #G1, #G3 and #G4 of the web page named will.htm. The work of this principle is such, that almost all "intellects" which become deaf to the voice of their conscience die prematurely. But it shocks how many present people is unable to listen to the voice of their conscience. Almost all of them are designated "for the scythe" - it is just a matter of time how soon this happen to them. In turn, if you wish to test an adult whether he or she listens to the voice of conscience, then you should utilise for this purpose consequences of the "unanimity rule" described in more details in subsections JA2.1, JA9 and JA13 from volume 6 of my newest monograph [1/5] (or use the child test, also based on this rule, and described in caption under "Fig. #G1b (right)" from the web page named cielcza_uk.htm). This rule states, that "independently with which moral criterion one would judge or measure a given human behaviour, the outcome always will be the same". Therefore, if the reader finds e.g. in the Bible any definite judgement of some human behaviour, then the exact equivalent of this judgement will be whispered by the voice of conscience to all people who still listen to their consciences. Thus, if to a person that still is used to listen to the voice of own conscience, someone suggests e.g. to think or to imagine a sexual intercourse between homosexuals, then the conscience of such a person is to generate a feeling that corresponds to the God's command expressed e.g. in the Biblical "Leviticus", verse 18:22 - quote: "And you must not lie down with a male the same as you lie down with a woman. It is a detestable thing." It is just for this reason, that the majority of people used to listen to voice of their conscience are unable to eat meals e.g. in restaurants in which homosexuals e.g. are openly kissing each other - as this is described in item #B4 from the web page antichrist.htm. But in people who become deaf to voices of their conscience, a sight of active homosexuals either does NOT induce any feelings, or induces the same feelings as a sight of kissing boys and girls. In turn, if to a person used to listen to the voice of own conscience, someone suggests e.g. the "murder", then the conscience of that person is going to induce in him or her a feeling that is an equivalent to the definitive command from God documented e.g. in the Biblical "Exodus", verse 20:13 - quote: "You must not murder". (Notice that both above verses are quoted from the "New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures", Watch Tower Bible, New York 1984. The reason is, that in some other translations of the Bible, these verses may NOT be translated so exactly. For example, in Biblical times the same word "kill" was used both, for describing a killing of animals and for a human murder. But in abovementioned verse 20:13 this word is used to describe murdering of people. After all, God allows killing animals if the goal of this killing is a justified use of their flesh for satisfying a true human hunger.)
The principle of the "survival of most moral" (which can also be named the principle of "premature extinction of most immoral intellects") stems directly from the goal for which God created people and for which at present God wisely governs over the humanity. This is because the God's goal is the "pursue of knowledge" - as this is explained in items #B1 and #B2 of the web page named antichrist.htm. It is also for the same goal that God was forced to create people as imperfect as only possible without causing a self-destruction of the humanity. But, unfortunately, in order to be able to "pursue knowledge" people must behave in a specific manner which in present times is named with the term "moral" behaviour. After all, without a moral behaviour there is NO progress of knowledge nor technology - as this is emphasized in item #A1 of this web page. Therefore God issued to people in authorised (inspired) by Him holy books (e.g. in the Bible) the list of moral requirements and commandments which all humans must obey in their lives. In addition, to every person God gave also a special sense organ called conscience which links directly the mind of that person with the mind of God and which discreetly tells every person which behaviours are morally correct, and which are morally incorrect. In turn, for the use of e.g. atheists, wise God developed also a whole array of objective so-called "indicators of moral correctness" - such as "moral field", "moral energy", "moral laws", "karma", etc. (for their brief descriptions see items #C4.2 to #C4.7 from the web page morals.htm). Unfortunately, because of the in-born imperfection, many people ignore these commandments from holy books, whispers of conscience, indicators of moral correctness, etc. Due to this, instead of behaving morally, they behave immorally. In turn, such their immoral behaviour holds back God in accomplishing His goals and plans. Therefore, God discreetly eliminates these immoral intellects from the life (i.e. quietly kills them) - as this is explained in items #G1, #G3 and #G4 from the web page named will.htm and item #B1 from the web page named changelings.htm. This string of premature deaths of such immoral intellects (and thus survivals of only most moral ones) forms the principle of the "survival of most moral" summarised in this item. (For a complete description of this principle I would recommend to look at items #G1 to #G7 from the web page named will.htm.)
However, God's actions during the implementation of this principle of the "survival of most moral" (and "extinction of the most immoral"), are obstructed by a serious limitation. This limitation stems from the fact, that if every person is sure of the consistent work of this principle in real life, then rapidly all people would start to blindly believe in God and there would be NO atheists on the Earth. On the other hand, people who blindly believe in God and are highly religious, have a serious drawback, which can be called the "paradox of believers". Namely, typically they think, that they already know everything that is worth knowing - thus they ignore their duty to learn increasingly more about their God and about the world which God created. This in turn changes them into conservatives and stagnation-makers. So not only that they do NOT "pursue of knowledge", but even they actively disrupt the pursue of knowledge - as this is explained in more details in items #C3 and #A2 from the web page named will.htm. In fact, if the Earth is inhabited exclusively by people blindly believing in God, then until today the humanity probably would still live in caves and know no fire. In addition, almost all religions (and thus almost all religious people who blindly believe in God) with the elapse of time gradually deviated the understanding of God's commandments, interpreting these commandments increasingly wrong and selectively. For example, the greatest parts of holy books with God's commandments (e.g. the greatest part of the Bible) express God's requirements how people should coexist morally with other people. In turn only a marginal part of these holy books is devoted to maintenance of tradition of repetitive reminding to people about the existence of God - through e.g. communal prayers and masses, explanation of God's powers, pay homage to God, worshiping God, etc. However, almost all religions reversed these proportions and the majority of their attention they devote to worshiping God and prising God, while only a marginal part of attention they devote to the moral coexistence between people. As the result, the majority of religious people who blindly believe in God, thinks that they fulfil all God's requirements imposed onto them if they only regularly go to church or temple and participate in there in sessions of worshiping God and prising God. In turn fulfilment of these most vital for God requirements of everyday moral coexistence with other people, these blindly believing people neglect or ignore completely. So instead of living morally, the majority of religious people only regularly praise God, while their everyday lives typically are full of immoralities. Summarising the above, because of the progressing with time departure by religions from the understanding of God's intentions passed to people in His requirements and commandments, highly religious people who blindly believe in God actually make impossible for God the implementation of the goal for which He created people, i.e. make impossible the "pursue of knowledge". So for the "pursue of knowledge", God needs atheists on the Earth (or needs the presence of people who practice the new "totaliztic science" - and thus who know that the God’s goal is the "pursue of knowledge", and thus they still "pursue of knowledge" in spite that they are sure of the God's existence). Therefore, God cannot openly and in a visible to everyone manner "kill those most immoral intellects". This is because such an open killing would deprive people of their "free will" and would cause that everyone would be scared to ask inquisitive questions which lie at foundations of the "pursue of knowledge". After all, people who ask courageous questions frequently are accused of "blasphemy" by various "Pharisees" - it is in order to disclose the immorality of this type of accusations that are against God's will and goals, that Jesus was send to cross by priests who almost everything were ready to call "blasphemy".
In order to balance the situation and cause that both, immoral intellects get extinct, but atheists still are propelling the "pursue of knowledge", wise God implements on the Earth the principle of the "survival of most moral" in a highly discreet, unspectacular, and unnoticeable for people manner - as this is explained in items #G3 to #G5 from the abovementioned web page will.htm. Namely, God creates appearances, that also for people supposedly acts the Darwin's principle of the "survival of fittest" and that supposedly "pays to be immoral", and furthermore, when God consistently "kills these most immoral", He always does it in a manner which provides people with at least 3 different explanations - described more exactly in item #C2 from the web page tornado.htm. In turn, for the use of these persons, which work (and deserve) to learn the truth on this subject, God allows this truth to be discovered, and revealed to interested people, by someone named Jan Pająk - means by a truth-chaser with the professional life quite symbolic for the turn of 20th to 21st century, i.e. restlessly persecuted by his countrymen, unwanted in his own country, chased to the "end of world", continually criticised by professional scientists, characterised by almost everything that induces prejudices of other people (including name), troubled by frequent losses of work, by uncertainty of tomorrow, by unemployment (but without qualifying for an unemployment benefit), lack of funds for research, scarce resources, coldness, health problems, etc. This is because the wise God knows very well, that anyway, almost no-one in the world will believe in truths which were discovered privately and for free by the hobbyist named Jan Pająk that originates from the small Polish village Wszewilki (instead of being discovered at huge costs and with the use of expensive satellites or research facilities by a scientific celebrity employed officially in Cambridge or in MIT just for specialising in such research).
#A2.8. If you notice a "group immorality" of the institution or community to which you belong, do wisely everything in your power (but without compromising your security), to disclose the harmfulness of it, as the passivity towards someone's immorality, God punishes the same severely as a participation in this immorality:
Motto: "If you remain 'passive' in the face of someone's immorality, then in the future you will be punished in the same way as if you were a co-culprit in that immorality."
Empirical data that increasingly reveal themselves in events that we see, show that a "passivity" towards someone's immorality God punishes as severely as the participation in that immorality. That principle of punishing a passivity is described already in a number of totaliztic web pages - e.g. see items #B4 and #B1 from the web page named parasitism.htm. Therefore, if we see any form of immorality in the group intellect to which we belong, then in our interest lies that we wisely do everything in our power, but in such a way that it will not expose us to a danger or to a persecution, to disclose the harmfulness of this immorality and in this way to make our own contribution to the elimination of it.
In our, however, observance of that requirement of God (to not remain passive in face of someone's immorality), we have an obligation to take only such actions which, according to our conscience and to our knowledge, do NOT represent an "aggression", and hence do NOT expose us to the danger or to persecution from other people with whom we previously lived in peace. The point is, that God does NOT wish we combat one evil with the help of another evil. However, if we are first who took (initiate) an action against people with which previously we lived in peace, while a consequence of this action would be that it would expose us to a revenge, persecution, danger, etc., from these people, then even if our action would be used to curb someone's immorality, still it would represent itself an "aggression", and as such it would be an immoral action. Hence such a prevention of someone's "malicious" activities through the initiation of harming ourselves, is not at all what the wise and righteous God demands from us. For this reason, by "doing everything in our power" to prevent someone's immorality, one should understand the making of prudent and well thought-over actions, which do NOT represent an "aggression", and hence they do NOT expose us to any form of receiving returned suffering, persecution, dangers, etc. (Please notice, however, that if this "group immorality" that we have the duty to combat, is already itself an aggression directed against us, then the situation changes and we have then an "obligation to defend ourselves" with the aid of all ways and means that are available to us.) In other words, from experiencing the full weight of the punishment from God for our passivity towards someone's immorality, we will be exempted already after taking any our prudent and well thought-over deliberate actions, that at least in a minimal way contribute to the reduction of the "immorality" of someone's conduct (e.g. through making other people aware of the harmfulness of such a conduct). Of course, when God will serve penalty for immortality of a given "group intellect" to which we belong, then the level of our release from suffering because of that penalty, will be proportional to how much we contributed to eradication of given "group immorality". The most clearly this "proportionality" of the level of punishment can be seen in cataclysms - e.g. see items #C7 and #I1 on the web page named seismograph.htm. This is because cataclysms always bring death only to those most guilty, they bring rough treatment to those slightly less guilty or those who did not display a full passiveness, and they completely bypass the innocent ones and those who significantly contributed to the elimination of the "group immorality".
To the matter of our personal responsibility for immoral actions of the group intellect to which we belong, and also of the moral requirement imposed on us, that in such cases we must NOT remain passive, but should start an active effort to correct this immorality, the philosophy of totalizm devotes a lot of attention. For example, this topic is addressed also in item #E2 from this web page, as well as in item #N2 from the web page named pajak_re_2017.htm. In turn an example of the punishment which was served to Germans for passivity in the matter of immoralities committed by their group intellect, which punishment after the end of second world's war, amongst others, took the form of killings of former (passive) Germans by the secret organisation of Germans, is discussed in item #E2 from the web page named wszewilki_uk.htm.
#A2.9. To those whom you love and respect tell the objective truth and well-balanced constructive criticism, while praises and unconstructive compliments keep for the enemies:
Motto: "Those who receive only compliments are deprived of chances to repair their mistakes."
Speaking the truth and constructive criticism is difficult. After all, it climbs steeply uphill in the "moral field" - as explained in item #A2 from the web page named prawda_uk.htm. Thus the "truth" almost always turns out to be unpleasant. Therefore, in recent times the humanity adopted an immensely damaging principle, that to the people close to us only said is whatever they want to hear, means sweet lies, praises, compliments, etc. This rampant lately "fashion" or a rule to never tell the truth, on the West already has the name of "positive reinforcement" - means supposedly the "building of a character through telling only things believed to be 'positive' ". However, as it turns out, the consequences of it actually "undermine", not "enhance" or "reinforce". As a result of this ocean of "sweet lies", the majority of people today have lost their self-criticism, as well as their ability to understand and to repair of errors that they committed. Therefore, no longer they are able to improve their behaviour. After all, by not receiving the information from other people as to what they are doing wrong, they lost the realism in the assessment of own conduct, and therefore act increasingly more wrong.
For the above reasons totalizm points out that the more you love and respect someone, the greater is the obligation to speak truth to him or her and to positively identify errors that this someone commits. After all - as it is explained in item #F1 from this web page, "without learning the truth there is no progress". But if the loving person does not explain exactly to the loved and respected ones, what they do wrong and what mistakes they made, then in today's times they do not receive such an information from anyone else.
In imposing on the totalizts the obligation to criticise constructively and to objectively indicate someone's errors, totalizm, however, requires to do it the right way. Namely, it requires that (a) the criticized people are always informed that our criticism results from the love and respect to them, and that we want that through such a criticism they learned to avoid making mistakes and mastered the skill of repairing these errors which they already committed. In addition, (b) the criticism must be constructive. This means, that it should be accompanied by so much additional information as much we are able to communicate. Especially it should reply to questions "why" something was wrong, "how it can be repaired", "how in the future one can avoid the repetition of the same error", etc. Our criticism should also be (c), well-balanced. That is, the serving of it, if possible, should be balanced by the equal amount of confirming what those of our loved and respected ones do well and properly.
Totalizts typically "do not get into anyone's way", and thus they do not have a lot of enemies. After all, in their lives they always act pedantically moral. However, if they do have an enemy, then they should keep for him or her all the compliments and unconstructive praising. After all, in this way they "hunt up several birds with just a single stone."
#A2.10. Rise your children accordingly to the "principle of reversals" commanded us by God, remember also that the entire your life God continues upbringing you with the use of this principle:
Motto: "Experiencing opposite of good, illustratively teaches us what is good."
On a number of totaliztic web pages is described the principle used by God for upbringing people, called the "principle of reversals". Descriptions of it the reader finds in item #B1.1 from the web page antichrist.htm, in item #B5.1 from the web page named will.htm, or in item #F3 from the totaliztic web page wszewilki_uk.htm. In the Bible this principle is commanded by God to be used by people for upbringing their children - although in there it does NOT have so meaningful name. The work of this principle boils down to the mobilizing people to intensely work towards a change of their situation, through placing them in the situation, that what "is", always seems to be "opposite" to what "should be", what "we would like to be", and what "God requires us to establish". In other words, in order to teach people a resourcefulness, place them in situation of unavailability, to teach people softness, act on them hard, etc.
The fact, that for the entire our lives God continually is upbringing us with the use of this "principle of reversals", introduces various consequences to the perception of whatever affects us. For example, if we are affected with something unpleasant, then instead of being miserable, we should treat our experience as a lesson of life from which we can draw useful conclusions, and as an opportunity to improve our character and our prospects for the future. We also should NOT be ashamed of our "black periods" from our lives, as they document the richness of experiences that we already gathered.
In order to consistently implement this "principle of reversals" on the Earth, God is forced to use an array of tools, methods, and ways of acting especially created or developed for this purpose. I personally would recommend to the reader to get familiar with them. Their more comprehensive description is provided in item #C6 from the web page named god_exists.htm. Some of these are also indicated in item #A1.1 above on this web page. After all, knowing them allows us to understand better the behaviour of our God, and also to react better in unpleasant life situations in which frequently we find ourselves just because of this God's "principle of reversals".
#A2.11. Because every elementary action generates both good and bad consequences, to each of your more vital matter assign at least two different actions at the same time, which you choose so skilfully, that their "bad" effects will compensate each other:
Motto: "If instead of a force that always induces resistance, or instead of money that stimulate lusts, you use your intelligence and the described here knowledge about such merging together mechanisms that they mutually compensate their bad consequences, then even the most difficult among troubling you problems, with the help of God can be solved without generating effects that are undesirable e.g. for yourself."
Everyone probably knows the old Polish saying, which expresses the timeless truth, namely that "there is no such bad that would NOT generate also some sort of good". After all, this wise saying was copied from Polish people by practically all the other nations, so that in some way almost everyone come across it on some occasion. However, not everyone knows yet, that this saying has also the reversed version which equally well works in real life, and which I have already described on a number of my web pages and publications (e.g. see item #F3 on my web page named wszewilki_uk.htm, or see item #B3 on my other web page named pajak_re_2017.htm). This reversed version affirms a completely opposite truth, namely that "There is no such good that would NOT generate some sort of evil". The perfect example of the action of this opposite truth are consequences of the "good" served when raising children from wealthy homes, or from homes ruled by women - that is, children brought up "without a father" - to which consequences I try to draw the attention of the reader in a number of my web pages (for examples see item #A3 on the web page named god_proof.htm, or item #B4 on the web page antichrist.htm, or even partially item #A2.10 from this web page). In turn the empirical confirmation of the reliable work of both these opposing truths in our physical world, provides e.g. the fact, that absolutely nothing has only advantages, but practically everything has both, advantages and disadvantages, and also provides the work of so-called "moral field", the discovery of which was only possible after the formulation of the philosophy of totalizm (i.e. provides the work of "moral field", which on this web page briefly described in items #H2, #B1 and #A1.1, while more thoroughly which is discussed e.g. in tem #C4.2 from another web page named morals.htm). Also, thanks to totalizm, I have been able to discover, define, and descriptively formulate a moral recommendation explaining "how" we should proceed in our lives in the situation of the simultaneous existence and action of both of these truths, so that we do NOT generate unnecessary evil. This item describes my recommendation, which I hereby include in the collection of life-improving recommendations of my philosophy of totalizm.
The recommendation which I intend to describe here, I intuitively use since the beginning of my research and creative activity. After all, numerous technical implementations of various mechanisms that compensate undesired consequences, as a small boy I was analyzing in precise Swiss clocks that my father used to repair, while I used to take apart again when my father was at work. (I write more about this my youthful behaviour in item #B1 from my autobiographical web page named pajak_jan_uk.htm.) For example, it was just because of my intuitive use of the principle from this recommendation, that I successfully designed my invincible starship called the "Magnocraft" - i.e. that I successfully designed my invention of the interstellar spaceship, which the reader will find described and perfectly illustrated starting from "Fig. #A2" of my web page named magnocraft.htm. The designing problem that needed to be solved in this Magnocraft is arising because for the propelling purposes this starship uses extremely powerful magnets, called Oscillatory Chambers. In turn each of these Oscillatory Chambers NOT only that is capable to generate the desired propelling forces (i.e. to generate "good") that propel this interstellar spaceship to near-light velocity, but is also generates unwanted effects (i.e. generates "bad" consequences), due to e.g. attracting (or repelling) with enormous forces of any other Oscillatory Chambers, as well as any nearby ferromagnetic objects. In order to eliminate these "bad" effects, instead of using just one Oscillatory Chamber, for propelling of the Magnocraft "n+1" of such Oscillatory Chambers are used, and in addition each of them produces a pulsating magnetic field with a special course of its changes over time. As a result of this, the mutual attraction of the Oscillatory Chambers occurring between one main propulsor and "n" side propulsors of the Magnocraft, is neutralized by the mutual repulsion between each other of these "n" circularly positioned side propulsors. On the other hand, the attraction of ferromagnetic objects through all these Oscillatory Chambers is neutralized by the repulsion of these objects by pulsations of the magnetic field. (Note from physics, that the pulsating magnetic field repels ferromagnetic objects, instead of attracting them.) The use of exactly the same principle of neutralizing undesirable effects allowed me also to invent a device that would generate a magnetic field of an unlimited-power - i.e. to invent that Oscillatory Chamber described in more details on the web page named oscillatory_chamber.htm. After all, the electromagnets so-far invented by humans, for the generating magnetic fields use the flow of current in their coils of electrical conductor. However, this principle introduces a very bad consequence in the form of the bursting force that the generated magnetic field exerts on the coils of own conductor. As a result of this bursting force, the magnetic field strength of the existing electromagnets could not rise above a certain value (which turns out to be rather low), because these bursting forces are able to cause a tearing and a destructive exploding of electromagnets' coils. In contrast, in the Oscillatory Chamber of my invention, these bursting forces are neutralized by the forces of attraction that compress the chambers in an opposite direction due to the mutual attraction of the electrical charges accumulated on the opposing walls of these chambers. Similar intuitive use of the principle discussed here has also allowed me to eliminate the problems (bad consequences) of several other my inventions. Unfortunately, my previous use of this principle was done in a completely intuitive way, without being aware that it is a kind of essential law governing over our entire physical world.
It was only when in January 2017 I formulated the content of item #C9.1 from my web page named ufo_proof.htm, that I suddenly realized that the recommendation I am trying to describe here is actually a kind of essential law prevailing in the entire our physical world, which (the law) is even respected by God Himself in almost everything that God does. Hence, the first formulation of this new recommendation of totalizm I was firstly quoting as the "motto" for item #C9.1 from my web page named "ufo_proof.htm". At that item I also provided a large collection of examples of the use of that recommendation. However, after further identification and rethinking as to how extensive and useful are applications of this new recommendation of totalizm, at the end of February 2017 I decided that herewith in this item I am going to incorporate that recommendation into the body of the entire philosophy of totalizm, while the abbreviated formulation of it I shall use as the title for this item.
If this new recommendation was to be expressed in full, then the following words would describe it. "Every elementary action generated by any mechanism is going to introduce both the beneficial (good) as well as undesirable (bad) consequences. Therefore, in order to form systems that generate mostly beneficial (good) effects in our area of interest, it is always necessary to combine together at least two such related mechanisms, the unfavourable (bad) sequences of elementary actions of which will compensate each other."
This new recommendation of totalizm has a huge scope of applications. With its help it is possible to solve not only technical problems (i.e. to eliminate the "bad" consequences of different technical mechanisms and actions), such as those eliminated in my invention of the Magnocraft and the Oscillatory Chamber. As it turns out, it is also indispensable, for example, in economics, politics, science, and even in various problems of interpersonal relations. I will now review below examples of the use of this recommendation in most important areas of human life, to illustrate and to explain to the reader how this recommendation can be, and sometimes even already is intuitively, used to eliminate the negative consequences of actions taken in practically every area of our lives in the physical world.
1. Technology. In the technology the principle of eliminating bad consequences (evil) through the use of the recommendation described here, is already applied most often. The reason is that human-built mechanisms from technical devices allow to quickly discover the nature of the problems (evil) that spoil their work. So in order to remedy these problems (evil), designers of next technical devices add to their work additional mechanisms that eliminate the problems (evil) of previously introduced mechanisms. Probably the most commonly known example of such a situation is the "differential" mechanism in wheels of our cars. This mechanism was introduced in cars to cause that when the car turns, the wheels on both sides of the car can rotate at different speeds, so that no wheel is forced to slide along the ground. Unfortunately, on the slippery substrate this mechanism itself also generates a "bad" consequence in the form of rotations of only a sliding wheel. Hence, in off-road vehicles, an additional mechanism has to be introduced that enables the differential mechanism to be switched off when the car is running on slippery surfaces. Of course, the differential mechanism from cars is just one example among thousands of different mechanisms used to eliminate the undesirable (bad) effects of today's technical devices.
2. Politics. Politicians are chronic in using this principle to avoid adverse consequences (e.g. losing elections) in all their socially unacceptable moves. For example, whenever they decide to impose a new tax, or raise an old one, or legalize their negligence or corruption, at the same time with a big bang they announce something supposedly "good" that they have decided to do (but the date of the initiation of this "good" is usually set for the times of a next government). An excellent such example was the news from the NZ government and NZ milk monopoly, that I saw in television on the day of writing this item, i.e. on 23rd of February 2017. The NZ government announced then that it raised by more than the double the number of deadly "Escherichia coli" (E. coli) bacteria that is allowed to contaminate the waters of New Zealand's rivers and lakes, as these bacteria leak into these rivers and lakes from cow dung. (Previously, the number was 260 bacteria E. coli per 100 ml of water, while on that day it was raised to 540 bacteria per 100 ml of water.) The point is that because of the highly careless and harmful to nature actions of the NZ milk monopoly, which provides cheap butter to almost half of today's world (although in NZ the price of butter is one of the highest in the world), the waters of the rivers in NZ have already been so dangerously polluted with deadly micro-organisms, that in a significant proportion of rivers and lakes no-one is allowed to swim or bath any longer, while dogs typically die if they accidentally drink this water. Of course, being so massively present in NZ rivers and lakes, this murderous bacteria sometimes gets into drinking water causing massive poisoning of whole NZ towns (e.g. see poisoning of water in NZ towns of Havelock North, Hastings and Flaxmere in 2016). So in order to "cool down" the public outcry at politicians, caused as a result of this change of already tragic situation into the future one even worse, the government announced simultaneously that by 2040 it would spend two billion dollars to clean waters of the NZ rivers - see www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA1702/S00324/claims-of-lowered-water-standards-wrong.htm. (The "trick" of the current NZ politicians and the government boils down to the fact, that in the 2017 election the present government most likely is to lose the power, while the next governments (and future politicians) will only recognize these deteriorating standards of bacterial river pollution, as this will allow them to NOT do anything to rectify the problem, while those next governments almost surely will still have no money nor good will to respect the current government's commitment to spend $2 billion on river cleaning in the future.) As in the example above, corrupt governments and politicians already in almost all of today's world use the same method of announcing something that aggravates the fate of people that they govern, with the simultaneous proclamation of a promise that they will undertake in a distant future some actions which are supposed to improve that fate (but which actions these governments and politicians actually do NOT intend to implement at all).
3. Science. The problem (evil) with today's official science which desperately holds up its monopoly on research and on education, is that it so much has advanced its corruption and its departure from the truth, that practically everything new that this science officially states, is already a lie. (For various examples of lies of today's official science - see items #D4, #D2, #D2.1, #K1 and #K2 on my web page named dipolar_gravity.htm, item #B3 on my web page named portfolio.htm, item #E1.1 on my web page named telepathy.htm, item #B2 on my web page named humanity.htm, and also see other pages and items linked from there.) Thus, in order to still be able to pretend that this official and extremely costly science keeps discovering something new, and at the same time to avoid becoming officially caught up spreading lies that would compromise its hold on maintaining the present monopoly on research and on education, current professional researchers use the recommendation described here. For example, they announce that they supposedly have discovered something new, but at the same time they locate this discovery where no one of normal people, politicians, financiers, or decision makers is able to verify the truth of this discovery (e.g. locate it in the distant cosmos, in the depths of the ocean, underground, in micro-world, in atoms, in micro-particles, in unknown to people radiation, at "the beginning of times", etc., etc.) Of course, the fact that their lies can also be exposed by their colleagues (i.e. by other scientists) today's scientists do not fear, because the present drowning in corruption and still monopolistic science has already developed effective methods that allow it to crush in the bud all attempts to unmask its lies - similarly as they have been for nearly half a century crushing in the bud and blocking my own attempts to reveal the truth (i.e. attempts crushed and blocked, for example, by disseminating another lie, that I am dealing only with "pseudoscience" and "conspiracy theories" - to check how far away from truth is this another lie of official science, I suggest to look at e.g. available in #A0 from the web page named dipolar_gravity.htm, a shortened description of my theory of everything called the Concept of Dipolar Gravity or "Codig", or review the listed on the Polish web page skorowidz.htm and in section #A2.1 from the web page named faq_pl.htm examples of topics and problems that bother humanity, the solution for which problems I already have found due to my supposedly private and "pseudoscientific" hobby research).
4. Economics. Human nature tends to seek obtaining a monopoly in whatever one does, and then jealously maintain this monopoly. Hence, every larger business uses all the forces and resources available to it, to get the monopoly first, and then to hold it for own benefit. This in turn leads to the rise of corruption among politicians (or, more precisely, to rise of bribery), to price rises, to the decline of quality, and ultimately to the collapse of the economic branch dominated by a given monopoly. Hence, people have discovered empirically that monopolies should be vigorously combated. In today's world, they are prevailing only in fallen countries inhabited by bribed and immoral people and rulled by corrupted governments. On the other hand, countries with rightful and moral citizens and governments neutralize in themselves these evil-generating monopolies (and cartels) at the source, by making sure that in every economic realm there is a real competition, which is the other mechanism eliminating the economic evil generated by the trend to creating monopolies or cartels.
5. Marriage monopoly. For many important reasons, God so created women that their innate qualities lay below the threshold level of stability - for details see description from item #B2 of my web page named antichrist.htm. This is because God created women for living companions of men, so that in the real life the instability of women was compensated by the stability of their men - to which God gave the role of "heads", masters, leaders, administrators, etc. Thus, with their male counterparts in the role of "head", women together with their men form stable units. Unfortunately, the Catholic Church has destroyed this stable units by establishing laws and traditions that a man is allowed to have only one wife. This in turn causes that into the hands of unstable women is given the "marriage monopoly". The monopoly in turn allows that instead of "head" function being performed by men, on the principles of various sexual and legal blackmail and gradual corrupting, currently increasingly more women are assuming the function of the "head", thus destabilizing the men and the entire social life of our civilization - for details see item #J2.2.2 from my web page named morals.htm. Therefore, the only way that the part of our civilization practicing monogamy still has to restore the stability which already is lost due to such "marriage monopoly of women", is the return to "marital competition" through the legal and official restoration of the right to polygamy - i.e. the law that initially existed in the described in Bible times, and hence it is NOT at all contrary to the will and approval of God, but which so unwisely has been undermined by the Catholic Church which allegedly serves God. This legalization of polygamy would replace the current "marriage monopoly" by "marital competition". In turn it is known that even the very potential (i.e. the possibility) of existence of competition is often enough to stop the monopolistic behaviour increasingly abused by today's women - especially those from highly industrialized countries. (How just a potential for marital competition affects people's behaviour, everyone knows from times of engagement - that is, from times when both sides were very willing and tried hard because they knew that if they did not meet certain requirements then they could be replaced by someone else from the pool of easily available competition. However, as soon as this period of engagement changes its status to marriage, that willingness and hard trying almost immediately disappear. This is because in monogamy marriages each side knows that access to potential competition is threatened by the power of marriage laws.) At the same time, a possible legalization of polygamy, apart from the change in relationship of one spouse to another (i.e. apart of change in attitudes and possibilities), for the majority of marriages would not change much. After all, most of the marriages that truly and permanently love and respect each other, thus that do NOT change attitudes towards each other at the time when they marry, do NOT need to try a polygamy, because a monogamy is enough for them. Hence, after restoring rights to polygamy the majority of life situations would look then as they look in present times - only that the rolling down of a large proportion of our civilization to instability would be stopped by this one wise and morally-correct move. For example, the infidelity would then stop exist almost completely, as getting sexually involved with someone else would be linked to the real danger of accepting the duty to marry him/her. Unfortunately, it is unlucky for humanity that because of knowing how strong power women currently hold, the probability that someone before the just incoming collapse of our civilization will dare to restore polygamy in the present monogamy countries, is very low. In turn, when our present civilization is already collapsed, and hence when a polygamy automatically raises itself out of the lawlessness, rape and "rule of the fist" that initially will prevail after the collapse of our civilisation, then the fact that women will lose their "marriage monopoly" will no longer protect humanity from a painful fall, hunger, chaos, and destruction - which I described in items #H1 to #H3 of my web page named prophecies.htm.
6. Social life. If someone has a hospitable and friendly nature, favourable living conditions, and an attractive place of living, then also has many guests. Most of people, with whom this person is in friendship, like to organize "invasions" on his/her house and life, as frequently as they want to. Unfortunately, these guests NOT only bring nice consequences, but also many bad consequences. Hence, to neutralize this evil, it is necessary to additionally introduce some mechanism that restricts these "invaders" only to arriving when there is actually an opportunity and a need. The most commonly used of such additional mechanisms is to impose some kind of hardship (e.g. to ask the guests for physical help in some hard work, or to make for them an awkward place to sleep, or to find an awkward day for a visit, etc.).
7. The elimination (killing) of the unproductive, prodigal, and harmful group-intellects financed by taxpayers from taxes. In item #E2 of this web page I explained that there are two different types of so-called "intellects", the life of which is subjected to governing by moral mechanisms. These are: (a) individual intellects (i.e. single people) and (b) group-intellects (i.e. businesses, institutions, organizations, governments, countries, armies, religions, sciences, etc.). In turn, if the life of any intellect is NOT prematurely terminated, then after the birth, each of these intellects passes through the following five periods or phases: (i) learning and growth, (ii) production and addition of its contribution to the society, (iii) errors and distortions, (iv) unproductiveness, wastefulness and harming; (v) death and removal of harmful residues from these intellects. (At this point, it is worth noting that, unlike individual intellects, the death of group intellects does NOT have to depend on their complete disappearance from the surface of earth, but may depend on, for example, a profound transformation of the goals of their existence, principles on which they work, the composition of their leadership, etc. For example, the death of the former communist Poland occurred when Poland, as a country, was transformed into the present capitalist Poland. It is also worth to note that the transformation of each of these periods or phases into a next one typically occurs through a smooth increase and decrease, hence it is difficult to note and define them, and there are no clearly defined boundaries between them.) Since every intellect consists of imperfect people in which the changes of attributes over time are governed by similar mechanisms, each one among the above five periods or phases typically lasts only for the same and predetermined in advance number of years. So, for example, the period (i) of learning and growth, for individual people typically last around 20 years, while for group intellects lasts around from one year, up to maximum a few years. The period (ii) of production and adding its contribution to the society, both for individuals and for group intellects typically lasts only around 30 years. After production arrives the period (iii) of errors and deviations, which in all intellects typically lasts around 10 years. In this period, a given intellect begins to overgrow in a variety of bad habits and deviated tendencies, and also has already such "connections and influences", that instead of producing or doing something for the good of society, it begins to take care of almost exclusively of its private interests. An excellent example of this period (iii) could be the situation with the internet at the time of writing this sub-item in March 2017, when the internet began to be increasingly used to spy on its users, to cheat, con, blackmail, lie, vilify, scare, bully, humiliate people, etc. - instead to the purpose for which it was originally created (i.e. instead of disseminating knowledge and exchanging information). After the period (iii) of errors and deviations, come period (iv) of the unproductiveness, waste, and harming - that continues until period (v) of the death of given intellect. In this period (iv) a given intellect typically ceases to generate any product, and begins to waste virtually all of its acquisitions that previously managed to gather. In turn its habits and tendencies typically start to be so distorted and bad, that this intellect begins to implement goals that are exactly opposite to the goals for which it was originally created. An excellent example of the group-intellect from this period (iv) is the today's earthly official science, described four sub-items above. After all, instead of searching for, and propagating, the truth, almost the only thing that it nowadays is looking and caring for, are lies, and earning of its luminaries, while to find and to develop these lies, and earnings, it spends increasingly higher sums of money paid by taxpayers. Fortunately, in a significant proportion of group intellects that generate their own income which keeps them alive, this period (iv) lasts short, because they quickly "die", i.e. they are bankrupted or "eaten" by younger and economically more and better acting competition. The problem, however, is with the intellects that live at the expense of taxpayers. These intellects, by themselves, that is, without the decision of politicians that kills them, do NOT die, but they are trying to live indefinitely long demanding ever greater amounts of taxpayers’ money to sustain their unproductive and prodigal life. After all, their management, and employees that they gradually select and keep, are already accustomed to ever higher wages, decreasing workload, and comfortable living. So in order to kill them, typically a politician must have the courage to make the decision that cuts them off from the funding by taxpayers. Unfortunately, such a decision is not easy to make, because these intellects, in spite that in practice they for a long time have been unproductive, prodigal and socially detrimental, nevertheless still know how to yell loudly and devise thousands of reasons that deceive people, why the taxpayer should continue to finance them. So the politician who puts them to death risks, for example, losing the next election, or being pushed away from politics. Hence, in order to neutralize the evil that introduces the arrival to that period (iv) of an increasing number of such group-intellects financed by taxpayers, it is necessary to introduce some additional mechanism, which is to compensate the evil consequences resulting from their killing, for example, to introduce an impersonal or automatic killing them after the expiry of these 30 years of period (ii) of their productive life - i.e. without the need that a politician is obliged to assume the responsibility for killing them. The recommendation of totalizm described here indicates how to develop and implement a number of such mechanisms. For example, (A) at the time of creating a new group-intellect funded by taxpayers, it can be determined in advance after how many years it will automatically be eliminated (killed) - note that this number of years should NOT be higher than 30. Or instead of killing a given intellect, (B) a competition can be created for it, while that competition either will cause it to drastically transform into a different group-intellect already operating on completely different principles, or else, e.g. because of its unchangeable habits of unproductiveness, waste and harm, the society itself will kill it (e.g. through a financial "starving"). An example of just such a solution through the establishment of a competition, is my suggestion of endangering with killing, or with drastic transforming, the nowadays already unproductive, deceptive, wasteful and harmful official science, by establishing a "competition" for the current official science in the form of a new "totaliztic science" (i.e. the science which is new and competitive to the old one, and which I described in more details in items #C1 and #C6 from my web page named telekinetics.htm). Yet another way of neutralizing the ill effects of killing of such group-intellects already in their period (iv) of life, would be that, for example, instead of financing them by taxpayers, they may be (C) re-qualified for voluntary contributions from human donations, or (D) re-qualified for being financed from own income of these intellects. (Both these changed funding rules would very soon kill them - after all such intellects in the phase (iv) of their lives are already too used to unprofessional, prodigal and destructive behaviour.) Etc., etc. If one looks carefully around, then he/she notices that there is already too much of such unprofitable, prodigal, and harmful to people group-intellects financed by taxpayers. Because they have mastered to perfection the art of telling everyone that they are very needed and that they must be financed further, no present politician will risk trying to kill them. Hence, in addition to the corruption and waste by politicians and governments, most of whom also have already entered their own period (iv), i.e. alongside the political corruption and wastefulness described e.g. in items #E1 to #E5 of the web page named pajak_for_mp_2017.htm, among others these already dying group-intellects force on governments the rapid and continual increase in immoral taxes (for more information about the immorality of taxes see items #T1 to #T5 from the web page named humanity.htm), and hence force also a rapid decline in the living standards of today's inhabitants of practically every country. This is because such group-intellects are like a horde of blood-sucking monsters devouring the taxpayers, who can gradually suck out all the "blood" and all the ability to achieve prosperity and to lead a happy and peaceful life. It is therefore worthwhile to put mental effort and knowledge of principles of the philosophy of totalizm described here, to discover such non-inducing bad consequences, and morally correct mechanisms and ways of automatic killing of this ever-increasing pack of such highly dangerous and harmful for the humanity tax-funded group-intellects. Notice also, that if an individual person is employed as a bureaucrat (office worker) for more than 10 years in the same institution, then he/she typically begins to behave like such "taxpayer funded group intellect" in (iv) phase of its life. Therefore the employment of office workers (including managers) in one and the same institution should NOT exceed 10 years, after which they should be made redundant.
Of course, in real life we may easily notice a whole lot of examples of similar use of the recommendation described in this item. But even when we analyze only the examples provided above, we still will note that the use of recommendation described here always shows several characteristic features. So let's list now the most important among these features. (1) With the help of this recommendation, typically it is possible to eliminate only one kind of consequences that are "bad" for us, namely those on the elimination of which in the given case we are most interested. (2) The use of this recommendation does NOT eliminate all the bad effects of whatever we do, especially those that appear in different areas than we consider. (3) Someone's use of this recommendation does NOT prevent God from serving "absolute justice", nor is blocking the action of moral mechanisms and moral laws. (4) This recommendation is one out of those tools that leave their users to choose whether to use it to do good, or to do evil. (5) The manner in which someone uses the recommendation described here is also the subject to judgment and the subsequent reward or punishment by God, in accordance with the principles of "absolute justice" served by God.
The situation from real life, for which we would all like to use the discussed here recommendation of totalizm, would be a possible attempt to avoid the incoming soon mass extinction of mankind. The scenario of this imminent annihilation of most of the present humanity was published as long ago as February 2009 in item #H3 from my web page named prophecies.htm. About this mass extinction is also warning viewers the 35 minute long YouTube biographic film entitled "Dr Jan Pająk portfolio". If we look closely at what is going on around us, then it turns out that my scenario of this extermination is gradually being fulfilled exactly as I described it in there. By March 2017, when I wrote this item, almost one third of this scenario was fulfilled. So only a very decisive action of all mankind could stop this our stubborn pursuit towards a self-destruction. However, in order such a decisive action could take place, the humanity would need a kind of institution that would perform the same function as "compasses" perform for the wandering ships. Such an institution should be an official science. Unfortunately, due to its current monopoly, this science prefers to deal with matters that I have already described previously, among others above in the sub-item devoted to it. So in order to draw the human attention to the truth and to rectify the period (iv) of errors and distortions in which is currently the official science, it would be necessary to use the recommendation described here - e.g. for appointing formally a new "totaliztic science" which is competitive towards the old official one, which through undertaking of the education and dissemination of the Concept of Dipolar Gravity (Codig) and the philosophy of totalizm, as well as which by correcting the lies of the so-far monopolistic official science, would restore truth, moderation, reasoning, and moral behaviour to humanity so intensely pushed now towards a self-destruction because of current distortions and the lack of sticking to truth of the institution of official science which should perform (but is NOT) the function of a righteous "compass".
#A3. Further guidelines on the totaliztic acting in lives are indicated by the rest of totalizm:
This web page of limited size is aimed at revealing only the essence of the philosophy of totalizm, not on teaching entire this moral philosophy. Therefore, in order to not extend this web page, I am NOT going to list here any more guidelines of the totaliztic acting in our everyday life. After all, such guidelines emerge by themselves - of someone learns the work of moral mechanisms and principles described by the philosophy of totalizm. Furthermore, a whole array of such guidelines for totaliztic acting in specific life situations is indicated by various other my web pages and publications. For example, another set of guidelines, similar to the above, is briefly summarised e.g. in items #C4.2 to #C4.7 from the web page named morals.htm, item #F1 from the web page named rok_uk.htm, or e.g. item #J1 from the web page named pajak_for_mp_2014.htm. In turn, to a full extend these guidelines are explained in textbooks of totalizm indicated in item #A4 below - for examples see subsection A16 and NG6.4 in my newest monograph [1/5].
#A4. Manuals of totalizm:
Here are free of charge manuals of totalizm available at present for downloading from the Internet - listed in the order from a newest one to the oldest (click on the green description of the selected manual to download it to your computer):
Newest: volumes 1, 6 to 8, 12 to 13 and 4 to 5 of monograph [1/5] in PDF,
Older: the entire illustrated monograph [8e/2] in PDF,
Still older: volumes 4 to 9 and 4 to 5 of monograph [1/4] in PDF,
Oldest: the entire illustrated monograph [8e] in PDF and non-illustrated monograph [8e] w DOC and WP5.
While using textbooks and publications of totalizm, it is worth to know that since their illustrated versions in PDF format were developed, their older non-illustrated versions disseminated in WORD.DOC and WORD_PERFECT.WP5 formats ceased to be updated. But these older and already non-updated versions were NOT removed from Internet, so that interested readers still are able to upload and review them. But if someone is NOT interested in the history and the evolution of given ideas, then while downloading a given manual he or she should rather seek the most recent one, means illustrated and updated version of it in the PDF format.
#A5. Notice how to spell the name "totalizm" (always with "z"):
The name "Totalizm" for my exceptionally moral philosophy should NOT be confused with the name "Totalitarianism" - which by various people lazy in writing and in knowledge of words' meaning also spell "Totalism". After all the "Totalitarianism" is a fascism-like immoral philosophy, which in almost every aspect is completely opposite to my moral "Totalizm". Unfortunately, for some very strange reasons, a few years after the name "Totalizm" described here started to gradually disseminate throughout the world, various individuals rapidly rushed to rename in their writings the "Totalitarianism" onto a shorter name "Totalism". Fortunately, the shorter name for the reactive philosophy "Totalism", these individuals usually wrote with the letter s, i.e. NOT with the letter z - which is used by the moral "Totalizm" described here. The interesting part of this strange phenomenon is, that individuals who use the name "Totalism" in the meaning "Totalitarianism" seem to overlook that both these words have completely different meanings. The word "Totalitarianism" originates from the word "Totalitarian", which means an "aggressive stand of controlling and imposing". In turn the word "Totalism" originates from the word "total", which means a "complete wholeness". Observing this illogical fashion of naming "Totalitarianism" with a completely wrong word "Totalism" some time after the name "Totalizm" was already introduced, one should ask the question, whether this is just a fashion, or it hides much more impoertant lesson, which we should take notice of (e.g. the lesson which I described in conclusions to item #A1 from my other web page named evolution.htm). After all, according to my Totalizm, in the intelligent universe nothing happens without an important reason.
#A6. Logo of totalizm:
Totalizm has its own logo. This logo is used for sealing (marking) everything that fulfils principles of totalizm - e.g. see "Fig. #I1". Because totalizm is the modern philosophy of morality and fulfilment of moral requirements, the logo of totalizm turns out to be the symbol (seal) of morality and obedience to moral requirements. Here is how this logo looks like:
Fig. #A1. The logo of totalizm - means the symbol (seal) of morality and obedience to moral requirements. Totalizm is currently the most moral out of all modern, human-formulated philosophies in existence on Earth. (But notice that totalizm recognises the moral superiority of the content of the Bible - towards scientific explanation of which should strive the findings of every human-formulated philosophy based on empirical evidence and on logical deductions - see the caption under "Fig. #L1ab" from the web page named pajak_for_mp_2014.htm.) Everyone who willingly places this logo on his/her writing, or who carries the logo of totalizm, has the moral duty to maintain the pedantical obedience of own words, attitudes and actions with the content of the Bible and with scientific findings of the philosophy of totalizm. (Of course, this moral duty is unable to scare fraudsters of various kinds from abusing the logo of totalizm - similarly like institutions which print money, as well as human laws, are unable to prevent these money from being counterfeited e.g. by criminals.)
Totalizm is a philosophy, which uses this distinct logo shown above. This logo is of the shape of ellipsis, with white and red symbols in it. It has an extremely unusual history and quite a special interpretation, both of which are comprehensively explained in the English monograph [8] entitled "Totalizm" (an English-language copy of this monograph you can download free of charge from almost all internet sites of totalizm, the addresses of which you find either on the left margin of this page, or if you ask any search engine to look for the key word totalizm). Logo of totalizm displays many interesting attributes. For example, it emits quite special, positive, and unique "configurational vibrations", which can be perceived with tools of radiesthesia (e.g. by a divining pendulum or by a divining rod). Some people even claim, that it works for them as an amulet that brings good luck in personal life. At the address logototalizm.w.interia.pl someone published anonymously an entire web page (in Polish), in which he describes outcomes of his personal analyses and research of this unusual logo - I recommend having a look at it. You can find this logo on many internet web pages, which are devoted to the moral, peaceful, positive and constructive philosophy of totalizm.
Notice that you can see the enlargement of each illustration from this web site, simply by clicking on this illustration. Most of the Internet browsers that you may use, including also the popular "Internet Explorer", allow to download each illustration to your own computer, and then look at it, reduce or enlarge the size of it, or print it, with your own graphical software.
Part #B: Origins of totalizm:
#B1. What is totalizm:
Motto: "Totalizm is a kind of symbolic 'white horse' which carries these people who ride on it into a better future that guarantees more aware, more fulfilled, and more happy life."
Totalizm is a new, moral, peaceful, progressive, and constructive philosophy that was developed as recently as in 1985. Although several comprehensive definitions of this philosophy are provided in subsection JC1 from volume 7 of monograph [1/5], for the consistency of presentation we start our descriptions from attempting to define totalizm also here. However, providing a single brief definition of this philosophy is rather a difficult task. This is because, depending on a point of view, the definition must differ. So let us assume, that we wish to define it from the point of view "what and how totalizm does". Then the essence of this philosophy could be expressed in the following definition: 'moral totalizm (spelled with "z") is a philosophy of everyday living which allows us to accomplish a number of desirable qualities of living such as happiness, health, feeling of fulfilment, peace of mind, satisfaction with what we have, etc., through indicating to us several very simple principles which it recommends to obey in our lives, such as "everything that you do you should do in a pedantically moral way", "utilise every opportunity to increase moral energy in yourself and in others", "always choose the path which lifts you upward in the moral field along the line of the highest intellectual resistance", etc.'
Although totalizm calls itself a "philosophy", actually it is more related to strict sciences such as physics, mechanics, or computing. This is because it utilises new phenomena of nature that it discovered and described, such as moral field, moral energy, moral laws, etc., to define with their assistance the most productive principle of our conduct and most beneficial principles of our living. These newly discovered phenomena which totalizm utilises, are explained in more details in subsection JA13 from volume 6 of monograph [1/5]. But in order to make the above definition understandable already here, we explain them now in other words.
Totalizm is founded on the finding of the Concept of Dipolar Gravity stating that all our accomplishments are governed by appropriate energies and by configurations of appropriate fields. Thus, all qualities highly sought and mostly appreciated in our lives, such as our creative capabilities, accomplishments, happiness, health, peace of mind, self-fulfilment, respect of others, and many more, we must "buy" through paying for them with a special form of energy called "moral energy". This energy allows us to "buy" practically everything that we wish to have or accomplish in our lives. Means, whenever we feel happy, experience pleasure, accomplish or do anything in our life, etc., it always boils down to the consumption of a portion of our moral energy - similarly like in physics all types of work consume physical energy. Of course, in order to be able to "buy" ourselves anything with this moral energy, we firstly must accumulate it. Because the "moral energy" is simply a form of energy which we accumulate while we climb upward in the "moral field", practically we acquire it by completing in our lives actions that lift us upward in this moral field. The "moral field" is very similar to gravity field, except that instead of acting upon masses it acts upon intellects - for more details see items #H2 and #A1.1 of this web page. It causes that every our action has a definite moral polarity, means it is either "immoral" because it slides us downward in this field, or is "moral" because it lifts us upward in this field. So an increase of our "moral energy" totalizm compares to an increase of potential energy in physics. Namely, it states that we need to put knowledge and effort into practically every our action in order to make this action to lift us upward in this moral field. (If we do not put knowledge and effort into our actions, they may accidentally slide us down in the moral field, instead of lifting us up.) In turn this climbing upward in the moral field is accomplished if we obey so-called "moral laws". Thus, the only recommendation of totalizm for everyday living states that "whatever you do always pedantically obey moral laws". In this recommendation totalizm closely copies physical sciences. After all, physical sciences also state, that in order to accomplish anything in your life, you need to obey laws of nature in everything that you are doing. So the only skill that one needs to master in order to apply totalizm in his or her everyday life, is to learn what these moral laws are, and how to obey them. In turn by learning this, one learns the way of a continuous increase of all one’s capabilities, potentials, and desired qualities of life, which stem from the amount of moral energy that one managed to gather and is able to spend for accomplishing goals that he or she desires. Several simple rules, which totalizm teaches us, unlock our access to countless benefits that the conversion of moral energy into our accomplishments can bring to us, and that are listed in subsection JA2.4 from volume 6 of monograph [1/5].
#B2. The scientific foundations of totalizm, means the theory of everything called the Concept of Dipolar Gravity:
Totalizm is the only philosophy on Earth, which was not invented, but derived. It was derived in a similar manner as mathematicians derive new equations, and physicists derive new laws of physics. Actually everything started from a new scientific theory, which describes the way how gravity field operates. This theory I developed in 1985 and named it the Concept of Dipolar Gravity. (You may seek more details about this theory via search engines, using its name as key words. It is well explained on the film linked in item #J9 of this web page, and also described on various web sites, e.g. about telekinesis (telekinesis.htm), or about telepathy (telepathy.htm), while the significance and influence of it on our understanding of the universe around us, are explained e.g. in item #J5 of the web page wszewilki_jutra_uk.htm or in item #B2 of the web page malbork_uk.htm.) After I finished developing this theory, it turned out, that from just an ordinary scientific theory, which only supposed to explain how gravity field works, it turned out to be the theory of everything that was searched for so long. It seems to provide answers to practically all questions that humans may have. In order to give you some idea, as to how wide range of questions this theory answers, look at the list of key words and key phrases contained in the philosophy of totalizm. Amongst other questions, the Concept of Dipolar Gravity also answered these very old ones (by the orthodox science to-date considered to be unanswerable), e.g. whether we have souls and spirits, whether nirvana does exist, whether God does exist, whether this "other world" does exist, how our brain operates and why we sometimes remember things that happened before we were born, how telekinesis, telepathy, and acupuncture works, what is radiesthesia, what is energy, what is time, how to build time vehicles, how to accomplish immortality and live forever, and many more.
One of many new ideas that this theory initiated, was the philosophy of totalizm. Actually this "theory of everything" called the Concept of Dipolar Gravity provided the complete theoretical foundations for the philosophy of totalizm, because it revealed and explained regularities, which exist inscribed permanently into the surrounding reality, and which with an iron hand rule over our everyday lives. I only am the scientist who as the first in the world wrote down the descriptions of these regularities in a textbook of totalizm, and then published these textbooks for the use of interested people.
I should add here that since my Concept of Dipolar Gravity allowed me to gradually deduce the truth about a software-controlled design and operation of the universe, and then explain to other people this truth on totaliztic web pages and publications, my attention several times have been directed to the phenomenon of "adopting" by some other researchers of a number of conclusions to which I arrived, but without mentioning that they originate from my publications. This is a rather highly immoral conduct, because onto all my web pages and publications are superimposed copyright reservations, which clearly demand mentioning by the persons using my ideas where they scooped from these findings and conclusions that are derived from my research. Fortunately for future seekers of the truth about the historical primacy of discoveries and intellectual ownership of ideas presented on the totaliztic web pages, to the conclusions to which I arrived one cannot come without the prior knowledge of the described by my Concept of Dipolar Gravity the software-controlled design and operation of the universe (i.e. the design and operation based on the existence of "counter-matter" with the characteristics of a "liquid computer"). Therefore, those persons who choose to immorally "adopt" my ideas and present them as their own, still are unable to demonstrate how these ideas come to them, as these ideas cannot be worked alone without previous knowledge of what states my Concept of Dipolar Gravity. Meanwhile, it was me who developed this concept as the first scientist in the world. Hence, it was also me who received from God the privilege to develop as the first scientist in the world of those revolutionary new ideas which result directly from this concept.
#B3. How the Concept of Dipolar Gravity explains the work of moral laws:
Let us consider what happens when you hit a key in your computer. Well, briefly speaking the hardware of your computer sends a control signal to the appropriate program in your computer. The program begins the service for this particular key. It converts the control signal into a command for a specific action of the computer. The command is send back to hardware, which executes it. So practically whatever happens in your computer after you hit any selected key, it always depend on a program contained in the computer's memory. According to the Concept of Dipolar Gravity exactly the same happens when you are doing any physical action in your life. This is because our universe is actually build like a typical computer. Namely it has the hardware part contained in our world. It also has the software part (or programs) contained at the other end of dipolar gravitational field in a separate intelligent world called the counter-world. Every single your physical action carried out in our physical world sends appropriate control signal to this another software world, or counter-world. In the counter-world this signal (which describes your action) is processed by special natural programs, which totalizm calls moral laws. Moral laws work out what should be the response of the counter-world to a given action. Then it prepares this response and sends it back to our world in the form of special natural commands (small programs) which totalizm calls karma. After arriving to our physical world, these commands are executed, giving appropriate response from the environment to our initial actions.
The important attribute which the above mechanism of morality reveals, is that whatever we do in our life, it brings responses which are not random at all. Actually all responses of the environment to our actions are following a set of very strict rules or algorithms, by totalizm called "moral laws". Moral laws are like laws of physics - only that they define what moral consequences of our actions are to be. The existence of moral laws practically means that in our behaviour we must start to learn and respect the action of these laws. If we do not know about them, we are not able to obey them, therefore we are severely punished for breaking them. Furthermore, we are unable to earn rewards given to people who obey these laws. More about moral laws, our world, and counter-world is described in volume 5 of English monograph [1/5] - have a look at it (it is for free and you can download it via this web site).
#B4. The intelligent counter-world:
Before I proceed with further explanations regarding totalizm, I firstly need to provide more details regarding this mysterious "counter-world", which contains the software part of our universe, thus in which the moral field is formed and the operation of moral laws is executed. We actually hear about this counter-world from religions, except that being formed thousands of years ago, religions are unable to explain it with present terminology. Religions call the counter-world with different names, e.g. as this "other world" or "world of souls and spirits". It is this counter-world where our souls are kept and where we go after our death. Fortunately for us, the Concept of Dipolar Gravity can already explain much more about this other world. This concept proves that the gravity field is actually a dipolar dynamic field, quite similar to magnetic field, meaning a field that has two poles: an inlet "I" and outlet "O". But because gravity field is concentric, in our world we can only see the inlet "I" pole. The second pole "O" of gravity disappears from our world and appears in a different world that is parallel to ours one. This other "counter-world" is also filled out with a substance. It is named "counter-matter". The substance "counter-matter" forms in the counter-world exact duplicates of objects existing in our world. In fact, every object that exists in our world, in this counter-world has an exact replica of itself. For totalizm this exact replica of our physical bodies contained in the counter-world carries a very special significance. Totalizm calls this replica a counter-body. (Religions call it a "phantom" or a "soul", while the so-called "alternative sciences" usually refer to it as to "astral body", "energy body", "aura", etc.)
The substance "counter-matter", which prevails in this parallel counter-world, as well as all objects formed from it, have exactly opposite properties to our "matter". For example, our matter displays mass, inertia, and friction, so counter-matter is weightless, has no inertia, and produces no friction. But the most important are intellectual attributes of our matter and this counter-matter. Namely our matter is "stupid" in the natural state, while counter-matter is opposite to stupid, means "intelligent". This practically means that the entire counter-matter which prevails in the counter-world displays all properties which we know as carriers of intelligence. For example counter-matter can gather information, store or memorise information, retrieve information, and think. Practically this means that the counter-world is like one huge computer. It can create computer-like programs, and it also can run these programs. One type of programs that are created and stored in the counter-world are these algorithms of various laws of nature, including algorithms of moral laws. Of course, there is a wealth of evidence that the counter-world does exist and that it is intelligent. Several examples of this evidence are discussed on the totaliztic web site telekinesis.htm.
Further descriptions of the Concept of Dipolar Gravity, including evidence and formal proof for the existence of intelligent counter world, are provided in volumes 4 and 5 of newest monograph [1/5] (available in English and Polish) "Advanced Magnetic Devices", and in volumes 4 and 5 of an older monograph [8/2] "Totalizm" - both these publications are available free of charge via this web site. Because it does not take a lot of time to review these two volumes, while they open our eyes to many phenomena which previously remained unexplained for the orthodox science, I am inviting you to have a look at them.
#B5. The thinking counter-matter, means God:
Motto: "According to totalizm we live in God, according to religions God lives in us."
As it is explained in the previous item of this web page, in the Concept of Dipolar Gravity the name "counter-matter" is assigned to the intelligent substance that prevails in this other parallel world, called the counter-world. The most extraordinary attribute of this substance from the counter-world is that it is intelligent in its natural state. This means that it is able to think like a huge computer. For example, the so-called ESP, or cases of receiving replies to inquiries via divining pendulums, are actually manifestations of communication between humans and this thinking substance. The shocking consequence of the entire other world being filled up with such thinking substance is, that actually this intelligent other world is what religions call God. Thus the Concept of Dipolar Gravity is the first fully scientific theory which is able to prove formally that God does exist. This formal scientific proof for the existence of God is published in subsection I3.3 from volume 5 of English monograph [1/5], and also in subsection K3.3 from volume 6 of English monograph [8]. It is also explained on two totaliztic web pages, namely god.htm, and god_proof.htm. The philosophy of totalizm accepts this formal proof for the existence of God and considers it in all the deductions that it undertakes.
Although the philosophy of totalizm of a fully secular way of living, the formal proof for the existence of God has an important meaning for it. The point is that because God conclusively does exist, the totalizm can rely in all statements on the purposeful and intelligent construction of the universe and course of events around us. After all, the intelligent God must construct and run the universe in an intelligent manner. In turn the intelligent structure and operation of the universe, causes that everything must have a clear purpose, meaning, structure, predefined operation, allows to carry out effective deductions with the use of scientific methodologies, etc. This in turn allows to find recipes for happy and fulfilled lives, purpose of our living, principles behind every phenomena, etc.
Part #C: How to practice totalizm:
#C1. The single principle of totalizm:
Totalizm is a very simple philosophy. It has only a single rule, or principle, which it asks to follow in everything that we are doing. This single rule of totalizm states: whatever you do, always do it pedantically morally (i.e. by obeying all moral laws). Of course, in order to follow this simple rule, people firstly need to know that moral laws do exist, and then they must also know what moral laws actually state. So in order to apply totalizm in our lives, some way of learning ther conent of moral laws is needed, for example by study the description of these moral laws, which is presented in subsection I4.1.1 from volume 5 of English monograph [1/5]. Then also is needed the will to implement these laws in everything that we are doing.
As it turns out, God designed men in such a manner, that people have also the chance to obey moral laws even when they do not know what specifically these laws state. Totalizm teaches, that there are two manners of accomplishing the obedience of moral laws, namely intuitive and cognitive. The first "intuitive" manner of obeying moral laws without actual learning them, simply depends on listening to our counter-organ of conscience. As it turns out, our conscience exactly knows which our actions are agreeable with moral laws, and which run against these laws. There is even a simple version of totalizm called the intuitive totalizm, which allows to obey moral laws by simply listening to our counter-organ of conscience. Actually there is a lot of intuitive totalizts around us, and we can see them in action if we look carefully around (they usually do not know though, that they belong to the group of followers of totalizm).
The second "cognitive" principle of obeying moral laws depends on being fully aware that these laws do exist, and on trying to obey them in an intentional manner. The version of totalizm which obeys moral laws in such an intentional manner is called the formal totalizm. Depending on the totaliztic experience and knowledge of a given practitioner, this cognitive manner of obeying moral laws has two levels of implementation. The first of these is used by initial totalizts, who still have no experience in learning and obeying all moral laws. It depends on the knowledge of "moral field" - or more strictly on the skill of fast recognizing in every life situation the direction in which this moral field climbs upward, and then going in this direction. ("Moral field" is described in items #H2, #A1.1 and #D1 of this web poage.) In turn the second level of implementation is used by more experienced totalizts. It is based upon the knowledge of work of "moral laws". Let us discuss each of these levels separately.
The cognitive manner of obeying moral laws is implemented in the first stage of learning totalizm, i.e. still without actually knowing specifically what each one of these laws states. It is based upon learning the direction in which moral field climbs upward. If we know in which direction moral field climbs upward, then according to totalizm all that we need to do in life, is to simply always move upward in this field. This moving upward depends on doing everything in our lives in such a manner, that it always lifts us higher in this moral field. In turn the direction in which the moral field runs upwards is indicated by the so-called line of the highest intellectual effort. (You probably heard of the "line of the least resistance" - for example water that flows downhill always follows such a line. Well the "line of the highest effort" runs in the direction that is exactly opposite from the line of the least resistance.) According to totalizm, whatever we do, it always moves us within the three-dimensional moral space. This space is composed of three dimensions (or coordinates/axes) like our physical space. Only that instead of height, depth, and width, it has different three coordinates, namely: intellectual (or moral), emotional, and physical - see "Fig. #I1" from my webs page named pajak_for_mp_2014.htm. For example, if someone offended us, we could choose amongst 3 responses, namely: (1) hit this person, (2) collapse on the floor, or (3) recall and tell everyone a nasty secret that we know about this person. If we hit this person, we would act along the line of the least emotional resistance. If we collapse on the floor, we would act along the line of the least physical resistance. But if we recall and tell everyone a nasty secret about this person, we would act along the line of the least intellectual (and moral) resistance. Well, the line of the highest intellectual effort runs exactly opposite to the line of the least intellectual resistance. So the action that totalizm would recommend for such a situation, is to do something that is exactly opposite to this line of the least intellectual resistance. Practically this would boil down to inventing intellectually something that we would need to say to calm down the offender and ourselves (of course, what this something would be, this depends on the situation). And such an action would be what totalizm requires in order to climb upwards in the moral field during solving the situation described above. Well, to explain clearly all the above in such a brief paragraph is quite difficult task. So perhaps it would be better to look at volume 6 of English monograph [1/5], where all the above is explained gradually, step-by-step, with the use of numerous examples. Have a beneficial reading, and hopefully welcome to the fast growing family of people who practice formal (cognitive) totalizm!
The highest level of implementation of totalizm depends on learning the operation of all known moral laws, and on practical learning how to obey these moral laws in our everyday life. This level can be accomplished only by those more devoted to the idea of totalizm.
#C2. Totalizm is like a science of everyday living:
With human philosophies is a bit like with our lungs: we all have them and all use them continually, although only some of us realize that they exist and are essential to our lives. Similarly every person must have his or her own philosophy, only that most of people do not realise what principles their own philosophy has. So they live on impulses, habits, and intuition. Well, totalizm puts a structure onto all this. It indicates moral laws and explains how to obey them. If one obeys these moral laws, then his or her life is happy and satisfying. If one breaks these moral laws, then his or her life is miserable and full of suffering. After all, moral laws are very heavy-handed and no-one is allowed to fool with them. Of course, when one accepts the existence of moral laws, then in order to obey them one must act like physicists - i.e. must apply the science of totalizm to everyday activities.
#C3. How to practice totalizm:
Totalizm can be practiced on two ways, namely (1) intuitively, and (2) cognitively. The intuitive practicing is the most simple. It just depends on careful listening to the voice of our conscience, and then on doing in our lives only these things that are approved by our conscience. This is because the conscience knows perfectly well what is moral and what is not moral.
Also practicing cognitive totalizm is rather simple. It includes: (1) learning principles, (2) understanding moral laws and mechanisms of their action, and (3) implementing them in life. Because the only rule of totalizm requires us to "pedantically obey moral laws in everything that we are doing", the starting point of practicing totalizm is to learn what moral laws are all about. This learning takes only around one weekend, because it requires reading a textbook on totalizm (i.e. reading volumes 6 to 8 from [1/5], or volumes 1 to 3 from [8/2]). Slightly more hard is to understand mechanisms of moral laws. This is because it requires time to think about these laws and think how they work. (The knowledge of laws of physics is very helpful, although not all of us are good in physics.) Finally, the implementation of totalizm simply depends on learning or developing various techniques of solving everyday situations so as to obey (instead of breaking) moral laws with every our action.
Notice that totalizm is a fully secular philosophy. In spite that it naturally contributed to the development of scientific proof for the actual existence of God, it states that "life is about living and about fulfilling the purpose for which we are send to Earth". So it does not require spectacular and public manifestations of the obedience to God, religious poses and gestures, etc. (although it also does not disapproves them). The only form of public manifestations of the obedience to God that totalizm promotes, depends on the pedantic fulfilment of moral laws. The reason is that the requirement to obey moral laws can be proven scientifically. In turn the requirement to do any other public displays of faith or obedience cannot be proven scientifically.
#C4. Benefits of practicing totalizm:
With practicing totalizm is like with every other moral activities: the more you put into it, the more benefits you get back. (For example consider body building: the more exercises you put into them, the more effects you are going to reap.) Therefore benefits that one reaps after starting to practice totalizm are to differ depending on the level of this practice. For example just knowing principles of totalizm, without actually practicing them, is to only make more understandable everything that happens around us. If one practices intuitive totalizm, basing the obedience of moral laws on the whispers of the conscience, sometimes gets things right, sometimes not. So benefits usually include only a basic improvement in the level of happiness and in general health. In turn, if someone practices totalizm to a full extend, benefits may include even reaching such extraordinary experience as nirvana described on my web pages named nirvana.htm.
In general practicing totalizm always increases our personal happiness, peace of mind, self-fulfilment, sense of security, sense of purpose, feeling of being in control of our matters, understanding of the world around us, and general health (both mental and physical). Actually the difference in how one feels before and after accepting totalizm is enormous. I personally perceived it like a difference between finding myself in the middle of a huge ocean in two extreme situations. Before I practiced totalizm I felt like a straw tossed around in a huge ocean at darkness. Waves of life tossed me around, I constantly struggled to survive, I could not see anything on the horizon, and I could not work out any sense in what happened around me. In turn after I began practicing totalizm I felt like on the same ocean, but this time in a boat and during daylight. Although I was still tossed around by waves of life and I still needed struggle to survive, the boat gave me the protection required. I could see what happens around. I could see the purpose in what happens, and I started to see an island on the horizon towards which I was moving. I am quite sure that totalizm may turn your own life in a similar manner. Actually other totalizts always report that you start feeling the huge difference immediately after you finish reading carefully the first volume of totalizm textbook (i.e. the volume 6 in English monograph [1/5], or volume 1 in English monograph [8/2]).
#C5. Ideology of totalizm and a political party of totalizm:
Motto: Totalizm teaches that we should support only these ideas and people who require that we live for them morally, happily, long, and peacefully, while we should oppose all ideas and people who require that we fight and die for them."
Totalizm has in itself a potential to make happy all people. After all, in order to be happy, we need to actively earn happiness for ourselves. The happiness is NOT accomplished by accident, but we need to skilfully and systematically work for it (through intentional lifting the level of our moral energy). In turn totalizm indicates proven in action methods of such intentional earning of our own happiness. Unfortunately, as so far totalizm is a discipline of knowledge, not an institution. As such a discipline of knowledge, it can be practiced only voluntarily, means only by some individual people. So now only selected people are able to build with it their own sense of happiness. On the other hand, the access to happiness should be open for all people. Therefore totalizm, and its proven in action methods of building happiness for ourselves, should be implemented in the public life. But it cannot implement itself. After all, everything on the Earth is currently saturated with an exact opposite of totalizm, means with the philosophy of parasitism. Therefore, if we wish to implement ideas of totalizm also in the public life - thus causing that the entire society gains an access to a happy life, it is necessary to establish for this a special institution, means a political party of totalizm which would take on itself the political implementation of totalizm. The most vital goal of such a political party of totalizm would be the maximisation of happiness of the inhabitants of the country in which this party acts. This party of totalizm, and also its ideology, goals, and methods of acting, which would make possible for such a party to open happiness for every citizen, are described more comprehensively on the separate web page named partia_totalizmu_uk.htm.
Of course, the formation of a political party of totalizm is NOT going to be easy. After all, totalizm still has more enemies than followers. Therefore before this formation is possible it is worth to start various initiatives aimed at implementation of totalizm in the public life - of the kind described on the web page named pajak_re_2017.htm.
Part #D: Significance of "moral energy" in totalizm:
#D1. Moral field, moral laws, and moral energy - means three fundamental quantities which convert philosophy of totalizm into a strict scientific discipline similar to physics:
All philosophies that so-far were developed on the Earth are "talkative" creations. Means, their authors claimed something verbally, that could be taken on word or rejected, but that could NOT be measured nor scientifically proven. But with totalizm is completely different. Although it specialises in the subject area which previously was reserved for philosophies and for religions, in fact it is more similar to physics than to philosophy. For example, totalizm introduces to the use three fundamental quantities, such as "moral field", "moral laws", and "moral energy", the existence of which can be objectively proven, while the values of which can be scientifically measured. Thus totalizm ceases to be just a "talkative" philosophy, and begins to be a precise scientific tool which gives to us unambiguous answers as to how we should lead our lives to accomplish all qualities of life that are precious for us.
Out of these three fundamental quantities of totalizm, the most important is the "moral field". Next to gravity, the moral field is in fact the second primary field of the entire physical world, which affects every human action. It is just this "moral field" which causes that every morally correct behaviour must climb uphill in it. This climbing in turn requires from us the contribution of a significant intellectual, emotional, and physical effort to every our moral acting. On the other hand, every immoral acting depends just on sliding downhill in the moral field. Hence every immoral acting always is easy and pleasurable. Due to a high significance and complexity of the moral field, more accurate descriptions of it are provided in other totaliztic publications - e.g. see items #C4.2 and #C4.2.1 from my web page named morals.htm, or see item #J1 and Figure #I1 from my webs page named pajak_for_mp_2014.htm. On this web page, a brief discussion of the moral field is also included in item #H2.
Moral energy, and moral laws, as well as other so-called "indicators of the moral correctness" (broadly described in items #C4 to #C4.6 from the page named morals.htm), in reality are all derived from the moral field - which fact does NOT decrease their enormous significance to our lives. For example, moral energy relates to the moral field the same way as is the potential energy relates to the gravitational field. In turn moral laws are simply principles on which work moral mechanisms that form moral field.
This part of the web page tries to explain in possibly most simple and most understandable for everyone manner, one amongst these three fundamental quantities of totalizm, namely the "moral energy". It informs how moral energy can be defined unambiguously, proven that it does exist, measured, and utilised for lifting the level of our personal happiness and quality of our lives. But we must remember, that in a similar manner practically everything that totalizm uses, is definable, measurable, can be scientifically proven, and can be directly utilised for lifting the quality of our life.
#D2. Moral energy in totalizm:
In item #B1 from the initial part of this web page was mentioned the so-called moral energy. Together with moral field, moral laws, and karma, this moral energy represents one of the most fundamental ideas and quantities of totalizm. Because "moral energy" performs in totalizm equally fundamental function, as in physics and in biological sciences performs "physical energy", in the following part of the web page this energy is going to be discussed in more details.
The simplest explanation what actually is this "moral energy" results from the similarity between moral field and gravity field that is illustrated at the beginning of this web page. As we all probably remember from classes of physics, each time when we physically climb uphill in the gravity field, then our "potential energy" converts according to the equation "E = mgh". In turn the existence of moral field in the universe causes, that every our action either lifts us uphill, or slides us downhill in this invisible for human eyes "moral field", which is very similar to the gravity field. This in turn means practically that literally every our action causes in us a change of the potential energy of this moral field. This energy which then changes in us is called the "moral energy". Expressing this in other words, similarly as climbing stairs in the gravity field increases our potential energy, also lifting ourselves uphill in the moral field due to taking a moral course of action increases our moral energy. Thus every action that we undertake in our lives, even if this is so insignificant thing as washing our teeth or sharpening our pencil, increases or decreases in us the amount of moral energy. Only that in order to determine whether it is increasing or decreasing this energy, we firstly must know how for this action runs in relationship to the moral field. In turn the topography of the moral field in relationship to a given action is defined by the circumstances in which this action takes place and by the goal for which it is to serve. For example, if we wash teeth in order to seduce someone in a cunning manner, or if we sharpen a pencil in order to harm someone with it, then these activities are going to disperse a part of our moral energy. But if we wash teeth in order to stay healthier, while we sharpen a pencil in order to draw a picture which is going to make someone very happy, this is going to increase our moral energy. The general rule which governs this increasing or decreasing our moral energy is defined by the so-called "line of the highest intellectual effort" (this line runs in the direction which is exactly opposite to the so-called "line of the least intellectual resistance" - about which we probably have heard already). If a given action runs according to this line of the highest intellectual effort, then it increases our moral energy. But if it runs according to the line of the smallest intellectual resistance, then it decreases our moral energy.
Moral energy represents a form of bio-energy that is absolutely necessary for living. It is consumed whenever we try to accomplish anything or try to gain access to any important quality of life, e.g. to pleasure, happiness, health, peace of mind, self-fulfilment, respect of others, etc. Without this energy we are unable to accomplish any of these qualities. Totalizm teaches us how to effectively generate this energy, and how later channel the energy that we have so that we transform it into all these desirable qualities that expect to reach in life. The idea of "moral energy" that totalizm uses, represents a scientific equivalent for quantities which ancient Chinese used to call "chi", while in Japan it is called "reiki". Totalizm informs, that this special energy can be generated not only in ways that ancient scholars advocated, means through martial-arts (e.g. "kung-fu"), self-discipline, physical training, etc., but also through a consistent climbing upward in the moral field. (Actually the only manner of accumulating moral energy that totalizm advocates, is through continuous climbing upward in the moral field, means through obeying so-called "moral laws" in everything that we do.) In turn when this energy is accumulated, it can be converted into anything that we wish, means into a success in whatever we are doing, pleasure, happiness, health, peace, etc. So this moral energy is a kind of invisible "currency" that allows us to immediately "buy" anything that we wish, thus which opens for us access to a multitude of benefits.
In cases when the summary of attributes and behaviours of moral energy described here, someone would wish to complement with additional readings, this energy is described comprehensively in subsections I4.3, JA5.1, JB3.3, and JG3 from volumes (respectively) 5 to 8 of monograph [1/5]. (Notice that free copies of monograph [1/5], can be downloaded to your own computer without limitations, amongst others also from this web site. Volumes 4 to 8 of this monograph [1/5] presently constitute the most current "textbook of totalizm". Especially worth reading is volume 6.)
#D3. Totaliztic definitions of sins and good deeds:
Because practically every our action either increases or decreases the amount of moral energy accumulated in someone, similarly to religions also totalizm subdivided all human activities into two basic categories, namely these of totaliztic sins and these of totaliztic good deeds. However, the totaliztic definitions of sins and good deeds are much more strict and scientific than their religious equivalents. For example as a sin totalizm understands every activity which decreases moral energy in at least one of the parties affected by it. In turn a totaliztic good deed is every activity which in all parties affected by it increases their moral energy. Because of such strict, precise, and measurable definitions of totaliztic sins and good deeds, and also because of the extremely loose interpretations of these two ideas in religions, some activities which in religions are considered to be sins, by totalizm are classified as good deeds, and vice versa. Their example can be a sexual intercourse of an unmarried couple which loves each other and which intends to get married, or admiring for artistic reasons a photograph of someone's naked and beautiful body. Furthermore, according to totalizm every human action in one set of circumstances can be a sin, while in another set of circumstances exactly the same action can be a good deed. The reason is that qualifying a given action to one of these two basic categories depends on how the moral field runs in relationship to it. In turn religions qualify solely actions, i.e. without considering how the moral fields runs in relationship to these actions. Thus in religions given actions always belong to the same categories independently of circumstances in which they are carried out.
More information about totaliztic "sins" and "good deeds" is presented in subsection JA5 from volume 6 of monograph [1/5].
#D4. Attributes of moral energy:
Moral energy is extremely unusual kind of energy. The attributes of it clearly differ from attributes of physical energy that we learned from physical sciences and from medicine. For example, moral energy displays the presence of following attributes:
(i) It is intelligent. This means that actions of this energy always display a high intelligence, and also that it can be ordered to work in a clearly intelligent manner (e.g. ordered to affect only the specifically indicated objects within a large pool of similar objects).
(ii) It has own sphere of influences. Generally speaking, the area in which this energy was accumulated, is also an area in which it can be utilised. For example, if the accumulation of this energy is accomplished due to healing of people, then the energy that one accumulated can also be utilised for healing. If someone accumulated it in the result of practicing so-called "martial arts" (e.g. "Kung Fu"), then it could be utilised mainly for accomplishing extraordinary effects in these "martial arts".
(iii) It allows to be transformed into any kind of physical energy. Intelligent moral energy in specific circumstances can be transformed into any other non-intelligent physical energy, for example into heat, energy of explosion or breaking, ability to lift or to overcome, etc.
(iv) It obeys our mental commands. Thus it is capable of completing at our mental command any work that we order it to be carried out and that lies in the sphere of application of it. For example, I saw with my own eyes how masters of the Chinese so-called "kung fu" disintegrated into powder steel bars with the use of this energy. (Chinese call this energy with the name of "chi".)
(v) It is absolutely necessary for our life and health. In fact, the moral energy is described by totalizm as a kind of oxygen for our souls. If we loose it completely, then we are forced to die. If we have not enough of it, then we suffer illnesses, fall victims of addictions, and continually experience chronic mental depression (also called the "black dog"). In turn when we have a lot of it, then our life is one string of happiness and good health.
(vi) It obeys the majority of laws that are also obeyed by physical energy which we already know so well. For example, it can be generated and accumulated, it disperses, it transforms according to appropriate principles and rules, etc.
#D5. Definition of moral energy:
Moral energy can be defined on many different ways, depending on the criterion that is adopted for providing a given definition. The simplest definition of this energy can be accomplished if for this criterion is adopted a manner on which this energy is accumulated and utilised. In such a case it could be defined in the following manner: moral energy is a form of intelligent energy which we accumulate in our counter-body each time when with the contribution of our effort we carry out some activity that displays a "moral character", means an activity that lifts us uphill in the moral field, while which we can then utilise for accomplishing any quality searched for by us, means utilise for accomplishing e.g. personal happiness, pleasure, health, success, etc.
The amount of moral energy can already be measured. The unit of it is "one hour of physical struggle", marked as 1 [hps]. This unit can be defined as follows: "one hour of physical struggle, or 1 [hps], is such an amount of moral energy, which a single person is capable to generate through a morally positive heavy physical work carried out without the visual contact with the recipients of this work, if he or she physically is going to work very hard by a whole hour, and he or she is going to put in this struggle the entire contribution of the multilevel feelings (i.e. pain, tiredness, sweat, sleepiness, boredom, etc.) that normally it is possible to withstand, and also the entire load of positive moral motivations that a typical person is capable to induce in himself or herself.".
In comparison to present units of physical energy, such as for example "kilo-Watt-hour", the above unit may appear to be quite primitive. However, at the present level of development of totalizm we are just in a situation very similar to the one, which in physical sciences existed in times of constructing first steam locomotives. In turn, as probably the reader is aware of this, the power of first steam locomotives was expressed with the use of an unit of measure called a "mechanical horse". The measurement of this power initially was organised in that way, that to a steam locomotive was tied up an increasingly larger number of ordinary horses which were wresting with this locomotive trying to pull it in their direction. The largest number of horses that a given locomotive was still able to overcome and pull in its own direction, was expressing the mechanical power of this locomotive. Similarly today is with totalizm. The unit [hps] may appear to be the same primitive as an old "mechanical horse" - but still it allows for a first rough measurement and determination of the amount of moral energy.
#D6. Relative level "µ" (mi) of moral energy:
The absolute amount of moral energy that someone managed to accumulate is not very useful expressing our moral state. After all, for example the amount E = 100 [hps] is a lot for a child, while it is rather a little for an adult. Therefore the best way of expressing someone's moral energy is to describe it with the use of dimensionless coefficient "µ" (mi) which is defined by the following equation: µ = E/Emax. (This equation states that our "level of saturation with the moral energy" (mi) is equal to the amount of energy "E" which we managed to accumulate in ourselves, divided by the total capacitance of our counter-body for energy "Emax", means by the maximal amount of moral energy which this counter-body would be able to accumulate in itself.)
In 1998 I carried out measurements of amounts of moral energy which at that time I accumulated in my counter-body. As I determined then, the highest amount of moral energy that I ever managed to accumulate in my counter-body was around E = 1400 [hps]. In turn the total capacitance of my counter-body, means the greatest amount of moral energy that my counter-body was able to accumulate in itself at that time, was around Emax = 2000 [hps]. Means that in this peak time of my life my coefficient "µ" (i.e. the "relative level of saturation of my counter-body with moral energy", marked as "µ" or "mi") amounted to: µ = E/Emax = 0.7. At such high level of "mi" one experiences a phenomenon, which I was privately called the "Niagara nirvana". This is because after accomplishing the level around µ = 0.7 one starts to have an impression that from the inside of his or her body a roaring waterfall of "Niagara" of bubbly, dynamic energy of happiness is gushing, which inducing an indescribable pleasure tries to pull of and take away every individual cell of our body. For a comparison I also add, that during a single day of this peak time of my life, I was able to generate and accumulate in my counter-body around 14 [hps] of moral energy. Means, in order to generate the amount of moral energy that is needed to exceed the "barrier of nirvana" at µ = 0.6 and to experience such a "Niagara" of happiness, it was necessary to put into this generation not less than around 100 subsequent days of intense physical struggle that was devoted to some highly moral goal and thus that lifted me uphill in the moral field.
#D7. Nirvana:
Totalizm defines feelings as kinds of sensations which we experience when the moral energy is flowing through special "valves" which connect our physical body with our counter-body. (In so-called "alternative sciences" these valves which enable the flow of moral energy between two our bodies are called "chakras". In turn our counter-body is named in these sciences with the use of such terms as e.g. "energy body", "astral body", "aura", "spirit", etc.) If the moral energy flows from the physical body to the counter-body, then the sensations that we experience are always unpleasant type, e.g. tiredness, pain, exhaustion, hunger, thirst, etc. This is the reason why every activity which lifts us uphill in the moral field, and thus which belongs to the category of "moral activities" (means "good deeds") always costs us experiencing significant effort, pain, hunger, thirst, etc. In turn, if the moral energy flows from the counter-body to the physical body, then a sensation that we experience is always a kind of pleasure. So if with continuous moral activities someone managed to lift the level of saturation of his or her counter-body with the moral energy above the threshold value of nirvana amounting to µ = E/Emax = 0.6, then the moral energy starts in such someone to overflow spontaneously through these "valves" called "chakras". Such a spontaneous overflowing of moral energy in someone is known as a phenomenon called the nirvana. Thus, according to totalizm, nirvana is a sensation of enormous happiness that overwhelms us spontaneously immediately after the level of our moral energy exceeds the relative threshold level of nirvana amounting to µ = 0.6. Otherwise than this is a case with normal feelings of pleasure, which appear during a short-term opening of these valves, e.g. as a result of reaching a goal that one dreamed about, in case of experiencing an orgasm, or after taking alcohol or drugs, the nirvana is a permanent phenomenon and it does NOT disappear after a short while. When I earned a nirvana in 1998, it lasted continually for around 9 months. The level of pleasurable sensations that one experiences during a nirvana can only be compared to sexual orgasm. Only that orgasm belongs to feelings of the type "pleasure", while the nirvana is clearly a feeling of "happiness". Totalizm teaches that a nirvana can be intentionally earned in a highly methodical and planned manner. How this could be accomplished is briefly explained in item #D11 here, while in a systematic manner is elaborated in subsection JE9 from volume 8 of monograph [1/5]. After one earns nirvana, one is constantly experiencing such an overwhelming happiness that cannot be compared to anything else. In addition to this, happiness from the nirvana does not have any undesirable side effects. Therefore I would highly recommend to all drug addicts, that instead of immoral ruining with drugs the health and life of your own and others, I would rather advice you to earn for yourself a highly moral "totaliztic nirvana". After all, the contribution of effort to earn a totaliztic nirvana is almost the same as that required for earning funds for drugs, while the level of happiness is incomparably higher for nirvana and it does NOT have any undesirable consequences or side effects. Furthermore, the moral nirvana introduces only pleasurable returns of our karma, while the immoral drugs charge our karma with returns, the suffering through which unfortunately is not going to be pleasant.
More information about totaliztic nirvana is presented in chapter JE from volume 8 of monograph [1/5]. There is also a separate web page "totaliztic nirvana" entirely devoted to the topic of nirvana.
#D8. Impact of "moral energy" and "morality" at our mental and physical health:
In order to practice totalizm with deep conviction in our everyday life, we need to know every area of life which is impacted by this philosophy. As it turns out, totalizm does not change only the level of our happiness, satisfaction, self-fulfilment, etc., but it also impacts our mental and physical health. This impact on health is explained thoroughly in a number of totaliztic publications. For example, it is briefly referred to in item #D10 below. In turn its more comprehensive explanation provides item #P1 on the web page named changelings.htm, and subsections JD1 from volume 7 and JE8 from volume 8 of my newest monograph [1/5].
#D9. Relationship between the level of moral energy "µ" and states of intellects:
In 1998 I carried out quite intense research on relationship between the amount of moral energy that someone managed to accumulate in his or her counter-body, and the personality of this intellect. As my research revealed, all people who had a given and similar level "µ" of saturation of their counter-body with moral energy, displayed similar personalities. Putting this in other words, a "personality" of someone, and the way someone feels, actually is defined by the amount of moral energy that he or she accumulated in his or her counter-body. For example, all people in whom their "µ" fell significantly below the value "µ=0.4" were troubled by increasingly frequent attacks of mental depression. In turn all people whose "µ" slipped down decisively below the value "µ=0.3" begin to display increasingly frequent attacks of destructive tendencies, i.e. they then tend to destroy everything in their surroundings and also periodically had attacks of suicidal tendencies. What is even more interesting, these similar states were displayed not only by individual people, but also by entire institutions and even countries (this is why in descriptions of totalizm I rather refer to them as to "intellects" instead of "people"). For example, in 2005 several countries existed already on Earth which most probably reaches the average level of the saturation with moral energy close to as low as "µ=0.2".
Out of these my research of dependencies between someone's personality or state, and the value of "µ" that a given intellect managed to accumulate, a rather interesting finding emerged. Namely, it turned out that in the full range of values of "µ" which given intellects may experience, i.e. in the range from µ = 1 to µ = 0, several different moral states and conditions appear, which a given intellect obtains when the value of its "µ" reaches a specific level. The most noticeable out of these states or conditions, that are experienced by intellects in which the coefficient "µ" changes in the full range of possible values, can be named in the following manner:
(µ > 0.6) Nirvana. People in which "µ" exceeded the threshold value of "µ=0.6" start to experience an extraordinary phenomenon described here under the name of "totaliztic nirvana".
(µ = 0.5) Adoration.
(µ = 0.4) Friendliness.
(µ = 0.35) Remaining unnoticeable. The value "µ = 0.35" represents a border value between intellects which already accumulated in themselves a reserve of moral energy, and intellects which show a deficiency of this energy. People with the value of "µ = 0.35" are usually very quiet and non-imposing. Their existence normally passes unnoticed by other people.
(µ = 0.3) Becoming provocative. (Also states of chronic mental depression seem to attack all these people whose relative level of saturation with moral energy falls below the value of µ = 0.35.)
(µ = 0.2) Lethargy.
(µ = 0.1) Destructiveness (including suicidal tendencies).
(µ = 0) Moral death.
The knowledge of the above relationship between the personalities and the level of saturation with moral energy is very useful in diagnosing our own moral state or the state of people close to us. This is because if we notice that either we ourselves, or someone from our close ones, displays signs of the fall of his or her "µ" below the critical level of "µ = 0.35", then this should become for us a sound of alarm. We should then make sure, that such someone initiates some sort of activities that would build up his or her level of moral energy. If such someone fails to rebuild this level, and allows that his or her moral energy still slips even lower, this most probably is going to finish rather tragically.
At this point it is worth to notice, that there is several manners of determining the level "µ" of someone's saturation with moral energy. The most accurate one out of these, depends on actual measurements of the generation and dispersion of moral energy. But it is rather difficult and only people with scientific inclinations are capable of accomplishing it. Other method depends on measurement of this level with the use of divining pendulum. People especially sensitive are also able to feel this level after they approach a given person. (In 1998, when I carried out the research described here, I was myself able to sense this level in every person which I approached when no-one was nearby who would disturb my perception with his or her own energy. In people for which their "µ" amounted above "µ = 0.35" I felt the emission of a kind of "warmth", the intensity of which increased proportionally to the increase in their "µ". In turn people in which "µ" fell down below "µ = 0.35", emitted a kind of clearly perceived "coldness" which deepen together with the fall of their "µ". After 1998 I ceased researching this topic. For some time now I noticed, that I am not able any more to perceive with my senses what is the current level of moral energy in a specific person.) In turn the most easy manner of determining the level of moral energy depends on comparing the current personality of someone with the above scale which was developed in the result of my research of this subject matter.
More information about how the personality, state, and wellbeing of intellects, depends on the level of saturation with moral energy, is explained in subsection OA8.6.3 from volume 13 of monograph [1/5]. In turn manners of determining the level of this energy in ourselves or in someone from our surrounding, are described in chapter JE from volume 8 of monograph [1/5].
#D10. Mental depression ("black dog") as a warning alarm of an excessive drop in the level of moral energy:
The accumulation of moral energy (energy "zwow") is absolutely necessary for our life and health. In fact, the moral energy is described by totalizm as a kind of oxygen for our souls. If we loose it completely, then we are forced to die. If we have not enough of it, then we suffer illnesses, fall victims of addictions, and continually experience chronic mental depression. In turn when we have a lot of it, then we accomplish the extraordinary state of nirvana, while our life becomes a single string of happiness and good health.
As it turns out, the depression caused by the deficit of moral energy ("zwow") CANNOT be healed by anything else than the rebuilding of the level of our moral energy. In past people used to believe that the depression can be healed with various "anti-depressants" tablets of the kind of "Prozac". However, research which near the end of February 2008 shook the entire world has proven, that these tablets do not work at all. As this is described by the article "Depression symptom of a sick society" which appeared on page A19 of the New Zealand newspaper The New Zealand Herald, issue dated on Thursday, March 6, 2008, mental depression belongs to illnesses which cannot be healed just by swallowing tablets.
Of course, after discovering that pills do NOT heal depression, people started to resort to alternative methods of healing this illness. What more interesting, although there is NO mention in all these alternative methods of healing depression about the link of this illness to the deficit of moral energy in sick people, in fact descriptions of methods of healing this illness boil down to rebuilding in ill people the level of their moral energy - but with avoiding to name the "moral energy" this something that is rebuild in ill people. This principle of healing depression through the rebuilding in ill people the level of their moral energy very clearly emerges e.g. from descriptions of healing depression provided in such articles as "Depression experts take steps toward alternatives to anti-depressant drugs" from page A13 of New Zealand newspaper The Press, issue dated on Saturday, March 8, 2008, or "Depression tied to unhealthy habits" from page A11 of the New Zealand newspaper The New Zealand Herald, issue dated on Monday, March 10, 2008.
About mental depression ("black dog") as an illness that results from the lack of moral energy, is treating also the web page parasitism.htm - about parasitism, i.e. the immoral philosophy of decadent lifestyle (e.g. see item #E1 in there).
#D11. How to increase in ourselves the amount of moral energy:
The philosophy of totalizm states that practically every work which lifts us uphill in the moral field is increasing our moral energy. Means that everything that we do in our lives, and that has a moral character, lifts the amount of moral energy accumulated in our counter-body. However, some kinds of work lift our level of this energy much faster and more effective than others. For example, according to my research the physical labour generates around 5 times more moral energy than a mental work of a comparable effort. So in order to generate, let say 1 [hps] of moral energy, we must work mentally as much as 5 hours. Thus with the use of solely mental work it is practically impossible to earn a totaliztic nirvana for a simple reason that there is not enough hours in each day to accumulate the required level of moral energy. But a skilfully designed physical work allows to earn intentionally the totaliztic nirvana. So here is a list of attributes of a work, which according to findings of totalizm cause, that a physical work which fulfils these attributes is going to generate in our counter-body especially large amounts of moral energy.
(i) This work must pedantically obey moral laws. Every work which breaks moral laws not only that never generates moral energy, but actually causes a rapid dispersion of this energy.
(ii) It must be a heavy physical work (i.e. one needs to carry out voluntarily a physical "struggle"). Thus the completion of this work must require from us to overcome a physical pain, tiredness, thirst, hunger, discouragement, impatience, sleepiness, boredom, etc., that the work induces in us.
(iii) Our motives for undertaking this work must be voluntary, highly moral, and altruistic. This means that we must undertake this work voluntarily, from our own choice and will. We also must be deeply convinced, that it serves for the good of other people (but whom we do not know in person), for the good of our civilisation, peace, progress, etc. (Notice, however, that if it serves for the good of specific people whom we know very well, e.g. someone amongst our family members, it is going to generate much less moral energy. Furthermore, if someone forces us to carry out this struggle, then instead of generating moral energy, it may even disperse this energy.)
(iv) It should not provide us with any financial or personal gains. For example, if we are to be paid for this work, the knowledge of the fact that it is for our own benefit is going to spoil our motivations and thus also the yield of moral energy that it generates. In fact, the more financial gains we expect from a given work, or the better paid it is, the less moral energy it generates.
(v) People for the good of which we address the outcomes of it, should NOT know from whom these outcomes originate. Means, if this is possible, we should carry out this work completely anonymously, so that final recipients that are to benefit from outcomes of it do not know from whom these outcomes originate.
(vi) We should carry out this work when no-one is watching us. The most destructive impact on the yield of moral energy generated by a given work has the watching of process of completing it by people with a rotten morality, means people who envy, who are vindictive, contradictive, evil, etc. Also every immoral suspicion posted to us telepathically by witnesses of this work, is going to decrease the moral energy that this work generates.
Examples of kinds of work that would generate for us huge amounts of mortal energy, include e.g. getting up early morning and removing anonymously snow from a footpath about which we know that later it is going to be used by many people - although local authorities always seem to forget the de-snowing of it, cultivating a side of some rarely used road and planting flowers by it, or volunteering to a farmer or an orchard owner in the centre of harvesting season to help him or her to harvest products about which we believe sincerely that these products are going to be consumed by many people, bringing health and pleasure to these people (though, we need to help either completely for free, or just for a symbolic return - e.g. for meals and lodging). In cases when we do not have an access to such works, then even digging and planting our own garden in order to make it pretty and beneficial to passers by, or even washing and thorough cleaning house of our parents when they are not at home, also will generate in us a lot of this energy. When even this exceeds beyond our possibilities, then even disciplined carrying out some difficult and tiring physical exercises with the moral motivation that they are to assist our body to serve better to community and to humanity, will also generate moral energy in us. More about types of work which most intensely generate moral energy in us, is provided in subsection JE9 from volume 8 of monograph [1/5]. I highly recommend reading this subsection JF9, and - if situation allows, also subsections that proceed it.
Part #E: The philosophy of parasitism - means the opposite, enemy and adversary of the philosophy of totalizm:
#E1. Totalizm versus parasitism:
The existence of moral field and moral laws causes that people have only two choices in their lives. Namely they either can choose to obey these moral laws, or to disobey them. These people who predominantly obey moral laws in their lives, are called totalizts. To the category of totalizts belong also the so-called intuitive totalizts, means people who do not know about the existence of moral laws and totalizm, but who still obey them intuitively because they listen to their counter-organ of conscience. (Intuitive totalizts usually are unaware that they actually practice the philosophy of totalizm.) In turn those people who predominantly disobey moral laws are called parasites. The impulsive philosophy which parasites follow in their lives is called parasitism. As this is explained below, there is an important reason for such a name. This reason originates from the final effects of the punishing mechanism which is triggered by someone's disobedience of moral laws. (This mechanism is explained in volume 13 of English monograph [1/5].) This punishing mechanism causes, that people who disobey moral laws land leading lives if intelligent parasites, who live from work of others. Thus the name "parasites" for them and "parasitism" for their philosophy is fully deserved. (For more details about this destructive philosophy see either a separate web page about parasitism, or volume 13 in new monograph [1/5], or volume 3 in older monograph [8].)
#E2. Group intellects:
Instead of using words "man", "person", "people", etc., to describe intelligent creatures which lead own independent lives, totalizm describes all of them with the word "intellect". An intellect for totalizm is everything that is intelligent, that is able to live independently, and that in any way is aware of the work of "morality" (i.e. that has its own organ of "conscience"). Thus, for totalizm every person is an "intellect" (or an "individual intellect"). God is the "universal intellect". So-called "UFOnauts" are "intellects" too. Even domesticated animals - which contrary to wild animals also are supplied in organs of conscience which inform them whether a given activity is allowed or is forbidden for them, are "animal intellects" as well.
The philosophy of totalizm explains also, that not only individual people "lead their own lives", and therefore they are subjected to the action of "moral laws". It turns out that also larger bodies, like entire families, ships, factories, offices, banks, institutions, villages, cities, political parties, religions, nations, countries, etc. - they all also create large living organisms, which "live their separate lives", and therefore also are subjected to the action of "moral laws". For such large bodies individual people are just components, similarly like in individual people are body cells. In the philosophy of totalizm such large bodies, or large living organisms, which are composed of many individual people, are called group intellects. An excellent example of a "group intellect" is the entire "human science" which as a whole deeply believes (and acts on this belief) that e.g. "God does NOT exist" or that the "petrified skeletons of dinosaurs are the evidence that dinosaurs lived once on the Earth" - but see item #A2.2 of this web page, item #B1 on the web page named changelings.htm, or item #H2 on the web page named god_exists.htm.
All "group intellects" are subjected to the action of the same "moral laws" as individual humans do. For example, "group intellects" which refuse to listen to the voice of their "group conscience" are also terminated by God - as this is explained in items #G1 and #G4 of the web page named will.htm. Only that instead of being "send to another world", as God typically does it with individual people who ceased to listen to the voice of their conscience, such "group intellects are bankrupted, dissolved, or absorbed by other group intellects. Onto the group intellects acts also a group version of the "Boomerang Principle" - as for the return of karma of Christians (for their action during Medieval Inquisition), the work of this principle is described in item #A2 of the web page named petone.htm. Therefore the fate of these "group intellects" takes an identical course like does the life of individual humans. Only that their fate typically changes much slower than the fate of individual people. Also methods and mechanisms that God uses for controlling the development of their group morality are slightly different (more complex) than these for individual people - see item #B4 on the web page mozajski_uk.htm.
But the most fascinating for the new "totaliztic science" is the phenomenon of the "group morality" which is manifested by all "group intellects". In this "group morality" such "group intellects" interact with other intellects as if all individual people composed onto them practiced exactly the same "morality". Means, in spite that every "group intellect" is composed from many individual people whose levels of morality are different, and also in spite that each one amongst these people is tied differently to this group intellect at an emotional and physical level, still the interaction of each one amongst these people onto all outside intellects does NOT represent a random character, but always is consistent - as if at the time when they represent their group intellect all these people are one and the same person, or as if they all make an agreement as to how they supposed to treat someone from the outside. For example, when the "group intellect" - such as the entire present official science, started an open persecution of Christians - as this is described in items #A2 and #C3 on the abovementioned web page named petone.htm, then each Christian, whom was forced to interact in the matter of religion with any representative of that official science, receives from that representative almost the same persecuting treatment. Or for example during a war, almost each citizen of an occupied country receives from representatives of the occupant very similar treatment, which results from the group morality practiced by that occupant. Such consistent treatments from group intellects (usually rather bad) the reader probably also experienced many times, when was forced to do anything e.g. in governmental offices. Such a "group morality" of every group intellect is just the subject and the cause of specific treatment by moral laws and by moral mechanisms that this group intellect receives as a whole. It is that "group morality" that causes, that e.g. aggressors always loose every war that they started - as this is described in item #C5.2 on the web page named morals.htm, while e.g. every bank which cheats and lies with the elapse of time is going to be bankrupted - as this is explained in item #G4 on the web page named will.htm.
#E3. Institutional parasitism:
If such a group intellect predominantly obeys moral laws in all actions, than it practices a form of philosophy of totalizm. In such a case the fate of this group intellect is very similar to the fate of individual totalizts, namely it grows, expands, is healthy, keeps good image and people happy, etc. But if such a group intellect predominantly disobeys moral laws in all actions, than it practices a form of parasitism. The parasitism practiced by a group intellect is called institutional parasitism . Institutions which practice this parasitism are very easy to recognise from a stuffy atmosphere that prevails in them, from countless cases of injustice that are committed inside of them, from rampaging bureaucracy, from unhappy employees, from the large turnover of employees, from constant internal problems, from the fact that they shrink constantly and shut down increasingly large number of functions that they supposed to perform, etc. Similarly like individual parasites, also parasitic institutions always live on the cost of others. If they are unable to exploit, rob, and live from work of others openly, they do it in a hidden manner. It is interesting that the theory of parasitic institutions explains also exactly what a religious fanaticism is, and why it appears in only some religions and cults. As it turns out religious fanaticism is manifestation of the philosophy of parasitism practiced by a given religious institution.
#E4. When institutions turn into parasitism:
Very interesting are outcomes of my research on parasitic groups of students. The goal of this research was to determine what turns a given group intellect (such as a group of students) typically composed of totalizts and parasites, into a fully parasitic institution. With students such research is easy, because if a given group of students practices an institutional parasitism, the process of teaching cannot be carried out for them. As my research indicate, such group intellects turn into parasitic intellects if either (1) their leader practices parasitism, or (2) over 30% of normal members of the group practices parasitism. This means that all group intellects (e.g. families, factories, institutions, countries, etc.) which are already practicing institutional parasitism, have in them over 30% of population, or (and) their leadership, already practicing parasitism. The alarming problem that recently emerged, is that the number of such parasitic institutions and countries constantly raises.
#E5. Parasitic countries:
When the philosophy of parasitism becomes a dominating philosophy in a country, then this country transforms into a parasitic country. Such parasitic countries can be recognised due to a whole range of attributes, the most important of which include, amongst others: the growing demoralisation of the citizens, rampaging psychological depression, continually increasing level of crime, addictions, and mental illnesses, huge number of mutually contradictive laws and spreading "legalized" lawlessness, large emigration caused by the escape of citizens to other less parasitic countries, the gradual collapse of education and scientific research, the lack of investments and a mysterious "disappearance" of governmental funds, continually enlarging central institutions and the number of governmental officials, the growing number of "taboo" topics the talking about which is persecuted in various (hidden) manners, growing double-standard means promising and public talk about one thing and actual during complete reversal, etc., etc.
#E6. Parasitic civilisations:
If an entire civilisation begins to practice a philosophy of parasitism, then it becomes a parasitic civilisation. Parasitic civilisations live exclusively from robbery and exploitation of other civilisations. If such a civilisation is a primitive one, like ancient Romans, then it robs and exploits the neighbours, or second class citizens, or illegal immigrants, turning them into slaves. But if such a parasitic civilisation has a means of interstellar travel, then it becomes a civilisation of cosmic bandits and robbers. It lives at the expense of other cosmic civilisations that are less technologically developed than it. The extremely bad luck of humanity is that from the beginning of times it is in power just such a parasitic civilisation of cosmic bandits and robbers. The present popular name for citizens of this parasitic civilisation is "UFOnauts". In past they used to be called devils or fallen angels. (Also other names were used, e.g.: bad witches, bad wizards, magicians, Satan, etc.) Actually, if one analyses methods of action used currently by UFOnauts on Earth, and compares these methods to these described by religions as used by devils and Satan, it turns out that the methods are the same only terminology used by religions for describing these methods is ancient. Devils and Satan did exactly what current research and literature on UFOs show that UFOnauts do to us. (For more details see subsection OC1 from volume 13, and chapter U from volume 17 of English monograph [1/5].)
#E7. Why the simulation by God of the existence and secretive operation on the Earth of parasitic civilisations is beneficial for the humanity and for the entire universe:
God designed and completed the universe in so intelligent manner, that even so-called evil serves towards the progress and learning. It means, in the absolute dimension evil also brings benefits. Therefore the parasitic civilisations which rob, exploit, and push others down, in the absolute dimensions are also needed. After all, they pay many "favours" to God. For example, they put to trials and examinations from morality the humanity as a whole and every individual human separately, they create for God the possibility to motivate easily the entire human civilisation, they allow God to easy destroy under NOT His own name everything that is old or that ceased to fulfil its functions, they slow down the colonisation and filling up the universe with people, etc., etc. Unfortunately, the use by God of really existing morally decadent civilisations would be very difficult because such civilisations require a huge effort and work to control them as required. Therefore, it is much easier for God to simulate the existence of such civilisations. This simulation is described in more details on separate web pages - e.g. see the web page god.htm - about the secular and scientific understanding of God, or evil.htm - about origins of evil on the Earth. After all, such parasitic civilisations, the existence and secretive activities of which on the Earth are just "simulated" by God, do NOT have "free will", the awareness and mind of God can be "inserted" directly to their temporally created physical bodies, and thus in every smallest detail they do exactly whatever serves the intentions of God. Simultaneously, from our, means from the human, point of view, it does NOT matter whether these parasitic civilisations which secretly occupy the Earth do exist physically and really, or their existence is just skilfully "simulated" by God. In both these cases the final effects of the action of these parasitic civilisations on the Earth will be exactly as God in His infinitive wisdom planned this. Means, these civilisations will be continually subjecting to moral tests and exams every human being and the entire human civilisation, they will allow God to differentiate between valuable humans and the human trash, they will destroy whatever God designates to be destroyed, they will help to punish those ones who deserves to be punished, etc., etc. So although totalizm established beyond any doubt, that civilisations of parasitic UFOnauts do NOT exist physically at all, but are skilfully and realistically "simulated" by God, in all totaliztic publications these civilisations are treated as they do exist equally real, as real exists the entire human civilisation.
Part #F: Why peaceful totalizm has enemies and adversaries:
#F1. Persecuted although needed truths revealed by totalizm:
Motto: "Telling the truth, even this most unpleasant one, is the manifestation of true love - after all, only by revealing the truth to these whom we love, we create a chance for them to improve and to make life much better."
If someone listens only to the loud propaganda that is spread over the Earth by newspapers and by television, then he or she has an impression that the human science disperses darkness of religious superstitions only with a great difficulty, trying to document to people: that humans originate from monkeys through the natural evolution, that God does NOT exist, that our world created itself in the result of a "big bang", etc., etc. But if someone has a required knowledge to actually examine the merit of this loud propaganda, then he or she experiences a shock. It turns out that in reality there is no even a single item of evidence which would confirm scientifically the origins of humans from monkeys through the natural evolution - however there is a huge body of scientific evidence that it was God who created the first man and the first woman. (Some amongst these items of evidence for the creation of man are presented in item #B8 of the web page named evolution.htm, and in subsection I1.4.2 from volume 5 of my newest monograph [1/5].) It also turns out that physics and other strict sciences constantly trip over evidence that God does exist, only that if someone tries to present this evidence publicly, then he or she is immediately subjected to various brutal forms of persecution and discrimination. (This is why in the vital interest of the entire humanity lies a fast removal of the "monopole on knowledge" from the present science by establishing the second, competitive "totaliztic science" described above in item #A2.6 of this web page.) It also turns out, that there are numerous items of evidence supporting the fact that God created the physical world, while the loudly announced, supposed "theories" of the "big bang" and "escaping galaxies" in fact have no even a single evidence in their support. (Some amongst these items of evidence for the creation of the physical world by God, are presented in items #D3 and #I4 of the web page about the Concept of Dipolar Gravity and in volume 1 of my newest monograph [1/5].)
From the real life we all know that if in a specific matter there is so drastic divergence between what is officially told, and what is the actual truth, then such state of things is forced by some mechanisms unknown yet to people, similar to the "curse of inventors" described, amongst others, in item #B4.4 of the web page named mozajski_uk.htm. It is the work of just such unknown mechanisms that totalizm must identify, disclose, and neutralise, when it tries to promote truths which currently are not understood, unwanted and persecuted - such as the truth about the existence of numerous benefits from leading a highly moral life, or the truth that "these ones whom we really love we should reveal the truth, while not telling the truth, or telling lies - even these most sweet ones, in fact is a manifestation of hostility and the lack of respect". After all, only by revealing the truth we can give a chance to ones that we love to improve their lives. It is at least a lack of knowledge, if NOT the stupidity, to think that telling the truth to someone is a manifestation of hostility - such views can have only completely thoughtless and morally immature people.
There is a number of basic truths, the revealing of which on the Earth is the highly "moral" activity, because these truths improve the knowledge and the situation of people. Thus, the spreading of these truths must run uphill in the "moral field" and must require the contribution of significant "effort". As such, their spreading must be hold back by the abovementioned "curse of inventors". Truths about the work of morality and God are just some examples of these. Unfortunately, too many people still believes that "the revealing of truth is a manifestation of someone's hostility towards them". The reality is that "the revealing of truth - even this one which is the most unpleasant for us, is a favour, an expression of love, and the only manner of real helping - after all, in order to improve or repair something, we firstly need to learn the entire truth about it". In other words, without learning the truth there is NO progress. However, e.g. the present "atheistic, orthodox science", which is the institution paid for revealing truths, is actually too terrorized, too scared, and too dependent on these people who believe that "telling the truth is a manifestation of hostility", to still find a courage for explaining these unwanted although needed truths, or at least to try to research some of these truths. Therefore, these most vital truths usually remain well hidden from the public view. Before totalizm appeared on the Earth, explanations for these persecuted but needed truths were difficult to find. Only totalizm found a courage and a way to bring them to the public view, to explain them, and to prove them correct. Therefore this web page, amongst others, offers scientific publications (e.g. my newest monograph [1/5]) that either take a research-based stand in matters of these unwanted although needed truths, or clarify them. A list of most important amongst these truths, together with the summary of what totalizm determined about each one of them, are provided in items #C6 and #F2 from the web page named prawda_uk.htm.
#F2. The formal scientific proof of totalizm that God does exist, and its consequences:
Motto: "The bigger number of independent paths leads us to the learning of a given truth, the more sure and more vital this truth is. Because the existence of God, and also the existence of so-called "supernatural", is confirmed independently by both, the Bible authored (inspired) by God Himself, as well as by secular findings of totalizm, this truth is twice as much sure and as much vital."
As this is described in more details in volume 5, and partially also in volumes 4 and 11, of my newest scientific monograph [1/5], the philosophy of totalizm allowed to develop and to publish a series of several formal scientific proofs carried out with methods of mathematical logic. None of these proofs was abolished, so all of them remain in power. All these proofs are similar from the methodology point of view, although each one of them is based on a different kind of scientific evidence.
The first and the most important (1) out of these proofs confirms formally and scientifically that "God does exist" - see item #G2 from the web page named god_proof.htm, or see subsection I3.3.4 from volume 5 of my newest scientific monograph marked [1/5]. The abovementioned web page "god_proof.htm" presents also a vast body of empirical scientific evidence which additionally confirms the validity of this proof. This immensely important proof changes the speculations to-date as to "whether God exists", into the scientific certainty that this superior being of the universe in fact does exist.
This certainty of the God's existence is additionally increased by the remaining ones out of my series of the proofs discussed here. After all, none of these proofs could be formulated in the world without God. And so, the certainty of the God's existence is increased additionally by the formal scientific proof (2) which confirms that "the counter-world does exist". The name "counter-world is assigned to a world which is separate from our physical world and in which God lives.) This proof is published, amongst others, in item #D3 of the web page about the Concept of Dipolar Gravity, and also in subsection H1.1.4 from volume 4 of my newest scientific monograph marked [1/5]. After all, this formal proof confirms the existence of a separate world in which God lives and to which our souls move after the physical death. This certainty is also additionally increased by the formal scientific proof (3) stating that "people have immortal souls", published in item #C1.1 of the web page about the totaliztic nirvana, and also in subsection I5.2.1 from volume 5 of my newest scientific monograph marked [1/5]. This certainty is also confirmed by the formal scientific proof (4) that it is "God (not a random evolution) who created the first pair of people", published in item #B8 of the web page about evolution, and also in subsection NF9 from volume 12 of my newest scientific monograph marked [1/5]. The certainty is also confirmed by the formal scientific proof (5) that "the Bible is authorized by God himself", published in item #B1 of the web page about the Bible. and also in subsection M7.1 from volume 11 of my newest scientific monograph marked [1/5]. Finally, the certainty is also confirmed by the formal scientific proof (6) that "the DNA are the simplest forms of natural computers which control the passage through time of cells in which these DNA reside, while this controlling of passage through the time these DNA accomplish by running software 'programs of life and fate' that are contained in their memories", published in item #D7 of the web page named immortality.htm. and also in subsection M1.6 from volume 11 of my newest scientific monograph marked [1/5].
#F3. Totalizm as an interpreter of messages which God coded into the Bible which He authorizes (e.g. coded through a consistent qualifying "serpents" to the category of animals having high intelligence and human appearance):
Motto: "Even if you force a serpent into a bamboo tube, still you cannot straighten its twisted nature."
A monkey looks very similar to a human. It also have grabbing hands like people do and also is able to use tools. Furthermore, it has a high intelligence. In fact a monkey is even able to carry out implication and logical deduction - like people do. Can thus a monkey be classified to a category of people. Of course NOT. Everyone knows jolly well that a monkey is an animal - only that it has a high intelligence and an appearance similar to humans. So what causes that given creatures can be classified as people? After all, it is NOT intelligence - because intelligence is also present in monkeys and in various other animals. For example my cat called "Teecee", described in more details on the web page about bandits amongst us, also displayed the intelligence which I compared to the intelligence of a 2-year old human, and even displayed the morality which I estimate as higher than morality of an average "serpent". (E.g. Teecee always show the sense of guilt with his behaviour each time he returned from stealing food designated for cats of a neighbour, while e.g. UFOnauts do not feel guilty even if they murder hundreds of thousands of innocent people.) But Teecee still belonged to the animal kingdom. To the category of humans do NOT qualify the appearance either. After all, monkeys have, while Neanderthal Men had, the appearance very similar to that of people. But no-one classifies them as people. The having grabbing hands also do not make one to be a human, neither the use of tools. So what causes that a given creature is qualified to the category of people, not to the category of "animals gifted with high intelligence and with human appearance"?
The clarification of this puzzle is encrypted into the Bible authorized by God. Namely, creatures which by the Bible are called "serpents", "dragons", "devils", etc., while by present people - "UFOnauts", in the entire Bible authorized by God himself are consistently qualified to the category of animals, NOT to the category of people. For example, in this way categorizes them the verse quoted in previous item #F2 from the "Book of Genesis", 3:1, quote: "Now the serpent is the most cunning of all the animals that the LORD God had create." The same refusal of qualifying UFOnauts to the category of people forwards to us also the reply of Jesus to the temptations of Satan, given in the "Evangel of St. Matthew", 4:4, quote: "It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God." (It means, that this verse tries to tell us, amongst others, that "a human is only this one, who does NOT live just by bread, but who studies words of God". In turn Satan, serpents, devils, etc., who mainly are concerned about material goods, about power, pleasures of the body, etc., in eyes of God are NOT humans at all.) Simultaneously from research on UFOs it is already known to us, that these serpents-UFOnauts are close relatives of people. After all, both humanity and these serpents-UFOnauts originate from the same ancestors of humanity from the Terra planet - as this is explained more comprehensively on the web page about evolution. In spite of this blood relationship of people and UFOnauts, God qualify people to the category of humans, but for serpents-UFOnauts the same God consistently refuses to qualify them as people and qualifies them as animals equipped with intelligence and human appearance. As this is clearly indicating, in eyes of God someone's qualifying to the category of people or the category of animals does NOT result from the fact that parents or ancestors of this someone were people, nor from intelligence and human appearance shown by this someone, but from attributes and behaviours that this someone displays. In other words, God so designed living creatures, that they must earn becoming humans and it is NOT enough for them that they were born from human parents. What even more interesting, the above concerns all creatures which live on the Earth. In other words, NOT all present members of humanity in eyes of God will be qualified as people, and a significant proportion of humanity God is going to qualify to the world of intelligent animals and then treat the same as animals. On the other hand, to some present creatures with animal (currently) structure of the body, God intends to give in the future a chance to be born as humans and to become humans.
So what are these attributes which in eyes of God qualify someone to the category of people? This question is so important, that if someone does NOT gain for himself or herself such attributes, then in eyes of God is going to be treated as an animal. Of course, the reply God again coded into the content of the Bible that he authorized. Well, from the information encrypted in this Bible stems, that the most important out of these attributes is the ability, will, and effort of embracing God. Means, the ability, will, and effort to see the existence of God in the world that surrounds us, to distinguish the "hand" of God when God gives something to us, to study intentions and requirements of this God, to give to God the correct evidence of our obedience to his commands, etc., etc. In other words, those ones who are unable, or do not have intentions, or do not wish to undertake the effort, of embracing God, for example all atheists - according to the information contained in the Bible which is authorized by this God, in fact belong to the category of animals with human appearance and human intelligence, not to the category of people. Of course, there is a number of manners this ability, will and effort of embracing God should manifest itself. Let us list here at least several most vital out of them. Here is several most vital ones:
1. Recognize the authority of God and obey requirements that God imposed over people. In other words, e.g. every atheist in eyes of God is just an intelligent animal with human appearance. After all, animals are unable to recognize and acknowledge the authority of God. They are also not able to obey God's requirements. For example, animals everywhere see only the existence of other animals - only that sometimes more dangerous or more provided than they themselves, because gifted with a bigger power, cunningness, or ability to generate something delicious. For example, my cat Teecee with the same respect related both to me, and to the home fridge. In me he saw a bigger and stronger animal than himself. Therefore, in order to make me friendly he used to bring me, in his opinion tasty mice and frogs. In turn fridge for him was a kind of a cow which instead of milk generates infinitive supplies of tasty cat's food. So in order to also make the fridge friendly towards him, according to the cat's etiquette he used to sit opposite to it and show to it his respect in exactly the same way as outside of the flat he show his respect to other cats by sitting for hours in front of them. Once I noted that he also brought a living frog to the fridge and wanted to give this frog to the fridge. Information about this "requirement-manifestation of the belonging to the humanity" is contained, amongst others, in the verse quoted previously from the "Evangel of St. Matthew", 4:4, quote: "Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God." But in fact this "requirement of qualifying to the category of humans" is so important that it is repeated across the entire Bible.
2. Gain skills of recognizing hand, work, and acts of God, from hands, work, and activities of other powers. In other words, in order to become a human, one needs to learn see the hand of God where this hand in fact do acts. Therefore, these people, who are unable to notice in the Bible the authorship of God, but see in it just a book with stories of ancient shepherds, in fact are in eyes of God just intelligent animals. (For example, for me is extremely impressive this well hidden supernatural intelligence encoded into the Bible and manifesting itself e.g. in the manner with which the Bible expresses extremely correctly even these most refined ideas, the effectiveness with which it gives to us the working recipes for living that prove themselves in action, the effectiveness with which these ever actual messages were getting through thousands of years of censorships of serpents-UFOnauts, etc., etc. Also I do not understand how it is possible, that some people remain blind to this supernatural intelligence of the Bible - most clearly in order to appreciate intelligence contained in something else, one needs also have at least a threshold level of it.) These biologists and their sympathizers, who e.g. in the creation of the first couple of people see just only the act of random evolution, also have NOT acquire the ability of recognizing the hand and act of God. Or these physicists, who remain blind to the conclusions that result from the fact that electromagnetic waves belong to the category of "transverse waves", which propagate exclusively along the border of two mediums. Or these medics who search with scalpels through corners of the brain in order to find soul in there, but they simultaneously remain blind and deaf for NDE (Near Death Experience), multiple personalities, and other phenomena of this kind. Etc., etc. The information about the gaining ability to recognize hand, work, or act of God, is contained, amongst others in "2 Corinthians", 4:3-4, quote: "But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not."
3. Place emphasis on the development of positive non-physical attributes such as morality, consistency, helpfulness, goodness, peacefulness, etc., etc. In other word, obedience to the popular saying "eat to live, not live to eat", or more strictly "use our body as an instrument which helps us to acquire positive intellectual and spiritual values, instead of treating our intelligence and spirit as tools which allow us bring pleasures to our body." The information about the need of using our body as a tool for accomplishing positive spiritual and intellectual qualities, not in reverse, is spread all over the Bible. For example, this information is illustrated by every word and every action of Jesus - including into this also words quoted in item 1 above.
4. Learn totalizm and implement totalizm in our own life. It is enough to notice in the Internet how "serpents-UFOnauts" react on every message of totalizm, to become clear that totalizm is NOT just another one amongst these dozens of philosophies invented by "armchair academics". The Bible let us know about this quite clearly. It is not by coincident that there are strange parallels between the name "John" plus characteristics of efforts of the human author of the totalizm, and the content of following verse from the Biblical Evangel of St. John, 1:6-14, quote: "There came a man who was sent from God; his name was John. He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all men might believe. He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world. He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God - children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God. The Word became flesh ..." Totalizm states that nothing is a "coincidence". So it is NOT a coincidence also that the shockingly symbolic fate of totalizm described in item #A7 of this web page is so strangely coinciding with statements of the Biblical "Evangel of St. Matthew", 24:27, which amongst others informs, quote: "For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west ...".
5. Differentiate between our secular duties and obligations towards God, give to God the correct kind of contribution, and maintain a constructive balance between giving to God and fulfilling our secular duties. In other words, we should not allow that in our lives any out of these two main components (i.e. God or secular life) overpowers the other one of them. Both these components must in us complement and enrich each other - not compete with each other. So we should NOT allow that the spiritual matters overshadow or dominate our secular life, not allow that our secular engagements completely alienate us from connecting to God. After all, the life is to live, and to implement what God send us to the Earth to do with his assistance and guidance. Furthermore, God requires that we give to it a right kind of contribution. For example, He does NOT want we give to Him our money, possessions, or any other material goods. For God material gifts are like these mice and frogs that my cat Teecee used to bring to me, in order to make friendly towards him this large and powerful animal which he saw in me. It is God that gives to us material goods so that we make out of them a right use in our fulfilling our secular duties, not that we should give them back to Him. God demands from us immaterial contribution, such as voluntarily recognizing His existence, recognizing His hand and work, searching and studying His intentions, obeying His commands, remembering about His requirements in every secular matter in which we act, etc., etc. In fact, through a clear showing the difference between the manner of fulfilling the contribution towards God in the Biblical "New Testament" (which describes humanity which already is composed of "people"), and a kind of gifts which inhabitants of the Earth used to give to God in times of the "Old Testament" (i.e. when humanity was still belonging to the world of "intelligent animals"), God very intelligently and illustratively let us know what kind of contribution towards him He is asking for. The information about the necessity to maintain a constructive balance between giving contribution to God and fulfilling our secular duties, is contained, amongst others, in "Evangel of St. Luke", 20:25, quote: "Render therefore unto Caesar the things which be Caesar’s, and unto God the things which be God’s." In turn the context in which the above verse was repeated and stressed in three Evangels of St. Luke", 20:25, Mark 10:25, and Matthew 19:24, reveals to us very clearly, that God does NOT wants material belongings from us, e.g. financial donations, but wishes we give to him all these non-material efforts and actions, which He defined for us with the content of the Bible, commandments of moral laws, configuration of the moral field, etc., etc., and from understanding of which He made one of our duties towards Him (or more strictly "Her" - as explained in item #B7 from the web page God).
Of course, the above are just a few first and most vital "requirements of qualifying to the category of people" contained in the Bible. Similar requirements is more. But the goal of this web page is NOT to discuss these. For example God requires from people to devote to building and lifting up, not to destruction and pushing down. God orders to defend ourselves when we are attacked, but it forbids aggressive attacking. God orders to share with others, and not just take everything for ourselves. Etc., etc. If we would like to express all these requirements and commandments of God with a single allegoric statement, then we could state that God asks from us everything that an ideal woman who loves us very much would demand from us. As this is explained in item #B7 of the web page about a secular understanding of God, this thinking components of God, which by the Christianity is called "Holy Ghost", in fact is a female.
The Bible warns us many times, that for all those who do not obey commandments of God, awaits not pleasurable consequences. So we should NOT expect that if God gave to someone a chance to become a human, because he allowed to be born from human parents, but that someone spurn and rejected this chance, then God will still be generous towards such someone. After all God has the power and thousands of different possibilities to execute from disobeying ones the warning which he authorized in the Bible. For example, only the simplest out of these possibilities is, that for those who insist so much to remain animals, God allows to be born again as animals. Therefore, I personally feel obliged to realize with the aid of these descriptions, that - as Englishman say "God means business". After all, God does NOT need to worry that there will be NO creatures interested to qualify into the category of people. Just only on the Earth every second millions of existences are coming to life, the level of intelligence of which allows them to stand up in a queue to the chance of becoming a human. For example, my cat Teecee is one of them. But God created the physical world of a finite volume. So He cannot non-selectively advance to the honour of a person every out of these millions and millions of creatures, and then give an everlasting life to each person. The God's justice is to be fulfilled if every creature gets a chance from God of becoming a human, and then the further fate of this creature is to depend how this creature performs when getting this chance. So God has reasons to make very difficult the advancement from the status of an "animal" to the status of a "human". No wonder that in the Biblical Evangel of St. Mark, 10:25, is written - quote: "It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God." (A rich person typically practices the philosophy of parasitism which just gives to people the animal attributes.) So it is not know neither "when" nor "if at all", these ones from our fraternity who in the present life lost already the chance to prove themselves as "people", will obtain a next such a chance. In fact such another chance they may get after waiting in the queue for hundreds or even thousands of years, or even do not get this chance ever again. So it is better already now do everything that the Bible encourages us to do, and in fact put the effort which we can afford in order to prove God already now that we deserve the name a "human".
At the end of this item I would like to propose to the reader a small verifying test. Namely, I propose to check, whether according to requirements given to us by God and clearly explained above from 1 to 5 of this item, in eyes of God the reader deserves to be qualified to the category of humans, and to receive privileges granted by God to humans, or else he or she deserves only to be qualified to the same category as "UFOnauts-serpents" - means to "animals gifted with intelligence and human appearance", and then receive the same treatment as animals. Means, whether the reader: (1) recognizes the authority of God, (2) gained the skill of recognizing the hand and acts of God, (3) uses his body as an instrument to accomplishing positive intellectual and spiritual goals, but not opposite, etc., etc. Then I propose to match similarly to the same criteria all these close ones whom the reader loves the most. Finally I propose to consider what in the reader's opinion the reader should do with conclusions to which he or she arrived in this test. Means, whether in such a vital matter as the eternal future for himself or herself and for his or her close ones, the reader should leave the matter just on checking, and then continue the sitting on his own hands in matters for which God requires actions, or rather should take actions which are suggested by this test. After all, we need to remember, that after publishing formal scientific proofs for the existence of God, the power, authority, and the actions of God ceased to be just a matter of believes, and become a scientific certainty. These God's capabilities do not cease to be such a certainty only because some intelligent animals in the Bible called "serpents" spit on these proofs the entire saliva that their venomous tangs are able to generate.
Serpents-UFOnauts consider themselves to be a kind "super-humans" which are positioned so much higher above people from the planet Earth, as much higher people from the Earth are positioned above animals. Also at every occasion these UFOnauts let us know about this their supposed superiority. It seems to come easy to them. After all, they stole time vehicles and telekinetic vehicles from some other civilization. They also have a capability to travel around entire Universe. Because of the telekinetic flickering they also can become invisible to human sight. So they are very unhappy that the truth revealed in the Bible states about them something completely opposite. Namely that in eyes of God just they, serpents-UFOnauts, are creatures inferior like animals, while us, humans from the Earth, are superior over them by the "humanitarianism" of our attributes. Because totalizm disseminates the knowledge about this truth that is so bitter for UFOnauts, this dissemination provides one more reason for which UFOnauts so viciously try to destroy totalizm. After all, they do not like when something reminds them the truth that in eyes of God they are just animals provided with human intelligence and with human shapes.
#F4. Totalizm in the role of a straighter of errors and deviations of all other sciences (for example totalizm reveals a moral manner for gaining the immortality, means a moral way of defeating death and living forever):
Motto: "Immortality is NOT going to come from the advancement of medicine - as everyone seems to believe, but from the creative technical thinking which allows people to build time vehicles."
People who accepted the philosophy of totalizm are gaining an extraordinary tool which allows them to verify the truth, and to repair errors or deviations, in practically all other present sciences. This is because findings of totalizm remove from eyes of people the "blinkers" which previously disallowed them to see the universe as it really is.
An excellent illustration of the role of totalizm as a straighter of errors, deviations, and shortcomings of other sciences, is the simplest and easiest path to our immortality. All people seem to believe, that the path to immortality is through the advancement of medicine. However, totalizm reveals to us that the only morally acceptable way of defeating death and gaining the access to an immortal life, cannot use medical methods. The reason is that medical manners of extending life must be based on either copying or robbing of components of life. However, both copying and robbing are highly immoral activities (this is why people established "copyrights" and laws protecting us from robbers.) Therefore, in order to live forever it is necessary to build the technical device called the time vehicle. After all, time vehicles allow everyone to shift back in time to years of his or her youth each time after he or she reaches an old age or after his or her body which refuses to work. As totalizm explains this, the building of time vehicles is relatively simple. In fact if other people started to help me in accomplishing my goals soon after in 1985 I discovered how time works and how time vehicles can be build, then until today, means after around a quarter of century, I would already build these time vehicles. After all, already then I knew how to build the "heart" and the most vital component of time vehicles, means the technical device called the Oscillatory Chamber of the third generation. (This device is also described on the web page eco_cars.htm - about zero emission cars of our future.) Furthermore, since 1985 I know exactly how time works and how technically we can shift time back - for descriptions of this operation of time and method of shifting time back see chapter M from volume 11 of my monograph [1/5], or see the web page named timevehicle.htm, or the web page named immortality.htm. I am also able to indicate to everyone the easy for verifying proof that time is really a software quantity, and thus that it elapses in short jumps - means the proof that time is exactly how my theories explain it to people. (This easily verifiable proof is described in item #A1 of the web page timevehicle.htm - about the work of time, about travelling in time, and about time vehicles, and in item #D2 of the web page god_proof.htm - about scientific proofs for the existence of God.) The only thing that so-far I was unable to accomplish, is the help of other people in my efforts to build time vehicles. Most clearly my countrymen do NOT want to live forever. With attitudes of other people towards my discoveries and inventions seems to be like with this donkey from the English proverb we can bring a donkey to water, but we cannot make it drink. On the other hand, without the help from other people, means without a research job at an university, without proper conditions to carry out scientific research openly, without an access to research laboratories, and without products of good prototyping facilities, just by myself I am unable to build time vehicles e.g. in the corner of my kitchen. More about our chance for living forever is explained on the web page immortality.htm - about immortality, means how we could defeat death right now and begin to live forever.
Another good example, which illustrates the role of totalizm as a straighter of errors and deviations of other sciences, can be the matter of so-called "perpetual motion". Namely, from the philosophical point of view, the only difference between e.g. a "windmill" and a "perpetual motion device", is the length of time in which the propelling medium provides a steady energy supply to a given device. So if there exists a "wind" which blows continually, steadily, and strongly for, let's say, one million years, then the "windmill" which such a "wind" would propel, would become a "perpetual motion device". Thus, from the point of view of any philosophy, "perpetual motion devices" can be build - if we find a propelling medium (e.g. a "wind") which provides a steady energy supply continually for thousands of years. But the discipline of thermodynamics claims the exact opposite. It states that "perpetual motion devices cannot work" at all, as their operation supposedly would run against the statistic predictions which carry the name of "laws of thermodynamics". So it would be an interesting situation if philosophy proves to thermodynamics that so-called "laws of thermodynamics" are still incomplete because were NOT consulted with philosophy. After all, various sciences know "winds" that "blow" continually and steadily for millions of years. To indicate here some examples of such "winds", these include: the rotation of our planet Earth, the motion of Moon around the Earth, the magnetic field of the Earth, waves of a "cosmic noise", various behaviours of elementary particles, and many more. So if, for example, we construct a "flywheel", which meets following easy-to-fulfil conditions: (1) it has the so-called "momentum of inertia" larger than its "friction torque", (2) it is perfectly balanced - so that the gravitational field of the Earth does NOT influence its angular orientation, and (3) it is so assembled in a given location that the axis of rotation of this flywheel is exactly parallel to the axis of the Earth’s rotation; then such a flywheel should create an everlasting motion in relationship to the Earth, with the speed of one rotation per day (or more strictly, this flywheel would remain motionless in relationship to our solar system, while the Earth would rotate around it once per each day). So such a flywheel - if constructed and provided with an appropriate gearbox linked to a pointer, could prove empirically that philosophical principles are more advanced than so-called "laws of thermodynamics". More on the subject of the above "perpetual motion" device is explained on the web page free_energy.htm - about generators of free energy.
Of course, this item provides only two examples from a huge ocean of new knowledge that opens to our eyes after we begin to practice totalizm. Other examples of this knowledge are described on the totaliztic web page about myself (Dr Eng. Jan Pajak).
Part #G: Totalizm versus faith and religions:
#G1. Explanation why totalizm is not colliding nor competing with anyone's religion:
One of reasons for which some people could have reservations about implementing findings of totalizm into their lives, is their thought of a possibility that totalizm may collide or compete with their personal religion (faith) which they are just preaching. Such reservations are completely unjustified. This item explains why.
There is a whole range of reasons for which totalizm does NOT collide nor compete with any religion (faith) that exists on Earth. Here are most vital out of these reasons:
(i) Totalizm is a philosophy, not a religion. In turn with religions can compete only another religion. But totalizm from the definition cannot constitute a religion. After all, it is based on a unbiased and secular knowledge, while religions are based on human believes. As a philosophy totalizm cannot compete with religions - as it belongs to a completely different category. Only in some matters it tries to objectively define and extend statements of religions on the basis of modern scientific knowledge that was earned by humanity since times when these religions were established.
(ii) Totalizm set for itself the goal to bring closer believers of various religions. The ambition of totalizm is making peace and bringing closer various people and believers of different religions, not dividing them or turning against themselves. However, if totalizm in any way collide or compete with any religion, it would NOT be able to bring together believers of this religion neither to totalizm, nor to other religions. The method with the use of which totalizm tries to bring together believers of various religions depends on the scientific proving that all religions in fact pray to the same God, means to the only God that exists in the entire universe. (After all, totalizm proves scientifically that in the entire Universe exists only one God.) Since in case of every religion God remains the same, in fact each religion is only a different manner of implementing of the same intention of serving to this only God. Thus, all differences between subsequent religions boil down to either different interpretations of how people can serve this only God in the best possible manner, and to incomplete understanding what this only God really expects from people. With the aid of the secular and unbiased research, totalizm brings together these different interpretations as to how serve God in the best possible manner. Research of totalizm disperses also existing misunderstandings about the requirements that this single God imposes onto people. In this way totalizm unifies the understanding of commonness of goals of all religions on Earth. The same it brings together believers of these different religions.
(iii) The important recommendation of totalizm in religious matters is the "faith plus totalizm". This means that totalizm recommends as it is described in item #G2 below - namely that every single inhabitant of Earth satisfies from totalizm his or her needs for the knowledge about God, while satisfies his or her religion-based emotional and cultural needs through practicing the religion (faith) of his or her ancestors. This is because the religion satisfies one's needs which the scientific discipline (such as totalizm) is unable to satisfy, such as cultural needs resulting from the tradition, and a whole range of emotional needs of a given person, e.g. a need to participate in religious celebration, the need to belong to specific culture and nation, the need to cultivate specific traditions, etc. Unfortunately, while present religions satisfy emotional and cultural needs that exist in almost every person, their outdated knowledge is unable to satisfy the intellectual needs regarding God that each modern person also have. But totalizm is able to satisfy these intellectual needs with the most modern knowledge about God which it managed to accumulate. After all, totalizm developed secular, unbiased, and very modern knowledge which allows us to learn cognitively about God, to work out scientific recipes for the moral and happy life, etc. In addition every religion for sure is going to be more pleased if these intellectual needs of people are satisfied by totalizm - which promotes the existence of God and morality, than they are satisfied by the present atheistic orthodox science - which promotes turning out from God and which does not recognise moral laws. More about the important recommendation of totalizm "faith plus totalizm" is explained in item #G2 below, and also on a separate web page regarding secular and scientific understanding of God.
The above reasons, and also several further of them which are explained in the textbook of totalizm, means in volumes 6 to 8 of monograph [1/5], reveal that practicing totalizm not only that does NOT collide nor compete with someone's religious practices, but actually enhances and extends in this person the faith in God and the devotion to the religion of his or her ancestors. After all, totalizm complements religions with the reliable scientific knowledge about God which modern people need to learn, but which the atheistic science does NOT want, nor is able to provide to them.
#G2. "Faith plus totalizm" - what benefits it brings:
People have hardwired in themselves a tendency to impose onto other people their own manner of acting. Therefore, we can find families and homes in which someone strictly defined how the toothpaste should be squeezed, or toilet paper should be torn. There are already countries, the legal system of which suppresses the old truth "spare the rod and spoil the child" and puts parents to prisons if these parents try to use a belt or a rod to discipline their children - for details see item #B5.1 from the web page named will.htm. We know for a long time religions which use the force and oppression to impose to believers of other religions the manner on which these others supposed to pray to God. Not mentioning the rivalry between ideologies, which to inhabitants of other countries tries to impose a specific political system.
The principle "faith plus totalizm" realises for the area of religions this important goal of totalizm to eliminate the imposing. (This principle is described more comprehensively in item #J4 of the web page named god.htm.) This is because totalizm realises that every religion satisfies a whole range of needs of their believers, for example it: (1) provides reliable knowledge about God, (2) it teaches how to live morally and according to God's requirements, (3) it satisfies their emotional needs of belonging to a specific group of people, (4) satisfies their cultural needs that are unique to these believers, and also satisfies several further needs. On the other hand totalizm is just a scientific discipline (philosophy) which is able (1) provide more reliable and more modern knowledge about God than the knowledge offered by already outdated religions, and is able (2) better than religions teach us how we should live morally according to God's requirements. But as a scientific discipline totalizm is unable to satisfy these additional needs of people, such as emotional or cultural need. This is why totalizm suggests this principle called "faith plus totalizm". This principle states, that much more current and modern knowledge about God from the knowledge offered by already outdated religions should be learned via totalizm and via the Concept of Dipolar Gravity. But emotional and cultural needs everyone should satisfy through participating in rituals and celebrations of the religion in which he or she was born, means the religion which is practiced by his or her own parents, brothers and sisters, friends, neighbours, tribesman, etc. After all, the continuation of the religion of our ancestors satisfies a number of emotional and cultural needs of every person. Furthermore, forcing someone to change the religion usually leads to a disappointment with God. This is because it replaces the treasured from our childhood system of rituals and symbols into a completely strange system of rituals and symbols. This in turn leads to rebellions, aggression, and fights.
Part #H: Strange "coincidents" concerning totalizm:
#H1. Totalizm as a new phenomenon:
There is an interesting phenomenon taking place in our midst. This is a birth and spreading of a new, extremely moral, peaceful, constructive, and progressive philosophy. It is called totalizm. (Notice that the name of this new moral philosophy is purposely spelled with the letter "z", to make it distinct from another, old, immoral, aggressive, destructive, and reactionary philosophy called "totalitarianism". This old philosophy totalitarianism sometimes is abbreviated wrongly to the shorter word "totalism", but spelled with "s".) To be more interesting, totalizm is not just another academic creation, which is to pass without being noticed by mere mortals. It is a philosophy of everyday living for normal human beings who keep their feet firmly on the ground. It already turned around lives of many people, and the number of its adherers is growing rapidly every day. In fact, it can already be noticed, that presently totalizm is the most dynamic and the widest spreading philosophy from all new philosophies developed since the beginning of 20th century. In July 2003 I completed a detailed (and laborious) analyses of counters of visits to all web pages of totalizm. It turned out, that already then around 200 people were downloading monographs on totalizm from all totaliztic web sites each day. This gives an idea about the dynamics of this philosophy. By now this number probably increased even more. Only that this philosophy is practiced by everyone in privacy, without public manifestation of own views and behaviours. Thus, the increase in numbers of adherers of it, so-far do not hit public eyes.
#H2. On what principle totalizm works:
Motto: Moral doing good deeds is difficult and effort consuming, because requires climbing uphill in the moral field. Immoral doing evil deeds is easy and effortless, because depends on sliding downhill in the moral field.
Our physics explained to us quite well, why e.g. climbing stairs is so difficult and so effort consuming. According to laws described by physics, each time we climb stairs, we need to move uphill in the invisible field called "gravity". Thus the work of overcoming the action of this field, is the source of our effort and difficulties. But our science so-far did not explain exactly why doing moral things is so difficult, and why it also consumes so much human effort. (For example, consider how difficult is to tell truth. After all, telling truth is the essence of every moral behaviour.) This answer provides only the new philosophy called totalizm. According to totalizm, the reason why doing moral things always consumes a lot of our effort, is exactly the same as the reason why climbing stairs is consuming a lot of energy - namely the presence of an invisible field. Totalizm states that apart from the invisible for humans gravity field, the entire physical world is also permeated by another kind of invisible primary field very similar to gravity. Totalizm calls it the "moral field". This invisible moral field causes, that every action that we take in our lives, depends either on climbing uphill in this field (and thus such action is moral), or on sliding downhill in this moral field (and then such action is immoral). Therefore the fact that there is such thing as this "moral field", causes that everything that we do has a definite moral polarity - means is either moral or immoral as it climbs either uphill or downhill in this moral field. Thus, because doing moral things (e.g. saying the truth), always shifts us uphill in this invisible moral field, it must also come to us equally laboriously, as every other climbing uphill in any other invisible field, e.g. in gravity.
At this point it is worth noting that the "getting to know the rules and laws governing over morality" is also a highly moral activity. As such, it must climb uphill in the moral field, while persons learning principles of highly moral life need to put a lot of effort into this learning. This is why only a few people are trying to learn totalizm, while so many people prefer to practice the punishable by God "philosophy of parasitism".
In spite that the gravity field and the moral field, both are invisible to the eye primary fields, there are significant differences between both of them. Although these differences are discussed thoroughly in other publications of totalizm - e.g. see item #J1 and "Fig. #I1" from the web page named pajak_for_mp_2014.htm, for the scientific reliability let us mention here at least some most important their examples. So here are more significant amongst such differences:
(1) What they interact with. The gravitational field only affects the physical objects, while climbing uphill in it requires putting into it a physical effort. But moral field also affects non-physical objects, e.g. mind, intentions, feelings, etc., while climbing uphill in it requires putting at least mental (intellectual) effort, while often all kinds of efforts, i.e. mental, emotional, and physical.
(2) Intelligence. Behind the operation of moral field hides exactly the same superior intelligence that created the entire physical world, and now with an iron hand manages the operation of the physical world (i.e. hides God Himself) - for examples see item #N3 from the web page named pajak_for_mp_2014.htm. Therefore, if one carefully examines the consequences of moral field action, then clearly hits our eyes the supremely intelligent goals of this action. For example: (2a) every action of the moral field is so selected, that it is maximally educational to all those people who are affected by the consequences of this field action. (2b) The strength of each of the field's action is carefully so chosen that it is proportional to the number of people "m" who in the future will be affected by consequences of given human work. (2c) In every action of moral field there are contained also numerous discreet hints from God addressed to the person carrying out a particular human work - e.g. a hint as to whether the goals of this human work is compatible with long-term plans of God. (For example, in the initial part, in "1", and in the last paragraph from item #N2 on the web page named pajak_for_mp_2014.htm, as well as in (5) from item #L3 of that web page, described is my discovery that if a morally correct our work is contrary to the long-term plans of God, and thus in spite of the moral intentions of this work still the completion of it needs to fail, then the resistance of moral field that is encountered in implementation of this work essentially is of the divine origin - e.g. this resistance is composed of rains, tornadoes, lack of resources, the non-existence of something necessary, breakups, illness, etc. If, however, the success of a given work lies in God's long-term plans, only that the moral character of this work must be hardened with a short-term resistance of the moral field, then the resistance that is encountered is mainly of a human origin - e.g. it is a refusal from superiors, prohibitions, removal from a job, taunting, someone's setting us up, etc.).
(3) Differences between a short-term and a long-term action. In contrast to gravity - which all the time works in almost the same way, in the short-term moral field runs completely opposite to its long-term action. For example, in the short-term action (i.e. that one which manifests itself mainly during a period of time in which we make a given specific acting) the moral field forms a resistance which obstructs achieving everything that is moral (i.e. it makes an impression as if it "punishes" the moral behaviour), but it helps in achieving everything that is immoral (i.e. it makes an impression as if it "rewards" immoral acting). But in the long-term effects the moral field is exactly opposite to its own short-term action - i.e. in long-term moral field "rewards" the moral behaviours of people and "punishes" immoral behaviours - as this is graphically illustrated in "Fig. #I1" from the web page named pajak_for_mp_2014.htm. Notice here that one amongst numerous long-term punishments for immoral behaviour, is the complete invalidation of every benefit that in a short-term work of moral mechanisms someone previously achieved as a result of an immoral acting, combined with the simultaneous escalation of problems for solving of which a given immoral behaviour was oryginally carried out - for details see e.g. items #C4.2.1 and #C4.2 from the web page named morals.htm. Excellent examples of invalidation of short-term benefits of immoral acting and the escalation of problems that a given immoral acting supposed to solve, are consequences of immoral implementaion of pesticides, antibiotics, and the theory of relativity to the common use - described in item #J1 from the web page named pajak_for_mp_2014.htm.
(4) The superiority in relation to all other moral values and mechanisms. Moral field governs practically over everything. For example, in abovementioned item #J1 from my web page named pajak_for_mp_2014.htm, I explained that in the long-term work the moral field invalidates everything that one accomplishes in the short-term as a result of immoral acting. Furthermore, the moral field makes sure that the true long-term benefits bring only activities which are agreeable with moral criteria (i.e. activities which are pedantically moral). Numerous examples of consequences of the long-term action of moral field are provided e.g. in the sixth paragraph (#B6) from "part B" of my web page named p_instruction.htm.
(5) The course of both fields. Both of these fields run differently. Thus, in some situations, e.g. the road uphill in the gravity field can be simultaneously the way downhill in the moral field.
Of course, from physics we already know that whenever there is a field, there are also laws which govern the motion in this field. Therefore totalizm discovered, that the existence of the invisible moral field is also the reason for a new type of laws to prevail in the universe. These new laws remained unknown to us until now. Because their action depends on the defining of principles which govern the motion of our actions in relationship to the moral field, totalizm calls this new type of laws with the name moral laws. Moral laws are so designed, that everything that is moral represents obeying these laws, whereas everything that is immoral represents disobedience of these laws. This makes practicing totalizm very easy. All what is required to practice totalizm, and to harvest plentiful "rewards" that practicing this philosophy opens for people, is to pedantically obey moral laws. To make this practicing of totalizm even easier, every person has a "build in" organ, which is an encyclopaedia of moral laws. This organ is popularly called conscience. Therefore many so-called "intuitive totalizts" practice totalizm without actually realising it, simply because they obey whispers of their own organ of conscience. Perhaps even you, the reader, belong to the group of "intuitive totalizts", simply because you do in your life whatever your conscience tells you to do, means you practice morality and peace, always try to tell truth whenever you can, be honest, helpful, trustworthy, etc. (i.e. do NOT lie, steal, fight, harm, kill, etc.).
In spite that the gravity field and moral field are both invisible to human sight, there are significant differences between these two. For example, the gravity field acts solely on physical objects, thus the climbing uphill in it requires giving out a physical effort. On the other hand, moral field acts also on non-physical objects, e.g. on thoughts, intentions, feelings, etc. Thus the climbing uphill in moral field requires putting also the mental (intellectual) effort. Furthermore, both these fields run differently. Thus in some life situations e.g. the path uphill in the gravity field may simultaneously be a path downhill in the moral field.
The most vital attribute of moral laws is that they have rewards and punishments written into their operation. Therefore each time we are obeying moral laws in our actions - we are lavishly rewarded for this obeying. In turn each time we break moral laws - we are severely punished for this breaking. Unfortunately for people, these rewards (and also punishments) that result from the action of moral laws NEVER take the form of material goods (e.g. the influx of money). They always are non-material, i.e. take the form for example of the feeling of happiness, the satisfaction of self-fulfilment, peace of mind, lack of stress, finding a loved partner, loving and polite children, nice neighbours, lack of problems at work and in life, etc. - for more information about attributes of these "rewards" and "punishments" see item #B2.1 of the web page mozajski_uk.htm or see subsection NG5.1.1 from volume 12 of my newest monograph [1/5]. If we e.g. try to define what is a "reward" in God's eyes, then it would turn out that "as an 'reward' God considers allowing the rewarded person to lead uninterrupted life deprived of 'punishments' which God always sends to immoral people". Therefore the majority of people do NOT notice the existence of such rewards. After all, in the present times by "rewards" people understand almost exclusively materialistic gains, such as an influx of money, an access to sensual pleasures, a power over other people, etc. But these ones were intentionally excluded from the pool of rewards that are granted automatically just because of the fulfilment of moral laws. (Of course, we can still gain these materialistic rewards through a goal-oriented moral work aimed at accomplishing them.) It is because people started to disobey moral laws lately on an ever increasing scale, that the life on Earth is starting to be so difficult and so full of suffering. Of course, in order to intentionally obey moral laws, one needs to actually know that there is such thing as these laws. Therefore totalizm informs people about the existence of moral laws and teaches ways how we can obey these laws in a methodical manner. People who cognitively learn about moral laws and obey them methodically, are called "formal totalizts". Otherwise then "intuitive totalizts" who obey moral laws just by listening to whispers of their conscience, such "formal totalizts" learned cognitively why and what they are doing, so they are not moral just by intuition and conscience, but also by a methodical acting. This in turn allows them to intensify countless benefits which they harvest from living a moral, peaceful, and productive life.
Totalizm is already quite a successful philosophy. This can be noticed from the number of references which indicate totalizm in the Internet - e.g. check the keyword "totalizm" in www.google.com. This happens in spite that it also has a lot of enemies. Actually from my experience to-date it appears, that everyone who encountered totalizm and took a time to find out what exactly it is, either starts to love it, or starts to hate it. However, even that there are numerous individuals who do not appreciate this philosophy, still it managed to establish itself, and there is a lot of people in the world who already practice it voluntarily on everyday basis. Actually, at this moment of time totalizm seems to be the most successful out of all new philosophies created and disseminated in 20th century, and the only new philosophy that appeals to "an average person from a street".
#H3. Shockingly symbolic fate of totalizm:
Motto: "Totalizm spans our planet like the lightning which flashes across the whole sky from the east to the west."
By a strange turn of fate, everything about this new, peaceful, moral, and progressive philosophy of totalizm becomes highly symbolic. For example, because of various forms of subtle persecution that both, totalizm and the creator of this philosophy seem to experience almost continually, descriptions of totalizm needed to be prepared mainly in the most Eastern Islamic country of the World (i.e. in Malaysia). Then they were published in the most Eastern Christian country of the World (i.e. in New Zealand). Then they were forwarded with the speed of light through Internet connections from the far East to the far West, means to internet servers located in the most Western large country in the World (i.e. in the USA). From internet servers in the USA these monographs are distributed via Internet to interested people in the entire world. (For further details on the extraordinary history of totalizm, see subsection W4 from volume 18 of the newest monograph [1/5] or from subsection A4 in volume 1 of an older monograph [1/4] - both in English, or see subsection F1 from volume 5 of even the older monograph [8] - also in English.) So what is so special about this new, moral, peaceful, and progressive philosophy, which spans the entire planet Earth like a lightning. Well, have a look at this web site to find it out!
Part #I: The art and totalizm:
#I1. Totalizm is the subject of creative art:
There is already a significant amount of artistic creativity, the subject of which is totalizm. In this part of the web page I am going to show at least some most noticeable examples of it.
#I2. The poem about totalizm:
Here is a poem concerning totalizm, dated on December 2010. The author of it, and the purpose, are coded into the poem, so that they do NOT need explanation.
On this most beautiful Holiday
Marius hopes, that Professor Pajak is okay,
So he has an intention
To bring to Professor's attention,
That he wishes him a gorgeous Christmas Eve
And all the meals as good, as you can conceive.
And, in general, the most of joy
Let soon all the Professor's inventions truly start to deploy,
Beginning from the upcoming year.
Let him successfully put together first parts of the gear,
And when the Bethlehem Star will start to shine,
We shall believe, that the Magnocraft will fly just fine,
For on whatever human mind can theorize
It also is surely possible to realize.
And when the Magnocraft will go for first flight,
It will forever broaden all the humanity sight.
The people will discover true happiness, those great and small,
When Totalizm will triumph, all in all.
The above poem was written spontaneously by its author, and supposed to be a "single-use poem" (as a form of Christmas wishes). But if one analyses the quality and actuality it displays, and the point it makes, in fact it levels with poems of professional poets.
#I3. Paintings, banners, posters, and photographs that concern totalizm:
On several totaliztic web pages I already published various "visual art" on the subject of totalizm and my person. This creative art until today is expressed on many different ways. Below I am illustrating at least most noticeable out of these. But please bear in mind that NOT all examples, links to which I am providing below, will be accessible on every web site (server) of totalizm. So in order to see them all, probably surfing through several addresses from the "Menu 3" will be needed.
Paintings were first forms of art that addressed topics included into the area of interests of totalizm. Examples of these paintings the reader can see e.g. on "Fig. #B3" from the web page evil.htm - (click on this (green) link to see it here), or on "Painting 1" from the web page named antichrist.htm - (click on this (green) link to see it here).
Another art form devoted to totalizm and to my person, are posters and modifications of photographs. Several examples of these I already presented on various web pages, for example see:
(1) The modification of the monument to four presidents, shown amongst others in "Fig. #J3" from the web page named god_proof.htm (click on this (green) link to see it here).
(2) Modification of the poster for the film "I, Robot" shown in "Fig. #1" from web page wszewilki_2006.htm - (click on this (green) link to see it here). The film "I, Robot" itself, is discussed in item #E1.1 from the totaliztic web page will.htm;
(3) The modification of the photograph "levitating Jan Pajak", shown in "Fig. #M1" from the web page named telekinesis.htm - (click on this (green) link to see it here).
(4) The modification of the photograph "Jan Pajak musician", shown in "Fig. A4" from volume 1 of my newest monograph [1/5].
Here is another example of the banner which someone anonymous prepared laboriously on the subject of "thorny path of totalizm" to hearts and minds of people:
Fig. #I1. The banner "Long life and win for totalizm!" - anonymous author.
#I4. Songs about totalizm:
Already a long time ago I was informed, that various ambitious artists test their skills, talents, and sharpnesses of pens, through composing songs about totalizm and about the author of this moral philosophy. But for a long time I had no opportunity to come across such a song. Only on 7th March 2014 looking through the Internet I accidentally encountered the Polish song entitled
"Dr Jan Pajak is our friend"
(in Polish: "Dr Jan Pajak to nasz przyjaciel")
which at that time could be listened to (for free) at the address:
patrz.pl/mp3/dr-jan-pajak-to-nasz-przyjaciel -
if only the listener had the sufficient patience to persevere through a long advertisement that was shown before that song. I must admit here, that according to my taste the song is quite cute. Pity that very talented in an obvious manner authors of this song have NOT recorded it on a video and place it in the YouTube. I am ready to bet that in such a case it would become an international hit.
After this first discovery of the above song, I started to intentionally search through the Internet to check the quality of other similar musical creations, the existence of which was rumoured to me previously. In fact I managed to find several further such songs devoted to myself (in this number one hymn about the village of Wszewilki in which I was born), and I also found the post on a forum, in which some anonymous author brags about uploading to Internet as many as 21 similar musical creations. Unfortunately, the artistic quality of these other songs do NOT qualify them to be recommended here for listening. But a curiosity and a puzzle which hit me in them, is that each song is sung by a different person - including women. So if their mysterious creator (or creators) do NOT have some magical powers, then in an obvious manner he (or they) needed to employ a large team of people for preparing these songs. So who to hell, and why, was prepared to contribute so much effort, costs, work and organization, to anonymously publish in Internet several funny or sarcastic songs about my research and myself, in spite that numerous individuals for long time try to convince readers of Internet, that supposedly all my discoveries, theories, philosophies and inventions are wrong and unworthy of reading? Another mystery is why the significant sums of money which this anonymous someone for sure needed to spend on so professionally prepared funny songs about myself (which songs probably only sparse people are to hear), instead of designating such money to finance my chronically underfinanced scientific research and to implement my inventions?
#I5. Playlists with totaliztic songs and music:
One can say also that there are such things as playlists of "totaliztic songs and music". These can be defined as follows: "playlists of totaliztic songs and music are those ones, which are characterized by compliance with the criteria of morality, which transmit to a listener a particular kind of moral energy popularly known as the "umf", "wow", or "X factor", which positively inspire the listener and do NOT generate in him/her negative side effects, and which are tuned into the musical taste of the listener". Examples of first "playlists" with totaliztic video-songs suited to my musical taste, while designed to be played with a single click on "smart" TVs by Korean company "LG", and also on PC computers, the reader can view from the web page named p_e.htm. In turn, while viewing that first web page, the reader can click on links to further totaliztic "playlists", which that first one points out. Only that to make these "playlists" to work OK on PC computerss, they should be run under the browser named "Google Chrome" (version 2011, or later). Also the smooth playing of these videos is helped by a relatively fast Internet. Each my totaliztic playlist has in its header a green link to the instruction explaining how to use it. Furthermore, descriptions of history of first my totaliztic "playlist" the reader can find in item #L2 from the web page named wszewilki_uk.htm and in the caption under "Fig. #D1" from the web page named wszewilki_jutra_uk.htm.
Part #J: To conclude:
#J1. There is much more going on for totalizm:
As the previous descriptions illustrated this, totalizm is a name assigned to a new, dynamic, and highly progressive philosophy of everyday living, the principles of which are based on such scientific and measurable ideas as: the motion of uphill or downhill in the moral field, the obedience or disobedience of moral laws, and the accumulation or dispersion of moral energy. This web page is not the only web site which explains principles of totalizm and which allows to download textbooks about this philosophy. Other web pages on totalizm can be found, if one checks with any search engine (e.g. with google.com) for key words totalizm, Dr Jan Pajak. Examples of these which are worth reviewing include, amongst others, totaliztic web pages god.htm - about the secular and scientific understanding of God, god_proof.htm - about scientific proofs for the existence of God, or parasitism.htm - about the morally decadent philosophy of parasitism. It is worth to mention, that there is already a lot of people who actually practice this highly progressive and rewarding philosophy in their everyday lives.
#J2. About the author:
In the legal sense the author of totalizm is me, i.e. Dr Jan Pajak. But please notice that I personally do NOT consider myself to be the person who "invented" or "developed" totalizm - similarly as none of physicists has the right to claim that he or she invented or developed physics. I am only the first scientist on Earth, who started to research and who described systematically the true laws and true rules which govern the morality and intelligent life in the universe. If we use again the analogy to physicists, although none physicist has the right to claim that invented or developed physics, many of them can state that they developed a textbook of physics. I just consider myself to be the first researcher on Earth, who developed the scientific textbook of totalizm. This web page is a brief summary of such a first textbook of totalizm. (The textbook itself, or more strictly all three generations of it, is described and linked in item #A4 above.)
In case someone has possible comments or questions connected with the content of this web page, he or she can direct these at my email addresses. An access to current email addresses and contact details which I use at present, is provided in item #J5 below.
Fig. #J1. Myself, means Dr Eng. Jan Pajak - while for the duration of 1992 to 1998 and 2007: Prof. Dr Eng. Jan Pajak
On the above my most favourite photograph, I am shown on the background of beautiful New Zealand landscape at the age of 40 - i.e. when I still had almost all hair. However, my most recent appearance shows the passport photo from "Fig. #J2" below, as well as some images from the film described in item #J9 below. In turn photographs that illustrate how my appearance kept changing during 70 years and in a range of different periods of my life to-date, are shown in "Fig. #1" from the web page named pajak_jan_uk.htm.
By education I am a Mechanical Engineer with the publicly defended degree of a Doctor of Technical Sciences. However, in my latest profession, which I practiced until 2005, and then repeated for 10 months in 2007, I lectured computer sciences and information technology. I specialised mainly in Software Engineering, Web Technology and in Information Processing (using the Web Technology). But my hobby research, carried out until today in my private time and on my private cost, amongst others, includes development of the new, moral, peaceful, constructive, and uplifting philosophy of totalizm which is based on the operation of moral field, moral laws, moral energy, and karma.
For more details about my life, research, and work, it is worth to have a look at web pages about me (i.e. Dr Jan Pajak), or secular and scientific view of God, listed in "Menu 1" or "Menu 2". One can also read subsection A4 from volume 1 of monograph [1/5], free copies of which are available, amongst others, also via this web page.
#J3. How with the web page named "skorowidz_links.htm" one can find totaliztic descriptions of topics in which he is interested:
A whole array of topics equally interesting as these from the above web page, is also discussed from the angle that is unique to the philosophy of totalizm. All these related topics can be found and identified with the use of content index prepared especially to make easier finding these web pages and topics. The name "index" means a list of "key words" usually provided at the end of textbooks, which allows to find fast the description or the topic in which we are interested. My web pages also has such a content "index" - only that it is additionally supplied in green links which after "clicking" at them with a mouse immediately open the web page with the topic that interest the reader. This content "index" is provided on the web page named skorowidz_links.htm. It can be called from the "organising" part of "Menu 1" of every totaliztic web page. I would recommend to look at it and to begin using it systematically - after all it brings closer hundreds of totaliztic topics which can be of interest to everyone.
#J4. I would suggest to return periodically to this web page in order to check further progress in research and development of totalizm:
The thorough knowledge of totalizm presented on this web page, is immensely vital for our lives. After all, depending how well we learn this philosophy, this is going to reflect on how moral, and thus also how happy and fulfilled our lives will be. This is the reason why I created the web page that summarises totalizm. However, accomplishing a progress in our knowledge of totalizm places a requirement that I continually advance research on it. Therefore, even at present I carry out various experiments aimed at determining further information about moral laws, karma, etc. Results of this research are to be published as soon as they are available in the final form. Therefore the development of this web page cannot be considered to be completely finished, but must be carried out continually. In future this web page will be periodically updated, improved and extended, as soon as any new information becomes available and I finish verifying it. So I am inviting to visit this web page again at some stage in future, in order to check what new becomes known to us regarding totalizm, moral laws, moral field, karma, etc.
#J5. Blogs of totalizm:
It is also worth to check periodically blogs of totalizm some of which operate already since April 2005, means since the time when Internet discussion lists of totalizm experienced a massive sabotage and needed to be replaced with blogs. Blogs of totalizm are available under several address, e.g.:
totalizm.wordpress.com (posts from #89 - 2006/11/11)
kodig.blogi.pl (posts from #293 - 2018/2/23)
drjanpajak.blogspot.co.nz (posts from #293 - 2018/3/16)
All posts to blogs of totalizm (half of which is in English) are also available in my publication [13] disseminated free of charge through the web page tekst_13.htm.
(Notice that all these addresses hold mirror copies of the same posts with the same content of messages, and that public discussions on topics presented on these blogs are NOT carried out on them, but on Google discussion groups from item #J6 below.) After all, on blogs of totalizm many matters discussed on this web page are also explained with additional details written as new events unveil before our eyes. Furthermore, these blogs contain links to most recently updated web pages of totalizm.
#J6. There used to be an Internet discussion forum on topics presented in this web page:
Readers who wished to discuss any topic addressed on this web page, or on any other web pages of totalizm, should be interested to know that these topics were discussed at a whole array of threads from Google discussion groups. Topics and addresses of these threads are listed in item #A2 and #E2 from anotyher my web page named faq.htm.
I should also add, that from the beginning of my work on totalizm and on other topics linked to totalizm, every new topic which I am researching I try to expose to a public discussion. I count on receiving feedback. But because the official science and the majority of scientists turned their backs to whatever I am researching, for the lack of scientific channels of receiving this feedback I was forced to discuss these topics in Internet. Unfortunately it introduces serious drawbacks. E.g., for strange reasons - which I also try to investigate, these Internet discussions in the majority of cases occur between some individuals which are well masked and clearly feel safe behind the screen of their anonymity. These individuals transformed recently Internet discussions into kinds of verbal matches the participants of which are competing in throwing mud and spitting at every constructive idea. This shocking phenomenon of abusing and spitting instead of communicating and discussing, is lately so widely spread, that it is even discussed in newspapers - e.g. see the article "Excuse me, could we please be a bit more polite", from page B3 of the New Zealand newspaper Weekend Herald, issue dated on Saturday, January 3, 2009. In spite of this escalation of the internet culture of verbal abuse, for the lack of other channels of gaining feedback regarding topics which I investigate, I still try to expose each topic researched to such Internet discussion. After all, between abuses and personal attacks, sometimes appear also single constructive voices in the discussion which contribute a new quality to a given topic. Therefore, still is worth to scan these discussions, seeking in them these rational and constructive comments.
#J7. Emails to the author of this web page:
Current email addresses to the author of this web page, i.e. officially to Dr Eng. Jan Pajak while courteously to Prof. Dr Eng. Jan Pajak, at which readers can post possible comments, opinions, descriptions, or information which in their opinion I should learn, are provided on the web page named pajak_jan_uk.htm (for its version in the HTML language), or the web page named pajak_jan_uk.pdf (for the version of the web page "pajak_jan_uk.pdf" in safe PDF format - which safe PDF versions of further web pages by the author can also be downloaded via links from item #B1 of the web page named text_11.htm). Note, however, that the author does NOT reply to emails from readers/people whom he does NOT know already from his previous contacts.
The author's right for the use of courteous title of "Professor" stems from the custom that "with professors is like with generals", namely when someone is once a professor, than he or she courteously remains a professor forever. In turn the author of this web page was a professor at 4 different universities, i.e. at 3 of them, from 1 September 1992 untill 31 October 1998, as an "Associate Professor" from English-based educational system, while on one university as a (Full) "Professor" (since 1 March 2007 till 31 December 2007 - means at the last place of employment in his professional life).
However, please notice that because of my rather chronic lack of time, I reluctantly reply to emails which contain JUST time consuming requests, while simultaneously they document a complete ignorance of their author in the topic area which I am researching.
#J8. A copy of this web page is also disseminated as a brochure from series [11] in the safe format "PDF":
This web page is also available in the form of a brochure marked [11], which is prepared in "PDF" ("Portable Document Format") - currently considered to be the most safe amongst all internet formats, as normally viruses cannot cling to PDF. This clear brochure is ready both, for printing, as well as for reading from a computer screen. It also has all its green links still active. Thus, if it is read from the computer screen connected to internet, then after clicking onto these green links, the linked web pages and illustrations will open. Unfortunately, because the volume of it is around a double of the volume of web page which this brochure publishes, the memory limitations on a significant number of free servers which I use, do NOT allow to offer it from them (so if it does NOT download from this address, because it is NOT available on this server, then you should click onto any other address from Menu 3, and then check whether in there it is available). In order to open this brochure (and/or download it to own computer), it suffices to either click on the following green link
totalizm.pdf
or to open from any totaliztic web site the PDF file named as in the above green link.
If the reader wishes to check, whether some other totaliztic web page which he or she just is studying, is also available in the form of such PDF brochure, then should check whether it is listed amongst links from "part #B" of the web page named text_11.htm. This is because links from there indicate all totaliztic web pages, which are already published as such brochures from series [11] in PDF format. I wish you a fruitful reading!
#J9. I am inviting you to watch an excellent, 35 minute long film which complements and extends the content of this web page:
Motto: "Seeing is believing."
All people interested in the content of this web page, or interested in the futuristic discoveries and inventions, are invited to watch the approximately 35 minute long free film produced by Dominik Myrcik and entitled "Dr Jan Pajak portfolio". As many as three language versions of the film are already available on www.youtube.com since 5 May 2016 at the following addresses: the English version on www.youtube.com/watch?v=sXr2OzVsMp4, the Polish language version on www.youtube.com/watch?v=f3MuZec4jGM, while the German version on www.youtube.com/watch?v=RX-FwUXOs98. You can also run it from my web page named djp.htm, which provides links to all videos in production of which I participated in person. Simultaneously detailed descriptions of the content of this film are available in "part #B" (especially in items #B1 and #B2) of the devoted exclusively to this film my web page named portfolio.htm, while short (this) summary of those descriptions also contain: item #H1 from my web page named pajak_for_mp_2017.htm, item #K7 from my web page named prophecies.htm, and item #L5 from my web page named pajak_jan_uk.htm. From that autobiographical web page named pajak_jan_uk.htm readers can also learn descriptively further details on the results of my research and on the course of my life, which are to extend and complement the information presented visually in the film discussed here.
Of course, to run and to watch this excellent film does NOT require to remember nor to copy the above links, but just suffices that to the separate searching window which shows up in the top part of each www.youtube.com web page one enters the title of this film, used as searching keywords - i.e. one enters the title "Dr Jan Pajak portfolio" (but typed without quotes).
The film "Dr Jan Pająk portfolio" can be viewed on almost every device with a screen connected to the Internet and with access to YouTube (including on PCs). Hence, I would recommend to watch it several times, including pre-watching (first time and fast) on the screen of your home computer. In turn after such preliminary learning of what this film shows, you can better understand and appreciate its detailed descriptions from this web page. Thus, soon after that first viewing, I would recommend to read the film's descriptions from selected items of "part #B" of this web page. In the end, i.e. after learning descriptions in which we are interested, it is worth to see the film again, this time seeing it in more detailed way and with greater understanding.
For this repeated, detailed viewing of the film I would recommend to use a large screen of the modern TV - e.g. in own home, or in home of your family or friends. (Of course, if the reader has such a TV readily available, then he/she can watch this film in TV already for the first, initial time.) After all, if the reader wishes to experience and appreciate the artistry of the images and sounds, as well as learn details of its story, and wonderfully designed and constructed its images and animations, then it is best to see it just on a big screen of a modern TV. Such a modern TV is to fully emphasize its qualitative features, such as high definition (HD), high quality (HQ), and excellent colors and sounds. Hence, the best for watching it would be a so-called "smart" TV which, by definition, has a direct connection with the Internet (I watch it on my 42-inch "smart" TV from LG company – i.e. the same one, for which I programmed my "playlists", for example the "playlist" available at www.pajak.org.nz/p_12fb.htm), or would be a TV that is connected to a computer, and that computer is in turn connected to the Internet.
The film "Dr Jan Pajak portfolio" in a very interesting, lively and eloquent manner documents, animates and explains these ones among the most important results of my research and inventiveness, which should be of interest to almost everyone. For example, it discusses, among others, the quickly incoming mass extinction of our civilization, that the most of people alive currently on Earth will soon have the dubious privilege of personal experience on themselves - if in the meantime the humanity will NOT try to implement in real life those NOT violating moral criteria future technical devices which are described in the film discussed here. The reasons for the scenario of this mass extinction of people I described in more detail, among others, in items #H1 to #H3 from my web page named prophecies.htm. Moreover, the fact that this mass extinction is already coming, independently from me is noticing a growing number of people open to the truth. After all, it is enough to carefully look out the window today, to note that we are like passengers in a speeding train, which rushes along the tracks that are ending to an already visible cliff, but the pleadings of which passengers directed to the engine drivers that control the train go onto deaf ears. My personal report on the progress of humanity in approaching towards this mass extinction, the reader can find e.g. in items #T1 to #T8 from my web page named solar.htm, in items #A1 to #A5 of the web page named cooking.htm, as well as in pages that I am pointing above in items #G1, #F2, #E3 and #A1 from my web page named pajak_for_mp_2017.htm.
The film discussed here is really designed and produced superbly (after all, its production took half a year of work and lasted since November 2015 till May 2016). Thus, although those fierce enemies and critics, many of which my discoveries and scientific achievements still have, probably immediately accuse me here of bias, I believe that it is the best film presenting anyone's scientific achievements which so far has been made and placed on YouTube - if anyone believes otherwise then I challenge him or her to indicate to us any better movie of this type. In fact, I consider it to be a huge honour and pleasure for me, that so perfect film shows the most significant "milestones" of my current scientific achievements. I could NOT get a more precious gift to commemorate the occasion of my 70th birthday, than this film is!
What makes me particularly happy is that this film was designed, animated and produced by a Polish person, or more specifically by an Upper Silesian. In this way, it also proves how talented and perfectionist are those people originating from Poland. So it cannot surprise us the saying, which I described in item #E1.1 from my web page named telepathy.htm, for some time disseminated in England and stating something along the lines "hire a Polish emigrant, and he will complete a given job four times faster and for only about one-fourth of the price of an English professional". What a pity that all this talent, knowledge and capabilities of people born and educated in Poland are now serving for other nations. Hopefully, my efforts described (in Polish), amongst others, on the web page drowning in corruption pajak.org.nz/pajak_dla_prezydentury_2020.htm are to redirect to the progress of Poland these all Polish intellectual accomplishments derived from Poland, and thus over time will result in the restoration to Poland of its former moral power, size, prosperity and strength proverbially inspiring other nations from a sea to a sea.
Images of the discussed film create a perfect visual foundation for descriptions from almost all the totaliztic web pages, including this web page, while the emotional charge contained in them moves to depth. Thus, in connection with the explanations and evidence shared on this and on other totaliztic web pages, the film has the potential to provide that breakthrough impulse which changes the course of life of the viewer. From the feedback opinions, which on this film reached me so far, it stems quite clearly that it has just such an effect on the viewer.
The film discussed here illustrates the most important among my theories, scientific discoveries, inventions and formal scientific proofs (including the formal scientific proof that God does exist - described in detail on the web page god_proof.htm). However, for shortening the length of it, NO literature sources were provided, in which this my academic achievements have been described in detail, nor it provides complementary explanations, for example that all technical devices which I invented and which are illustrated on the film were already built and proven in practice that they work, and thus that their use for furthering the development of humanity is feasible and urgently needed. Therefore, to enable the people watching this film to obtain also these additional data, information and explanations,
I developed already two web pages named portfolio (i.e. web pages in English and Polish), on which are provided detailed descriptions, links, promotional leaflets, and various other vital information regarding the film. These explanatory web pages the interested people can find at the following addresses: http://pajak.org.nz/portfolio.htm, http://pajak.org.nz/portfolio_pl.htm.
In order to effectively promote the film, in these three languages were also prepared very attractive graphically, two-page long colour leaflets-posters of A4 format, that illustrate the content of the film - see the English-language leaflet shown below. The reader can easily download any of these leaflets-posters to own computer (or view it) e.g. from here, or from the above web pages that explain the film. On the other hand, after downloading such a poster, the reader can e.g. print it and pin it to some notice-board available to him/her, or can send it to those amongst his/her family and friends, whose reflections the film would stimulate and cause that they start to look at the world from a slightly different angle than previously.
Fig. #J2. Here are both sides of an English version of the leaflet that encourages the viewing of YouTube film entitled "Dr Jan Pajak portfolio". This leaflet is available in a secure format "JPG" used for transferring photographs, and the copying of it is NOT blocked. Therefore, the reader can easily download it to own computer. After such downloading the reader can also print it for own reading or for giving it to friends. Moreover, it can be attached to emails and posted to people whom the reader wants to recommend the viewing of film discussed here. If the reader knows about an unused notice-board somewhere in the place of work, learning, meetings, in club, etc., that is cluttered with antique advertisements or with outdated notices, and the reader is able to print this leaflet and to post it in there, then it would be worth doing so to introduce a bit of life, truth and escape from the everyday triviality. The leaflet summarizes briefly the most important information provided in the discussed film, provides the link to the English language version of this film, and also explains how this film can be searched in YouTube or in Google using its title for "keywords". This leaflet was also prepared in the Polish and German langauge versions - which the reader can inspect, or download to own computer, either from "Fig. #H2" and "Fig. #H3" shown under items #H2 and #H3 of the web page named pajak_for_mp_2017.htm, or also from "Fig. #B1" and "Fig. #B2" of another web page entirely devoted to the detailed description of the film and named portfolio.htm. (Click onto any page of this leaflet to see it enlarged or to save it on your computer's hard disk!)
Since neither the leaflet, nor the film promoted by it, provide literature references which would describe in detail the ideas presented in the film discussed here, links to the detailed English descriptions of these ideas the reader is to find in "part #B" of the web page named portfolio.htm, especially in items #B1 and #B2 of it.
#J10. Copyrights © 2019 by Dr Jan Pająk:
Copyrights © 2019 by Dr Jan Pająk. All rights reserved. This web page is a report from outcomes of research of the author - only that is written in a popular language (so that it can be understood by readers with non-scientific orientation). Majority of ideas and presentations providedd on this web page (and also in other publications by the author) are unique for the author’s research, and thus from the same angle these ideas were NOT presented by any other researcher. As such, this web page presents a number of ideas, inventions, theories, illustrations, tables, etc., which are the intellectual property of the author. Therefore, the content of this web page is the subject to the same laws of intellectual ownership as every other scientific publication. Especially the author reserves for himself the moral credit and copyrights for the scientific theories, discoveries and inventions, photographs, illustrations, tables, etc., mentioned or utilised on this web page. Therefore, the author reserves that during repeating any idea presented on this web page (i.e. any theory, principle, explanation, deduction, interpretation, device, evidence, proof, discovery, invention, photograph, illustration, table, etc.), the repeating person revealed and confirmed who is the original author of this idea (means, as it is used in creative circles, the repeating person provided a full moral "credit" and recognition to the author of this web page), through a clear explanation that a given idea is repeated from the web page authorised by Dr Jan Pajak, through indication of the internet address of this web page under which this idea was originally explained, and through mentioning the date of most recent update of this web page (i.e. the date indicated below).
If you prefer to read in Polish
click on the Polish flag below
(Jeśli preferujesz czytanie w języku polskim
kliknij na poniższą flagę)
Date of starting this page: 15 May 1999
Date of the latest updating of this page: 15 November 2019
(Check in "Menu 3" whether there is even a more recent update!)
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PLT3380 - Gender and politics
Leader(s): Maryanne Dever
This unit provides an introduction to key debates around gender and politics. Students will gain an understanding of why a gender gap in politics exists in Australia and will examine relevant international comparisons. The unit will examine how gender shapes political representation and participation, drawing on critical concepts of citizenship and nation. Key questions are: Why are women not equally represented in parliaments and politics? What effect do patterns of representation and the processes of politics have on policy outcomes?
On successful completion of this unit students should have:
An understanding of the gender gap in politics in Australia and in relevant international contexts;
A theoretically informed understanding of how concepts such as sex, gender and sexuality operate in the realms of politics and policy;
An interdisciplinary approach to the gendered analysis of political and policy debates;
Enhanced library based research skills and a working knowledge of the major databases in politics and gender studies.
Enhanced ability to think critical and analytically, and to be able to articulate those thought processes in a high standard of written and oral expression.
The ability to work both independently as scholars and to participate actively in group projects.
Third-year students will be expected to demonstrate greater capacity for independent research and will be required to answer a class test of a more conceptually challenging nature.
Class participation/presentation: 20%
One 2-hour seminar per week
For a major in politics, a first year sequence in politics; for a major in gender studies, a first year sequence in gender studies; Students may take this unit as an elective without any pre-requisite with a first year Arts sequence or the equivalent.
PLT2380
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877-RACE-TIX
Track Access Passes
First Time Guests
The Speedway
About The Speedway
H Clay Earles
Media Credentials and Inquiries
Chase Elliott Joins Martinsville Speedway’s Green Flag Experience
In the spring, Chase Elliott left Martinsville Speedway with a win on Saturday and a third-place finish on Sunday. This fall, the Mountain Dew driver is already second, as in the second driver to sign on to take part in the Green Flag Experience presented by Mountain Dew.
The driver of the Hendrick Motorsports No. 24, who made his first career Monster Energy NASCAR Cup start at the historic half-mile speedway in 2015, joins Joey Logano as drivers scheduled to take part in emceed question-and-answer sessions prior to the Old Dominion 500 on October 29.
“Chase Elliott hasn’t been in our sport long, but you would never know it based on the amount of fans he has,” Martinsville Speedway President Clay Campbell said. “We want to give fans access to hear from the sport’s most popular drivers, right before they race. By adding Chase, we are doing just that.”
In addition to his Martinsville success this spring, Elliott, the son of NASCAR Hall of Famer Bill Elliott, is the reigning Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Rookie of the Year.
Additional drivers taking part in the Green Flag Experience presented by Mountain Dew will be announced in the coming weeks.
The Green Flag Experience presented by Mountain Dew also gives fans the chance to watch driver introductions from the track, along with a morning full of fun and excitement on the track and under the large tent in The Plaza, located on the hill behind the souvenir display area.
In addition to the emceed question-and-answer sessions, the Green Flag Experience presented by Mountain Dew offers fans the opportunity to walk the front stretch on race morning, sign the start/finish line, a photo opportunity in mock Victory Lane, enjoy music, games and prizes along with doughnuts, Danishes, coffee and juice.
The cost of the Green Flag Experience is $50 for adults and $30 for youth 12-and-under.
The driver question-and-answer sessions, food, music, games and prizes, and show cars will be held in The Plaza from 8:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. The track walk will be open from 9:15 a.m. – 11:15 and will open again at 1:00 pm and remain open through the conclusion of Driver Introductions.
Admission to the Green Flag Experience does not include a ticket for the Old Dominion 500.
Advance ticket prices for the Old Dominion 500 begin at just $46.
Tickets can be purchased by calling 877.RACE.TIX or online at www.martinsvillespeedway.com.
Chase Elliott, Monster Energy NASCAR Cup, NASCAR, 2017 Old Dominion 500, Martinsville Speedway
www.martinsvillespeedway.com/
1-877-RACE-TIX
tickets@martinsvillespeedway.com
MRN Sprint Cup News
Keselowski Captures Clash Win
Bowman Wins Pole for Daytona 500
Advance Auto Parts Clash Preview
Saturday Daytona Notebook
This website uses cookies and similar technologies. By using this website, you are agreeing to our revised Privacy Policy (including our cookie policy) and our Terms Of Use . OK
© 2020 Martinsville Speedway
ISC Track Sites
Auto Club Dragway
Iowa Speedway
Michelin Raceway
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McCullough Watt Sutton - Trial Lawyers
Kevin McCullough
Jordan Watt
Chantelle Sutton
Ben Lynskey
Ray Dieno
Bradley R. Cope
Cheyne L. Hodson
Justin Dosanjh
Nick Acker
Elizabeth (Beth) Weisenburger
Raymond G. Dieno B.A., LL.B.
Year of Call to the Bar of British Columbia: 1998
Law School: University of Victoria
Mr. Dieno joined the firm in 1998 and has been practicing criminal law for over seventeen years. He has successfully defended and had clients acquitted in both the Supreme and Provincial Courts in British Columbia of serious charges including Attempted Murder, Sexual Assault, Forcible Confinement, Robbery, Aggravated Assault, Assault with a Weapon, and Criminal Harassment. Mr. Dieno has also successfully had Dangerous Offender applications against his clients dismissed in multiple cases. Mr. Dieno has defended multiple murder cases in British Columbia and the Yukon.
2015 was a successful year for Mr. Dieno, where he has prevailed in two different Supreme Court Trials of Robbery for different clients.
In 2016 and 2017, Mr. Dieno is conducting murder cases in Prince George and the Yukon and a number of other Supreme Court cases throughout the province.
Mr. Dieno’s varied work and life experiences help him quickly establish client rapport and effective ongoing client communications. He pays close attention to detail, utilizes the latest technologies, and is a fierce defender of the rights of those charged with a criminal offence.
Before becoming a criminal defence trial lawyer Mr. Dieno had several careers, from operating a City of Edmonton Transit bus to zookeeping. In addition, he was a researcher for the Asia Pacific Foundation in Vancouver, the British Columbia Council for International Cooperation and the Ministry of Health in Victoria. In 1991, Mr. Dieno also lived and worked near Nagano, Japan for several months teaching English to staff at a mountain resort.
*The facts of each case vary and results are based upon those facts.
Ray Dieno's Client Aquitted of Five Armed-Robberies, Search Ruled Unlawful
CALL NOW FOR IMMEDIATE, CONFIDENTIAL ASSISTANCE 250.480.1529
Second Floor, 1011 Fort Street, Victoria BC V8V 3K5
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The MEMEnomics Group. Uncovering the Values of a Regenerative Future
SPIRAL DYNAMICS EXPLAINED
WHAT IS MEMENOMICS
MEMEnomics; The Book
Graves “Quotables”
BECK “QUOTABLES”
Media & Essays
Tag Archives: IMF
Economic Policy and Global Value Systems (10th Anniversary Edition)
July 13, 2019 Said E. Dawlabani Leave a comment
By Said E. Dawlabani, Published in Integral Leadership Review Summer 2009. The piece that launched the MEMEnomics Framework
The 2008 financial crisis has humbled the field of economics as a science for its systemic failure to foresee the global danger signs. Even the best and the brightest in President Obama’s elite and highly credentialed team of experts are quickly finding that the largest economic stimulus in history will not be enough to avert an economic disaster. There’s no question that the global economy remains in the eye of the storm awaiting a paradigm shift that will reset it on a course of sustainability and self renewal. No global challenge of this magnitude shall pass without a thorough examination of the thinking that pioneered the institutions that formulate economic policy.
The purpose of this article is not to compete with prevailing schools of thought on economics and various development theories, but rather to provide an invitation to thought leaders to consider the study of the value systems framework as an integral part of future policy setting. This emerging science of value systems through developmental theories like Spiral Dynamics and the subsequent work of its co-author Dr. Don E. Beck give the objective observer the tools to identify the reasons for failed policies and the dynamics of the clash of cultural value systems leading to their failure. For many years I have worked with Dr. Beck who is a senior advisor for the Center for Human Emergence Mideast and have used Spiral Dynamics and the principles of Natural Design extensively in my business practices. For a detailed description of Spiral Dynamics, Natural Design, their history and field applications you can visit the CHE-Mideast website on the following link: www.humanemergencemiddleeast.org
The History of Current Economic Development Models and What’s Missing
We have all heard the expression “to the victor belong the spoils”. Well, to the victors of WWII belonged the greatest spoils modern humanity had ever experienced; the undisputed mandate to set up a single economic model for the world to insure that human potential is put into productive peaceful pursuits. It was an Anglo-Saxon victory like no other. Thus, the world was divided into 3 camps; the capitalists, the communists and the third world. Based on the ideals of the British father of capitalism Adam Smith, it was strongly believed that a developed world where private ownership of resources with the least amount of regulation and the pursuit of free market ideals will surely make our planet a better and safer place. Europe and Japan were quickly rebuilt with economies based on what England and the US thought were best suited for their own cultural value systems. Communism was left to its own devices as the model and its effect on societal emergence had shown earlier flaws that eventually brought about its own demise. To attract less developed countries into the capitalist camp and away from communism, England and the US created the charter for institutions like the IMF and the World Bank through the Bretton Woods System of Monetary Management to help poor and emerging countries finance this Utopian but arduous journey.
More than sixty years into this experiment and the results are a mixed bag. On one end of the spectrum the free market economy concept worked well for nations that were already developed and had the institutional capacities in place to make the transition to highly industrialized consumer-based economies. The ideals of communism proved detrimental to innovation and human advancement as the world associated central planning and ownership of resources by governments as primary causes of inefficiency and the stifling of individual and institutional relevance. Communist countries under the Soviet umbrella experienced a noticeable downshift in their standard of living, which from a cultural development perspective should have caused the system to either break or cause noticeable social dissonance as it forced human emergence back in time. It is worth noting that although communism contributed to many social ills and wide-spread poverty in Eastern Europe, the region never descended to anarchy or civil war which symbolize the modern struggles of tribal and third world cultures. The belief in the institutions of the state and their ability to reject false value Memes through the existing system was an imbedded belief in the fabric of the Eastern Europe culture. Now that the communist ideals proved unsustainable, formerly communist nations have commenced their cultural emergence from where they left off and find institutions like the IMF and the World Bank ready to help in reviving their human and industrial capacities.
At the other end of the spectrum however, the story is quite different. Lacking the intuitions that have defined cultures for centuries, the less developed world has gotten further behind and is struggling to feed millions of its own people. So, what went wrong? How did the brightest Western minds with hundreds of years of quantifiable scientific measures fail to anticipate the challenges facing the Third World? The answers lie in the developed world’s inability to identify barriers to development from a cultural values perspective.
How Current Economic Policies Arrest the Evolution of Value Systems
At the end of the colonial era imperial powers carved up tribal lands into arbitrary countries with the hope that tribes will be forced to dismiss thousands of years of rivalries for a cause called “Nation”. The promise of industrial prosperity was the carrot at the end of the stick; A concept that worked so well for Europe and Japan but has remained foreign to most places in Africa, the Middle East and many poor places till this day. What the framers of the Bretton Woods architecture ignored was that places that are primarily tribal in nature must build their own indigenous capacities that would eventually transcend tribal existence and propel them into their own unique expression of cultural prosperity. The US, Europe (East and West), Russia, Japan and China have been at this level of social development within their own cultures for centuries. In the case of third world nations which have remained a loose band of tribes, only tribal leaders can find and identify these capacities and the West can help only in the development of what was identified. This calls for a substantial shift from the current UN model which sends its own experts whose thinking is steeped in the egalitarian value system who super-impose Western development model.
In Beck’s developmental theory, before a tribe can embrace industrial age values, it has to go through an egocentric stage where an individual’s values are imposed over those that make up the collective values of the tribe. Europe went through this evolution over hundreds of years and the results were many bloody wars. The US went through it during the war of independence and the civil war at a cost of millions of lives to get to a stage to say “never again”. The conquest of this egocentric stage should never be underestimated or it will manifest in pathologies that create organizations like Al-Qaeda and the endless number of failed states. The phenomena of failed states has become more common because the post WWII model for development cannot be substituted for an indigenously designed model that first and foremost takes into account the developmental stages that a country is in. Instead of recognizing the natural evolutionary stages of social emergence and designing to accommodate for the next stage, the Western model imposed a one-solution-fits-all answer designed in the ivory towers of academia and Western think tanks. This rush to move the third world to a world of enterprise without systemic awareness to its consequences caused the rise of power lords to leadership positions who in turn exploited their countries’ resources and oppressed their own people in efforts to protect their power thus halting the natural emergence to the next stage.
Seeing the (indigenous) Trees before the (Western) Forest
What policy makers should have been aware of is that this egocentric stage of social development wouldn’t need to take on the form of bloody warfare. According to the Spiral Dynamics theory and Beck’s own work in South Africa and the West Bank, each cultural value system has a healthy and an unhealthy expression. The unhealthy expression in tribal transition is warfare and the rise of the power lords. The healthy expression, which should be the focus of the UN, is designing for economic prosperity at the tribal level which will blunt any unhealthy desires to start wars with the neighboring tribes. This type of policy setting would have required intimate knowledge of the indigenous life conditions of those tribes and the challenges they face. Based on information gathered from these places, a better informed UN can create the basis for what I call “Stratified Economic Policy”. The concept of micro loans created by Muhammad Yunus is a great example of such highly functional solutions for Bangladesh and places of similar indigenous challenges. Indigenous sustainability in the mind of the locals and in accordance to their relative standards of living ought to be the ultimate goal of any stratified economic policy. The imposition of anything of higher complexity will result in exploitation by the few like the case is often with many UN sponsored programs.
To bring this down to the individual level, one should start by asking (through a local indigenous leader, and never through a Western aid worker) these questions: What will make you happy? What kind of work can you do or hope to learn to help you become happy? All economic policy would focus on then is teaching individuals and cultures the skills to become well adjusted into their relative value system and not that of the West. The key to human emergence is to acknowledge where people and cultures are on the value-systems scale and make sure that much of the resources and efforts are focused on making the expression of that value system healthy. Contrary to much of the prevailing Western thought, it is not that we don’t give people in poor places enough food to eat, it’s that we don’t teach them how to create the habitats based on their own life conditions to create their own indigenous prosperity.
Without the interference of Western designed development programs, the third world would have very likely developed along these lines: In order to move to more advanced developmental stages, capital accumulation earned from hard work within a tribe’s indigenously healthy value system must be applied towards what evolves next and naturally for that tribe. To some it could be acquisition of farm land. To others it could mean sending their first born to a good school, or buying more cattle like the case is with most Central African tribes. Tribal life might be centered on these healthy value systems for centuries before a natural transition takes place to the next stage of emergence which requires the building of national institutions on which entrepreneurial and strategic values are built. These normal transitions to healthy manifestations of a culture’s uniqueness were halted by the appearances of two phenomena that were the byproducts of the Anglo-Saxon model for development: The West’s insatiable appetite for natural resources and the creation of the IMF.
Into a Tribal World Enter OPEC
After WWII the industrialized world shifted its focus to a consumer-based industrial economy, which required a tremendous amount of resources and raw material. And lo and behold, as if the Gods were testing the West’s true intentions in claiming to help the rest of humanity, most of these raw material were found in third world countries; OPEC for oil and Africa and South America for the rest of the raw material needed for modern day consumption. From Beck’s macro development theory perspective, these non-industrialized countries had never experienced a systemic enforcement of the rule of law at a national level nor had the resources or the complexity to understand the meaning of most of the institutions that the West takes for granted. In describing the reason for the arrested development stage of these countries, a renowned social scientist specializing in South and Central America said these arbitrary nations were formed by colonizing powers and never had the chance to rebel. The discovery of natural resources in tribal cultures had, in essence halted the normal stages of human development within them. Left to their own devices, without having the West extracting their natural resources from the ground, these cultures would have maintained a natural evolutionary process and formed healthier and more cooperative tribes tested and tried by the passage of time to smooth out tribal differences before the idea of “Nation” could crystallize. Life conditions at the time of discovery of oil were such that egocentric warriors had to rise to leadership positions without ever being exposed to concepts such as nationalism, the importance of state institutions, and a real understanding of wealth management. To protect their new-found “loot”, these leaders used tribal warfare tactics in making sure their own tribe prevails. Till this day, if you’re a developer wishing to get a Billion dollar project approved in Saudi Arabia, or Dubai, a poem written just for the occasion that praises the generosity and the greatness of the Sheikh, will improved your odds of success tremendously over someone who’s done extensive research about the market viability of the project and its associated costs.
The cultural pathologies caused by OPEC in a place like Venezuela have taken on a slightly different twist. Populist economic policy has been the tool of choice for tribal leaders in South America. While Western media shows Chavez as a rebel paying lip service to the poor and giving them small stipends for food and sidelining most national institutions, they fail to mention that the rate of poverty in Venezuela has been cut in half since he came to power. This is no endorsement of Chavez who’s known to have stolen billion in oil revenues and set Venezuela back a few decades on its road to progress, it is however an indictment of third world economies that followed the Anglo-Saxon model for development without giving much attention to their own country’s value systems composition and center of gravity. While the entrepreneurial value system flourished in Caracas and other small pockets, the majority of Venezuela remained in the tribal agricultural value system just as it has been for centuries. According to Beck’s theory, the rise of Chavez to power is a natural response to prevalent life conditions as they counteract the unnatural pull created in “skipping” a developmental stage.
Into a World of Poverty and Power Lords Enter the IMF
The story with the IMF is slightly different in the sense that it catered to the same pathologies of exploitation through loans instead of oil revenue. Without ever knowing what Africa needs like Dr. Yunus knew what Bangladesh needs, the IMF, by ignoring the role that value systems play in the development of a culture, is responsible for more death and corruption than any other post WWII institution. One only needs to look at which countries borrow from the IMF. Over 97% of debtor countries prior to the 2008 global financial crisis were ruled by dictators with the blood of thousands of their countrymen on their hands. Rulers like Mugabe and Assad (the father) are on the top of the list. In the absence of a ruthless dictator who would squander most IMF loans and force member countries to renegotiate the debt, the IMF would declare the misuse of funds by a week leader and send in World Bank experts who would force the “privatization” of things like power plants. Such moves ignore the life conditions that required the public ownership of such symbols of progress. These were cultures in transition from tribal existence to early stages of nation formation. When the resources and institutions that are intended to help in that transition are snatched from a development program and given to private power lords , or Western conglomerates represented by local power lords, social and cultural development to the next stage (or to a healthy manifestation of the existing stage) is halted.
A full discussion of IMF policies would require many volumes to expose its shortcomings. Parts of the institution’s initial charter is slowly becoming more aligned with its practices not because of profound changes in its policies toward the developing world, but because the value systems of countries that now need its services (Iceland and Poland are good examples). These counties are more aligned with the value systems of the thinking that created it. As for their dealings with the Third World, their thinking has fallen further behind as they refuse to heed the indigenous needs of these countries. For many Third World counties that continue to struggle to make interest payments on their loans, the IMF is now advocating bankruptcy; a Western tool of mass destruction that will perpetuate the Third World’s dependence on the industrialized world and drive them further away from establishing any indigenous capacities. Meanwhile, IMF and World Bank economists are patting themselves on the back for continuing to perpetuate a culture of debt in their own world thumbing their noses at a collapsing world economy brought to its knees by the same policies of debt financing they’re now advocating for Third World countries.
The road to this Utopian dream that was hatched by Franklin D. Roosevelt and Winston Churchill in Bretton Woods, NH has turned out to be the road to Perdition for third world countries rich and poor. If the Group of the 20 richest countries in the world wants to seriously address the causes of poverty and the stalled development of so many regions in the world they first and foremost have to acknowledge the failures of their models for third world development. At the G-20 meeting this past spring, instead of holding a healthy debate about the dangers of what happens when global institutions ignore the need for stratified economic policies informed by local experts, world leaders instead voted to triple the resources of the IMF without implementing meaningful change. Renegotiated Third World debt with higher principal balances is precisely the invitation that the industrialized world needs to fully own the natural resources of these counties, and without developing the habitats for emergence, it will be just a matter of time before they default again.
On the other hand, much of the “Nouveau Riche” countries whose wealth was created by the sudden discovery of natural resources will have to transition from “wealthy tribal cultures” that ignore the needs of the many to “nations with sustainable wealth and faith in institutions” that include the many or face a fate similar to that of Venezuela. The earliest culture to overthrow the Post WWII Western model for development was Iran. The power lords that took power after the fall of the Shah have thumbed their nose at Western development models. They run the country as a theocracy which is now threatening the world with nuclear weapons and continue to demonize Western hegemony. Making Iran, Venezuela and other potential OPEC nations such pariahs could have been prevented if the West had the tools to identify these countries’ unique value systems and the needs for cultural emergence instead of exploiting them for their natural resources.
The flood of oil revenues from industrialized countries and loans with little accountability from the IMF have corrupted tribal values forever and created a pathology that has become very difficult to undo. When oil revenues disappear, most OPEC countries will wake up and realize that in order to prevent future abuse of power and to cater to the welfare of all the citizens in their country, it’s not enough to choose a good tribal leader to lead. Rather, it becomes paramount to establish societal institutions and the rule of law as the absolute base for a sustainable culture that thrives on economic diversity and the value of self reliance. That stage of development came to Europe, the US and Japan after hundreds of years of bloody warfare. To the third world, it would have to come from a perspective of “Stratified Economic Policies” that build capacities commensurate with and informed by the indigenous life conditions on the ground and not by some Western think tank with Ivy League credentials relying on a CIA country profile or an out of touch UN with a dossier of IMF and World Bank reports claiming to know what ails a world at lower stages of development.
IMFOPECtribal value systemWorld Bank
China’s New World Order: Development Capital or New Imperialism?
September 2, 2015 Said E. Dawlabani Leave a comment
The news agency Reuters reported yesterday on China’s creation of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), which is supposed to rival the World Bank and the IMF. With China’s rising economic power, does the AIIB represent a viable alternative to underdeveloped countries in desperate need of capital or would it be a failure like its Western counterparts? It is being touted as China’s attempt at making obsolete the IMF and World Bank, but what would be the extent of its reach?
The AIIB is a brand new global development bank that promises to impose less stringent metrics on its borrowing countries. Unlike the IMF and the Wold bank who insist on political reforms and privatization efforts from borrowers, China’s new world development bank is only asking for transparency.
The burning question that any reasonable banker would ask is what would the bank do in case of default? The IMF and the World Bank were an extension of colonial Orange dominance through finance. They collectively sentenced less developed countries to a life of perpetual debt and poverty. In my estimation, the AIIB won’t fare much better. Based on the value systems that currently motivate China, the bank will be an extension of RED Chinese dominance, i.e, in the case of default China will occupy the debtor country, loot its resources until the debt is paid off. China employs these tactics today in the form of exchange; resources for development. Unfortunately, the values of Confucianism are not the motivating factors in China’s new expansionist policies. This is Red lenders and Red borrowers who understand each others’ language, and understand the brutal consequences of default.
In the past, similar, well-meaning, world-changing efforts like this were announced to great fanfare, but never materialize in the long term. One might ask the question of what happened to the BRICs bank that was supposed to save less fortunate countries when it was announced less than 2 years ago? 3 of its 4 founding countries are having significant economic challenges at home. Russia and Brazil’s economies are experiencing tremendous setbacks while India is dealing with its own issues of slow growth leaving China as the only brick left in the original BRICs bank.
It remains to be seem whether China’s slowdown will make the AIIB a reality. If it continues its reforms towards a free market economy, it will spell disaster for their short term goals (as I pointed out in this interview with Newsweek Magazine). Part of China’s movement towards a free market economy will involve Orange metrics and transparency that will uncover Trillions in toxic and non-performing assets that have to be written off. After China’s balance sheets reflect those new realities, I highly doubt they will still have the appetite for highly speculative lending to foreign countries without the traditional collateral. We’ll have to wait and see. The waiting, this time won’t be long.
AIIBBRICsChinaFree Market economyIMFWorld Bank
Economic Policy and Global Value Systems Revisited
August 21, 2009 Said Leave a comment
The publisher of Integral Leadership Review, Russ Volkman, PhD has asked me to expand an earlier post I had published on this blog. The article appeared in the magazine’s August 2009 edition. Click here to read the expanded version.
AfricaAl-QaedaBreton WoodsChurchillcommunismcultural value systemseconomic policiesFDRG-20IMFMiddle EastMuhamad YunisOPECStratified Economic PolicyTribesVenezuelaWorld Bank
WELCOME TO WHERE ECONOMICS MEET MEMETICS. This site is dedicated to the advancement and applications of Evolutionary Economics and the pursuit of a sustainable future through the prism of Value Systems.
Said Elias Dawlabani
Author of The MEMEnomics Framework
President & CEO The MEMEnomics Group
MEMEnomics on NPR by Said Dawlabani (summary)
MEMEnomics could be the Next Generation Economic System where Said E. Dawlabani integrates Spiral Dynamics into economics with his new book, MEMEnomics: The Next-Generation Economic System. These models have the ability to redistribute capitalism as we know it to a wider range of people in lower and lower economic status. From the Foreword by Don Edward Beck, PhD: Books about subjects like economics are rarely written from the perspective of human or cultural evolution. Seldom, if ever, does a reader come across a narrative with pioneering methods that reframe a specialized discipline through a wide-cultural whole systems approach. This is precisely what Said E. Dawlabani does in this revolutionary book, Memenomics: The Next-Generation Economic System. This is a book that reframes the issues of competing economic and political ideologies and places them into an evolutionary new paradigm. This is a book about change done right. It is no secret that today we are dealing with a great political divide that threatens many of our democratic institutions. Right and left ideologies have becomes polarized camps that seem to be worlds apart. If we were to do a content analysis of all the speeches, books, and articles from the last few years, we would see several clear and distinct patterns which seem to point us in several different directions. There is a formidable challenge that awaits thinkers who are shaping the future of humanity. One of monumental proportions that will call on our collective ability to create political and economic systems that can best handle the complex conditions confronting life on our planet. When the Scottish moral philosopher Adam Smith penned his views on the evolution of human morality and trade over two centuries ago, he captured the hearts and minds of people the world over. But today, after guiding the free enterprise system to unimaginable heights, his teachings are being questioned at their core. Current global economic and governing systems can no longer run on fixed or rigid ideologies regardless of how virtuous or inspiring they were in the past. In order for new leadership to emerge to answer our challenges, new paradigms must be created. One new paradigm for human and cultural emergence is beautifully detailed in this book. Memenomics makes the case for how artificially imposed systems in economics become closed and toxic. By using processes that were pioneered through five decade of research and global applications Said repeatedly makes the case for why the future of economics must consider a values-systems approach if the field should emerge into a whole-systems form of leadership in the future. Through technologies such as Natural Design and life cycles of values systems, Said pioneers a fresh reframing of economic history that uncovers the blockages of trickle-down approaches of the past. He then offers remedies that set a new standard for sustainable practices, ones that are based on functional platforms designed to address the needs of people and cultures at their particular level of economic emergence. This book is a brilliant primer on the application of the values-systems theory to economics. It is a field guide for anyone looking to establish a cultural values-systems understanding not only to economics but also to the applications of the theory of Spiral Dynamics and the seminal work of Clare W. Graves. It represents the evolution of the Gravesian model into a field that rarely considers the different needs and motivations of the different stages of human and societal development. EDITORS'S NOTE: Stuttering and unnecessary pauses or delays were removed. Full 50-minute audio interview: * http://prn.fm/2013/10/connect-dots-next-generation-economic-system-102313/ Center for Human Emergence * http://CHE-hub.com * http://HumanEmergence.org KEYWORDS: MEMEnomics, Said Dawlabani, Integral Economics, Functional Capitalism, Spiral Dynamics Integral, SDi, Disruptive Innovation, Halliburton Loophole, Don Beck, Clare Graves, Ken Wilber, Alison Rose Levy,
Posted by Pi on Saturday, March 8, 2014
MEMEnomics on NPR
“Herein lies the Global knot: The seemingly irreconcilable conflict between and among the haves, the have nots, the have a little but want more, and the have a lot but are never content. There must be a better way.”
Dr. Don Edward Beck
Philosopher & Geopolitical Pioneer
co-author of The Spiral Dynamics Theory
“When man is finally able to see himself and the world around him with clear cognition, he finds a picture far more pleasant. Visible in unmistakable clarity and devastating detail is man’s failure to be what he might be and his misuse of his world. This revelation causes him to leap out in search of a way of life and system of values which will enable him to be more than he has been. He seeks a foundation of self-respect, which will have value system rooted in knowledge and cosmic reality where he expresses himself so that all others, all beings can continue to exist. His values now are of a different order from those at previous levels: They arise not from selfish interest but from the recognition of the magnificence of existence and the desire that it shall continue to be.”
Dr. Clare W. Graves
Author of the Emergent Cyclical Levels of Existence Theory
“Our problems today can no longer be solved from a first-tier subsistence toolbox that has been exhausted and corrupted. That system is in decay and the final stages of entropy are at hand. Will humanity decide to take the momentous leap forward and begin to design from a systemic perspective that is informed by the lessons learned from the subsistence value systems and past human behavior or would we continue to squander our human potential by providing Band-Aid solutions and hope for the best? If we choose the former we will evolve to the “being” level of existence on our upward journey of human emergence. If we choose the latter, we will condemn ourselves to becoming a footnote in the universe’s cosmic reality.”
From: "In Search for a New Paradigm"
MEMEnomics; The Next-Generation Economic System
BOOKS AND THEORIES BASED ON THE VALUE-SYSTEMS FRAMEWORK
ALL BOOKS ARE AVAILABLE FOR PREVIEW AND PURCHASE ONLINE AT AMAZON.COM AND OTHER BOOK SELLERS
Uncovering the Values of a Regenerative Future
“Memenomics is a brilliant concept based on the economics of abundance, prosperity, and the cultivation of healthy ecosystems for sustainable business practices. It takes a big-picture view on economic integration that is guided by the conscious vision of a holistically interdependent planet. Said E. Dawlabani does a brilliant job in placing current economic activity into an evolutionary model that helps reshape the thinking of visionary business leaders of the future.
Deepak Chopra, MD
New York Times Best Selling Author
Chopra Center for Wellbeing
MEMEnomics Spiral
“Leaders in the private and public sectors worldwide, will benefit greatly from the concepts of MEMEnomics. I have followed the works of Dr. Clare Graves (met him in 1981) and Dr. Don Beck since I was CEO of Southwest Airlines. Dr. Beck gave me valuable personal guidance in the growth of Southwest and in the financial transformation of Braniff International. Now, Said Dawlabani has taken all of their research and proven results and moved to the next generation of economics. This is powerful information and a flight plan to take your organization to the next level. If you want to be on the leading edge of transformation here is your opportunity.”
Howard Putnam
Former CEO Southwest Airlines and Braniff International
Author: The Winds of Turbulence
Speaker Hall of Fame
MEMEnomics Organizational Codes
“ Said Dawlabani's ideas in Memenomics are an enormous contribution. Building on the insights of Clare Graves and Don Beck’s Spiral Dynamics and helping this and upcoming generations understand the role of cultural evolution and values-shifts which underlie all of the world’s economies.”
Dr. Hazel Henderson, Author "Ethical Markets: Growing the
“Planetary Citizenship”
President, Ethical Markets Media (USA and Brazil)
“ The Memenomics concepts hold some of the most important ideas on the future of capitalism. This is a rich and illuminating re-thinking of evolutionary economics by an outstanding American-Lebanese thinker. Said E. Dawlabani is a Meta economist and a key practitioner of the emerging science of value systems. His work is a must read for those looking to understand systemic change.”
Jean Houston, Ph.D.
Founding member of the Human Potential Movement
Africa Al-Qaeda Amazon Breton Woods Clare Graves Clare W. Graves cultural value systems Don Beck Don E. Beck Dubai Dubai World economic policies economics Elizabeth Warren FDR financial crisis financial derivatives housing bubble IMF Integral Theory Ken Wilber Memenomic Cycles Memenomics memetics Michiel Doorn Middle East monetary policy Muhamad Yunis Obama OPEC Paul Volker spiral dynamics Spiral Dynamics In Action Spiral Dynamics Summit on the Future Stratified Economic Policy sustainability sustainable business SYSTEMIC vMEME Tribes value systems vMEME vMemes wall street Whole Foods World Bank
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Iranian Intelligence Abroad, A Telling Glimpse
The images of Iranian street demonstrations has captivated the imagination of the world. After a stolen election, bare knuckles brutality has been used to keep the Ahmadinejad regime in power.
But does Iran's power stop at its borders? Anyone who has studied revolutions knows that they are like trees cultivated as seedlings in a greenhouse and transplanted to their respective homelands in the proper season. Jose Marti spent decades in New York City. Lenin went to Switzerland. Ho Chi Minh was a dish washer in New York City. The unwritten rule is that you can plot revolution in your native land as long as you leave the host country alone.
This basic fact of political life is not lost on totalitarian regimes. Sadaam Husein's regime used to send video cassettes to dissidents abroad of their relatives being horribly tortured. It was enough to cow many into silence. Assassinations abroad are a common tool. Iran has a strategy and a program to control, manipulate, monitor and suppress dissidents abroad.
Ali Alfoneh is a political scientist whose scope of concern naturally includes his homeland. He had personal contact with Iran's overseas intelligence services. He wrote as follows in an article titled "The Bearded Gentleman" about his first hand experiences in The American, which is a journal of the American Enterprise Institute.
"Rock stars are worshipped by their fans, so are movie stars, famous authors, and even political analysts—or so I once thought. I had at least one fan while working in Copenhagen from 1988 to 2009. My fan was a bearded gentleman who showed up at all my public presentations on Iran. Regardless of the venue, season, and time of the day, this gentleman would find his way to each event and sit in the first row, dressed in the same suit, recording each word I spoke in his little notebook. The fourth time I saw the gentleman, I approached him and after elaborate exchange of Persian formalities I asked who he was. “I work in the cultural section of the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran,” he responded flatly; and down tumbled my world of vanity. His presumed devotion was less due to the power of my arguments or eloquence of speech, but evidently because he was employed to do so, and because the Islamic Republic wanted me to know that the embassy keeps an eye on Iranian scholars abroad."
Mr. Alfoneh saw his encounter as an opportunity, and engaged his minder in conversation, asking him how many Iranian spies there were in Denmark. The man created a picture of jealous Iranians caught up in personal and political rivalries, falling all over themselves to feed information to the Iranian government. Mr. Alfoneh found this answer to resonate with a measure of truth, even though the curious gentleman who was monitoring him had gracefully sidestepped any specifics. Iranian exile politics is a fractious affair. There are ethnic minorities within Iran. There are monarchists, communists and those who believe in something akin to Western democracy. Some of them hate each other more than they do the regime in Teheran.
Mr. Alfoneh pointed out another technique, that of economic engagement. He described it as follows in the same article.
"First and foremost, the Islamic Republic has managed to pacify great numbers of the expat Iranian population by returning confiscated real estate, land, and savings in Iranian banks. Indeed, by encouraging business, the Islamic Republic has managed to increase economic ties between the Iranian community outside of Iran and the motherland. This includes those Iranians politically or culturally opposed to the Islamic regime. But every once in a while, tales emerge of confiscated passports, interrogation, and imprisonment. While few in number, these cases spread fear among Iranians and temper their involvement in opposition activities abroad."
It is a principle of discipline that the possibility of punishment makes its actual use a rarity in the hands of a skilled disciplinarian. Such a principle is useful to a regime that treats its citizens like children.
The intelligence services don't simply collect information, they use it to exacerbate internal tensions in Iranian political, social and cultural groups abroad, according to Mr. Alfoneh. Groups that are independent of the regime are perceived as a threat, simply by providing a gathering place that is not under government auspices. Soccer clubs, cultural organisations and learning centers are then created by the Iranian government to provide a meeting ground for Iranians abroad that is more easily controlled.
Now that there is a demand within Iran for free elections, the bravery of Iranians in Iran is according to Mr. Alfoneh emboldening Iranians abroad. It is far easier to unite around a program of general political rights than it is to coalesce around a social vision and an economic approach. In the aftermath of the discredited June 12 elections, the old tricks of Iranian intelligence abroad are yielding diminishing returns.
The Ahmadinejad regime has gone to great measures to secure its hold on power. The streets of Tehran and other cities and the villages across the country are in a vise grip that betrays the desperation of a revolution in its terminal stages. It is in the streets of Copenhagen that we become aware of the cunning of the regime in Tehran as it hangs on to power by any means necessary. It will be interesting to see how Iranians abroad react to the events in their homeland and what, if anything the Ahmadinejad regime can do with its diminishing options. It is men like Ali Alfoneh who provide a valuable perspective in understanding these questions.
Posted by Magdeburger Joe at Thursday, December 10, 2009
Obama's Third Envelope
Random Thoughts of Indian Music and Poetry
Beating a Ticket
Where Are Egypt's Christians?
Mixing Christmas and Hanukkah?
Rantrave Reflections
Is Alan Grayson Nuts?
See Spot. See Spot Destroy the Planet
Validation, A Classic Film, Eternal Concept
A Letter to My Readers
"Al Gore Is An Idiot" Weather in Copenhagen"
Kishinev Mob Tears Down Menorah
8 Year Old Boy Sent Home for Drawing Crucifix
East German Film and Art Under Communism
QE2 Taps Prince William as Successor
Jihadology: Understanding Our Enemies
Tiger Woods as a Brand Name
Students Protest in Iran Against Regime
Andrew Conley: Some Troubling Questions
Arany Zoltan and Medieval Music
Noam Chomsky, Limousine Liberal
Mike Huckabee's Costly Mistakes
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Committees and Juries
Shortlist and winners
Naeem Mohaiemen (London 1969) is a Bangladeshi writer and visual artist working in Dhaka and New York. Since 2006, Naeem has worked on The Young Man Was, a fragmentary history of the ultra-left, through the crucible of Bangladesh’s experience of radical left movements in the 1970s. The project circulates in public venues (Experimenter Kolkata, Dhaka Art Summit, Kiran Nadar Museum, etc.) and in print (Granta, Rethinking Marxism, Arab Studies Journal, etc.). His work is in the collection of the Tate Modern and the British Museum. Naeem is a Ph.D. candidate in Anthropology at Columbia University and a 2014 Guggenheim Fellow.
Medal of the President of the Italian Republic
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Luso-Hispanic Studies
Offerings by Semester
Learning Goals for the Major
Faculty & Office Hours
Student & Faculty Work
Mario Higa, Chair
Warner Hall 001
mhiga@middlebury.edu
Jennifer Nuceder, Coordinator
jmnucede@middlebury.edu
Campaign By Middlebury College Spanish Majors Aims To Challenge Racial Stereotypes
Congratulations to the 2019 Guarnaccia Prize winners: Julia Beck, James Scott, Pharibe Pope, Mike Nunziantem, and Martínez Barahona!
Gladstone Winner Brandon Baird Plans Travel Course to Guatemala for Mayan Languages Revitalization
Assistant professor of Luso-Hispanic studies will lead the course in January 2020.
Congratulations to Prof. Marta Manrique-Gomez who has been awarded with the prestigious Whiting grant (news article here), and to Ariana Hernández '19 who received a Fulbright Scholarship to teach English in Spain!
Home » Academics » Luso-Hispanic Studies » Courses
Courses offered in the past four years.
▲ indicates offered in the current term
▹ indicates offered in the upcoming term[s]
BLST 0348 - Afro-Caribbean Music Genres ▹
Afro-Caribbean Music Genres
In this course we will study Afro-Caribbean music genres (eg, reggae, mambo, salsa, merengue, reggaeton, and calypso) and their impact within the region and on the global stage. Our main goal will be to compare the contested theoretical concept of cultural hybridity among the larger Caribbean nations (Haiti, Cuba, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, Trinidad and Tobago, and the Dominican Republic) and their diasporas. We will also explore how Caribbean musicians and superstars work within the global infrastructure of the music/dance industry, while occasionally managing to counter the hegemonic erasure of the legacy of Black rebellion, worker revolution, nationalism, and racial/gender politics. (SPAN 0220 or 300 level Spanish course) 3 hrs. lect AAL AMR ART CMP LNG
Spring 2020, Spring 2021
PGSE 0101 - Beginning Portuguese I
This course is a fast-paced introduction to Brazilian Portuguese and contemporary Brazilian culture. It focuses on the development of skills in listening, reading, speaking, and writing within a cultural context. Students are expected to continue with PGSE 0102 in winter term, and PGSE 0103 in spring term, after successful completion of PGSE 0101. 5 hrs. lect./disc. LNG
PGSE 0102 - Beginning Portuguese II
Beginning Portuguese
This course is a continuation of PGSE 0101 and a pre-requisite for PGSE 0103. (PGSE 0101) LNG WTR
PGSE 0210 - Beginning Port/RomanceSpeakers ▹
Accelerated Beginning Portuguese
This course is an intensive and fast-paced introduction to Portuguese, covering all of the basic structures and vocabulary as well as important aspects of the cultures of Lusophone countries. Within a cultural context, emphasis will be placed on active communication aimed at the development of comprehension, speaking, reading, and writing. Students are expected to continue with PGSE 0215, after successful completion of PGSE 0210. Open to all students. 6 hrs. lect./disc. LNG
Spring 2016, Fall 2016, Spring 2017, Fall 2017, Spring 2018, Fall 2018, Spring 2019, Fall 2019, Spring 2020, Fall 2020, Spring 2021
PGSE 0212 - Portuguese Conversation
Let’s Talk! Speaking on the Lusophone World
In this course we will focus on the development of oral skills in Portuguese. Students will also be exposed to cultural content in Portuguese through which they will be introduced to the social and political trends in the Portuguese-speaking world. Course material will also include significant review of complex grammatical structures in order to better prepare students for continuing Portuguese studies. (PGSE 0103 or PGSE 0210 or by waiver) LNG WTR
PGSE 0215 - Advanced Portuguese ▹
Advanced Portuguese
This course is a continuation of PGSE 0210. It is designed to balance textual and cultural analysis with a thorough review of grammar at an intermediate/high level. Students will hone their critical thinking and linguistic skills through guided readings, oral discussions, and short written assignments on Lusophone cultural topics. (PGSE 0210 or by waiver) 4 hrs. lect./disc. LNG
PGSE 0321 - Food and Brazilian Culture ▹
With Flavor: Food and Brazilian Culture
In this course we will focus on the food being produced and consumed in Brazil in its relation to Brazilian culture and history. Topics include how food and Brazilian culinary practices are related to certain aspects of Brazilian society, such as the Northeast’s landed oligarchy, Afro-Brazilian culture in Bahia, regional, national, and transnational identities, women and gender constructs, and the experience of hunger. Narratives (fictional, non-fictional, and theoretical) will be drawn from different media: printed and online texts as well as audio-visual materials, such as songs and popular music videos, films, TV series and cooking programs. The course will also entail preparation and degustation of Brazilian dishes. (PGSE 0215 or by approval) 3 hrs. lect. AAL AMR LNG SOC
Fall 2016, Fall 2019, Fall 2020
PGSE 0324 - Slavery and Resistance
Slavery and Resistance: Visions for the Present
In this course we will analyze how slaves and slave communities in Brazil were able to forge different modes of resistance in the face of the atrocities that resulted from the trans-Atlantic slave trade. We will delve into printed and audio-visual materials to analyze how resistance operated at both a macro and a micro level, but also extend our study into the present, looking at how Brazilians nowadays reinvigorate old forms of resistance. The ultimate goal of the course is to establish a bridge between those enslaved communities’ self-empowerment and the students’ visions of resistance in the present time. We will also work on developing students’ language abilities at an advanced level. (PGSE 0215 or by approval). 3 hrs. lect. AAL AMR LIT LNG
PGSE 0356 - Murdered Women: Port & Brazil
Murdered Women: Politics and Literary Representation in Portugal and Brazil
In this course we will study the tragic history of three women ordered to be executed by political chiefs for political reasons. The course's aim is twofold: to analyze, in their historical frameworks, the political ideologies used to justify the women's murders, and to examine through textual analysis how these events are represented in fictional and non-fictional literature. The women are Inês de Castro (1320-1355), the lover of the Portuguese Prince Pedro; Olga Benario (1908-1942), the Jewish-German wife of the Brazilian communist leader Luís Carlos Prestes; and Elza Fernandes (1918-1934), the girlfriend of a high member of the communist party in Brazil. Inês was killed because her imminent marriage to Pedro could have rendered Portugal politically unstable. Olga died in a Nazi concentration camp, to which she was sent by Prestes' enemy Getúlio Vargas, then President of Brazil. Elza was accused of political betrayal and eventually murdered by communist party members, with the support of Luís Carlos Prestes. Readings will include poetry, a biography, and a historical novel. (PGSE 0215 or equivalent) 3hrs. lect./disc. AAL AMR LIT LNG
PGSE 0357 - The Luso-Hispanic Writer ▹
The Luso Hispanic Fiction Writer
In this course we will study the representation of the writer of fiction in Luso-Hispanic contemporary narrative. As Julio Premat argues, writers often understand their task not only as the creation of literary works, but also as the fashioning of an authorial self within fiction and through essays, interviews, photographs. We will study how and why such images are crafted, and how they reflect ideas about the aesthetic and political role of the writer, the “truth” of fiction, the interplay between literature and reality, and the relationship between authorship and gender. Portuguese-language texts will be read in Spanish translation. (Two Spanish courses at the 0300-level or above, or waiver) 3 hrs. lect./disc. AAL AMR LIT LNG
Fall 2019, Fall 2020
PGSE 0359 - Luso-Hispanic Short Stories
Through the Looking Glass: Short Stories from the Spanish and Portuguese Americas
This course will be taught in Spanish and Portuguese for students proficient in or who have previously studied both languages. The main goal of the course is to examine and compare key historical issues of the Hispanic and Lusophone Americas through the reading of short stories. By scrutinizing these issues in both contexts, and contrasting them, students will explore their commonalities and specificities. Critical essays will accompany the fictional texts. Authors to be read include Borges, Rulfo, and García Márquez, from the Spanish side; Rosa, Lispector, and Machado de Assis, from the Portuguese side. Topics to be analyzed are violence, love and sexuality, madness and sickness, power dynamics, otherness, and the feminine condition. (PGSE 0215 and SPAN 0350 or above, or by approval) 3hrs. lect. AMR CMP LIT LNG
PGSE 0370 - History of Brazilian Soccer ▹
A Cultural History of Brazilian Soccer
Brazilians usually joke that volleyball is the country’s #1 sport, because soccer in Brazil does not count as a sport, it is a religion. In this course students will learn about the history of Brazilian soccer and how it became a “religion”. This history begins in 1895 when Charles Miller, coming from England, organized in São Paulo the first soccer game ever played in Brazil. Since then, the sport has deeply permeated Brazilian culture and arts (literature, music, cinema). Topics to be examined in this historical context are race, social class, gender, politics, and national identity. Materials to be discussed include fictional and non-fictional texts, songs, videos, and movies. Depending on the number of students enrolled, the course will be scheduled to have one soccer practice and one game (against another team) during the semester. Students may opt out of the practice and/or the game if they want. (PGSE 0215, or by approval) 3hrs. lect AAL AMR LIT LNG
Spring 2018, Spring 2020, Spring 2021
PGSE 0375 - Colonial Discourse & Legacies
Colonial Discourse and Its Legacies in the Lusophone World
In this course we will critically analyze the meanings and ideas that shaped and undergirded European colonialism and its legacies in the interconnected realms of culture, race, language, gender, sexuality, and labor. In addition to studying the colonial period, we will pay particular attention to how the discourses of colonialism impact power structures concerning nation, globalization, and cultural consumption. In doing so, we will also address the problematics of the concept of “Lusophone,” starting with the historical legacies and cultural implications of such a transnational entity. Course materials will include critical theory, historical sources, literary texts, visual media, and music from Brazil, Lusophone Africa, Lusophone Asia, and Portugal. (PGSE 215 or equivalent) 3hrs. lect./disc. AAL AMR CMP LNG SOC
Fall 2016, Spring 2019
PGSE 0385 - Luso-Hispanic Whiteness ▹
Deconstructing Whiteness in the Luso-Hispanic World
In this course we will critically examine constructions and realities of whiteness in the Luso-Hispanic world(s), traversing Africa, the Americas, Asia, the Caribbean, and Europe. Through different readings, cultural products, and disciplinary lenses, we will grapple with whiteness as identity, as concentration of power, as national and global project, and as a set of discourses impacting gender, sexuality, disability, and labor. We will consider how whiteness is claimed and represented in interwoven contexts of colonialism, slavery, eugenics, nationhood, and late capitalism; paying particular attention to how it is simultaneously decentered and reproduced in narratives of racial exceptionalism, mestiçagem/mestizaje, and post-racialism. (PGSE 215 and SPAN 300 or above, or by approval) Taught in Spanish and Portuguese. 3hrs. lect. CMP HIS SOC
PGSE 0411 - The Racial Life of Power
The Racial Life of Power: (Trans)national Experiences of Race
In this course we will explore the emergence of race as a category of classification, social construct, and real experience in conjunction with the consolidation of different forms of power including colonialism, slavery, nationhood and globalization. We will take a global and interdisciplinary approach to our study by examining how race operates in national, transnational, and transcontinental power dynamics and imaginaries. Our interrogation of race will consider its central intersections with class, gender, and sexuality in Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, Europe, Latin America, and North America at different moments in history. Course materials will include visual media, literary texts, primary historical sources, critical theory, and music. (Taught in English) 3 hrs. sem. AAL AMR CMP SOC
PGSE 0500 - Independent Study ▲ ▹
(Approval Required)
Winter 2016, Spring 2016, Fall 2016, Winter 2017, Spring 2017, Fall 2017, Winter 2018, Spring 2018, Fall 2018, Winter 2019, Spring 2019, Fall 2019, Winter 2020, Spring 2020, Fall 2020, Spring 2021
SPAN 0101 - Beginning Spanish I ▹
Beginning Spanish I
This course is an introduction to the fundamentals of grammar and focuses on the development of four skills in Spanish: comprehension, speaking, reading, and writing. Emphasis will be placed on active communication aimed at the development of oral and comprehension skills. This course is for students who have not previously studied Spanish. Students are expected to continue with SPAN 0102 and SPAN 0103 after successful completion of SPAN 0101. 5 hrs. lect./disc.
Fall 2016, Fall 2017, Fall 2018, Fall 2019, Fall 2020
SPAN 0102 - Beginning Spanish II
Beginning Spanish II
This course is a continuation of SPAN 0101. (SPAN 0101) WTR
Winter 2016, Winter 2017, Winter 2018, Winter 2019
SPAN 0103 - Beginning Spanish III ▹
Beginning Spanish III
This course is a continuation of SPAN 0101. Intensive reading, writing, and oral activities will advance students' proficiency in Spanish in an academic setting. (SPAN 0101) 5 hrs. lect./disc.
Spring 2016, Spring 2017, Spring 2018, Spring 2019, Spring 2020
SPAN 0104 - Beginning Spanish II ▹
This course is a continuation of SPAN 0101. Intensive reading, writing, and oral activities will advance students’ proficiency in Spanish in an academic setting. (SPAN 0101 or placement exam) 6 hrs. lect./disc.
SPAN 0105 - Accelerated Basic Spanish ▹
Accelerated Basic Spanish
This accelerated course is designed to reinforce, in one semester, the basic linguistic structures that students need in order to reach the intermediate level of proficiency in Spanish. Strong emphasis will be given to reading and composition. SPAN 0105 is designed specifically for students with 2-3 years of high school Spanish, but who have not yet achieved intermediate proficiency. (Placement test required) 5 hrs. lect./disc.
Fall 2016, Spring 2017, Fall 2017, Spring 2018, Fall 2018, Spring 2019, Fall 2019, Spring 2020, Fall 2020, Spring 2021
SPAN 0201 - Intermediate Spanish ▹
Intermediate Spanish
This accelerated course is designed to review, reinforce, and consolidate the linguistic structures that students need in order to reach the intermediate level of proficiency in Spanish. A grammar review will accompany intensive language acquisition, vocabulary expansion, readings, discussions, and compositions. (Placement test required) 3 hrs. lect., 1 hr. drill. LNG
SPAN 0220 - Intermediate Spanish II ▹
Intermediate Spanish II
A course for students seeking to perfect their academic writing skills in Spanish. The course is also an introduction to literary analysis and critical writing and will include reading and oral discussion of literary texts. The course will also include a thorough review of grammar at a fairly advanced level. This course may be used to fulfill the foreign languages distribution requirement. (SPAN 0201, SPAN 0210, or placement) 3 hrs. lect./disc. LNG
SPAN 0250 - Spanish for Heritage Speakers ▹
Spanish for Heritage Speakers
This course is specifically designed for heritage speakers, i.e., individuals who grew up speaking Spanish at home but were formally educated in another language, or individuals from similar contexts. In this course students will learn about different aspects of their own varieties of Spanish, social perceptions towards them, and how these varieties are valid forms of communication. Additionally, students will study grammatical differences between their varieties of Spanish and a more formal, academic Spanish. The grammatical aspects will primarily focus on written Spanish, vocabulary, and verb tenses that tend to vary in different varieties of Spanish. (Taken in place of SPAN 201/220, by placement exam or waiver) 3 hrs. lct. LNG
SPAN 0300 - Intro to Hispanic Literature ▹
An Introduction to the Study of Hispanic Literature
This course in literature and advanced language is designed to introduce students to literary analysis and critical writing. The work will be based on the reading of a number of works in prose, drama, and poetry. Frequent short, critical essays will complement readings and provide students with practice in writing. (SPAN 0220 or placement) 3 hrs. lect./disc. AAL AMR CMP CW LIT LNG
Spring 2016, Spring 2018, Fall 2018, Fall 2019, Fall 2020
SPAN 0301 - Advanced Spanish Grammar ▹
Advanced Spanish Grammar
This course offers a detailed study of complex aspects of Spanish grammar and syntax. Designed to build upon students' existing knowledge of Spanish grammar, the course will begin with a reconsideration of all the tenses in both the indicative and subjunctive moods, their values and their uses. After briefly reviewing the structure of simple sentences, we will analyze in depth all the different types of dependent clauses. Within the context of sentence structure, we will also look at several key aspects of Spanish grammar (ser and estar, prepositions, the infinitive, and the gerund, among others). Students will demonstrate their understanding of the material through a variety of practical and creative exercises. (SPAN 0220 or placement; not open to students who have taken SPAN 0380). LNG
Spring 2017, Fall 2017, Spring 2018, Fall 2018, Spring 2019, Fall 2019, Fall 2020
SPAN 0302 - Creative NonFiction in Spanish
Creative Non-Fiction in Spanish
This course will introduce students to creative non-fiction in the Spanish language. We will explore the techniques and literary skills necessary for researching and writing memoirs and personal essays, and students will produce at least three polished essays. Readings will include Spanish and Latin American masters and theorists of the genre will include Borges, Cortázar, Castellanos, Larra, Hostos, Paz, and Poniatowska. (SPAN 0220 or by placement) 3 hrs. lect. AAL AMR ART CW LIT LNG
SPAN 0303 - Intro Span Phonetics/Pronunc. ▹
Introduction to Spanish Phonetics and Pronunciation
In this course we will study the sound system of Spanish with the aims of introducing the fields of phonetics and phonology while improving pronunciation. Students will become familiar with phonetic transcription, comparing and contrasting articulatory and acoustic characteristics of Spanish as well as English in order to understand and implement different phonological patterns produced by native speakers of Spanish. Additionally, we will discuss major pronunciation differences across the Spanish-speaking world. (SPAN 0220 or placement) 3 hrs. lect./disc. LNG
Fall 2016, Spring 2018, Spring 2020, Spring 2021
SPAN 0304 - Ideas and Cultures of Spain
Ideas and Cultures of Spain
In this course we will analyze the major sociopolitical and cultural elements in representative Spanish texts from the Middle Ages to the present. We will discuss literary, historical, and political texts, works of art, and films that illustrate cultural elements that bear upon the formation of present day Spanish culture and civilization. (SPAN 0220 or placement) 3 hrs. lect./disc. EUR LNG
Fall 2016, Spring 2017, Spring 2018
SPAN 0306 - Narratives of Diversity Spain ▹
Narratives of Diversity in 21st Century Spain
In this course we will explore recent Spanish voices that denounce the inequalities suffered historically by minorities in that country. These narratives strive to criticize oppression and to create a more inclusive space of coexistence. We will analyze the memoirs of the Afro-Spanish activist Desiree Bela-Lobedde and of the Asian-Spanish singer Chenta Tsai. We will also analyze queer cultures in rural spaces, and the controversial use of flamenco by singer Rosalía, among other topics. Finally, through the essay Ofendiditos by Lucía Litjmaer, we will analyze the reactions that these narratives encounter in the current Spanish and international political climate. (SPAN 220 or equivalent). 3 hrs.lect./disc EUR LNG
SPAN 0307 - Ideas&Cultures of SouthernCone ▹
Ideas and Cultures of the Southern Cone
What’s in a name? A sub-region of Latin America, the Southern Cone consists of three countries marked by cultural, geographical, historical, sociopolitical (dis)connection. In this course we will approach Argentina, Chile, and Uruguay not only as nations, but as a region with extensive transnational connections. Through analysis of a wide-range of cultural products like Ercilla’s early modern epic poem La Araucana, Figari’s paintings depicting candombé culture, and films of the New Argentine Cinema, we will study aspects of the cultural identities and intellectual histories of these countries and the region. (SPAN 0220 or placement) 3 hrs. lect./disc AAL AMR LIT LNG
SPAN 0308 - Intro to Galician Studies
A Bridge Between Nations: Introduction to Galician Culture and Language
Galicia is a cultural region in the Iberian Peninsula. In this course we will explore how the study of the Galician region, its language and culture, can help us develop a deeper understanding of the Luso-Hispanic world. This will be an interdisciplinary course in which we discuss history and politics (formation of the region, its place in the globalized world and Spain); key sociolinguistic terms (diglossia, minoritized/minority language); and cultural manifestations while we explore and learn a new, but familiar, language. (SPAN 220 or PGSE 0215 or equivalent). 3 hrs.lect./disc CMP EUR LNG
SPAN 0310 - Otherness in Hispanic Lit. ▹
(Intimate) Otherness in Contemporary Hispanic Fiction
Recent Hispanic literature locates otherness in ambiguous spaces. The "other" can be excluded in order to demarcate selfhood, but also recognized as internal ("intimate") to a complex and perhaps richer self. In this course students will sharpen oral and written communication skills and build a sophisticated vocabulary to analyze the literary and cultural context of the Spanish speaking world. This goal will be accomplished through readings in late 20th/early 21st century short stories and novellas from the Iberian Peninsula and Spanish America. Race, gender, class, nationality, and health are some perspectives we will adopt in order to map the literary production/deconstruction of "others" as marginalized/embraced subjects. (SPAN 0220 or placement) 3 hrs. lect./disc. CMP LIT LNG
Spring 2018, Fall 2018, Spring 2019, Fall 2019, Fall 2020
SPAN 0311 - Hispanic Theater
Hispanic Theatre
In this course we will explore a broad selection of dramas from Spain and Spanish America. We will focus on close readings of plays, considering, where relevant, their historical and cultural contexts. Emphasis will also be placed on the development of critical vocabulary and writing skills in Spanish. Texts will be selected from various periods from the Middle Ages to present day. Authors include: Cervantes, Lope de Vega, Calderón, sor Juana Inés de la Cruz, Tirso de Molina, Alarcón, Castellanos, Gambaro, García Lorca, Mihura, Díaz, Solórsano. (SPAN 0220 or placement) 3 hrs. lect./disc. AAL AMR LIT LNG
SPAN 0313 - Hispanic Short Story
The Hispanic Short Story
In this course we will study the main literary, sociopolitical, and cultural issues in a selection of short stories from the Hispanic world. Emphasis will be on the close reading of texts with the purpose of developing critical vocabulary and writing skills. Authors may include: Pardo Bazán, Valle Inclán, Palma, Borges, Rulfo, Corázar, Quiroga, Matute. (SPAN 0220 or placement) 3 hrs. lect./disc. AAL AMR LIT LNG
SPAN 0314 - Student Activism Latin America ▹
Long Live the Students! Student Activism in Latin America and the Caribbean
In this course we will study student activism in Puerto Rico, Chile, Mexico, and the U.S., focusing on Latin students’ activism in the early 20th century to the present. We will consider approaches to student movements and the role those movements have played in shifting social and political values, practices, and institutions. We will also consider what ideologies and strategies were implemented to shape each student movement. By the end of the course, students will be encouraged to relate these struggles to their lives as students. AMR CMP HIS SOC
Spring 2019, Fall 2019, Fall 2020
SPAN 0315 - Hispanic Film ▹
This course will provide an introduction to the cinema of Spain and Spanish America. We will study, among other topics: the idiosyncrasies of film language in Hispanic cultures, the relationships between text and image, representation of history, culture and society. Films from Mexico, Cuba, Argentina, Spain, and other countries will be included in the course. Selected readings on film theory and social and political history, as well as various literary works. In Spanish (SPAN 0220 or placement) 3 hrs. lect./disc. AAL CMP LIT LNG
Spring 2016, Spring 2017, Spring 2019, Fall 2019, Fall 2020
SPAN 0318 - Resistencia Latinex ▹
Resistencia Latinex
How do Latinex people resist oppression? Chilean survivors of the Pinochet dictatorship preserve their historical memory through textile art; Mexican Indigenous women expel the triple mafia of drug gangs, government, and police from their town; in Vermont, migrant workers sustain the dairy industry and themselves despite structural and institutional violence. Through stories of resistance to oppression, students will learn how communities and individuals take on misogyny, environmental injustice, slavery, and or structural violence. They will convey their findings in personal essays, historical fiction, and public presentations. In Spanish. 3 hrs. lect. (SPAN 0220 or by placement) (not open to students who have taken FYSE 1557) AMR LNG NOR
SPAN 0319 - #CaribeDIY ▹
#CaribeDIY: DIY Aesthetics and Alternative Markets in the Hispanic Caribbean
Recent artistic and cultural productions in the Hispanic Caribbean and its diaspora reflect upon conditions of dislocation, neglect, and decay. They resituate the trinomial “building, dwelling, thinking” (Heidegger) in the tropics to foreground the tensions between precarity and excess that have imprinted their stamp in the region. What aesthetic, political, and social projects emerge from recycling and ruination? What are their emancipatory possibilities? Or, on the contrary, are they themselves condemned to reproduce the logics of the market and its multiple forms of violence? In this course we will examine literary and cultural practices from the Hispanic Caribbean (Puerto Rico, Cuba, and the Dominican Republic), from the 1970s to the present, which can be loosely grouped under the concept of do-it-yourself or DIY. Some of the major themes include: intellectuals and materiality; technological disobedience; alternative publics and the rise of cartoneras; migration and objecthood; material poetics, gender, and sexual dissidence; autogestión, collective utopias, and the commons; digital cultures and new media; post-nationalism and decolonial approaches. As a final capstone project, all students will complete two requirements: a short final paper and a DIY audiovisual or digital project (a zine, video, artwork, or sound recording, etc.) inspired by the techniques studied. Previous experience on the latter is not necessary, but willingness to experiment in a self-directed manner is essential. (Spanish 0220 or by placement) 3 hrs. lect./disc. AAL AMR ART LIT LNG
SPAN 0322 - Hispanic Linguistics
Introduction to Hispanic Linguistics
This course is an introduction to the theory and methodology of linguistics as applied to the study of Spanish. The course’s goals are to understand the basic characteristics of human language (and of Spanish in particular), and to learn the techniques used to describe and explain linguistic phenomena. We will study the sound system (phonetics/phonology), the structure of words (morphology), the construction of sentences (syntax), as well as the history and sociolinguistic variation of the Spanish language, as spoken in communities in Europe, Latin America, and Northern America. We will examine texts, speech samples, and songs, illustrating these linguistic phenomena. (SPAN 0220 or placement) 3 hrs. lect./disc. CMP LNG SOC
SPAN 0323 - Creative Reading & Writing ▹
Creative Reading & Writing
In this course we will read and write short stories in Spanish. After Borges, Latin American writers understand their task as the creative reading and rewriting of literary tradition. The first module of the course is devoted to developing students’ awareness of how reading and writing are intertwined through intertextuality. The second module offers a workshop in which students will produce their own fiction and comment on their classmates’ work. Through creative reading and writing, students will hone their skills in Spanish. (SPAN 0220 or placement) 3 hrs. lect./disc. AAL AMR LIT LNG
SPAN 0324 - Images of America
In this course we will explore how America has been imagined by travelers, writers, photographers, and filmmakers from the 15th to the 21st century. We will study how Latin America was envisioned as a continent; how its internal regional differences have been depicted; and how it was pictured in comparison with its neighbor, North America. We will read Guamán Poma, Bolivar, Martí, Mario de Andrade, and Neruda and will consider the artistic production of Martin Chambi and Nelson Pereira Dos Santos, among others. Edmundo O'Gorman's conceptualization of the "invention of America" will inform our theoretical approach to the topic. lect./disc. (SPAN 0220 or equivalent) AAL AMR LIT LNG
SPAN 0328 - Spain in the Globalized World
Spain in the Globalized World
In this course we will look at the historical, cultural, and social development of 21st century Spain and its full integration into the Globalized World. One of the main goals of the course will be to provide an array of opportunities to practice oral expression, reading, and writing in the Spanish language. Topics will include Europeanization, the challenge of regional/national identities, and contemporary social issues such as the changing roles of: the family, women, religion, sexual attitudes, and immigration. We will engage these themes through the analysis and discussion of a wide variety of materials such as literary texts, essays, and films. Readings and films will include: Crematorio by Rafael Chirbes, La ciudadanía se moviliza: Los movientos sociales y la globalización en España by Joseph Pont Vidal, and También la lluvia by Icíar Bollaín. (SPAN 0220 or placement) EUR LNG
SPAN 0329 - Superhero Parodies
Superhero Parodies
In this class we will discuss how the superhero/adventure genre in comic books was initially constructed as a mouthpiece of traditionalist nationalist values in the United States and Spain. Through the study of theories of intertextuality and postcolonial theory, students will analyze how Hispanic/Latin comic book creators from Europe and the Americas have parodied the hegemonic values that have influenced our views of economics, gender, and race with the goals of bringing diversity and inclusion in this particular graphic narrative genre. (SPAN 0220 or placement) 3 hrs. lect./disc. AAL AMR ART CMP LIT LNG
SPAN 0331 - Youth Cultures Spain ▹
Youth Cultures in Contemporary Spain
In this course we will explore youth cultures in contemporary Spain (1980-2016). In 1985 the Spanish punk rock band Siniestro Total wrote the song “I Will Dance On Your Grave”, a metaphor for the end of the dictatorship and the beginning of “freedom”. We will explore the colorful Movida (80s), the grunge movement (90s), queer cultures (2000s), and the disenchantment (2010s). All these events will be framed in a global context and accompanied by critical theory. Through literature, comics, film, arts, and music, we will discuss issues of sexuality, drugs, family, gender, and politics. (SPAN 0220 or equivalent). 3 hrs. lect./disc. EUR LNG SOC
Spring 2017, Fall 2018, Fall 2019, Fall 2020
SPAN 0332 - Spanish Culture Through Art
A Spanish Culture Through Art: Velázquez, Goya, Picasso, and Dali
In this course we will study the rich artistic heritage of Spain by examining in depth the life and works of the four most internationally renowned Spanish Artists of all times: Velázquez, Goya, Picasso, and Dalí. Our objective will be to go beyond knowledge of the peculiarities or style of each artist. We will seek to relate the images represented in the paintings to Spanish culture of the various periods, identify their prevailing values and ideas, and discover what the artists teach us about Spain and its contributions to Western civilization. In addition, we will explore the legacy they have left behind, a fact that makes possible a continuous artistic resurgence generation after generation. We will visit virtually El Prado Museum, Thyssen Bornemisza Museum, Reina Sofía Museum, and Salvador Dalí Museum. (SPAN 0220 or placement) 3 hrs. lect./disc. ART EUR LNG
SPAN 0333 - Almodóvar and Modern Spain
Almodóvar’s Films and Modern Spain
In this course we will analyze selected films by internationally acclaimed Spanish director Pedro Almodóvar (e.g., Entre tinieblas, La ley del deseo, Todo sobre mi madre, Volver). Through film analysis and allegorical interpretation, we will explore contemporary cultural issues in Spain between Francoism’s end (1975) and the present. Topics include filmic constructions of popular culture (music, melodrama, ethnicities), authorship (directors, writers, the creative process, the film industry), gender performativity (women, queer identities), traditions (religion, bullfighting), and (post)national/global identities (autonomías, European Union, transatlantic links). Readings include history and film criticism. Not open to students who have taken SPAN 1300. (SPAN 0220 or placement) 3 hrs. lect/disc. ART CW EUR
SPAN 0334 - Hispanic Philippines 1870-1950
The Hispanic Philippines, 1870-1950: Racial Nationalism, Colonial Impairment, and Cultures of Postcolonial Disability
In this course we will study the Hispanic cultures and literatures of the Philippines in relation to US, Spanish, and Japanese colonialism. The “Ilustración Filipina” or Philippine Enlightenment was a mestizo nationalist movement through which the Filipino nation is normatively said to have been consolidated. Drawing from postcolonial theory and disability studies, this course will ask students to analyze the formation of national identities through representations of disability, impairment, and deficiency. CMP LIT LNG
SPAN 0336 - Hispanic Performance Studies
Hispanic Performance Studies
Performance studies is an interdisciplinary field that borrows from theatre studies, anthropology, sociology, and cultural studies. This course offers an introduction to performance studies through a focus on Hispanic culture. We will ask the question “What is performance?” and develop the tools to describe, analyze, and interpret a broad range of performances such as plays, political speeches, bullfights, protests, recordings, celebrations, and everyday encounters. We will focus on performance as a process–oriented, participatory, and experiential way of engaging the world. We will concentrate on the overlapping aspects of performance as/of literature (poetry and drama), as/of everyday life (ritual, identity, and culture), and as/of politics (power, activism, and social change). We will pay particular attention to the relationship of performance to social culture, investigating the link between performance and race, gender, and sexuality. Because the goal of the course is to produce critical thinkers who are capable of using performance as an analytical tool and as part of a creative process, students will be required to perform. (SPAN 0220 or placement) 3 hrs. lect./disc AMR ART LNG NOR
SPAN 0338 - Advanced Conversation ▹
Advanced Conversation
In this course we will focus on the development of oral skills in Spanish at the advanced level. Students will also be exposed to cultural context in Spanish, through which they will be introduced to social and political trends in the Spanish-speaking world. Through oral exams, presentations, debates, and other forms of oral assessment, students will deepen their oral skills, as well as their understanding and production of oral expression in the target language. The course will give special attention to communicative skills in Spanish, particularly speaking (including pronunciation) and listening. The instructor may choose specific grammar points for review when necessary. 3 hrs. lect. LNG
SPAN 0339 - Peru:History Culture Ethnicity ▹
Peru: Identity, Ethnicity, History
In this course we will study Peru’s diverse cultures, races, and ethnicities. Our discussion of Peruvian identity(-ies) will be connected to an exploration of selected topics of history and politics, with an emphasis on contemporary Peru: the Internal Conflict, Fujimori's dictatorship, and the return to democracy (1980-the present). We will read literary works and historical accounts, watch films and documentaries, and look at art and photography in order to extract their key themes and better understand the construction of Peru as a complex, multilingual nation, considering its past, present, and future. Relations with the United States and Latin America will be addressed. (SPAN 0220 or placement) 3 hrs. lect/disc. AAL AMR HIS SOC
SPAN 0340 - Spanish Identities
Representations of Social, Cultural, and Political Identities in Spain
In this course we will study the different representations of Spanish culture and politics. We will emphasize specific aspects that make Spain richly varied: Spain´s breathtaking reinvention and reaffirmation of its own identity after the Disaster of 1898, religious customs and conflicts, gender relations, political values of Spaniards. At the same time, the cultural impact of Don Quixote, Goya, Lorca, republicanism and dictatorship, civil war, flamenco, bullfighting, and soccer. Works to be discussed include a short selection of literary pieces, cultural, visual, musical, and film representations. This course is recommended for students planning to study in Spain. (SPAN 0220 or placement) 3 hrs. lect. disc. EUR LNG
SPAN 0343 - Comparative Borderlands
Comparative Borderlands: Feminist Cultural Politics of Latin@ and Filipin@ Diasporas
Is it productive to think of Filipinos as the lost “Latinos of Asia”? In this course we will think through borders formed through the political convulsions of U.S. and Spanish imperialisms. Conventionally understood as discrete formations, this course will bring the American Borderlands and the Hispanic Philippines into a transpacific and transnational feminist conversation. Centering the radical heterogeneity of Filipin@ and Latin@ diasporas, we will examine culture as sites of struggle offering ways of thinking comparatively across time, space, language and colonialism as well as through dimensions of difference like class, race, gender, sexuality, and ability. 3 hrs. sem. AAL CMP LIT LNG SOA
SPAN 0345 - Hispanic Painting ▹
Hispanic Painting from the Medieval, Renaissance, and Baroque Eras
The main goal of this course is to analyze art. Focusing on aesthetics, we will learn to appreciate the differences between Medieval, Renaissance, and Baroque painting. Regarding formal elements we will work on the use of lines, colors, proportions, and perspective. Artistic appreciation will be complemented with readings on historical and theoretical issues with respect to the intersection among imperial power and religion, race, and ethnicity (Casta painting), mythology, the use of the body as a metaphor, and still-lifes, and Vanitas painting. Students will compare artistic manifestations from Spain and the New World, and will be able to trace connections with contemporary art. Students will engage in at least one creative project using Photoshop. Among the artists we will study are: El Greco, Velázquez, Josefa de Óbidos, Goya (Spain), Illescas and The Quito School of Art, Villalpando, Correa, and Cabrera (México), Zapata, Master of Calamarca and many anonymous painters from the Cusco School (Peru, Ecuador and Bolivia). ART CMP LNG
Fall 2016, Spring 2017, Fall 2019, Fall 2020
SPAN 0348 - Afro-Caribbean Music Genres ▹
SPAN 0349 - Hispanic Athletes
Hispanic Athletes: Sports, Nationalist Culture, and the Global Media
In this course, we will study sports as an essential part in the construction of nationalist pride and perceptions of race, class, and gender in several Hispanic nation-states and subcultures in Europe and the Americas. We will analyze fictional narrative content such as literature and films (Pepe el Toro, Sugar, Black Diamonds, and many others). In addition, we will also explore how media outlets such as newspapers, magazines, videogames, documentaries, and the internet affect our perceptions of sporting events and their superstars to create controversies, support hegemonic nationalist ideas, and further the commercial ambitions of corporations. (SPAN 0220 or placement) 3 hrs. lect./disc. AAL AMR CMP LNG
SPAN 0350 - Los raros: Alternative Fiction
Los raros: Alternative Hispanic Fiction
In this course we will analyze fiction by authors often described as “raros” (“strange”). “Los raros” is a category coined by poet Rubén Darío and later adopted by critic Angel Rama and others to designate a “secret society” of peripheral and imaginative writers who have spawned unclassifiable, experimental, sometimes dreamlike, always revolutionary texts. We will delve into the narrative worlds of “raros” (Bellatin, Hernández, Levrero, Somers, Vila-Matas, etc.) and articulate the threat that “rareza” poses to dominant notions of identity, normality, sanity, and coherence. (Two Spanish courses at the 0300-level or above, or waiver) 3 hrs. lect./disc. AAL AMR LIT LNG
SPAN 0353 - Socio-Culture of Salsa Music ▹
Salsa Music and the Assembly of a Collective Self
In this course we will experience Salsa music as a socio-cultural phenomenon as well as an instrument for storytelling. We will discuss topics such as migration, race, gender and mourning as leitmotifs for a collective self that sought a space to narrate its shared experiences in Salsa. Likewise, the relationship between the diaspora in New York and Puerto Rico will be examined. Some of the most well known Salsa hits, along with films and documentaries, literary texts, and cultural theories will be read and examined to strengthen the discussion. By understanding Salsa as a melting pot and/or as a guiso, one of the goals of the course is for students to be able to use musical experiences as a social and cultural manifestation that allows us to understand historical and social events. (Two Spanish courses at the 0300 level or above or by permission) (not open to students who have taken SPAN 1352) 3 hrs. lect. AMR CMP LIT LNG NOR
SPAN 0357 - The Luso-Hispanic Writer ▹
SPAN 0359 - Luso-Hispanic Short Stories
This course will be taught in Spanish and Portuguese for students proficient in or who have previously studied both languages. The main goal of the course is to examine and compare key historical issues of the Hispanic and Lusophone Americas through the reading of short stories. By scrutinizing these issues in both contexts, and contrasting them, students will explore their commonalities and specificities. Critical essays will accompany the fictional texts. Authors to be read include Borges, Rulfo, and García Márquez, from the Spanish side; Rosa, Lispector, and Machado de Assis, from the Portuguese side. Topics to be analyzed are violence, love and sexuality, madness and sickness, power dynamics, otherness, and the feminine condition. (PGSE 0215 and SPAN 0350 or above, or by approval) 3hrs. lect. AAL AMR CMP LIT LNG
SPAN 0360 - Latin American Journalism
Latin American Journalism
In this course we will study the tradition of Latin American journalism from the end of the 19th century to the present. We will engage the classics such as Mariategui, Gutierrez Najera, and Arlt, as well as more contemporary journalistic production in print, radio broadcasting, on television, (Canal Encuentro; TV Globo) and the internet (blogs). The Cultural Studies approach (Sarlo, Adorno) will inform our reading. Students will produce their own journalistic pieces—both written and audio-visual—in the genres including chronicles, reports, interviews, investigative journalistic pieces, and opinion pieces. 3 hrs. lect/dsc AAL AMR CMP LIT
SPAN 0361 - Hispanic Musical Films
Hispanic Musical Films
In this course we will study Hispanic musical films (including fiction and documentaries) from Spain, Latin America, and the United States. Our main goal will be to understand how Hispanic countries use this cinematic genre to establish nationalist constructions and ideologies, and how this has consequently affected the development of Hispanic musical narratives in the United States. Analyses will focus on how different ethnic aspects are defined as 'Other' in musical genres such as Flamenco, Tango, Rancheras, Tex-Mex, Salsa, Reggaeton, Merengue, and Spanish Rock. We will explore why Hispanic musicals are perceived as exotic in relation to their Anglophone counterparts while studying films such as Buena Vista Social Club, Allá en el rancho grande, Selena, and El día que me quieras. (At least two Spanish courses at the 0300 level or above, or by waiver) 3 hrs. lect./screening AAL AMR CMP LIT
SPAN 0363 - Advanced Creative Writing
Advanced Creative Writing
In this course we will use creative writing to develop a deeper understanding of the Spanish language. The objective is to use the Spanish language and Spanish literature as vehicles of artistic expression. Students will turn their writing into art, giving meaning to what might otherwise appear incomprehensible. They will base their writing practice on beauty, truth, and universality, the three wishes of creative work. In this writing lab, we will read theory about the creative writing process and literary works of Hispanic authors, but the main focus will be on the production of an intense body of creative writing. (Two Spanish courses at the 300-level or above, or waiver) 3 hrs. lect./disc.ART LNG ART LNG
SPAN 0368 - Melodrama Affect/Lat Am Media
Melodrama and Affect in Latin American Media
In this course we will trace the development of melodrama in Latin American media from the 19th century to today and explore how the feelings elicited by distinct melodramas engage ideological, social, and racial understandings inextricably tied to commercial, industrial, and technological innovations. As well as drawing on thinkers working in/on Latin America (and beyond), we will examine primary works produced throughout the region like serialized novels in the press (i.e., el folletín), films, radio dramas, comics, television (especially telenovelas), video games, and new media. (At least two Spanish courses at the 0300-level or above, or by waiver) AAL AMR ART LNG
SPAN 0370 - Stars/Stardom in Latin America ▹
Stars and Stardom in Latin America
Manila, 2013: Lionel Messi features in a WeChat ad. São Paulo, 1995: Ninón Sevilla walks into frame on an imported telenovela. Middlebury, 1938: Lupe Vélez appears in Life Magazine. Impinging upon even our most mundane moments, stars and stardom have become integral to our modern experience. Through the study of theories on stardom, as well as an array of works of cultural production (films, music, images, performances, etc.), in this course we will examine cultural, economic, political, racial, and social factors that influence the creation, development, and perpetuation of understandings of individual stars and, more generally, stardom in Latin America. (At least two Spanish courses at the 0300-level or above, or by waiver) 3 hrs. lect. AAL AMR ART LNG
SPAN 0375 - Geometrizing Power
Geometrizing Power: The Use of Spheres in Hispanic Visual Culture
Spheres have been used throughout history to visually represent power. The Habsburg dynasty imitated the Roman emperors by utilizing spheres to visually represent the expansion of their power over the New World. Emblems, Spanish and colonial art, mathematical and scientific treatises, as well as literature from the 16th - to the 18th- century from Spain, the Americas, and the Philippines, utilized spheres to represent not only political, religious, and epistemological power, but also to express resistance to power. Taking into consideration that spheres represented globalization, especially beginning with the discovery of the Americas, we will explore intersections of globalization and colonialism, placing emphasis on issues of race, gender/sexuality, and biopolitics. We will also look at globalized flows and disjunctures represented in contemporary spheres. (At least two Spanish courses at the 0300 level or above, or by waiver) 3 hrs. lect./disc. AAL AMR ART CMP LIT
SPAN 0376 - US Latino Narrative
Reading and Writing the New U.S. Latino Narrative
This course focuses on a new generation of U.S.-Latino authors writing about migration, identity, and otherness. They distinguish themselves from prior generations by publishing primarily in Spanish and by a new sense of ownership of their U.S. environment, which allows them to play with and undermine assumptions commonly associated with their "Latino" identity. In addition to studying these authors, students will produce at least two fiction pieces of their own. Satisfies the IS advanced language requirement in Spanish. (At least two Spanish courses at the 0300 level or above, or by waiver) 3 hrs. lect./disc. AAL AMR LIT LNG NOR
SPAN 0377 - Bilingual Spanish World ▹
Bilingualism in the Spanish-Speaking World
What does it mean to be bilingual? In this course we will study bilingualism with a special emphasis on Spanish-speaking bilinguals in Europe, Latin America, and the United States. Course topics will include social, political, linguistic, and psychological aspects of bilingualism. Special attention will be paid to societal bilingualism, language use among a group or community, individual bilingualism, how an individual’s language use changes in different contexts and throughout an individual’s lifespan, and government and educational policies throughout the Spanish-speaking world. We will study texts, speech samples, and media that highlight different aspects of bilingualism. (At least two Spanish courses at the 0300 level or above, or by waiver) 3 hrs. lect./disc. CMP LNG SOC
Spring 2016, Spring 2018, Spring 2020, Spring 2021
SPAN 0380 - Myth of Don Juan
Understanding the Myth of Don Juan in the Western Tradition
The myth of Don Juan has embodied the thoughts, desires, and aspirations of multiple authors from different times and countries. In this course we will gain insights into core characteristics that define the Don Juan persona. We will analyze the original components of the character of Don Juan, situate the myth in its social and historical contexts, and study the different dramatic and literary strategies used by authors, artists, and filmmakers in their construction of Don Juan. Resources to be analyzed will include: fiction, poetry, film (fiction and documentary), philosophical essays, painting, music, and performance. 3 hrs lect./disc. EUR LIT LNG
SPAN 0381 - Decolonizing Zombies ▹
Decolonizing Zombies!
Zombies are generally depicted as metaphors that represent contemporary affects. In this course we will study a number of zombie movies with a focus on theories of race, gender, coloniality, iconoclasm, and queer temporality. With a strong emphasis on the American continent, the course will have a global approach, which will allow us to delve into issues of neoliberalism, cannibalism, genocide, diaspora, virus spread, and political criticism. The main goal is to expose colonial structures embedded in the representation of zombies, as well as in the making of the genre. Among films included are: White Zombie, The Night of the Living Dead, Savageland, World War Z (United States); Mangue negro (Brazil), Juan de los muertos (Cuba), El desierto (Argentina), El año del apocalipsis (Peru); Ladronas de almas, Halley (Mexico); Descendents (Chile), Rec (Spain), I’ll see You in my Dreams (Portugal), The Girl with All the Gifts (United Kingdom); Train to Busan (Korea); The Empire of Corpses, and Versus (Japan). (Two 3XX courses or by waiver) 3 hrs. lect. AAL AMR ART CMP LNG
SPAN 0382 - Two Female Mexican Icons
Two Female Mexican Icons: The Virgin of Guadalupe and Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz
If one wanted to choose the most representative female figures from all of Mexican history, there is no doubt that Sor Juana and the Virgin of Guadalupe would be the two who have most impacted Mexican society. In this course we will first concentrate on the Guadalupe and will trace her transformation from the 16th- through the 21st century. In spite of a number of polemics around the veracity of her apparitions, she has consolidated herself as the symbol of the Mexican nation. Even in the 21st century, the Virgin of Guadalupe continues to be the most important religious icon in Mexican society. We will read historical documents and poetry, and will give attention to the colonial and contemporary art on the topic. Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz is considered the first feminist of the New World. We will study some of her most representative pieces, and also her response to the ‘creation’ of the Guadalupe myth. Not open to students who have taken SPAN/WAGS 1015. (Any two 0300-level Spanish course) AAL AMR ART CMP LIT
SPAN 0385 - Luso-Hispanic Whiteness ▹
SPAN 0388 - Gender/Violence-Hispanic World
Gender and Violence in the Hispanic World
Differences in the way men and women display violent behavior need to be better understood to prevent acts of murder and massive, often irreversible, harm. In this course we will try to find answers to: What are the origins and explanations of violence in all its forms? How are gendered identities produced and reproduced in society? How is gender implicated in violence? How can the new politics of masculinity inform our discussion of the connection between gender and violence? Discussion and analysis of a variety of materials from different disciplines will form the basis of our exploration, which will focus mainly on the representation of violence in Hispanic culture. Readings will include literary texts by Dolores Redondo, Sergio Álvarez, Élmer Mendoza, and theoretical texts by Suzanne E. Hatt and Elizabeth Wood. (At least two courses at the 0300-level or above or by waiver) 3 hrs. lect./disc. AAL LIT LNG
SPAN 0390 - Linguistic Variation ▹
Linguistic Variation
In this course we will study linguistic variation in the Spanish-speaking world. The focus will be on the linguistic aspects of the varieties of Spanish spoken in Spain, Latin America, Asia, and the United States. Topics will include lexical variation, phonological variation, morphosyntactic variation, and geographic and social factors in linguistic variation. Special attention will be paid to Spanish in contact with other languages, e.g. with indigenous languages in Latin America, and with Basque and Catalan in Spain. The discussion will also include creole languages (e.g. Papiamentu). We will study texts, speech samples, and songs that illustrate specific cases of variation. (At least two Spanish courses at the 0300 level or above, or by waiver) 3 hrs. lect./disc. CMP
SPAN 0391 - Lat Am Cultural Studies
Latin American Cultural Studies: Texts and Concepts
In this course we will apply Cultural Studies methodology in various cultural contexts, focusing on Latin America. Among the concepts studied will be those of nation, hegemony, postcolonialism, subalternism, performance, heterogeneity, hybridity, aesthetics, race/ethnicity, and gender. Each concept will be used in an analysis of a literary, cinematic, performative, and other artistic work. We will be analyzing, among others, the literary works of Faustino Sarmiento, José Martí, Pedro Lemebel, Manuel Puig, and José María Arguedas; the cinema of Jorge Bodansky and Barbet Schroeder; as well as testimonial literature and various other forms of popular culture. (At least two courses at the 0300-level or above or by waiver) 3 hrs. lect./ disc. AAL AMR ART CMP
SPAN 0401 - Culture and Mental Illness
Culture and Mental Illness
How do cultural contexts shape the understanding of mental illness? How have different Hispanic cultures depicted various mental ailments? How do doctors, government, and the society respond to individuals who “lose their mind”? This seminar examines how ‘mental illness’ is understood in various Hispanic cultures and across time. By looking at mental illness, we will investigate the intellectual foundations of social norms and ways of reasoning in different historical and social circumstances. Readings will include works by Cervantes Rivera Garza, Loriga, Zunzunegui, Bellatin, Melanie Klein, Karen Horney, and Foucault. 3 hrs Sem. CMP EUR LIT LNG
SPAN 0421 - Latin American 'novela total' ▹
The Latin American ‘novela total’
In this seminar we will read Latin American ‘total novels’: long and complex fictional artifacts that purport to map the whole of reality in all its perspectives. We will analyze the structure of landmark ‘total novels,’ explore the intersection of modernist aesthetics and Cold War politics that made them possible, and probe their current relevance. Texts may include Cien años de soledad (1967) by García Márquez and Conversación en La Catedral (1969) by Vargas Llosa, as well as more recent novels that attempt to renew this tradition. (Two Spanish courses numbered 0350 or above, or by waiver.) 3 hrs. sem. AAL AMR LIT LNG
SPAN 0426 - Spanish in the US ▹
Spanish in the US
Aside from Mexico, there are more Spanish speakers in the US than in any other country. In this seminar we will explore various facets of Spanish-speaking populations in the US, including, but not limited to, linguistic aspects (e.g. Spanglish, Mock Spanish, Latinx English), and the use and reception of Spanish in public spaces (e.g. literature, television, music). Fundamentally, we will consider the diversity of Spanish speakers in the US and myths about them and the language(s) they speak. In addition to conducting original research, students will engage in community outreach in order to help dispel polemic stereotypes. (Two Spanish courses numbered 0350 or above, or by waiver.) 3 hrs. sem. AMR LNG NOR SOC
SPAN 0432 - National Cinema/Foreign Labor
National Cinemas and Foreign Labor in Latin America
From its arrival in metropolises from Mexico City to Santiago in 1896, cinema in Latin America has been marked by foreigners. In this course we will rethink traditional national film historiographies, which largely ignore the contributions of foreign film labor beyond their importation of technology and technical expertise. We will explore ways in which specific individuals practiced their jobs (actor, cinematographer, director, sound designer, among others) in significant moments in Latin American cinema, from the silent period to today, and engage key debates in film theory such as authorship, modes of production, national cinema, and transnationalism. 3 hrs. sem. AAL AMR ART
SPAN 0433 - Creative Writing: Long Form
Creative Writing: Long Form Narrative
This course offers students the opportunity to advance in creative writing in Spanish. Students will create a long-form work—a novella, a collection of interrelated short stories, or a collection of interrelated autobiographical narratives. Through workshops and analyses of literary models, students will develop narrative and stylistic techniques to produce at least twenty-five pages of polished creative work around a unified topic. Prior creative writing experience would be helpful. (Senior Majors or by approval) 3 hrs. sem. AAL AMR ART LNG
SPAN 0440 - Reggaeton: Lang, Gender, Ident
Reggaetón: Language, Gender, & Identity
In this seminar we will examine the origins, development, and dissemination of the popular music genre and cultural phenomenon of reggaetón. In conjunction with scholarly articles on the sociohistorical aspects of reggaetón, we will examine various artists’ lyrics, videos, performances, and interviews, spanning from the 1980s up to the present. Students will acquire the theoretical and technical skills to analyze speech, discourse, and performance across different media in order to explore how (trans)national, ethno-racial, and gender identities are constructed and used to perpetuate, stereotype, and sometimes to contest, ideas of marginal/mainstream masculinities and femininities. (Two Spanish courses numbered 0350 or above, or by waiver.) 3 hrs. sem. (National/Transnational Feminisms)/ AAL AMR LNG SOC
SPAN 0456 - Madness+Love/19-20 Cent Spain
Manifestations of Madness, Love and Tragedy in 19th and 20th Century Spain
How did Spanish writers of the 19th and 20th century define and represent madness, a basic and controversial aspect of world culture, and how did these different conceptions of madness intersect with love, religion, politics, and other literary themes in Spanish society? In this course we will explore the theme of madness in Spanish literature and other artistic representations of the 19th and 20th centuries. Our discussion will include formative masterpieces by Spanish writers (Zorrilla, Galdós, Unamuno, Lorca, Cela, Laforet, Matute, and Luca de Tena) and filmmakers (Buñuel, Saura, and Medem). We will study each work closely by employing critical and theoretical approaches (Senior majors with at least two Spanish courses numbered 0350 or above, or by waiver.) 3 hrs. sem. EUR LIT LNG
SPAN 0461 - Colonial Objects ▹
Colonial Objects: Materiality and the Invention of the New World
Beyond gold and silver, what objects served as the building blocks of Spanish colonialism in the New World? What is the relationship between material culture and mestizaje? How do indigenous and black bodies—the flesh of unsovereign otherness—materialize in the language of empire? In this seminar we will explore the role of objects and material culture in shaping colonial discourse during the long history of colonialism in Latin America and the Hispanic Caribbean. Our primary readings assemble an operational canon: from “discovery” and early-contact narratives by Cristóbal Colón and Fray Ramón Pané to the proliferation of ambivalent discourses about colonial subjects, objects, and others that pose a threat to colonial order, including works by Bernardo de Balbuena, Inca Garcilaso de la Vega, and Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz. Alongside these texts, we will consider as well examples of material culture (maps, visual art, artifacts, commodities, and archaeological remnants) from pre-Columbian and colonial times to the present (Two Spanish courses numbered 0350 or above, or by waiver.) 3 hrs. sem. AAL AMR ART LIT
SPAN 0499 - Open Topic Research Seminar
Open Topic Research Seminar
In this seminar students will develop a research project on a topic of their choice. At the beginning of the semester, the class will focus on research methodology, the discussion of different cultural theories, and their application. Students will be encouraged to focus on, or make comparisons with, contemporary cultural phenomena that they are passionate about so that they can explore how to discuss current issues from a theoretical perspective. The seminar will include a mixture of group and individual meetings; readings will be adjusted according to students’ interests. At the end of the semester, students will present their final paper in a departmental venue. (Two Spanish courses numbered 0350 or above or by waiver) 3hrs. sem/disc LNG
SPAN 0500 - Independent Study ▲ ▹
The department will consider requests by qualified juniors and senior majors to engage in independent work. (Approval only)
SPAN 0705 - Senior Honors Thesis ▲ ▹
Senior Honors Thesis
The department will award honors, high honors, or highest honors on the basis of a student's work in the department and performance in SPAN 0705. (Approval only)
SPAN 1301 - Hispanic Horror Cinema ▲
Hispanic Horror Cinema
In this course we will study horror films from Spain, Mexico, the United States, Argentina, and Cuba in order to understand how Hispanic filmmakers employ intertextual horror esthetics to create genre films. The films we will consider focus on zombies (Rec, Planet Terror, Juan of the Dead), vampires (Cronos, Vampires in Havana), ghosts (The Devil's Backbone, The Others), and misogynist stalkers (Thesis, Sleep Tight). We will discuss both the conservative and transgressive aspects of this emerging genre in transnational Hispanic cinema, focusing specifically on how these films reflect the evolving political and ideological dynamics of their respective national cultures. This course will be taught in Spanish. Not open to students who have taken SPAN 1111. ART LNG WTR
Winter 2016, Winter 2020
SPAN 1302 - Auto-Fiction Writing
Auto-fiction (Autobiographic) Writing
In this course we will focus on the development of personal writing. Our goal is to produce written material that stems from the realm of our own subjectivity. Confession, secret, memoire, autobiography, journal, letters, chronicle, and non-fiction writing will be central. We will achieve our objectives through theory and practice of intimate writing. We will also have the opportunity to read and discuss literary works of important Hispano-American authors (literature and theoretical works) including Cortázar, González-Valdés, Fernández, Giardinelli, Grijelmo, Larrosa, Latini, Mangel, Onetti, Piglia, Rodríguez, and Vargas Llosa. AAL AMR LNG WTR
Winter 2017, Winter 2018, Winter 2019
SPAN 1304 - Mayan Language Revitalization ▲
Mayan Language Revitalization
This course is specifically designed for students accompanying Professor Baird to Guatemala in January 2020. Students will spend the first week of the term on campus where they will learn about language revitalization strategies, the social and historic context of contact between Spanish and Mayan languages and cultures, and receive a brief introduction to the Mayan language K’ichee’. Afterwards, students will travel to Guatemala in order to collaborate with locals in a language revitalization campaign. This collaboration will include the planning and production of national radio programs, visits to local schools, and the creation and dissemination of materials. Only students that have met all of the requirements may enroll in this class. Requirements include at least 1 previous course in Spanish (300 and above), and participation in all required meetings during the Fall 2019 semester. Please note: This course had to be pre-enrolled because of the substantial planning and logistics involved. The course is therefore already full. However, students interested in this topic or in pursuing future research in this area should contact Prof. Baird to inquire about opportunities. (Approval only) AAL AMR LNG SOC WTR
SPAN 1352 - Socio-Culture of Salsa Music
/Salsa/ Music and the Assembly of a Collective Self
In this course we will experience Salsa music as a socio-cultural phenomenon as well as an instrument for storytelling. We will discuss topics such as migration, race, gender and mourning as leitmotifs for a collective self that sought a space to narrate its shared experiences in Salsa. Likewise, the relationship between the diaspora in New York and Puerto Rico will be examined. Some of the most well known Salsa hits, along with films and documentaries, literary texts, and cultural theories will be read and examined to strengthen the discussion. By understanding Salsa as a melting pot and/or as a guiso, one of the goals of the course is for students to be able to use musical experiences as a social and cultural manifestation that allows us to understand historical and social events. (Two Spanish courses at the 0300 level or above or by permission) AMR CMP LIT LNG NOR WTR
SPAN 1353 - Borges' Ficciones ▲
Borges' /Ficciones/
The Argentinian writer Jorge Luis Borges (1899-1986) is arguably one of the most influential artists of the 20th century. In this course we will take a deep look at one of his major works: the short story collection Ficciones (1941). By using the technique of close reading, we will define Borges’ main themes in this book and analyze their connections with history and philosophy. We will also examine Borges’ literary sources and cultural legacy. This course will be taught in Spanish. (At least two Spanish courses at the 0300 level, or by waiver). AAL AMR LIT LNG WTR
Department of Luso-Hispanic Studies
Prof. Fernando Rocha
Subaltern Writings: Readings on Graciliano Ramos's Novels
(New York: Peter Lang, 2013)
Prof. Juana Gamero de Coca
Sexualidad violencia y cultura
(Ediciones Desde Abajo, 2013)
Prof Ricardo Chávez Castañeda
La niña del Derosipam
(Editorial Ink - November 23, 2017)
http://editorial-ink.com/libros/la-nina-del-derosipam/
Prof. Irina Feldman
Rethinking Community From Peru
(U Pittsburgh P, 2014)
Mario Higa
O Hóspede
(Portuguese Brazilian 2018)
Prof. Enrique García
The Hernandez Brothers: Love, Rockets, and Alternative Comics
Prof. Luis Castañeda
Mi madre soñaba en francés
(Alfaguara 2018)
Latin American Marxisms in Context
(Cambridge Scholars Publishing, 2019)
RESISTIENDO AL IMPERIO
(Política internacional, 2019)
El imperio de las mareas
Prof. Daniel Silva
Subjectivity and the Reproduction of Imperial Power: Empire’s Individuals
(Routledge 2015)
Prof. Nicolas Poppe
Cosmopolitan Film Cultures in Latin America, 1896-1960
(Indiana University Press, 2016)
Prof. Mario Higa
Matéria Lítica: Drummond, Cabral, Neruda e Paz
(Ateliê Editorial, 2016)
Prof. Marta Manrique Gómez
Madness, Love and Tragedy in Nineteenth Century Spain
(Newcastle upon Tyne: Cambridge Scholars Publishing, 2013)
Who do I speak to about getting credit for studying abroad?
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NPS Passport
Top Heritage Attractions
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Historic Churches and Cemeteries
Directory of all Attractions
Yellow Fever Martyrs Church Museum
You are here: Home / Yellow Fever Martyrs Church Museum
305 E College Ave, Holly Springs, Mississippi 38635, United States
295-325 East College Avenue Holly Springs Mississippi 38635 US
tel: (662) 252-2515tel: (662) 252-2515
https://www.facebook.com/yellowfevermuseum/
Pre-Civil War church tells the story of the Yellow Fever epidemic of 1878.
39006t-holly-springs-yellow-fever-martyrs-museum2.jpg 5 years ago
101011-Holly-Springs-Mississippi-5.jpg 5 years ago
University of Mississippi Museum
Other Museums Museums
University Avenue and 5th St. Oxford, MS 38655
https://museum.olemiss.edu/
Dunn-Seiler Museum
108 Hilbun Hall, Mississippi State, Mississippi 39762, United States
http://geosciences.msstate.edu/museum.htm
The Dunn-Seiler Geology Museum houses mineral and rock collections, meteorites, and extensive fos...
Cobb Museum
Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, Mississippi 39762, United States
https://www.cobb.msstate.edu/Museum/index.html
The museum’s holdings include a number of important collections of Middle Eastern artifacts and a...
Columbus War Museum
1501 Main Street, Columbus, Mississippi 39703, United States
tel:1999.999.9999tel:1999.999.9999
http://www.visitcolumbusms.org/places-to-visit/...
A museum that honors and recognizes our nation’s military members who served during times of conf...
Corinth Coca-Cola Museum
221 North Fillmore Street, Corinth, Mississippi 38834, United States
http://www.corinthcoke.com/museum/
The museum features over 1,000 pieces of authentic Coca-Cola memorabilia, plus a large collection...
Roy Wilkins Collection
150 e Rust Ave, Holly Springs, Mississippi 38635, United States
https://rustcollegewilkinssmith.wordpress.com/2...
Papers, awards, memorabilia, civil rights material and other items belonging to the former execut...
Templeton Ragtime Music Museum
395 Hardy Rd, Mississippi State, Mississippi 39762, United States
http://library.msstate.edu/templetonmuseum/inde...
A collection of musical instruments, recordings, and sheet music amassed over four decades, donat...
The Apron Museum
110 West Eastport Street, Iuka, Mississippi 38852, United States
http://www.apronmuseum.com/
The one and only museum in the world dedicated to aprons, featuring a collection of aprons in the...
Tupelo Veterans Museum
689 Rutherford Road, Tupelo, Mississippi 38801, United States
http://veteransmuseumtupelo.com/
A local tribute to the brave men and women who defended our country in the Civil War, World War I...
Ulysses S. Grant Presidential Library
95 Hardy Road, Mississippi State, Mississippi 39762, United States
http://www.usgrantlibrary.org/
The Ulysses S. Grant Presidential Library is located in the Congressional and Political Research ...
William Faulkner’s “Rowan Oak Papers”
J D Williams Library, University, Mississippi 38677, United States
https://libraries.olemiss.edu/cedar-archives/fi...
Located in the heart of Ole Miss, the John Davis Williams Library is known for its literary colle...
Jamie L. Whitten Historical Center
100 Camp Ground Road, Fulton, Mississippi 38843, United States
http://fulton.itawambams.com/the-jamie-whitten-...
Operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the center is located in Itawamba County on the eas...
Grenada Lake Visitors Center Museum
2088 Scenic Loop 333, Grenada, Mississippi 38901, United States
https://www.mvk.usace.army.mil/Missions/Recreat...
Features animal displays, lake history, wildlife scenes, informational videos and a telescope ove...
Burns-Belfry Museum & Multicultural Center
710 Jackson Ave E, Oxford, Mississippi 38655, United States
http://www.burns-belfry.com/index.php
The legacy of recently emancipated African Americans stands proudly today in tribute to their det...
Water Valley Casey Jones Railroad Museum
105 Railroad Avenue, Water Valley, Mississippi 38965, United States
https://caseyjonesmuseum.weebly.com/
Dedicated to railroad engineer Casey Jones, this museum houses artifacts and memorabilia that tel...
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Marshall County Historical Museum
Local History and Heritage Museums
220 E College Ave, Holly Springs, Mississippi 38635, United States 0.11 mi
http://www.marshallcountymuseum.com/
Like many sites concerned with Southern history, the museum devotes the first few exhibitions of ...
Ida B. Wells-Barnett Museum
Historic House Museums
200 North Randolph Street, Holly Springs, Mississippi 38635, United States 0.27 mi
http://idabwellsmuseum.org/
Located in the Spires Bolling/Gatewood House and named for Civil Rights heroine Ida B. Wells-Barn...
Hill Crest Cemetery
East Elder Avenue, Holly Springs, Mississippi 38635, United States 0.36 mi
https://www.visithollysprings.com/things-to-do/...
This cemetery is the burial site of 11 Confederate Generals including Confederate Maj. Gen. Edwar...
150 e Rust Ave, Holly Springs, Mississippi 38635, United States 0.52 mi
150 Rust Avenue, Holly Springs, Mississippi 38635, United States 0.65 mi
http://www.rustcollege.edu/
Rust College is a historically-black, coeducational, senior liberal arts college founded in 1866 ...
Strawberry Plains Audubon Center
285 Plains Road, Holly Springs, Mississippi 38635, United States 4.79 mi
http://strawberryplains.audubon.org/
One of Mississippi’s finest natural/historic treasures, Strawberry Plains Audubon Center conserve...
College Hill Presbyterian Church
339 County Road 102, Oxford, Mississippi 38655, United States 25.07 mi
http://www.chpcoxford.org/
The sanctuary, built in 1844, is the oldest Presbyterian structure in North Mississippi and the o...
L.Q.C. Lamar House Museum
616 North 14th Street, Oxford, Mississippi 38655, United States 27.75 mi
http://www.lqclamarhouse.com
Learn the compelling story of one man’s surprising impact on a scarred country, the story of Luci...
St. Peter’s Cemetery
http://visitoxfordms.com/attractions/saint-pete...
A few blocks northeast of the Square, the old Oxford Cemetery is nestled in the rolling hills of ...
710 Jackson Ave E, Oxford, Mississippi 38655, United States 28.09 mi
Tippah County Historical Museum
106 North Siddall Street, Ripley, Mississippi 38663, United States 28.18 mi
http://www.tippahcounty.org/tourism/attractions...
The museum is full of historical data about the county, its past, and the many noted figures and ...
Historic Oxford Square and Lafayette County Courthouse
415 South Lamar Boulevard, Oxford, Mississippi 38655, United States 28.25 mi
http://visitoxfordms.com/about-oxford/the-square/
Established in 1836, Lafayette County was named in honor of the Marquis de Lafayette and was one ...
Barnard Observatory
University of Mississippi, Grove Loop, Oxford, Mississippi 38655, United States 28.26 mi
https://map.olemiss.edu/?id=562#!t/1041:1/lmsec...
Completed in 1859, the observatory is now home to the Center for the Study of Southern Culture. ...
University Avenue and 5th St. Oxford, MS 38655 28.3 mi
Bailey’s Woods/Rowan Oak Hiking Trail
412 University Ave, Oxford, Mississippi 38655, United States 28.32 mi
https://www.americantrails.org/resources/bailey...
Bailey’s Woods Trail connects the University Museum at the University of Mississippi to Rowan Oak...
J D Williams Library, University, Mississippi 38677, United States 28.37 mi
University of Mississippi Lyceum Building and Civil Rights Monument
University of Mississippi, 1806 University Circle, Oxford, Mississippi 38655, United States 28.38 mi
http://www.olemiss.edu/tours/lmsections-lyceum....
Completed in 1848, the Lyceum was the first building constructed on campus, and visitors can stil...
Rowan Oak, Home of William Faulkner
916 Old Taylor Road, Oxford, Mississippi 38655, United States 30.71 mi
http://www.rowanoak.com/
Home to William Faulkner and his family for over 40 years, Rowan Oak was originally built in 1844...
Ingomar Mounds
114 Cleveland Street, New Albany, Mississippi 38652, United States 31.16 mi
http://ucheritagemuseum.com/ingomar-mounds/
This Middle Woodland Mound Site has been dated to approximately 2,200 years ago and is the oldest...
Union County Heritage Museum
Local History and Heritage Museums More Sites and Attractions
http://ucheritagemuseum.com/
Exhibits in “Frenchman’s Bend”, an outdoor exhibit area, give the visitor interactive experiences...
DeSoto County Museum
111 East Commerce Street, Hernando, Mississippi 38632, United States 31.22 mi
http://www.desotomuseum.org/index.html
The DeSoto County Museum features the history and development of DeSoto County, Mississippi, from...
Historic DeSoto County Courthouse
2535 Highway 51 South, Hernando, Mississippi 38632, United States 31.62 mi
https://visitdesotocounty.com/locations/desoto-...
The courthouse, a Mississippi Landmark, features restored murals depicting the journeys of famed ...
Heflin House Museum
304 S Main St, Sardis, Mississippi 38666, United States 35.57 mi
http://sardisms.com/attractions/
Built in 1858 by Captain W.D. Heflin, this antebellum home is filled with furnishings and objects...
Pontotoc Cemetery
116 N Main St, Pontotoc, Mississippi 38863, United States 43.76 mi
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Pontotoc-City-Ce...
A burial site of Civil War soldiers, and Ruby Elzy, African-American opera singer who appeared on...
Town Square Post Office & Museum
59 South Main Street, Pontotoc, Mississippi 38863, United States 43.97 mi
http://www.townsquaremuseum.org/
Established in 1998 on Main Street, this is the only working historical post office in the nation...
105 Railroad Avenue, Water Valley, Mississippi 38965, United States 43.99 mi
Tanglefoot Trail
http://www.tanglefoottrail.com/
Mississippi’s longest rails-to-trails conversion meanders 44 miles through the foothills of the A...
Mississippi’s Final Stands Interpretive Center and Brice’s Crossroads National Battlefield
599 Grisham Street, Baldwyn, Mississippi 38824, United States 48.36 mi
http://www.finalstands.com/interperpretive-center/
The center interprets the Battle of Brice’s Crossroads, fought June 10, 1864, and the Battle of H...
689 Rutherford Road, Tupelo, Mississippi 38801, United States 52.74 mi
Oren Dunn City Museum
689 Rutherford Rd, Tupelo, Mississippi 38801, United States 52.74 mi
http://www.orendunnmuseum.org/
This museum boasts an eclectic representation of our region’s history. The main facility houses p...
Corinth Civil War Interpretive Center
1501 W. Linden Street, Corinth, Mississippi 38834, United States 53.12 mi
https://www.nps.gov/shil/learn/historyculture/c...
The Corinth Civil War Interpretive Center is operated by the National Park Service as part of Shi...
221 North Fillmore Street, Corinth, Mississippi 38834, United States 53.37 mi
Historic Railroad Crossing and Crossroads Museum
http://www.crossroadsmuseum.com/
Located in the historic train depot in Corinth, the museum is home to many artifacts detailing th...
705 Jackson Street, Corinth, MS 38834, United States 53.5 mi
http://corinthcivilwar.com/Corinth_Driving_Tour...
Built in 1857 by one of Corinth’s founders, the home is a significant example of Greek Revival ar...
Corinth National Cemetery
1551 Horton Street, Corinth, Mississippi 38834, United States 54.02 mi
http://www.cem.va.gov/cems/nchp/corinth.asp
Corinth National Cemetery was established in 1866 for approximately 2,300 Union casualties of the...
Corinth Contraband Camp
902 North Parkway, Corinth, Mississippi 38834, United States 54.48 mi
http://www.nps.gov/shil/planyourvisit/contraban...
Established by Union General Grenville M. Dodge to accommodate African-American refugees, the cam...
Tupelo Hardware Company
114 West Main Street, Tupelo, MS 38802 TUPELO, MS 54.87 mi
https://www.tupelohardware.com/
This is one of 12 significant sites in Elvis’ formative years in Tupelo marked with bronze plaque...
Elvis Statue
Fairpark District, Tupelo, Mississippi 38801, United States 55.01 mi
https://www.tupelo.net/vendor/elvis-presley-hom...
This larger-than-life statue of Elvis’ 1956 Homecoming Concert at the Tupelo Fairgrounds was base...
Chief Piomingo Statue
71 East Troy Street, Tupelo, Mississippi 38804, United States 55.01 mi
http://www.chickasaw.tv/history/video/tupelo-di...
This six-foot-tall bronze sculpture of Chickasaw Chief Piomingo by William Beckwith sits in front...
Elvis Presley Birthplace and Museum
306 Elvis Presley Drive, Tupelo, Mississippi 38804, United States 55.81 mi
http://www.elvispresleybirthplace.com/
The Elvis Presley Birthplace Park features the Birthplace, Museum, Chapel, Gift Shop, “Elvis at 1...
2088 Scenic Loop 333, Grenada, Mississippi 38901, United States 65.45 mi
Okolona Confederate Soldier’s Cemetery
219 East Main Street, Okolona, Mississippi 38860, United States 66.18 mi
http://www.okolonams.org/visitors.html
Soldiers who died in Civil War Battles of Okolona, Baldwyn, Corinth and Shiloh were laid to rest ...
Mississippi Hills’ Great Lakes
Grenada Lake, MS, United States 66.9 mi
http://www.mvk.usace.army.mil/Missions/Recreati...
Arkabutla, Sardis, Enid and Grenada Lakes – managed by the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers
100 Camp Ground Road, Fulton, Mississippi 38843, United States 66.96 mi
Natchez Trace Parkway
2680 Natchez Trace Parkway, Tupelo, Mississippi 38804, United States 69.23 mi
http://www.nps.gov/natr/index.htm
The Natchez Trace Parkway is a 444-mile drive through exceptional scenery and 10,000 years of Nor...
Tishomingo State Park
105 County Road 90, Tishomingo, Mississippi 38873, United States 70.6 mi
https://www.mdwfp.com/parks-destinations/state-...
Located in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, Tishomingo State Park is steeped in histor...
Belle Flower Missionary Baptist Church
Water Street, Grenada, Mississippi 38901, United States 71.02 mi
https://www.facebook.com/pages/category/Religio...
c. 1868. The oldest African-American church in Grenada and site of Civil Rights meetings.
110 West Eastport Street, Iuka, Mississippi 38852, United States 71.04 mi
Tishomingo County Archives and Museum
203 E Quitman St, Iuka, Mississippi 38852, United States 71.1 mi
http://tishomingohistory.com/
The old Courthouse Museum offers a fascinating visit to the past and a resource for genealogical ...
Tweets by @ms_hills
Recent Attractions
Stephen D. Lee Home Museum
Waverly Mansion
© Copyright - Mississippi Hills National Heritage Area
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Press Center/2014 News Releases/New Social Compact for American Education Provides a New Framework for Strong Accountability Systems
Back to: Press Center / 2014 News Releases / New Social Compact for American Education Provides a New Framework for Strong Accountability Systems
New Social Compact for American Education Provides a New Framework for Strong Accountability Systems
A broad-based group of organizations today released “A New Social Compact for American Education”—a groundbreaking rethinking of accountability that replaces the current paradigm of “test and punish” with a focus on what is needed to support and improve teaching and learning.
Increasingly, communities across the country are developing the building blocks of a new approach to accountability. This new social compact, found at NewAccountability.org, is the most complete effort to date bringing together a diverse coalition in support of accountability systems that work to improve education.
“Real accountability in education is important. Parents and the American public are seeing what we have known for years—that standardized-test-obsessed accountability systems don’t work,” said AFT President Randi Weingarten. “Many education experts and advocates are devising new accountability systems that help support children’s acquisition of the skills and knowledge they need, rather than simply testing and sanctioning. In communities across the country, we’re seeing more and more examples of the building blocks of ‘new accountability’—where students demonstrate their learning, teachers have data to inform instruction, and parents and communities know how their schools are doing. This new social compact is the broadest effort to date, drawing partners including superintendents, principals, school boards, civil rights organizations, education policy groups and, of course, teachers. Together, we really can build accountability systems that kids, families and communities deserve.”
The new social compact grew out of discussions between a group of organizations committed to a paradigm shift in our education system that would promote better outcomes for all students. Today, 17 groups—representing school boards, school administrators, teachers, school support staff, and civil rights and community organizations—have signed on to the statement of support.
“The NEA wholeheartedly supports ‘A New Social Compact for American Education.’ We need to put the focus back on ensuring equity and supporting student learning and end the ‘test, blame and punish’ system that has dominated public education in the last decade. Our schools have been reduced to mere test-prep factories, and we are too-often ignoring student learning and opportunity in America,” said NEA President Lily Eskelsen Garcia. “Educators know that real accountability in public schools requires all stakeholders to place student needs at the center of all efforts. Real accountability in public schools requires that everyone—lawmakers, teachers, principals, parents and students—partner in accepting responsibility for improving student learning and opportunity in America.”
The principles of the new social compact focus on three crucial areas: meaningful student learning, adequate resources and educators’ professional capacity. These principles are the foundation of any strong accountability system, one that improves student outcomes and fulfills the public purpose of education.
“Our members have long recognized that there is a disconnect between the knowledge and skills needed by today’s students and those being valued by our accountability systems,” said Partnership for 21st Skills Executive Director Helen Soulé. “P21 is excited to be joining our colleagues in support of building new accountability models that support and enable every child to have access to high-quality 21st-century learning experiences.”
“For too long, our nation has employed a punitive approach to school reform, setting standards and punishing schools, teachers and students who struggle to reach them,” said John H. Jackson, president and CEO of the Schott Foundation for Public Education. “In recent years, education officials in cities like Chicago, New York and Philadelphia have used the guise of accountability to close or privatize dozens of schools, disproportionately harming students of color and students from low-income neighborhoods. It is time we acknowledge that this ‘test-and-punish’ system will not solve the rampant inequalities in our nation’s schools. Instead, we need a new accountability system that builds the capacity of schools and the passionate educators who staff them to meet the needs of each and every student.”
The NewAccountability.org website identifies places that are implementing key facets of this new accountability. It provides information about research and policy, a place for people to share stories of new accountability in action, and tools for individuals and groups to advocate for change, and it gives organizations an opportunity to sign on to the principles.
Alliance for Quality Education * American Federation of Teachers * American Youth Policy Forum * Center for Teaching Quality * Coalition for Community Schools * Committee for Economic Development * Education Law Center * League of United Latin American Citizens * National Association of Bilingual Educators * National Association of Secondary School Principals * National Education Association * National School Boards Association * Opportunity to Learn * Partnership for 21st Century Skills * Southeast Asia Resource Action Center * The Albert Shanker Institute * The School Superintendents Association
Follow us on twitter at twitter.com/NEAMedia
The National Education Association is the nation’s largest professional employee organization, representing 3 million elementary and secondary teachers, higher education faculty, education support professionals, school administrators, retired educators, and students preparing to become teachers.
CONTACT: Celeste Busser
202-262-0589, cfbusser@nea.org
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Home Games, News The Walking Dead: Starved…
The Walking Dead: Starved For Help is upon us
Games, News
Woah nelly, if you haven’t had a chance to check out Telltale Games latest episodic adventure series, you’re in for a treat. We previously reviewed Episode 1 of the The Walking Dead game and it was quite incredible.
The choices you make in the game have repercussions, and Telltale promises these choices will ripple throughout the entire episode series. The art and voice acting are spot on. Add a bit of puzzle solving and quick time zombie action to some TREMENDOUSLY difficult decisions throughout the game and we’ve got a big hit on our hands here.
Check out the trailer for Episode 2: Starved for Help
And a recap of stats from Episode 1 [Warning: Spoilerful!]
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oS8JeNDdWs0
The Walking Dead is on Xbox / PC / PS3. Episode 2 is available now on Xbox, with PC and PS3 availability Friday, June 29th. All for the low low price of 400MS, or $4.99 PS3 ($19.99 for season pass), or $24.99 season pass digitally on PC.
Get those Episode 1 save files ready.
[spoiler title=”from the press release”]
San Rafael, CA – June 27, 2012 – Leading publisher of digital entertainment Telltale Games and Robert Kirkman, the Eisner Award-winning creator and writer of The Walking Dead for Skybound Entertainment and Image Comics, announced today that ‘Starved for Help’, the second episode of the game series based on the critically acclaimed comic book series, The Walking Dead, is now available for download.
In this tailored game experience, players get the chance to see how their story continues based on the decisions that they made in episode one, ‘A New Day.’
Episode 2 – Starved for Help is now available to download on Xbox LIVE® Arcade for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, followed on Friday, June 29th on PlayStation®Network for the PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system (*North America. Other territories coming soon). The PC and Mac versions of the episode will also be available to download on June 29 from the in-game menu.
‘Starved for Help’, met with critical praise at the 2012 Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3), winning GameSpy’s Best Adventure Game award. IGN.com nominated ‘Starved for Help’ forBest Xbox 360 Game, Best PC Game, Best PS3 Game, Biggest Surprise, and Overall Best Game of Show, saying “…’gut-wrenching’ doesn’t even begin to describe Episode 2”. Official Xbox Magazine said that Episode Two is “…promising even more intensity than its nerve-jangling predecessor.”
The Walking Dead is set in the world of Robert Kirkman’s award-winning comic book series. Lee Everett, a man convicted of a crime of passion, has been given the chance for redemption in a world devastated by the undead. Players experience life changing events, meet new characters and familiar ones from the original comic, and also visit locations that foreshadow the story of Deputy Sherriff Rick Grimes. The Walking Dead offers a tailored game experience – player actions, choices, and decisions affect how the story plays out across the entire series.
The Walking Dead: Episode Two – Starved for Help is the second in a series of five episodes. Each episode is available for 400 Microsoft®Points on the Xbox LIVE Marketplace for Xbox 360® and for $4.99 per episode or as a $19.99 season pass on PlayStation®Network. The Walking Dead is also available as a $24.99 five-episode season pass on PC and Mac from the Telltale Online Store and other digital outlets.
The Walking Dead: Episode Two – Starved for Help is rated ‘M’ (Mature) for Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, and Strong Language by the ESRB.
adventurecomicnarrativepoint and clickTelltale GamesThe Walking DeadZombies
Hi, I’m one of the founders of Nerd Appropriate and the Rated NA podcast. I like good and bad sci-fi films/tv, synthesizers, and the retrofuture. I am primarily an Xbox gamer, but also do some PC and Switch gaming as well. By day, I am a research scientist, mostly in topics related to human-computer interaction and user experience. Before all of this, fellow NA co-founder Matt and I played music together in various bands. I also used to make "comedy" videos for my high school morning news program before there was a place to post them online. Favorite Star Wars character? Admiral Ackbar. Best Bond era? Timothy Dalton (Craig a close second). Top 3 games? Let's go with System Shock 2, A Link to the Past, and Super Castlevania IV. Thanks for being a part of this labor of nerdy love with us.
Rebel Galaxy at PAX South 2015
While there were many games in space-themed settings at PAX South 2015, Rebel Galaxy’s star shone a little brighter in my galaxy. Here’s why it a game worth keeping your lens focused on.
Steam-ing hot sales
Its on. Steam is having another weekend sale, similar to last holiday season. A few…
Would You Actually Watch this Mass Effect Cartoon Series? (video)
Like many of you I grew up watching Saturday morning cartoons. As a matter of fact, I called Saturday “cartoon day” until I was about seven years old. Back in the golden era of Saturday morning animated entertainment we had incredible (yet bizzaro) shows like Transformers, Thundercats, and the U.S.A. Cartoon Express. While programming like Star Wars: The Clone Wars still provides kids with a bit of “magic”, I fear that the days of utterly ridiculous 80s-style cartoons are long gone… Enjoy this April fools joke from the fine folks at IGN. For the record… I would watch the poop out of this show.
justin June 29, 2012 at 9:41 am
hope you aren’t waiting for the dinner bell
Hero Academy gets free update with single player challenges!
Delicious Jill Sandwhich! Resident Evil Restaurant Opens in Japan.
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Obituary Dr David Blair
Dave Blair was a valuable member of the National Environmental Science Program’s Threatened Species Recovery Hub who worked extensively in the wet ash forests of the Central Highlands of Victoria. He worked tirelessly in these forests for more than a decade. Thank you to Dave Blair for the truly colossal contribution he made to the world in so many ways!
Detection dogs rapidly filling the gaps for rare antechinus species
The silver-headed antechinus and black-tailed dusky antechinus are carnivorous marsupials found in high-elevation forests in parts of central-eastern and south-eastern Queensland. They were only described in the past six years, but they are already listed as Endangered. Knowing where they occur is essential for effective conservation, but current distribution knowledge is patchy. To address this, PhD candidate Stephane Batista in partnership with the Queensland Herbarium and Queensland Department of Environment and Science is modelling the habitat where these threatened species are likely to occur, and is using detection dogs to rapidly survey these sites.
Exploring a haven for Yawuru Country
Nyamba Buru Yawuru, whose traditional lands cover 5300sq km of subtropical coastal and inland savannah country around Broome in Western Australia, are exploring opportunities to develop a predator-free wildlife sanctuary on their country. If a fenced feral predator-free wildlife haven was established on Yawuru country it would be the first in northern Australia and the first to be led and managed by an Indigenous organisation.
Genetic rescue for threatened species: Bandicoot bounces back
Genetic rescue is a relatively new tool in the conservationists’ kit for recovering populations of imperilled species. Internationally, it has only been used a handful of times, but is gaining momentum as an important strategy for threatened species conservation in Australia. Conservation geneticist Andrew Weeks of The University of Melbourne believes it is going to be an increasingly important strategy for many species of flora and fauna with small and heavily fragmented populations.
A review of listed extinctions in Australia
100 Australian endemic species are listed as extinct (or extinct in the wild) since the nation’s colonisation by Europeans in 1788. The list includes 38 plants, 34 mammals, ten invertebrates, nine birds, four frogs, three reptiles, one fish, and a protist.
Banning savannah cats in Australia was good science
Wed, 23 Oct 2019
In 2008, the Australian Government banned the importation of savannah cats to Australia, and that was a very good thing, according to a new scientific study by the Threatened Species Recovery Hub.
Wineries for ringtails
Tue, 08 Oct 2019
Properties in the Margaret River region have the opportunity to make a significant contribution to conserving the Critically Endangered Western Ringtail Possum. People don’t often think of possums as needing our help, but there are actually less western ringtail possums in the world than Bengal tigers.
Indigenous action vital for Australia’s threatened species
It is Threatened Species Day on 7 September. If you are a threatened species in Australia, chances are you are on Indigenous-managed land, as it is the last stronghold for many species which have been lost from the wider landscape .
Native birds in South-eastern Australia worst affected by habitat loss
Tue, 03 Sep 2019
New research has found that habitat loss is a major concern for hundreds of Australian bird species, and south-eastern Australia has been the worst affected. The Threatened Species Recovery Hub study found that half of all native bird species have each lost almost two-thirds of their natural habitat across Victoria, parts of South Australia and New South Wales.
Reading the story written in Australia’s desert sands
Tue, 20 Aug 2019
For over 10 years groups covering almost two-thirds of Australia have been using traditional Indigenous tracking skills to survey wildlife and their threats, usually at a local scale. A Threatened Species Recovery Hub project is working with over 40 groups to collate and analyse this wealth of information and to answer questions that the groups on the ground want answered to help them manage Country. Professor Sarah Legge and Dr Anja Skroblin take up the plot.
A Martu method for monitoring mankarr (greater bilby)
Kanyirninpa Jukurrpa (KJ) Rangers in the Martu Determination have collaborated with Threatened Species Recovery Hub scientists to design a monitoring program for mankarr (the greater bilby). Martu people identified priorities for the bilby monitoring program, then worked with Dr Anja Skroblin from The University of Melbourne to co-develop a monitoring method which brings together Martu knowledge and practice with Western conservation science.
Taleah Watego - Drawn to work with nature and wildlife
Growing up, I spent a lot of time camping at Stradbroke Island, Byron Bay and many other coastal places. I am a Bundjalung woman, so naturally I am drawn to the water. Wategos beach at Byron Bay was named after our family, and some of my elders were actually born in the lighthouse! Spending so much time around the water as a child made me want to work with nature and wildlife. While being a marine biologist was my first dream, I have found myself on a path of wildlife biology and conservation.
Connecting Victorian kids with Indigenous culture and the environment
A new project is aiming to increase city kids’ connections with nature, threatened species conservation and Indigenous culture. Dr Georgia Garrard from RMIT University talks about this project, which will see Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Traditional Owners working with kids at Carlton North Primary School in Melbourne and Gunditjmara Traditional Owners working with kids at Heywood Consolidated School in western Victoria.
Looking after culturally significant and threatened species on the Tiwi Islands
Threatened species on Indigenous land may be of prime interest to scientists and ecologists, but they are often not the species of greatest importance to the Indigenous landowners. Understanding local priorities for biodiversity is an essential step in ensuring that conservation projects are locally beneficial and supported. Researcher Tom Duncan from Charles Darwin University has been collaborating with the Tiwi Land Council and Tiwi Land Rangers to explore this issue on the Tiwi Islands.
Working together to care for the Byron Bay orchid
The Arakwal People of Byron Bay have recently undertaken their first cultural burn in over 30 years on the clay heaths of Arakwal National Park. They are also now more actively guiding decisions about the care of the rare Byron Bay orchid and its clay heath habitat, both of which are listed as Endangered under New South Wales environmental law. Cathy Robinson and Josie Carwardine from CSIRO and Norman Graham, an Arakwal and New South Wales National Parks and Wildlife Service Ranger, talk about their research collaboration.
Larrakia action for the far eastern curlew on their saltwater country
For the Larrakia Land and Sea Rangers, the sight of a shell midden in coastal saltpans tells a long history of culture and how their ancestors are connected with the intertidal and mangrove environment. Through a different lens, the Larrakia Rangers also see these shell middens as areas where their culture overlaps with the habitat used by the Critically Endangered migratory shorebird the far eastern curlew.
Bradley J. Moggridge - TSR Hub Researcher Profile
I am a proud Murri from the Kamilaroi Nation in north-west New South Wales. I grew up in western Sydney on Darug land and now live in Canberra on Ngunnawal land.
Appeasing Bluetongue Managing fire in the Great Sandy Desert
Karajarri Rangers are leading a Threatened Species Recovery Hub research project to investigate how different fire management approaches affect biodiversity. The first field trip took place in April this year, when a team of 16 rangers, support staff and scientists journeyed to the Edgar Ranges for eight days of wildlife monitoring. Hub researcher Sarah Legge worked with the rangers to compile this report from the field.
Indigenous people critical for threatened species
Dr Sally Box, the Australian Government’s Threatened Species Commissioner, talks about the importance of working with Indigenous groups to conserve Australia’s threatened species.
Changing the way research is driven
Cissy Gore-Birch is a member of the Threatened Species Recovery Hub’s steering committee and the Chair of its Indigenous Reference Group. The Indigenous Reference Group was established to assist hub leaders and project teams to strengthen the engagement and participation of Indigenous people in the hub’s activities and research projects. Cissy recently attended the Species of the Desert Festival on the Paruku Indigenous Protected Area, where she spoke about both threatened and culturally important species, and increasing the voice of Indigenous people in environmental policies and research.
Got a possum in your backyard? We’d love to know
Wed, 17 Jul 2019
Researchers from the Threatened Species Recovery Hub are calling on citizen scientists to help them learn more about Australia’s possums and gliders by recording sightings in a new, free app. Dr Rochelle Steven from the University of Queensland is passionate about Australia’s possums and gliders and believes people in the community can do a lot to help support conservation, especially in urban areas.
Our cute killers: Cats kill more than 1.5 billion native animals per year in Australia
Pet and feral cats together are killing over two billion reptiles, birds and mammals per year in Australia, and most of these animals are natives, according to a new book written by three of Australia’s leading environmental scientists. The book, "Cats in Australia: Companion and killer", compiles key findings from hundreds of studies and management experience about cats across Australia.
Australia’s possums and gliders
There are 27 different types of possums and gliders in Australia. They have a huge variety of sizes, shapes and appearances. We’ve compiled a profile on every species here. One quarter of our possums and gliders are listed as threatened under Australian environmental law. Help their conservation, be a citizen scientist: you can record sightings of possums from your local areas in the free 'CAUL Urban Wildlife App'.
Restoring box gum grassy woodlands
It was once possible to walk from Melbourne to Sydney through almost continuous grassy woodland. Today most of these temperate woodlands have gone. A team at The Australian National University have have embarked on a series of new experiments to investigate bird breeding success, noisy miner control, hollow supplementation and wildflower translocation.
Tracking cats to help the night parrot
Wed, 05 Jun 2019
Know thy enemy is a famous quote from Sun Tzu’s The Art of War. It is also a brilliant strategy when trying to saving an endangered species from a relentless threat. We talked to Dr Steve Murphy from The University of Queensland about new research which will GPS-track feral cats at Pullen Pullen Reserve.
Rosemary Hohnen - TSR Hub Researcher Profile
As a kid I spent a lot of time after school down the river with my blue heeler Blossom. We’d roam river edges looking for bunny holes, duck nests and new swimming spots and come home muddy and happy. While my old friend and those days are long gone, sometimes I find myself checking a pitfall trap in the rain with my face in the dirt and feeling like not much has changed.
Norfolk Island’s threatened flora
The native forest on Norfolk Island provides vital habitat for the island’s threatened plant and bird species, many of which are found nowhere else on the planet (also called endemic). When the British colonised Norfolk Island in 1788, they cleared much of the original vegetation. Remaining forest is now protected in the national park and reserves, but plant recruitment is poor and invasive non-native plant species would likely overtake the forest without the on-going efforts of park managers. To preserve remaining forest, it is important to determine the main causes of declines and the most effective actions that managers can take to address these threats and restore native vegetation.
Kakadu collaboration for the yellow chat
The Alligator Rivers yellow chat is a small, bright yellow insectivorous bird of the Kakadu floodplains. This Endangered species is imperilled by habitat changes caused by altered fire regimes, buffalo and feral pigs, rising sea levels and the spread of weeds like prickly mimosa and introduced grasses. What has been happening to degrade these floodplains has been equally of concern to Traditional Owners as to yellow chat researchers.
Why do tiny frogs persist or perish on a tiny scale?
The white-bellied frog in south-western Western Australia is experiencing population extinctions throughout its small range. The driver of recent declines is a mystery, but Emily Hoffmann of the University of Western Australia is on the case. She presents some of the pieces of the puzzle here and asks some of the questions that may produce the clues we need to solve it.
Reasons to be cheerful - Conservation success stories from Booderee National Park
The Threatened Species Recovery Hub is celebrating great conservation outcomes from projects taking place in Booderee National Park for two Endangered species: the eastern bristlebird and the southern brown bandicoot (eastern subspecies). The Australian National University’s David Lindenmayer and Chris MacGregor give us the scoop on the bristlebird and Natasha Robinson shares the good news about the southern brown bandicoot.
The kowari: Saving a central Australian micro-predator
The roles that medium- and micro-predators play in ecosystems were first noted by Darwin. He observed that field mice prey upon “humble” bee nests, and that the abundance of cats in a district, through suppression of mice, may increase the flowering success of certain plants, such as clover. Aaron Greenville, Katherine Tuft, Rob Brandle and Chris Dickman discuss how the Australian
arid zone is an ideal place to examine Darwin’s observation and its implications as they undertake research to help secure the future of the kowari.
To cull or not to cull? Quieting the noisy miner
The noisy miner is possibly Australia’s most successful native bird species. It is also one of the most hated, as its success has been at the expense of many other species of woodland birds, including several threatened species. For these reasons many people call for the bird to be culled – but does it work?
A million species at risk of extinction
One million species threatened with extinction worldwide. That was the attention-grabbing headline that recently (and, sadly, briefly) captured the world’s attention, when the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystems Services (IPBES) released its first global assessment of how the planet’s biodiversity is faring – and what that means for people.
Making research partnerships work
The central purpose of the Threatened Species Recovery Hub is delivering research that is relevant for and useable by decision-makers, land managers and others responsible for recovering threatened species. Working with partners is vital if we’re to achieve this.
Eucalypt photo competition
The hub is undertaking a nation-wide assessment of the conservation status of every Australian eucalypt species. To commemorate this achievement we are holding a photo competition to celebrate the beauty and diversity of Australia's eucalypts. Entries close 22 July 2019.
Call for threatened species data
Do you have data on threatened or near-threatened Australian birds, plants or mammals? Please send it in by 15 June 2019 and it will be used to update Australia's first ever threatened birds index and to create indexes for plants and mammals by the end of the year.
Call for photos for new possum monitoring app
Many of Australia’s possums and gliders are under threat. Good information about where different species are greatly assists conservation programs. Members of the public can play a valuable role in helping to collect this information in their own backyards, and surrounding parks and natural areas.
New research a game changer for fox control
Red foxes are one of the greatest threats to Australia’s native mammals and pose a major risk to livestock. To combat this, Australia spends more than $16 million per year on red fox control, with much of that money directed to poison baiting.
An international study led by The Australian National University has found a fungal disease has caused dramatic population declines in more than 500 amphibian species, including 90 extinctions, over the past 50 years.
Video: The quenda in Craigie Bushland
In 2010 the City of Joondalup put up a predator proof fence around Craigie Bushland near Perth. In 2013 they introduced 43 quenda, a threatened native digging mammal. Dr Leonie Valentine has been monitoring the quenda at the reserve and talks about the project and how they have fared in a new video.
Trending now: The new Threatened Species Index for Australian birds
An exciting new tool called the Threatened Species Index offers a window into how threatened species are faring and if our collective conservation efforts are stacking up for imperilled wildlife. The index has been made possible through unprecedented collaboration and data-sharing by over 40 research partners led by The University of Queensland, working closely with BirdLife Australia.
Self-fumigating birds and manna from heaven: The remarkable forty-spotted pardalote
Endangered forty-spotted pardalote nestlings are falling prey to the larvae of a blood-feeding fly parasite. Researcher Fernanda Alves, reports on experiments that encourage forty-spotted pardalotes to ‘self-fumigate’ their nests by incorporating chicken feathers treated with a bird-safe insecticide.
How did the fish cross the road? A new innovation to get fish past culverts
Fish need to move to find food, escape predators and reach suitable habitat for reproduction. Dams, weirs and culverts can create barriers that fragment habitats, isolating fish populations. An Australian innovation, however, promises to help dwindling fish populations in Australia and worldwide.
Gimme shelter: Conserving hollow-nesting birds
What influences where birds choose to nest? About 15% of Australian birds, or 114 species, need tree hollows for breeding or shelter. The number of hollow-bearing trees is declining due to timber harvesting and development.
Talking night parrots on Paruku Country
Paruku Indigenous Rangers and elders recently hosted a workshop on night parrots for other rangers and conservation groups from the southern Kimberley and northern Western Deserts. The TSR Hub’s Nick Leseberg from The University of Queensland went along to learn from the rangers about the night parrot population in the Great Sandy Desert, the Paruku Rangers’ work with the bird, and to share findings from his research on the bird in western Queensland.
The ghosts of digging mammals past
Once upon a time, not that long ago, Australia hosted an abundance of digging mammals like boodies, bilbies and potoroos. With the loss of these species from many parts of the landscape comes the loss of the work they did as ecosystem engineers.
Droughts, heatwaves, floods and fires - Threatened species in a changing world
The world is changing. Some of this change is planned and desirable. But much else is an unwanted consequence of the expansion of the human species. Those unwanted impacts will affect our lives and those of our descendants.
Georgia Garrard - Connecting people with biodiversity
After undergraduate majors in Geography, Environmental Science and Botany, I did my PhD on native grasslands. I was struck by how these Critically Endangered ecosystems existing right on the edge of my city were being lost without most people even knowing about them – or understanding what amazing, super diverse ecosystems they are.
Culling noisy miners fails in NSW trial, study
The noisy miner is a threat to many other bird species, but culling them is no solution, according to new research by the Threatened Species Recovery Hub of the National Environmental Science Program.
Thirteen mammal extinctions prevented by havens, study
‘Havens’ free of feral cats and foxes have already prevented 13 mammal extinctions in Australia, and supported improved conservation for many other species. Havens are cat and fox free islands and fenced areas.
Australia’s 10 worst invasive species, study
New research by the Threatened Species Recovery Hub has shown that invasive or pest species are a problem for 1,257 threatened species in Australia, or about four out of five species.
New Research: The Aussie plants facing extinction
New research by the Threatened Species Recovery Hub has identified the top 100 Australian plant species at risk of extinction. Dr Jennifer Silcock from the University of Queensland said three quarters of Australia’s threatened species are plants.
Citizen scientists collaborate on mammal surveys in urban gardens
Citizen scientist residents are working with researchers to survey urban gardens in Albany and Bunbury for mammals in January and February. They hope to find critically endangered western ringtail possums.
Threatened Species Recovery Hub rejects false media claims
Reports by The Courier-Mail that the Threatened Species Recovery Hub is an anti-coal activist group involved in a review of Adani coal mine environmental plans are totally incorrect.
Scholarships available to attend biodiversity horizon summit
The Threatened Species Recovery Hub is hosting a biodiversity horizon summit on 1 March in Melbourne. The summit will bring individuals together from across sectors with a stake in biodiversity matters, to develop horizon thinking that transcends individual sectoral perspectives and positions.
Invasive species and habitat loss our biggest biodiversity threats
New research by the Threatened Species Recovery Hub has identified invasive species as the no. 1 threat to Australian biodiversity with habitat loss a close second.
Small and isolated habitat patches crucial to species survival
Your small local patch of bushland could be playing a much bigger role in conserving biodiversity than you think. A global study just published in PNAS looked at the conservation values of vegetation patches in 27 countries on four continents including Australia, and considered their size and distance to other habitat.
Curlew globe-trotting update
The exceptionally long-beaked far eastern curlew is the world’s largest migratory shorebird. It is also one of the most well-travelled. This globe-trotting bird was listed as Critically Endangered in Australia in 2016, with its numbers in rapid decline since it was first listed as Least Concern in 2004.
Life of quolls in the Pilbara
A new video summarises the findings of a University of Queensland PhD project on northern quolls in the Pilbara. Once found all the way from Brisbane to the Pilbara, quolls are now listed nationally and internationally as Endangered, and are restricted to just a few isolated populations, mostly on rocky habitats.
Australian threatened bird populations drop by half in 30 years on average
On average, populations of Australia’s threatened birds have decreased by half since 1985, according to Australia’s new Threatened Bird Index.
Crisis? What crisis? Our response to the Senate Inquiry into Australia's faunal extinction crisis
Many researchers in, and stakeholders of, our Hub have long expressed concern about the loss of biodiversity in Australia. Recently, this concern has been recognised by politicians as a national problem, with the Australian Senate currently holding an Inquiry into ‘Australia’s faunal extinction crisis’.
Our mammals at greatest risk from cats and foxes
New research led by the Threatened Species Recovery Hub has revealed which mammals are most vulnerable to cats and foxes, and many much-loved potoroos, bandicoots and bettongs, as well as native rodents, are at the top of the list.
PhD opportunities for Indigenous Students
The University of Melbourne and the Threatened Species Recovery Hub are offering opportunities for Indigenous students to do PhDs on research in conservation and management of biodiversity, and threatened species.
David Coates: A dedication to Australia's plantlife.
Mon, 12 Nov 2018
Since my early childhood I have had a keen interest in wildlife. A fascination from my school years with aquatic life and maintaining aquariums is a passion held to the current day. As a child, I read numerous books on nature and wildlife and was fascinated by wildlife biologists and their conservation work.
Red listing our national icon, the gum trees
People are often quite surprised to hear that relatively common plant species can be threatened and in trouble. But many species were once so widespread and abundant, that although they are still relatively easy to find, their numbers are only a tiny fraction of what they once were. So it is with many eucalypts. Although many of these icons of the bush have hugely declined, very few are listed as threatened and this prevents them getting the protection and conservation attention they need. Rod Fensham from the University of Queensland and the Queensland Herbarium is leading a new project to tackle this challenge.
Race against time for Endangered leek orchids
The Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria is a world leader in endangered native orchid conservation, growing and reintroductions, and is giving new hope to species that seemed doomed to extinction. However, the outlook for our many threatened leek orchids (Prasophyllum) has not improved in recent years. With dozens of leek orchid species dwindling rapidly toward extinction, time is running out for PhD candidate Marc Freestone from the Australian National University and Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria to work out how to grow them. He takes up the story.
Plant translocation: New guidelines a game changer
Translocation is a very important tool in the fight against plant extinctions. Knowing when to do translocations, how to do them and how to measure their success can be a complicated business, especially considering the huge range of threatened plants in Australia. So where do you find the answers? Luckily, they are now all in one place, in new guidelines that will be a game changer for plant translocation. Dr Lucy Commander lets us know what is on offer.
Getting strategic with havens
In Biblical times, Noah made a plan to secure the Earth’s creatures during the almighty flood. He loaded seven pairs of the most valued land animals and birds, and one pair of everything else, onto his Ark. In Australia today, mammal conservationists also need to plan for floods – but not of water, rather of introduced predators. With a bit of systematic planning, havens could serve as modern-day arks for threatened species. Sarah Legge has a story to tell.
Plants Red Hot List: No surprises, no regrets
Threatened plants tend to receive less attention than threatened animals, even though they make up 72% of all threatened species listed under national law. To draw attention to our species in trouble, a TSR Hub project has identified the top 100 Australian plant species at greatest risk of extinction. We’ve also identified the 21 types or groups of plants under greatest threat. Jen Silcock from The University of Queensland talks about the findings.
Honours project opportunity on feral cats at two QLD National Parks
Thu, 11 Oct 2018
We are offering an honours project looking at feral cats in two national parks. The student will analyse spatial data to quantify and compare home range, habitat use, and activity times of feral cats at both sites, and interpret these data in terms of risks to threatened species at the sites (bridled nailtail wallabies, bilbies, and others), and ecology and control of invasive predators.
No surprises, no regrets: Identifying Australia's most imperilled animal species
The gnawing question ‘what if we had known earlier...?’ is a recurring theme of frustration and failure in much conservation biology – as it is in human experience generally. When recognition of the imminence of a serious and irretrievable loss is belated, opportunities for better outcomes are fatally lost.
John Kanowski: A life in ecology
Dr John Kanowski manages the Australian Wildlife Conservancy's science program. We asked him about his life and he had a colourful tale to tell, which started in a big family in country Queensland, included jungle fever and deportation in Malaysian Borneo and a lot of hard work.
Bundles of quoll joy in Booderee
Fifteen tiny quoll pouch-young have been born to three female eastern quolls from a pioneer group of 20 animals released into Booderee National Park. In a big win for the reintroduction project, these are the first eastern quolls known to be born in the wild on the Australian mainland for more than 50 years.
Now hiring: The missing mammals of Booderee
Fifteen years of comprehensive biodiversity monitoring in Booderee National Park has revealed a major ecological surprise: localised collapses of populations of many of the park’s mammal species over the period. At many long-term sites across the park, the number of native mammals almost halved between 2003 and 2016.
Refuges offer hope for the spotted tree frog
The spotted tree frog is facing twin threats from chytridiomycosis and predation on tadpoles by non-native fish. While the research team is seeking sites that are refuges from these threats for translocations, they are also celebrating partnering with the recreational fishing community for the protection of the spotted tree frog. Matt West from the University of Melbourne describes some of the challenges and achievements in conserving this threatened frog.
Filling the breeding knowledge gap: Bioacoustic monitoring of Endangered black-cockatoos
Monitoring the nests of endangered species of cockatoos has not always been practical using traditional methods. However, new bioacoustic methods are now being applied to the monitoring of two endangered sub-species of cockatoo in southern Australia, the south-eastern red-tailed black-cockatoo and the Kangaroo Island glossy black-cockatoo. Daniella Teixeira, PhD candidate at The University of Queensland, takes up the story.
Detecting and protecting the Kangaroo Island dunnart
Mouse-sized carnivorous marsupial the Endangered Kangaroo Island dunnart has only rarely been seen in the past 20 years. TSR Hub researcher Rosemary Hohnen is on the job working with local partners to develop better monitoring methods for the elusive species, and to evaluate the impact of feral cats on its persistence. Here she gives us a taste of the action, and despite the tiny size of the mammal there is a lot of heavy lifting…
Tiwi Island mammals: Saving the brush-tailed rabbit-rat
The Tiwi Islands are one of the last regions in Australia with an intact mammal community, but they may be showing the first indications of decline. This is a major concern for Tiwi Islands Traditional Owners. Hub researcher Hugh Davies talks about the findings of recent surveys and new collaborative research.
Protected areas alone won’t save all threatened species
Protected areas alone are not enough to save Australia’s threatened species, according to research from the Threatened Species Recovery Hub. The research team, led by UQ PhD candidate Stephen Kearney, investigated major threats facing threatened species and considered how protected areas could alleviate such threats.
A breakthrough for Australia’s fish
A research team from the Threatened Species Recovery Hub has made a breakthrough that could help dwindling numbers of Australian freshwater fish species. Dr Jabin Watson from the University of Queensland says the innovation will allow small and young fish to get past barriers like culverts.
Video: Results of a national review of threatened species monitoring in Australia
Good monitoring helps us understand how threatened species are faring in Australia, where and when to act and if management investments are working. So how well are we monitoring threatened species? A short video looks at the results of a national review.
Race to unlock secret to save endangered orchids
Scientists from the Threatened Species Recovery Hub and Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria are in a race against time to save some of Australia’s most endangered native orchids.
Feral Cat Exclosures Boost Reptile Populations
A collaborative research project between the Northern Territory Government and Parks Australia has found that feral cat exclosures have a positive impact on local reptile populations.
The unnoticed toll of cats on reptiles
Mon, 25 Jun 2018
Most people know that cats kill many birds and mammals, but they also have impacts on less charismatic species. Australian cats are killing about 650 million reptiles per year, according to new research published in the journal Wildlife Research.
Protecting our mountain giants
Australia is losing large old hollow-bearing trees in our mountain ash forests due to logging, fires and climate change. A team at the Australian National University have been investigating the importance of these trees, the implications of their loss and things we can do to ensure we have enough mountain giants for the future.
Tracking the far eastern curlew - News from Darwin and beyond
The Hub’s far eastern curlew project team has tagged a bird travelling as far as North Korea this year. Along with other recent discoveries, the Darwin-based project is succeeding in its aim of closing significant knowledge gaps in the breeding habits and migratory movement of the bird. Amanda Lilleyman provides an update on their latest research findings and activities.
From genes to saving species
You have to be pretty lucky to make a living by combining your passion and interests, and that’s exactly how Dr Daniel White feels about his current state of affairs. Dan began his career studying genes, and has since applied his science to saving species. Here he describes how.
Saving species at the development frontier - Strategic assessment, offsets and no-net-loss
The development frontier is where decisions on new land developments are made. It’s a space where conflicts between biodiversity and multi-tenure land-use needs are constantly encountered. However, it’s also where ecological knowledge has some of its greatest potential to reduce biodiversity losses by guiding development to locations and practices with the least negative impact.
Myrtle rust is here
A new contagious fungal plant disease has entered Australia, myrtle rust. It’s highly mobile, can reproduce rapidly and is infecting many species across a broad geographic range. Containment and eradication responses have so far been unsuccessful.
The what, where and how of refuges for threatened animals - Ecological Society of Australia Refuges symposium
As Australia recovers from another sizzling summer, have you ever wondered how our native animals get by when the going gets really tough? TSR Hub researchers from our refuges project are putting a lot of thought into that very question, they also organised a refuges symposium at the last Ecological Society of Australia conference. Here they talk about some exciting new findings in this space.
Success for Kangaroo Island’s glossy-black cockatoos
Glossy black-cockatoos on Kangaroo Island eat just one thing – seeds of the drooping she-oak. To provide enough food for their nestlings, breeding adults spend the entire day picking one cone after another until their crop is full with about 10,000 of the protein rich kernels.
Indigenous engagement vital to saving species
The TSR Hub recognises that outcomes for threatened species will be improved by increasing Indigenous involvement in their management. In response to this, the Hub is guided by an Indigenous Reference Group and has a number of projects across Australia that are collaborating with Indigenous groups on threatened species research on their country.
Recovering Australian threatened species - Reasons to be hopeful
While media reports often focus on the doom and gloom of species sliding to extinction, it is important to also take note of where we are succeeding. Hub Deputy Director Professor Stephen Garnett talks about the importance of learning from conservation successes and celebrating how far we have come.
We need to know – the critical role of monitoring in Australia’s fight against extinctions
Given the vital importance of monitoring in the fight against extinctions, the Threatened Species Recovery Hub has released a national assessment of Australia's monitoring. The assessment has found that overall, over a third of Australia's threatened animals received no monitoring at all, and where monitoring does exist, it is often inadequate, putting many species at risk.
Monitoring for threatened species and ecological communities
The TSR Hub has gathered monitoring experts, and managers who need and use monitoring information, from all over Australia to discuss the value of, and many challenges involved in, monitoring threatened biodiversity. This had led to a national assessment of the adequacy of threatened species monitoring in Australia, a framework to guide and assess monitoring programs and a new authoritative book.
Top 20 Australian mammals and birds at risk of extinction
Ten Australian birds and seven mammals are likely to become extinct over the next twenty years, if we continue with current management, according to new research. The new research has also identified the top 20 Australian mammals and 20 Australian birds at greatest risk of extinction over the next 20 years.
No species too ugly to save
No species is too small, too ugly or too remote to be beyond saving, according to a national compilation and review of almost 50 successful examples of threatened species recovery in Australia. The review has just been published...
PhD opportunity - Northern bettongs, fire and cats
We are offering an opportunity to undertake a PhD that will improve conservation outcomes for the northern bettong by investigating the ecological impacts of cat predation and fire. Based at the University of Queensland and jointly supervised by Qld State Government staff. Come and join the TSR Hub team.
New territory for threatened frog
Australia’s threatened Northern Corroboree Frog is set to benefit from new breeding techniques and a new approach to identifying wild reintroduction sites. The ACT Government leads Australia’s main captive breeding program for the tiny black and yellow frogs at Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve, accounting for 90% of the captive population.
On feral cats AND clearing - It’s no beauty contest
In recent months you may have noticed some energetic public debate about what is the biggest threat to threatened species in Australia. Is it feral cats and foxes or is it the clearing and degradation of native vegetation?
Refuge in an uncertain future
Dr Natalie Briscoe’s childhood fascination with wildlife led to a career in analysing what it takes for a species to persist in a changing climate, and how this understanding helps identify what they need as refuge.
Lost with the brigalow - Rediscovering something lost in order to save what still exists
The vast brigalow forest that extended from northern New South Wales to southern Queensland has been cleared in the space of 60 years and it seems that many species have become threatened as a result. Rod Fensham and co-workers have identified the plant species that are likely to have become threatened and many of these species were not previously recognised as imperilled.
The turtle, the fox & the bandicoot - One problem solved another created
What happens when your efforts to save one threatened species creates a new problem involving another species of conservation concern. Suddenly you’re faced with some difficult choices. Helena Bowler at the University of Western Australia explains here the unexpected complication that arose when fencing was put up to save endangered turtles from foxes.
Judging a box by its cover
Conservation managers considering the implementation of nest boxes programs need to give careful consideration to design, colour, placement and shade profile of nest boxes.
Putting the heat on nest boxes
Rachel Robbins from the Australian National University continues her series on our successes and failures with nest boxes.
Nest box offset fails to tick the box
Out of the box - Designing nest boxes for conservation success
Many of our threatened birds and arboreal mammals rely on tree hollows for nesting, but because we've cleared most of our big, old trees, these hollows are in short supply. Nest boxes are commonly proposed as an alternative, but do they actually provide an appropriate housing solution for our threatened species? Rachel Robbins from the Australian National University our successes and failures with nest boxes.
Public preferences for fox and cat control in Western Australia
Foxes and feral cats pose a serious threat to over 100 native Australian mammals, birds and reptiles. Controlling fox and feral-cat populations is therefore crucial to the survival of many native species. Usually, it’s the government who undertakes this management which means it’s the general public who pays. But has anyone ever bothered to ask the general public what they think about fox and cat control? Actually, Vandana Subroy and colleagues at the University of Western Australia have just investigated this very question. Here Vandana discusses what they found.
Rock on! Restoring critical rock habitat for reptiles on farms
Rocky habitats are critical to many small mammals and reptiles in farming landscapes but they don’t get the same attention as native vegetation. Dr Damian Michael from The Australian National University hopes to set that right. Here he explains why protecting rocky outcrops and bushrock is important, how this critical resource is being destroyed, and what measures need to be taken to improve habitat for threatened reptiles in agricultural landscapes.
Rare tiny marsupial discovered by Harry Butler helped by new research
One of Northern Australia’s rarest animals will be helped by a new monitoring technique developed by a Charles Darwin University research student. Butler’s Dunnart, discovered by famous adventurer Harry Butler in 1965, is so rare it was only seen 8 times in the next 37 years.
New Videos: Environmental Economic Accounts for the Victorian Central Highlands
There are many strong and conflicting views about native forest logging in the Victorian Central Highlands, so where do policy makers begin? Two new videos look at an environmental economic accounting analysis for the region, including the value of different industries.
New Video: How are Northern Quolls responding to feral cat baiting in the Pilbara?
A new video looks at TSR Hub research in the Pilbara, which is looking at how Northern Quolls are responding to a large scale feral cat baiting program by WA Parks and Wildlife and RioTinto.
Cats are killing millions of Australia’s birds
New Hub research has quantified the extent of predation by cats on Australia’s birds and identified the species and types of birds most vulnerable to cats. The team found that cats kill over 1 million birds per day in Australia. The total is made up of an estimated 316 million birds killed by feral cats and 61 million killed by pet cats each year.
Acoustic monitoring to fill knowledge gaps about cockatoo breeding
Sun, 22 Oct 2017
Sound recorders have been installed across farm land in south-western Victoria and on Kangaroo Island in research to help threatened glossy black-cockatoos and south-eastern red-tailed black-cockatoos, by learning more about their breeding.
NESP and threatened species
The TSR Hub is one of six National Environmental Science Programme hubs and each is making its own important contribution to the national effort to recover our threatened species. Hub Director Brendan Wintle takes a look beyond the TSR Hub to highlight the good work being done on threatened species by our sister hubs.
Mammals on ‘arks’
As cats and foxes have spread across Australia, islands have prevented the extinctions of several mammals like the boodie. Associate Professor Sarah Legge discusses the importance of safe havens and also summarizes the highlights of a recent 'safe-haven' symposium held at the International Mammalogy Congress in Perth.
Why Buloke woodland species are failing to regenerate
Endangered Buloke Woodlands were cleared over much of their original range, the largest remaining remnants now lie inside national parks. Park managers hoped that by removing livestock the Woodlands would regenerate naturally but, so far, this has failed to happen. Dr David Duncan's team have taken on the problem.
On sub-Antarctic Macquarie Island a multi-million dollar eradication program removed cats in 2000 and rabbits, rats and mice in 2013. In the aftermath of this effort, beautiful things are emerging. Dr Justine Shaw is leading a TSR Hub project to learn from this experience and monitor how ecosystems respond.
Scientists fighting to stop endangered parrot massacre
Critically endangered Swift Parrots are headed for a massacre by Sugar Gliders in Tasmania, but ANU scientists have developed new technology that can stop it. They are racing against the clock to raise funds to roll out the new technology to nest boxes in the breeding area.
New research: Cats kill more than one million Australian birds per day
Feral cats kill 316 million birds and pet cats kill 61 million birds in Australia every year. This equates to cats killing more than 1 million Australian birds every day. More than 99% of these casualties are native birds.
Sustaining life
A love for Australia’s wildlife lies at the core of our nation’s identity. It sustains our wellbeing. That is something that Dr Leonie Valentine can personally attest to as her passion for wildlife has helped her through good times and bad. Here she explains how.
Western sanctuary, learning from translocations
Dr Mike Smith joined the Australian Wildlife Conservancy (AWC) as a Regional Ecologist just as the organisation was kicking off a major conservation program to re-establish 10 regionally extinct mammal species in the south west of WA, an exciting time to come on board. The area they were being released into is an exclosure site set up by the AWC at Mt Gibson. Here he shares a few of the trials and tribulations of working with threatened species – and the exhilaration of seeing some of Australia’s most imperilled animals bounce back.
Learning from plants going places in Australia
People have transported, cultivated, tended, used, celebrated and worshipped plants for tens of thousands of years. Sometimes our efforts led to a few species doing very well. Most of the time, however, our interactions have caused the diversity of plant life to shrink – through habitat loss and fragmentation, disease, weeds and overgrazing. Now we’ve started moving plants around to safeguard their survival. Indeed, we’ve been doing this for decades but so far we haven’t reviewed what we know about this process. But that’s about to change. Dr Jen Silcock from the University of Queensland provides an overview on the effort to build a new translocation database.
Whilst the bulk of the research undertaken by the Threatened Species Recovery Hub deals with individual species, the Hub’s work also encompasses Threatened Ecological Communities. Ecological communities – you might like to think of them as ecosystems – are assemblages of species that occur and interact together, and will have co-evolved together, in a particular area typically defined by soil, rainfall and geomorphology.
Conserving Australia’s ghost of the arid interior – the night parrot
There is no other species of Australian bird that quickens the pulse of professional ornithologists and amateur birdwatchers alike, as the night parrot. In the 170 years since its discovery, the night parrot has attained legendary status as a ghost of the vast arid inland. Several sightings (and findings) in recent years have revealed the parrot is far from being a ghost, but a dearth of information on the bird makes it hard to plan for its persistence into the future. Nick Leseberg from the University of Queensland brings us up to date on what is known about the night parrot, and what is planned for its conservation.
Tasmanian genes helping to rebuild Victoria’s bandicoots
Low numbers of Eastern Barred Bandicoots in Victoria have resulted in low genetic diversity which is a threat to plans to rebuild numbers in breeding programs. A new partnership is addressing the issue with an innovative breeding program which is introducing Tasmanian genes to the Victorian population.
Threatened species returning to Booderee National Park
Booderee National Park is welcoming the return of locally extinct mammals. Long-nosed potoroos and southern brown bandicoots have already been reintroduced to Booderee after being locally extinct for up to a century, and now preparations are underway to welcome a third threatened species, the eastern quoll, back to the park.
Researchers tune in to nesting calls to help rare cockatoos
Tiny sound recorders will be set up near the nests of South-eastern Red-tailed Black Cockatoos, as part of ground-breaking research to monitor the nesting habits of the endangered species.
Australia’s Brigalow forests almost gone in 60 years
In only 60 years Australia has lost over 90% of a type of forest that once covered 130,000 square kilometres, and could be losing plants with important medicinal uses.
PhD opportunity - environmental and economic accounting
Fri, 25 Aug 2017
We are offering a terrific opportunity for a student interested in environmental and economic accounting to undertake a PhD program at the Australian National University.
PhD opportunity on conservation of the Critically Endangered Christmas Island flying fox
We are offering an exciting opportunity to undertake a PhD program at the University of Queensland on strategic decision-making approaches for the conservation of the Christmas Island flying fox
PhD opportunities in threatened species conservation and ecology
We are offering two exciting opportunities to undertake PhD programs at The Australian National University. The scope of potential research is broad, but must have a clear focus on the ecology and conversation of threatened species in south-eastern Australia.
National review and workshop put spotlight on plant translocation
Experts from across the country recently met to review the national guidelines for plant translocation. The important conservation technique is much more than just planting trees, a point well illustrated by work to save the Mellblom's Spider-orchid which has hinged on wasps.
New territory for Christmas Island reptile conservation
Two of the most successful captive breeding programs in Australia’s history have brought the Lister’s gecko and blue-tailed skink back from the brink of extinction. The TSR Hub is now working with Parks Australia to investigate options for the reptiles beyond captive breeding.
Seize the day
A unique business-research summit was staged in the heart of Melbourne earlier this year to identify and explore emerging business opportunities that also have benefits for threatened-species conservation.
A Red Hot List for threatened plants
Around 5% or 1150 of Australia's plants are endangered or critically endangered. Dr Jen Silcock is developing a Red Hot List to identify the Australian plants at greatest risk of extinction and what we can do about it.
Doing the business for biodiversity
Finding opportunities in business that are good for biodiversity and where biodiversity can be good for business, could be the key to creating positive outcomes for threatened species and businesses alike.
Citizen, where art thou?
At a minimum, citizen science can get people thinking about nature, but it can achieve much more as well. Dr Rochelle Steven talks about what we can gain from citizen science programs and the development of a framework that maximises positive impacts for nationally-listed threatened species.
In search of the KI dunnart – Island conservation after the feral cat
Tue, 06 Jun 2017
A feral cat eradication program on Kangaroo Island, commencing in August 2017, will endeavour to provide an insight into the status of the endangered KI dunnart. It is hoped the program will secure a future for the dunnart along with other threatened species on the island.
The fire, the fox and the feral cat
Does the loss of protective understory after prescribed forest fires, make it easier for foxes and feral cats to hunt native mammals?
Researcher Profile: Dr Damian Michael
Dr Damian Michael has worked with over 500 landholders to help conserve threatened species and ecological communities. He talks about his upbringing, career and the satisfaction he gets from working with farming communities and volunteer groups.
The Niche-Reduction Hypothesis: Rethinking how we manage threatened species
Focusing on the rate and magnitude of species declines can miss important aspects about why species are declining, but this information could be crucial for effective management.
Learning from a failed biodiversity offset
While a $213,000 nest box program failed the threatened species it was designed to attract, there is much we can learn from it to improve future offset policy and projects.
Fire leads to spike in invasive predators
New research, just published in Journal of Mammalogy, has observed a dramatic increase in feral predators after a prescribed burn in Victoria’s Otway Ranges.
Melville Island mammal declines fought with fire
Native animals are declining on Australia’s second largest island with brush-tailed rabbit-rats, black-footed tree-rats and northern brown bandicoots the worst hit.
A bettong in the bush is worth…
Will Batson explains why a bettong in the bush is worth two in the hand; the successful reintroduction of bettongs within two predator-free fenced nature reserves in the ACT; and a new project to establish bettongs outside fenced reserves.
Threatened species in city spaces
376 EPBC-listed threatened species have some part of their distribution in at least one Australian city or town, and for at least 30 of those species, that’s the only place they are found. If we are to have any success at securing their futures, we need to come up with effective strategies for their conservation in our urban spaces.
Recovering the far eastern curlew
The far eastern curlew, one of the world’s largest migratory shorebirds, has declined dramatically in the last 20 years. The bird is in trouble on multiple fronts and central to addressing these challenges is a better understanding of its habitat needs and international cooperation.
Science grounded in conservation
Natasha Robinson believes that for research to have meaning it needs to be applied and have impact. Natasha is a TSR Hub Research Fellow at ANU, working on monitoring and adaptively managing threatened species.
Accounting for ‘a home among the gum trees’
Threatened species are often found in landscapes where there are competing interests and views on how things should be managed. Who are you going to call to deal with these tensions? Ecologists? Engineers? Economists? In the Victorian Central Highlands TSR Hub researchers have called in the accountants.
Reflections on 2016
Last year provided us with much to be proud of and I would like to acknowledge the NESP TSR Hub’s significant contribution to the national effort. So much of this work is directly relevant to the Threatened Species Strategy and helps me make the best decisions and investments possible.
Preventing extinction – why we should
Three vertebrate species became extinct in Australia during the last decade, but these losses had no perceptible impact on our nation’s economy and weren't noticed by most people. Given this, what are the arguments for seeking to prevent the loss of species? TSR Hub Deputy Director John Woinarski responds to this question with ten justifications.
Rangers fight loss of wildlife with fire
Native animals are declining on Australia’s second largest island with brush-tailed rabbit-rats, black-footed tree-rats and northern brown bandicoots the worst hit. This is one of the findings of a recent Health Check of native animals on Melville Island, 80km north of Darwin, which undertook surveys at almost 100 sites and compared them to survey results from 15 years ago.
Leadbeater's Possum faces extinction if logging continues
Victoria’s faunal emblem the Leadbeater’s Possum and other species will become extinct within about 30 years unless clear-fell logging stops in Victoria’s Mountain Ash forests, new research based on 30 years of monitoring the forests has found.
Feral cats cover over 99.8% of Australia
Feral cats cover over 99.8% of Australia’s land area, including almost 80% of the area of our islands. These are just some of the findings of new research which looks at the number and spread of feral cats in Australia. The research was undertaken by over 40 of Australia’s top environmental scientists and brings together evidence from nearly 100 separate studies across the country.
How long between drinks for the night parrot?
The rare and mysterious night parrot, a plump green and gold bird, is adapted to life in the harsh arid zone, but when does it need a drink? This is a question puzzling conservation managers and the answer will be important to how they manage the small populations of the endangered parrot that have been discovered in heart of outback Queensland, near Longreach.
Editorial: It is people who save species
Strong collaborations with conservation policy makers, planners and on-ground practitioners ensure that research is addressing on-ground needs. Our research program also includes fascinating work on social and economic opportunities to conserve threatened species, including how best to engage people and communities and how traditional Indigenous and western knowledge systems can work together to better inform conservation actions.
Designing a best-practice bilby monitoring program for Martu rangers
The Martu people of the Western Desert are working to protect one of the last strongholds of the iconic bilby. TSR scientists are hoping they can help in this work by designing a monitoring program that Martu rangers can use to better understand bilby population trends over time. Anja Skroblin from the University of Melbourne describes what’s being done.
The governance of saving species
At the end of the day, species are saved by people. The way these people organise themselves - like the rules they follow, the networks they form, the way they make decisions - is critical to the success of any species recovery program. The way people organise themselves is known as governance and Angela Guerrero is working with the TSR Hub to understand what forms of governance help a recovery effort (and what forms may hinder it.)
How many cats?
Conservation management works best when it is based on robust evidence. If we’re trying to manage a threatening factor, such as a pest or a weed species, we really should know how many there are, how they’re distributed, and how many we should control to make a difference. Feral cats are constantly cited as a major threat to Australia’s native wildlife, so TSR researchers look at how many are out there.
Making threatened-species monitoring count
Monitoring the status and trends of threatened species is vital to informing management and policy decisions. And yet, monitoring of threatened species rarely occurs, and when it does - it is usually not carried out effectively. Why is this, and how can we remedy the situation? This was the central issue underpinning a two-day workshop that brought together 30 conservation managers, policy makers and scientists from all over Australia.
Best-practice governance for threatened species recovery teams
For most people, threatened species recovery is about doing something to save a threatened species – planting habitat trees, translocating individual animals and managing threats like foxes and cats. The ‘doing’ is important but what is often not seen is the organisation behind the doing. How are decisions made? Which bits of the ‘doing’ is given the priority? And how do we make sure we ‘learn’ as we ‘do’? The TSR Hub is working with the Australian Government on drawing together what we know about best practice for recovery teams.
Saving the western swamp tortoise
The western swamp tortoise has all the ingredients of a fairy tale. It’s the Goldilocks of tortoises needing water that isn’t too hot but isn’t too cold to survive. It’s the Rip Van Winkle of reptiles in that it seemed to vanish from sight for over 100 years during which time it was thought extinct – but then it was rediscovered. And it’s the Houdini of endangered wildlife in that it came close to oblivion in the 1980s with numbers fewer than 50 but, thanks to concerted efforts at recovery, it escaped extinction and there are over ten times that number now.
Showcase captured for all
Tue, 15 Nov 2016
Just a snapshot of the breadth of research taking place within out Hub was presented to a packed house of Departmental and other stakeholders in Canberra last month.
Hub researchers in the news
October was a busy month for TSR Hub researchers in the media, with several researchers appearing in the news – both online and on the airwaves.
Award will enhance the reputation of conservation science
The value of a good chat
Until a few years ago hardly anyone had heard of the Yellow Chats on the Kakadu floodplains. National Park staff had so many other species to worry about and none of the local birdwatchers took a special interest in it. At least this is what Gill Ainsworth found during her PhD on the social value of Australia’s threatened birds.
Plant conservation a talk in the park for Hub researchers
Three TSR Hub researchers will present their work to the 11th Australasian Plant Conservation Conference (APCC) at the Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria, Melbourne this week.
Developing a policy for the unknown
Scientists suspect that hundreds of thousands of Australian species remain undiscovered or poorly known and that many of these species are at as great a risk of extinction as those formally listed as threatened. Poorly-known but imperilled species present a formidable challenge to researchers and conservation managers for many reasons.
Rabbits off the menu for feral cats
Fourteen feral cats captured in the wild have been re-released to measure their predation on native animals.
Catching cats on camera
When the calici virus culled rabbits in 1997, the rabbits’ predators (foxes and cats) are suspected to have wiped out a population of rock-wallabies in their attempt to fill their bellies. Hugh McGregor from UTAS is researching predation pressure in an attempt to understand the native species most vulnerable to prey switching.
Call for survey participants for Threatened Species monitoring
Researchers from Project 3.2 are currently undertaking a survey of Australian managers, professional practitioners and academics involved with threatened species monitoring to better understand the value, monitoring framework and decisions, challenges and key elements of effective threatened species monitoring in Australia.
Holding on to what's golden
As Australian cities and suburbs continue to expand, new developments exert pressure on the species and habitats that exist on their margins. But do smaller species stand a chance against big developers? Researchers are looking for ways to level the playing field.
A focus on conserving the whole
“If there was an Ark for Australia's most endangered species, what animals and plants would get a berth?” That was the question interviewer Gregg Borschmann put to the Threatened Species Recovery Hub’s Associate Professor Brendan Wintle and Professor David Keith when they took part in a panel discussion at the Australian Museum as part of National Science Week.
Parrots make swift use of nesting boxes in Tasmania
Dejan Stojanovic is in the field, checking on the 300+ nesting boxes he and his team spent a large part of their winter installing in known swift parrot territory.
Collaborating for conservation: species monitoring
Experienced practitioners from diverse organisations came together to discuss threatened species monitoring at the workshop entitled ‘Enhancing Monitoring for Threatened Species to Improve Conservation Outcomes.’
Pledge for threatened species
And perhaps the most distinctive thing about Edge Pledge is its “challenge generator” – a website that asks each user to answer a few questions to determine their personality type, then uses this information to suggest a selection of appropriate challenges. Friends and colleagues “vote” on which challenge they favour; the challenge that gains the most in donations “wins” and can shortly begin.
Introducing Rachel Morgain: knowledge broker
Rachel Morgain has recently started as Knowledge Broker with the NESP Threatened Species Recovery Hub. She comes to the Hub with experience working at the interface of research and policy, through roles with the Australian Government and most recently at the Australian Academy of Science.
Calling for big data
Fri, 07 Oct 2016
TSR Hub researchers Professor Hugh Possingham and Dr Elisa Bayraktarov are collaborating with James O’Connor, Glenn Ehmke and Joris Driessen from Birdlife Australia to create the “Dow Jones” for threatened species. They are creating an index that reports on annual changes in Australia’s threatened species populations.
PhD Opportunity – Improving threatened species communications
RMIT is seeking applications for a PhD program of research to understand the ways in which communities buy-in to the idea of conservation, and the use of targeted conservation messages designed to increase community support and engagement.
Science for saving species on show in Canberra
Cutting-edge science that can help shape policy and management decisions and protect Australia’s threatened species will be on show at the National Portrait Gallery on Monday 17 October.
Once bittern, rice high
Thu, 08 Sep 2016
Australasian bitterns are the subject of many great mysteries – where do they go during the colder months? How do they make that famous booming call? Could they really be the source of inspiration behind Australia’s mythical Bunyip tales?
The other kind of invasive species
Little is known about the impact of the diseases carried by invasive species that spread throughout the food chains of our native animals. TSR Hub researcher Dr Nelika Hughes from The University of Melbourne is looking closely at one such disease – toxoplasmosis – a parasitic disease that was introduced to Australia in cats.
Red Hot List for flora continues to sprout
Australia is home to thousands of unique plant species, yet faces many challenges in protecting them. University of Queensland post-doctoral research fellow Jennifer Silcock is interviewing threatened-plant experts nationwide to determine which plants should be placed on the Threatened Species Recovery Hub’s national Red Hot List.
Swamp tortoises in the news
Twenty-four western swamp tortoises hit the headlines last month as they settled in to new homes in swamps south of Perth. The tortoises were moved to a new range in an attempt to protect the species from the effects of climate change and their story featured in several news outlets including the ABC, Science magazine, the Guardian and Australian Geographic
Hundreds of translocations but who's counting?
A new national plant translocation database could be on the horizon, after researchers gathered to map out the sources of existing translocation data at a recent workshop.
Leading the way on collaboration
Increasing collaboration across the Hub was a feature of the annual project leaders’ meeting held in Brisbane last month. Each of the project leaders presented a short synopsis on the progress of their research, and the ideas and conversations each sparked were significant.
Western swamp tortoises move to a cool new home
Western swamp tortoises have been translocated to a reserve south of their historic range in an attempt to negate the likely impact of climate change. It is the first time in Australia that a vertebrate species has been translocated in anticipation of climate change..
Dealing with data deficiency
Hundreds of thousands of Australian species are so poorly known that their risk of extinction cannot be determined. These species cannot be categorised as threatened or not under Australia’s EPBC (Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation) Act, and are therefore afforded no conservation protection under the legislation.
PhD opportunity - Eastern bristlebirds in Booderee
The Australian National University is seeking applications from candidates for a PhD program of research on the spatial genetic structure and population dynamics of the eastern bristlebird at Booderee National Park in NSW.
PhD opportunity - Frogs in human modified landscapes
The Australian National University is seeking applications for a PhD program of research on the ecological requirements of frogs in human modified landscapes in New South Wales and Victoria.
Monitoring malleefowl on a massive scale
Researchers from the TSR Hub’s Project 3.3 will establish as many as 41 malleefowl monitoring sites across southern Australia, in one of the largest adaptive management experiments ever attempted in Australia.
Will baiting benefit northern quolls in the Pilbara?
PhD student Billy Ross is using motion-sensing camera traps to establish baseline data on the number of northern quolls and feral cats in the Pilbara to determine whether cat-baiting can prevent the threatened mammals’ extinction.
No researcher is an island
Anticipating the threats posed by cane toads to the islands of Western Australia’s Kimberley region, improving outcomes for threatened sea turtles and seabirds on the Whitsunday islands, and the challenges and opportunities of rewilding Dirk Hartog Island were just a few of the critical discussions held at a recent TSR Hub workshop.
Measuring menace management
Thu, 21 Jul 2016
A survey of Australia’s feral cat managers will ensure that all efforts to control Australia’s feral cat population are being captured.
Genetic translocation spawns hope for frogs
Genetic translocations may hold the key to protecting Australia’s frogs from the effects of climate change, according to TSR Hub researcher and The University of Western Australia PhD student Tabitha Rudin.
Tasmanian birds top endangered species list
Three Tasmanian birds perch atop the list of Australia’s most threatened birds, as revealed by a TSR Hub team comprising researchers from Charles Darwin University and The University of Melbourne.
Endangered bilby connects communities across time and space
One of the things that struck Dr Anja Skroblin at the inaugural Ninu (Bilby) Festival was the connection between communities from opposite ends of the country, through ancient stories and songlines about bilbies.
Mapping refuges across Australia
Using the knowledge accumulated through a recent workshop, TSR Hub experts will help environmental managers to better understand the refuges Australian threatened species need to survive the threats posed by climate change, drought, fires, predators and other threats.
Southern brown bandicoots return to Booderee after almost 100 years
Hopes are high for eleven southern brown bandicoots being reintroduced to Booderee National Park – the endangered marsupials haven’t been seen in the area since World War One.
Vic forests worth more as national park than timber
Researchers at The Australian National University (ANU) have found the current management practices in the Mountain Ash forests of Victoria’s Central Highlands don’t stack up economically.
Planning under way for new index
Representatives from a broad range of environmental organisations used a recent workshop to define what end-users and partners want from a threatened species index, and to determine how such an index could be created.
Professor John Woinarski delivered the keynote speech to attendees of The Western Port Biosphere’s second annual Biodiversity Forum at the Royal Botanic Gardens Cranbourne.
Using genetics to save species
Australia will soon have it first ever genetic guidelines to support the relocation of threatened animals, after a recent TSR Hub workshop in Perth.
What do Leadbeaters Possums get up to at night?
Innovative tracking technology will help environmental managers to develop a whole new understanding of how far critically endangered Leadbeater’s Possums travel each night and how their habitats can best be managed.
Climate change likely to turn up heat on koalas
A changing climate means that by 2070 koalas may no longer call large parts of inland Australia home, researchers have found.
Saving woodland and alpine habitats
Fri, 03 Jun 2016
Peter Vesk’s team is protecting more than individual species – they’re working to conserve habitats that house entire communities of threatened species.
The best way to harness people power
While local communities can play an important role in threatened species recovery, and scientists make significant efforts to involve locals in recovery efforts, there isn’t yet a lot of science around the best way to engage them.
Sowing the seeds of success
Mon, 23 May 2016
Hungry herbivores, fungal diseases and long hot summers are just a few of the challenges land managers face when attempting to re-introduce a threatened plant species.
Red alert warning system for threatened plants
Threatened plants tend to receive less attention than threatened animals and, while work to recover them is ongoing, there’s a serious risk that further declines could go unnoticed until it’s too late.
Finding the places where threatened species hide
Places such as islands, river channel regions of the desert and small-scale rock outcrops can offer critical protection for threatened species populations when times get tough.
Tackling threats to endangered hollow nesting birds in Tasmania
Sugar gliders in Tasmania are having a devastating impact on the swift parrot population, and they could be detrimental to other threatened bird species as well.
Big commitment to little species
Researcher profile: Diana Fisher
Dr Fisher has dedicated two decades to the study of mammals, including threatened species of carnivorous marsupials, wallabies and bats that most people know little about.
More data to tackle threats to Malleefowl
Australia’s Malleefowl population has declined and more conclusive data will soon be available to explain why, following recent workshops in Perth and Mildura. The TSR Hub will conduct the first landscape-scale experiment investigating the effect of predator-baiting programs on Malleefowl populations.
The art of threatened species science
A series of elegant watermarks have been created by science communicator and illustrator Michelle Baker, to reflect the major themes of the TSR Hub and will be integrated into future publications. The six watermarks, inspired by science and nature, provide a thematic or conceptual link between each image and its corresponding Hub theme.
Success, failure and lessons learned on Australian islands
Australian islands have a vital role to play in protecting threatened species. By providing predator-free, relatively low-pressure environments, islands can act as sanctuaries for species at risk on the mainland. They also present novel conservation challenges and opportunities, and better information is needed on how to most effectively protect Australia’s island biodiversity.
National approach required for myrtle rust threat
Australian environmental authorities will adopt a unified approach to combat myrtle rust, in the hope of preventing the devastating disease from spreading to Western Australia. The need for a more coordinated response was raised in a recent national workshop coordinated by the TSR Hub in April, amid concerns that previous efforts have been sporadic and ineffective.
Learning from conservation success
What do the endangered western swamp tortoise (WA), pigmy bluetongue lizard (SA) and eastern bristlebird (NSW) have in common? They might all be extinct were it not for the efforts of dedicated threatened-species recovery teams.
Better offsets for threatened species
When species are threatened by development such as urban growth or mining, environmental offsets are often used to help counterbalance the impact.
Measuring return on investment in threatened species recovery
Whether it’s reducing hospital queues, improving social equity or recovering threatened species, taxpayers need to know their investment is producing results.
Keeping an eye and ear out for threatened species
Sometimes the hardest part of protecting threatened species is knowing where to look, how to look, or how to listen, or when to launch a drone.
PhD project: Role of communications in supporting non-charismatic species
Thu, 21 Apr 2016
The NESP Threatened Species Recovery Hub is offering top-up funding for a current PhD student to research the role of communications in building community buy-in and support for ‘non-charismatic species,’ as part of Project 6.3.
PhD project: Strategic control of feral cats and black rats on Christmas Island
Seeking applications from highly qualified and motivated candidates for a PhD program of research on the ecological impacts of cat eradication on Christmas Island.
Partnerships with Indigenous communities key for threatened species
Indigenous communities play a crucial role in Australian conservation for a number of reasons – the first being that numerous threatened species live on lands they own and manage.
Joining the dots: working together to protect our island network
More than 8000 islands surround Australia’s coast - from tropical to temperate to sub-Antarctic climates; from large populated islands to tiny uninhabited offshore rocks.
Learning from success and extinction
Australia has had remarkable success with saving species otherwise doomed to extinction – including the Kangaroo Island Glossy Black-Cockatoo, Norfolk Island Green Parrot and Gilbert’s Potoroo.
Second research plan now underway
As part of the National Environmental Science Programme, the Threatened Species Recovery Hub’s first full research plan has been ratified after the approval of Research Plan (Version 2).
Species on the move conference
Threatened Species Recovery Hub researchers presented at the recent Species on the Move International Conference in Hobart, including Hub Director Hugh Possingham.
Framework for national safe haven network
Australia will soon have a framework to design a national network of ‘safe havens’ for threatened mammals, following a recent workshop with 24 leading conservation specialists from federal and state governments, NGOs and academia.
TSR contributes to Feral Cat Taskforce
The involvement of deputy directors Sarah Legge and John Woinarski in the Threatened Species Commissioner’s Feral Cat Taskforce is another example of the Hub contributing significantly to threatened species policy and management.
2020 target set for more threatened species
Research outputs from Project 2.1 formed an important part of the Minister for the Environment’s Threatened Species Strategy, and supported the listing of 20 threatened birds and 20 threatened mammals as targets for priority conservation actions.
PhD project -The conservation ecology of burrowing petrels following an island eradication
This project will assess how this seabird community has responded to the eradication of feral vertebrates and their role in the broader ecosystem recovery after decades of feral animal impacts.
Postdoctoral research opportunity: biodiversity offsetting
An exciting opportunity to join the Threatened Species Recovery Hub and work towards improving the outcomes of Australia's threatened species and ecological communities.
PhD opportunity - flying fox conservation on Christmas Island
The Christmas Island Flying Fox population has declined by approximately 35% over the last six years and we need to know why.
PhD opportunity - Feral cat control in central QLD
An opportunity is available for a PhD student to examine how the endangered bridled nailtail wallaby and other mammals respond to new methods of cat control at Taunton National Park and other sites.
Two PhD scholarships available: Christmas Island cat eradication and endemic flying fox
The University of Queensland (UQ) is offering Two PhD Top-Up Scholarships.
PhD scholarships to conserve reptiles and frogs
Applications are open for two PhD top-up scholarships, offered through the University of Western Australia.
PhD scholarships to protect Christmas Island
Two PhD top-up scholarships are being offered through The University of Queensland to protect threatened species on Christmas Island.
Christmas Island a high priority for the Hub
Unfortunately Christmas Island’s extremely unique ecosystem has experienced recent extinctions, with more species under threat.
Keeping up with biodiversity loss
The Threatened Species Recovery Hub’s Project 2.1 will work to ensure that policy makers and project managers have more reliable and up to date information about species closest to extinction.
Strategic fire management can reduce extinctions
Australia is one of the most fire prone continents on earth and our influence on fire regimes plays an important role in the ecology of our flora and fauna.
Threatened Species Recovery Hub to join fight against feral cats
Feral predators such as cats and foxes have caused the extinction of many native mammals and remain the most serious threat to the remaining mammal species - especially when combined with mismanaged fire and introduced herbivores.
Social research for threatened species: collaboration and planning
Social research under the National Environmental Science Programme’s Threatened Species Recovery Hub was under discussion at a workshop of key researchers held in Darwin last month.
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The radical plan to RE-FREEZE the Arctic: New facility will investigate ways to 'save the Earth' by sucking CO2 out of the air and reflecting sunlight back to space as scientists race to 'solve the climate problem'
NewsFix :: Technology :: Technology
by Thorin on Sat May 11, 2019 10:43 am
The University of Cambridge is building a radical new centre designed to explore potential ways of fighting climate change.
The Centre for Climate Repair will explore radical geoengineering schemes designed to directly tackle the effects of climate change.
Among such schemes being considered are the spraying of salt into clouds in order to make them reflect more warming sunlight back into space.
Others imagine the extraction of atmospheric carbon dioxide for use as fuel, or ocean fertilisation to get more of the gas taken up by the seas.
The research lab is being planned in response to fears that our current approaches to minimise the emission of harmful greenhouse gases will not be enough on their own to prevent catastrophic and irreversible changes to the Earth's climate.
The mandate of the Centre for Climate Repair will be to 'solve the climate problem', University of Cambridge climate scientist Emily Shuckburgh told the BBC.
'It has to be. And we can't fail on it,' she added.
When complete, the centre will be the first of its kind in the world to focus exclusively on reducing carbon emissions and testing radical geoengineering concepts that could be used to try and reverse changes to the climate.
Areas for potential investigation include seeding clouds with salt to make them reflect more sunlight away from the Earth and fertilising the world's oceans to try and force them to take up more carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-7014509/Cambridge-scientists-building-new-research-centre-develop-radical-ways-save-Earth.html
Re: The radical plan to RE-FREEZE the Arctic: New facility will investigate ways to 'save the Earth' by sucking CO2 out of the air and reflecting sunlight back to space as scientists race to 'solve the climate problem'
by 'Wolfie on Sat May 11, 2019 3:09 pm
"fertilise the world's oceans.." !?!
Sheesh....
Somebody should take that dingus on a tour of the Great Barrier Reef, and stop off in S.E. Asia..
Show her the 'real world' effect of "fertilising" oceans..
It's not what you look at that matters, it's what you see.
Our life is frittered away by details. Simplify, simplify.
The mass of men lead lives of quite desperation.
'Wolfie
Location : Lake Macquarie, NSW, Australia
by Vintage on Sat May 11, 2019 5:23 pm
Here comes the snowball planet!
by Tommy Monk on Sat May 11, 2019 7:40 pm
“Truth is ever to be found in the simplicity, and not in the multiplicity and confusion of things.” — Isaac Newton
'The further a society drifts from truth the more it will hate those who speak it.' — George Orwell
Tommy Monk
by Guest on Mon May 13, 2019 1:11 pm
SCIENCE!!!!!!!!
Forum create on Forumotion | Society and Culture | Politics | © phpBB | Free forum support | Contact | Report an abuse | Forumotion.com
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Statistics for occurrence #1 of “Centreville” in chapter 1 of An English Combatant, Lieutenant of Artillery of the Field Staff., Battlefields of the South from Bull Run to Fredericksburgh; with sketches of Confederate commanders, and gossip of the camps.:
... Centreville
Although the following narrative sufficiently explains itself and is replete with evidence of the author's feeling, and of ...
Max. Freq.
Min. Freq.
† Centreville (Virginia, United States) 3,595 72 3 0 0 user votes
Centreville (Maryland, United States) 465 6 7 0 0 user votes
† Centreville (Virginia, United States) 380 2 106 0 0 user votes
Centreville (Tennessee, United States) 185 10 3 0 0 user votes
Centreville (Alabama, United States) 81 0 1 0 0 user votes
Centreville (Ohio, United States) 65 0 3 0 0 user votes
Centreville (Louisiana, United States) 58 0 2 0 0 user votes
Centreville (Pennsylvania, United States) 14 0 2 0 0 user votes
Centreville (Massachusetts, United States) 8 0 2 0 0 user votes
Centreville (Missouri, United States) 6 0 0 0 0 user votes
Centreville (Alabama, United States) 5 0 5 0 0 user votes
Centreville (Michigan, United States) 4 0 0 0 0 user votes
Centreville (Indiana, United States) 3 0 3 0 0 user votes
Centreville (West Virginia, United States) 2 0 0 0 0 user votes
Centreville (Illinois, United States) 0 0 0 0 0 user votes
Centreville (Kentucky, United States) 0 0 0 0 0 user votes
Centreville (Mississippi, United States) 0 0 0 0 0 user votes
Centreville (New Jersey, United States) 0 0 0 0 0 user votes
Centreville (Ohio, United States) 0 0 0 0 0 user votes
Centreville (Pennsylvania, United States) 0 0 0 0 0 user votes
Centreville (South Carolina, United States) 0 0 0 0 0 user votes
Centreville (South Dakota, United States) 0 0 0 0 0 user votes
Centreville (Tennessee, United States) 0 0 0 0 0 user votes
Centreville (Utah, United States) 0 0 0 0 0 user votes
† This entity has been selected by the automated classifier as the most likely match in this context. It may or may not be the correct match.
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Difference between revisions of "Reference Gain Calibration"
Reference Gain Calibration
Ychai (Talk | contribs)
(→List of Analyzed Reference Calibrations)
| 2017/07/07 || 13:12:49 || 2253+161 || || 0 || || 5~34 || [http://ovsa.njit.edu/refcal/20170707_refcal_pha.png Phase] || [http://ovsa.njit.edu/refcal/20170707_refcal_amp.png Amp] ||
Reference complex gain calibration refers to determining the "system" amplitude and phase with high precision as a function of IF band (i.e. integrated over each 500 MHz IF band). A typical reference calibration would cover 34 bands, 2 polarizations, and 13 antennas. I have a routine to retrieve and analyze the data, named refcal_anal.py. Start from a time range during which reference calibration observation occurred
import refcal_anal as ra
from util import Time
trange=Time(['2017-04-08T05:00','2017-04-08T15:30'])
Ideally, we would like all reference calibrations to have a designated PROJECTID "REFCAL". For all data before May 2017, however, all reference calibrations had PROJECTID of "PHASECAL", but most of them were on 3C273 (1229+020). So I am using:
out=ra.rd_refcal(trange, projid='PHASECAL', srcid='1229+020')
To correct for differential feed rotation (for refcal data after 05:00 UT on 2017-Jul-01), you can use:
out_corr = ra.unrot_refcal(out)
Take a look at the phases (averaged over each band):
ra.graph(out_corr)
By default it displays only bands 5, 11, 17, 23 and polarization XX. To change the bands and polarization to display, use the "bandplt" and 'pol' parameters.
ra.graph(out_corr, bandplt=[5,13,19,25], pol=1)
From the plot, one can determine which scans are the good ones to use and record the indices of useful scans as "scanidx". In this example, we were alternating between the low- and high-frequency receivers. The low-frequency receiver observations did not have delays adjusted. So we use scans with indices 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13 which are associated with the high-frequency receiver scans.
scanidx=[1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13]
Then, we can further determine a finer selection of time range which has clean and stable phases (better to check more bands using ra.graph()). Observations within this time range (after the scanidx selection, if provided) will be used for averaging to get the reference phases/amps. Data will be flagged if the SNR is less than minsnr, which can be supplied. The default minsnr is set to 1.0.
timerange=Time(['2017-04-08T05:00','2017-04-08T07:00'])
refcal=ra.refcal_anal(out_corr,timerange=timerange,scanidx=scanidx)
It will generate four plots. First and second are phases and amplitudes of the data similar as those produced by ra.graph(), but with the selected time range for averaging highlighted (one can use "bandplt" and "pol" to choose bands and polarization to display as well). The 3rd plot is the averaged phase vs. frequency and the 4th is the averaged amplitude vs. frequency. Those data will be our "analyzed" reference calibration data saved in the returned dictionary (named "refcal" here). The dictionary contains the actual complex values (refcal['refcal']), a flag array with the same shape (refcal['flag']), and some timestamps, e.g., refcal['t_mid'] is the middle of the time range used for averaging. Both refcal['refcal'] and refcal['flag'] have a shape of (15, 2, 34) -- which corresponds to # of antennas, # of polarizations, and # of bands.
If you determine some antenna, band, polarization need to be flagged/unflagged, they have to be manually changed in the returned refcal['flag'] array. In this example, Antenna 12 was not tracking, and the algorithm did not pick up all of them, so we have to do this manually -- setting refcal['flag'][11, :, :]=1
refcal['flag'][11]=1
If satisfied with the results (by looking at the plots), we can go ahead and send them to the SQL database
import cal_header as ch
ch.refcal2sql(refcal)
To retrieve the refcal data back from SQL database based on, e.g., a solar data one wish to calibrate. We can provide a time:
t=Time('2017-04-07T19:40')
refcal=ra.sql2refcal(t)
The resulted refcal have three keys: 'amp' (15 x 2 x 34 array), 'pha' (15 x 2 x 34 array), and 'timestamp' (in jd). The refcal data found will be the closest one PRIOR to the supplied observation time.
Updating the Reference Calibrations Table
The table below lists the known good reference calibrations. To facilitate adding entries to this table, do the following, where the time is after the desired refcal, but before any later refcal:
t=Time('2017-06-23T19:40') # retrieves the refcal at 13:07 UT on that day
ra.graph_results(refcal, savefigs=True)
This will create summary plots of the amplitude and phase, will write the two corresponding *.png files into the /common/webplots/refcal folder, and will print as a text string the lines needed to add an entry. Just cut from the terminal and paste into the wiki editor at the appropriate place to preserve time order.
List of Analyzed Reference Calibrations
Date Timestamp Source Obs Trange Scan Idx Avg Trange Bands Phase Plot Amp Plot Comments
2017/04/02 06:36:50 3c273 04:20~11:00 All 05:47~07:26 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23 Phase Amp Ant 12 was not tracking. Delay center change at 11:38:17.
2017/04/05 06:44:10 3c273 04:17~10:30 All 04:27~09:34 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23 Phase Amp Ant 12 was not tracking.
2017/04/07 08:30:51 3c273 04:00~10:30 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17 07:53~09:10 5~34 Phase Amp Ant 12 was not tracking.
2017/04/08 06:14:51 3c273 05:00~10:30 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13 05:00~07:00 5~34 Phase Amp Ant 12 was not tracking. Ant 13 not working. Delay center change at 2017-04-08T03:12:26. Another refcal record is added at 2017-04-09T06:14:45.
2017/04/10 06:57:10 3c273 04:30~10:30 2, 6, 8 5~34 Phase Amp Ant 12 was not tracking. Delay center change at 2017-04-08 13:20:39.
2017/04/16 06:36:48 3c273 03:00~11:00 05:55~07:20 5~34 Phase Amp Ant 12 was not tracking.
2017/04/17 06:41:51 3c273 03:29~10:07 All 05:55~07:29 5~34 Phase Amp Ant 12 was not tracking. Delay center change at 19:12:58.
2017/04/26 08:06:52 3c273 02:50~09:28 All 07:21~08:57 5~34 Phase Amp Ant 12 was not tracking. Delay center change at 04:37:28 and 11:51:26.
2017/06/15 13:05:48 0 5~34 Phase Amp No calibration for: Ant 12
2017/06/20 13:06:26 0 5~34 Phase Amp No calibration for: Ant 1 Ant 12
2017/06/25 13:07:43 0 5~34 Phase Amp No calibration for: Ant 10 Ant 12
2017/06/27 13:02:49 2253+161 0 5~34 Phase Amp No calibration for: Ant 12
2017/07/06 02:47:49 1229+020 0 5~34 Phase Amp
Retrieved from "http://www.ovsa.njit.edu/wiki/index.php?title=Reference_Gain_Calibration&oldid=1611"
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PaaLabRes
Pratiques Artistiques en Actes, LABoratoire de REchercheS
Carte « Partitions graphiques » (2017)
Plan PaaLabRes (2016)
Editorial Carte « Partitions graphiques » (2017)
Contributeur·ices 2017
Editorial Plan PaaLabRes (2016)
Paarcours
Cartographie PaaLabRes
Compte-rendu de pratiques
Partitions graphiques
Recherche artistique
Paarticipation
Appel à contributions : « Faire tomber les murs » (2018)
Appel : « Partitions graphiques » (2016-17)
English : Editorial
English Editorial 2016
English Guides
English : Paarticipation
Call for contributions : “Break down the walls” (2018)
Call : “Graphic Scores” (2016-17)
Archives du mot-clé graphic scores
New Notation Literature – Carl Bergstrœm-Nielsen
30 octobre 2017 article de référence, Englisharchives, documentation, experimental music, graphic scores, improvisation, Musical Notationpaalabres-adm
Western music tradition has a speciality in writing down music. After 1945, non-traditional forms emerged, on the background of changes in culture, society, beliefs and lifestyle. « Graphic notation » is just one notion among others – some notations are like drawings, but many kinds of signs, layouts and the use of verbal means also exist.
My bibliographies at IIMA, International Improvised Music Archive, aim at mapping literature dealing with this territory, among other related ones connected to improvisation. The full title is Experimental Improvisation Practise and Notation. An Annotated Bibliography, and there is both one volume 1945-1999 and one with addenda thereafter. Presently there are more than 115 entries on notation with summaries of their contents. However, not included in this number are published editions of works, as well as publishers’ series and anthologies. See it all at www.intuitivemusic.dk/iima/legno1uk.htm .
For the most part, universities and related institutions are behind the research and publishing activity, but it should be noted that in many cases the researcher is also a practising composer and/or musician. In the sixties, many works were published on paper both in Europe and USA by commercial multinational publishers – among many others, Stockhausen, Wolff and Cage have been well documented in this way. More recently, the Notations 21 book by Sauer documents renewed interest from composers. In my bibliography referencing usage, this is called Sauer (2009;E1) – E1 refers to the systematic category of general writings on new notations. Exhibitions of new notations have taken place all the time since the seventies – more than sixty have till now been detected and listed, some with catalogues (see category K).
Cox (2008+2010;E1) open ups a historical perspective: notation has functioned to supplement a primarily oral tradition as a mnemonic aid, as can be found in the neumes of Gregorian Chant – later the function of notation became to provide a product that could be transmitted through a market. Then, after mechanical reproduction was invented, standard notation was no longer the only way to document music. Therefore, composers could feel more free to use notation to make the idea of the work clear, while leaving detailed documentation of the performance to the electronic media and, one could importantly add, leaving the production of details of the work to the performer. Later, computer and internet technologies made information more sharable, also between art forms, Cox states further.
Not only from published editions and anthologies of entire works, but also from a number of articles and historic treatises it is fairly easy to acquaint oneself with many different types of new notations through excerpts. Brindle (1986;H1) is an allround book on the history of Western new music with many illustrations. Bosseur (1979;H1) + (2005;E1) have a similar aim – the first one is a music history book, and the second deals with notation and provides a direct supplement to the former. It presents examples in order of increasing openness. Karkoshka (1966;E1) and its English translation (1972;E1) is a book on notations – of special interest is the section at the end of the book presenting entire works.
Sauer (2009;E1) was already mentioned as a recent window into contemporary activity in the field. Storesund (2016;G3.1) reflects the mature development of the field of open works with new notations: focus is consistently on how to realise such works, which require a more co-creative performance practise than traditionally. Improvisation is becoming more and more a part of conservatory curriculums since the nineties, and so non-traditionally notated works also receive renewed attention. The book provides inside information for all interested musicians and could also directly serve as a basis for teaching. A number of « showcase studies » discuss the challenges and dilemmas one may encounter as a musician in nine works. Five are even featured with all nescessary playing materials available, and composers include « classics » from the fifthies and on as well as three pieces written after 2000.
A considerable number of writings describe certain well-known works or composers. Earle Brown’s December 1952 is topping the list. Cardew’s large collection of graphic scores Treatise is frequently performed from. Christian Wolff has a special status with his introduction of cue systems in the sixties which focus on performers’ interaction. With the growth of improvisational practise later, this appears as a pioneering discovery. Roughly two decades later, the younger Zorn took up this aspect in his game pieces of the eighties which are still popular.
Of course the common area between visual art and music notation also has its devoted authors. Buj (2014;E1) connects both worlds, investigating the significance of circular forms in graphic notations.
Introducing, showcasing, discussing, elaborating on history, theory, philosophy, practical issues – it can all be found in the literature on new notations. To reduce the overwhelming complexity that looking at a whole library would induce, the bibliography has summaries, longer than just the titles and not the whole story, but they attempt to capture some essential aspects and keyword-like characterisations so as to make the road easier to travel for the searcher.
Return to the French text
Interview of Pascal Pariaud – English Abstract
29 octobre 2017 abstractfilm, Fred Frith, graphic scores, improvisation, music, Pascal Pariaud, pedagogy, workshopspaalabres-adm
The text of the article is extracted from the recording of an interview of Pascal Pariaud realized in November 2016 by Jean-Charles François and Nicolas Sidoroff. Pascal Pariaud is a clarinetist, and he teaches at the National School of Music at Villeurbanne (a suburb of Lyon, France). He supervises workshops in which the practice of graphic scores is an important component. He is a member of the improvisation trio PFL Traject and of the collective PaaLabRes.
The author describes in detail practices developed with various students’ groups with the graphic scores by Fred Frith over several years. Each of these scores proposes a different approach to a particular sonic matter. The students are also asked to develop in parallel their own graphic scores.
Several projects involving graphic scores have been developed outside the music school that have taken place in urban settings : children making music accompanying street theatre, music designed by pupils in a primary school for a film, a work by Llorenç Barber with all the bell towers of Lyon sounding together with the participation of advanced students.
The relations between graphic scores and improvisation are explored in several pedagogical contexts. Their role in the recent history of experimental music is stressed. The use of recording students performance and listening back is explained. The special case of the clarinet class with a single timbre available to interpret graphic scores is addressed. The practice of “Sound Painting” is critically analyzed. Several examples of adding sound to a film are given.
In general the author in his exposition of his pedagogical practices explains how he considers all the complex issues related to the use of graphic scores.
Reflections on Graphic Scores – English Abstract
5 octobre 2017 abstract, EnglishEtienne Lamaison, graphic scores, music, non-procedural, notation, visual artspaalabres-adm
Reflections on Graphic Scores
Etienne Lamaison (2017)
This article is a development of Etienne Lamaison’s doctoral thesis “L’interprétation des partitions graphiques non-procédurales” (Insituto de Investigção e formação Avançada, Evora, Portugal, 2013). The article is in two parts: a) “The Relations between visual and sound domains”; b) “The Graphic Scores”.
The comparison between artistic domains is a major preoccupation in Western thought. While there is a strict separation of the disciplines, for many artists the sources of inspiration for their imagination may often cross over boundaries. In recent time hybrid forms between artistic realms have been developed and many terminologies belong to two or more domains (color, timbre, nuance, harmony). However all the attempts to develop machines that would translate sound into visual forms or vice-versa have not been very successful. Some artists have developed ways of comparing parameters in one realm to their counterparts in their own realm (Klee and Kandinsky on the temporality of a tableau, Ferneyhough on visual images escaping the unfolding of time, the blank space and Cage’s silence). Colors are often used as code for timbre, visual spaces with temporality. In the relation visual plane / sound plane, notions of simultaneity and polyphony are explored. The concept of density can also produce useful comparison (Xenakis). The notion of splash, of touch, especially in impressionist painting can be related with vibrations.
The definition of “graphic score” is particularly difficult to make in view of the fact that most of them do not constitute a viable notational system. Five forms of graphic scores are presented:
Propositions that define a succession of events.
Propositions in which the total duration of the performance is fixed by the composer.
Propositions that are orientated towards pitch organization (registers, boxes with indicated pitches).
Mixed scores combining graphic elements with standard notation.
Propositions that are strictly non-procedural (with no specified ways of interpreting the visual elements).
Each of the five categories is accompanied with examples of graphic scores. The author explains his own approach to the non-procedural idea (the fifth category) and offers different methodologies for interpreting these various written forms, similar to those of improvisation. Historical and philosophical perspectives of experimental notational practices since 1945 are provided. In the conclusion, Lamaison stresses the necessity for institutions to include more development of the interpretation of graphic scores in their curriculum.
Encounter with Xavier Saïki – English Abstract
5 octobre 2017 abstract, EnglishCardew, collective, education, free jazz, graphic scores, improvisation, Ishtar, music, pedagogy, Treatise, Xavier Saïkipaalabres-adm
Encounter between Xavier Saïki
Samuel Chagnard & Jean-Charles François
Discussion about the project developed by the Ishtar Collective on Treatise by Cornelius Cardew
http://collectif.ishtar.free.fr/Sombresprecurseurs.html
The collective Ishtar has evolved from having a large number of members of dancers, performers, musicians, actors (1993-1999) to a more limited group of musicians interested in free jazz and improvisation (2003…). They like to call their activity “noise music” as part of the field of sonic arts : the world of making music with objects and modified instruments. Improvisation for them is a way to question listening, time unfolding, space and public participation. They mix acoustical sources with electroacoustic ones.
The interest of the collective for Treatise by Cornelius Cardew stems, in comparison to other graphic scores, from its radical uncompromising approach to visual layout. They became acquainted with this score at the moment in which they wished to fix certain things in their improvisations. In a first approach to the piece, they decided to play the totality of the 193 pages with a clock, each page having a duration of 2 minutes. Immediately some graphics were more striking than others. They concentrated on very minimal lines. They selected the pages that interested them mostly and they applied their usual modes of playing to the strict temporality of the score.
In their realization of Treatise, the ensemble tried to combine a very strict approach to time organization determined by the layout of graphic elements on the pages, with their usual approach to free improvisation. In the Ishtar collective, each player is independent from the others, there are no decisions in common. For the realization of Treatise, they might have been working on the same page and the same time frame, but each player interpreted the graphics in his own way. Some players strictly respected the signs on paper, others had a more general loose way of translating the visual graphics into sound.
The question of the central line or “time line” has been discussed in relation with Cardew’s Handbook. Difficult choices had to be made between the possibility for the musicians to choose individually what pages to be played and what duration they might last, or on the contrary to use the time line as a common point of time unfolding. The work on Treatise had an important impact a lot on the group’s own practice of improvisation, especially concerning the relation to time.
The collective has also organized workshops for amateur musicians, or young students from music schools and primary schools, in which graphic scores played an important role, and Treatise was often used in this context. The use of graphic scores allows inexperienced players to access improvisation, the score is used as a pathway towards sound production not completely determined by some kind of notation. Pieces like Treatise are at the same time “works” in the traditional sense, and open to modes of playing independent from visual structuring. Treatise is a tool to fabricate possible worlds, to make music in the large sense of the word. But from the graphic point of view, the score presents itself as a sacred object, something fixed, untouchable. There is a very precise continuity in the piece, there is a real graphic development.
4 octobre 2017 Editorial, Englishartistic practices, graphic scores, music, notation, Relationships between Visual Arts and Sonic Arts, sonic arts, visual artspaalabres-adm
Edition 2017 “Graphic Scores”
Editorial 2017
Content of this edition
This new edition is presented in the form of a roadmap, reminiscent of the metro map of our first formal proposition (2016 Edition), taking as basis a photograph of a painting by Lyon artist Christian Lhopital (we thank him for his generous contribution). We took advantage of the presence of seismic “faults” on this painting to use them as lines for connections between what we call “known places” [“lieux-dits”] in a meaningful way. Some contributions are grouped together on the map in regions (Treatise, films, documentation). The map consists of two big categories:
An artistic performance (audio or video) of a graphic score, which can be triggered by clicking on the “known place”, that is the name of the contribution. An explicative, theoretical or poetical text appears when one goes from one known place to either of the two neighboring “known places”, in the form of a collage with the text of the neighboring contribution.
Performances of Cardew’s Treatise, which are clustered in one part of the map and are presented in the same format.
Three musical illustrations of films.
These are reference articles, interviews or documentation pertaining to the question of graphic scores.
You can move freely in the new map by clicking on any of the names of the known places. But the spirit of our approach is definitively on the side of taking a path following the lines, or seismic “faults” (as in “San Andreas fault”): the strolling from one known place to its neighbor reveals a collage of texts or spoken words provided by the contributors. We strongly encourage you to follow a pathway along on a fault line.
Music is irreducible to the spoken word, it is well understood, no language structure can account for it. In order to say that there is nothing that can be said about the nature of music, nevertheless one has to say it.
The idea that sounds cannot be represented by signs, images, by the visual world in general, is less often expressed. Any sonority that cannot be simply measured – as for example timbre in its global complexity – could not be, according to this enunciation, reduced to a system of signs. The accumulation of signs necessary to represent the totality of the sound matter would render the notation unreadable. In order to demonstrate the impossibility of representation, one has to demonstrate it by signs.
Already two paragraphs full of pointless signs for expressing the pointlessness of the effort to conciliate the sonic and visual realms. Yet, in order to make music, one has beforehand to telephone each other, to talk – a language on the subject of music – and then to take from one’s pocket a diary in which to inscribe the place and time of the encounter – a graphic writing linked to the practice of music. Even in the case of an impromptu encounter, the very decision to make music together can be considered as an inscription. Would that allow the naming of this type of process “graphic score”?
The visual elements inscribed on the page of the diary do not prescribe sounds that will be produced at this date, in that place which is associated with it, and with the persons who have written the same “score” in their note book. The graphics in the diary, foreseeing what will happen at such a date and in such place allows the definition of the time and space of the music, the partial planning of its unfolding. As for the rest, anything may happen. The sound combinations and their eventual meaning have to be elaborated at the moment of the encounter.
Graphics, which determine something different from the musical materiality in itself, give that delicious impression of needing no mediation whatsoever: everybody can have access to it in an immediate manner without difficulty. The presence of a score assumes the same function as a totem in the religious and enigmatic sense: it implies the obligation to do an action, some movements, some sounds, and its absence paralyzes. But if the mediations are not provided by the graphics, they remain necessary elements for action to take place. One has either to call on some resources – knowledge or know-how – already present in the performer’s realm, or to invent some kinds of mediations – codes, rules, different means to transform the visual into sound. The advantage that graphic scores have in relation to the dryness of the daily notebook inscriptions, is that they contain generally enough salient elements for giving rise to codes, either in an existing framework (recalling for example notational systems already in use), or in some framework to be invented by the participants. Everybody can have access to action, on the condition that the lack of mediations specified in the graphic score could give rise to mediations – instituted or to be invented – appropriate to the situation of the participants.
This is precisely the PaaLabRes project: a) to conciliate free sounds and academic language; b)to emphasize the profound implication of artists in production and the access for all to practices; c) to connect the well identified objects with those which have to be continuously re-actualized; d) to bring together the private space with public presentations. And let’s not forget hybrid activities, which get artists to think outside their narrow professional corporate world. In other words our aim is to conciliate the visual world irreducible to sounds and the sound world impossible to represent; in this way to go beyond the “readable”.
The use of graphic scores is today widespread in extremely varied contexts and aesthetical modes of behavior. The new edition “Graphic Scores” on the PaalabRes site [paalabres.org] shows a good sampling of this diversity, without pretending to cover the field in an exhaustive manner. For us, the confrontation of realizations by very different groups is of particular importance: professionals, amateurs, students, young pupils, electroacoustic realizations, contributions based on original works by visual artists. This diversity, which is also a good representation of the democratic character of practices implying graphic scores, is expressed in particular around Treatise (1963-67) by Cornelius Cardew, a referent work for many musicians: seven interpretations of this piece are presented.
Contents of this edition
Several regions are identified on the map:
« Treatise » : The graphic score by Cornelius Cardew, Treatise (1963-67) is composed of 193 pages presenting 67 different graphic elements, certain of which are borrowed from traditional musical notation. According to John Tilbury, « Treatise was the culmination of a trilogy of works (with Autumn 60 and Octet ’61) in which this essential, human dialogue was re-opened, explored and refined. Rather than prescribind sounds Cardew sought to stimulate, provoke and inspire through a visual score of astonishing scope and imagination[1] » peformers’ capacities. This score is still today considered as a major reference and often performed in various realizations. This region is composed of:
Cardew: A collage of texts (in French) on Cardew’s Treatise (by Cornelius Cardew, John Tilbury, David Gutkin, Christopher Williams, Matthieu Saladin, Keith Rowe, Arturas Bumsteinas, Laurent Dailleau, Jim O’Rourke and Jean-Charles François).
Saïki: An interview with Xavier Saïki, member of the collective Ishtar, on Treatise by Cardew.
7 realizations of Cardew’s Treatise by very different groups: on the one hand, versions by professional groups, the collective Ishtar, the ensemble Dedalus and a trio (Pedro Branco, José Ceitão and Etienne Lamaison) ; on the other hand versions realized in educational contexts by the students of the HEMU of Lausanne (Haute Ecole de Musique de Lausanne), students from Cefedem AuRA, young students of the EPO program at the National Music School of Villeurbanne, and young students at the Miribel Music School (near Lyon).
« Films »: graphic scores can also be presented as animated images in time. Many projects are centered on the sonorization of silent films, particularly through improvisation while looking at the film. Three examples of sonorization of films are presented in the 2017 edition:
11e Année : The trailer of the film The 11th year (1928) by Dziga Vertof was sonorized by Clélia Bobichon, Jean-François Charles, Guillaume Hamet, Krystian Sarrau, Sébastien Sauvage et Nicolas Sidoroff. You will find in between the known-places « Zola » and « 11e Année » information about the practical modes of operation while realizing this project, by Nicolas Sidoroff.
Zola: The primary school Emile Zola in Villeurbanne organized during the year 2016-17 the realization by the pupils of a film. One class was in charge of realizing its sonorization with Pascal Pariaud.
Bois: The sonorization of the cartoon Bois by Lucie Marchais was realized by the improvisation workshop of Pascal Pariaud at the National Music School of Villeurbanne. Lucie Marchais was participating as a musician in this workshop.
« Documentation »: We can find in the world a particularly rich collection of graphic scores difficult to categorize, as many different practical contexts use this kind of tool. In this edition two known-places are proposed concerning the documentation of graphic scores:
At the known-place IIMA, International Improvised Music Archives (http://www.intuitivemusic.dk/iima/legno1uk.htm) you will find information on the extremely rich documentation collected by the Danish musician Carl Bergstroem-Nielsen. An important part of these archives dedicated to improvisation concerns graphic scores since 1945.
At the known-place Aleph : the Ensemble Aleph organized in 1983 an exhibition of graphic scores at Issy-les-Moulineaux, in the context of the « Atelier Musical » directed then by Sylvie Drouin. The catalogue of the exhibition « Musique et Graphisme » is presented in this known-place. The ’Ensemble Aleph was at that time a young contemporary music ensemble, just created by Dominique Clément (clarinet), Sylvie Drouin (piano), Monica Jordan (voice), Françoise Matringe (piano) and Christophe Roy (cello). The ensemble worked at that time with the composer Dan Lustgarten, who actively participated in the shaping of the exhibition and writing the texts of the catalogue.
Three reference articles on the subject of graphic scores and more generally on the issues of visual representation of sound, of musical notation and of musical forms of writing are presented:
“Drastique ou plastique ?” an article by David Gutkin (the English version of this article, « Drastic or plastic? » has been published in Perspectives of New Music ). The author explores the contents of the 1959 lecture by Stockhausen, « Musik und Graphik » de Stockhausen, 1959” in historical and critical perspectives.
“Réflexions sur les partitions graphiques” by Etienne Lamaison, extracted from his recent thesis on non-procedural graphic scores. For this author, the notion of non-procedural graphic scores can be defined as scores leaving a total freedom of interpretation of the visual signs to the performers.
In October 2019, a new known-place was created: “Ecriture et Oralité” (« Writing and Orality »), an article by Dominique Clément. The author confronts here in a double text, the written formal version and the oral transcript of a lecture he delivered in 2018 at the Cefedem AuRA.
Two interiews present effective practices of realizations of graphic scores in various contexts:
An interview with Pascal Pariaud on his pedagogical practices linked to graphic scores.
An interview with Xavier Saïki, member of the collective Ishtar, on Treatise by Cornelius Cardew.
The other known-places present various realizations of graphic scores sent to PaaLabRes after the 2017 call for contributions. Here is the list:
sono ba : Frédéric Mathevet, Sono ba 2 (extract): the appartment of my father/of my mother.
Gray Area : a graphic score by Julie Mehteru, Gray Area, performed by Bruno Graca and Etienne Lamaison, clarinets without mouthpiece.
Apples : Christopher Williams, Apples are Basic, performed by Mary Oliver, viola and Rozemarie Heggen, double bass. Serigraphs by Corita Kent.
Pressure/La mer: Alex Ness et Yoni Niv audiovisual compositions, Pressure, La mer, 2010.
Aifoon : Aifoon,artistic and pedagogical organization, Ghent, Belgiim. Graphic scores realized in children’s workshops and performed by Marc Galo, electric guitar, Stefaan Smagghe, violin and Thomas Smetryns, dulcimer.
…out of the air… : Elain Barkin, … out of the air…, for basset horn, 4 tracks tape and graphic score. This work was created in collaboration with the clarinetist Georgina Dobrée (1930-2008). The performance was recorded at the University of Wisconsin, Eau Claire, on March 4, 1993.
ENM : 3 scores written and performed by students participating in the improvisation workshop of Pascal Pariaud at the National Music School of Villeurbanne. Charlen Guillot, Kerwin Marchand-Moury and Léa Vernet.
Yantra : David Samas, Yantra,for the Gamelan Encimal (Stephen Parris, director). Performance of December 11, 2016 at Mills College, Oakland, California.
Unbearable Lightness : Carl Bergstroem-Nielsen, Towards an Unbearable Lightness 1992, for any instruments or voices capable of producing some « sombre et heavy » sounds and also some « light » sounds. Performance by the Ensemble Supermusique of Montreal, Canada (2013).
London : Guillaume Dussably, 6 travellings in the map of the London Underground, for modular synthesizer (2017).
Tres : Frederico Llach, Tres (three in Spanish) for three performers. Performance by PFL Traject, Pascal Pariaud, clarinet, Jean-Charles François, percussion and Gilles Laval, electric guitar, University of California Santa Barbara, February 2015.
Schème moteur : Alain Savouret, Schème moteur, performance by Ultim’Asonata, Festival « Musique Action » 2017, Vandœuvre-lès-Nancy. With Alain Savouret, high-speaking music , Yannick Herpin, clarinet, Violaine Gestalder, saxophone, Noémie Lapierre, clarinet, Gaspar Hoyos, flûte and Aurélien Pouzet-Robert, hautbois. In 2019, two new versions of this score are added, played by the group Petit Goulash (with Franck Testut, bass, Pham Tronh Hieu, drums, Gilles Laval, electric guitar, and Nicolas Sidoroff, trumpet).
Constellation Scores : Rob Mazurek, trompetist and visual artist, Constellation Scores, an exhibition of his lithographs in 3D at URDLA, Villeurbanne, September/November 2017.
powerpeinture : Laurent Grappe, powerpeinture, video, English translation by Ephia Gburek, la fab-ka, studio doitsu, mai 2017.
Le Collectif PaaLabRes : Samuel Chagnard, Guillaume Dussably, Jean-Charles François, Laurent Grappe, Karine Hahn, Gilles Laval, Noémi Lefebvre, Pascal Pariaud, Nicolas Sidoroff, Gérald Venturi.
Return to English Editorial
Contributors to the 2017 edition
1. John Tilbury, Cornelius Cardew (1936-1981), a life unfinished, Matching Tye near Harlow, Essex: Copula, 2008, p.234.
Call for contributions 2016-17
12 octobre 2016 paarticipation2016, 2017, call, contribution, graphic scorespaalabres-adm
Traduction française
“Use of Graphic Scores in Artistic Acts”
Presentation of the problem
Since 1950, at the initiative of composers such as Morton Feldman, John Cage, Earl Brown, Sylvano Bussotti, Karlheinz Stockhausen, Cornelius Cardew, Anestis Logothetis (etc.), the use of graphic scores, requiring performers themselves to decide the meaning of the signs inscribed on paper, has been largely experimented. These practices have resulted in a major controversy on the impossibility of determining how a sound result could be attributed without ambiguity to a specific score written by a particular composer (see for example Nelson Goodman, Languages of Art: An Approach to a Theory of Symbols, Hackett Publishing, 1968). The concept of a work of art as the ideal creative object produced by a specific author was directly questioned.
In 1969, the architect Lawrence Halprin, in collaboration with the choreographer Ann Halprin, presented in a book, The RSVP Cycles: Creative Processes in the Human Environment (G. Brazilier, 1970), the idea that in all creative processes, a score (S of RSVP) was present in graphic form (as for example architectural plans), and consequently any graphic form could be used to determine productions in all the different artistic domains: using materials (resources, R of RSVP, value systems (V) and particular processes (P).
After a period of intensive experimentation (1950-70), it seems that the use of graphic scores in Western contemporary music has practically disappeared. However, the use of graphic scores can be found in a more anonymous manner in musical practices in which improvisation takes an important place: the score is no longer considered as a major object of identification of a work of art, but as a simple tool (among others) for developing forms. In this context, graphic scores play an important role in instrumental and vocal pedagogy, allowing a reflection on sound production to take place and on how this can be contemplated in a collective context.
Today, it seems interesting to attempt to see to what extent the phenomenon of graphic scores continues to play a role in artistic practices. The broadened definition of “graphic score” in the context of this call for contributions can be as follows:
A graphic form, combinations of visual signs, determining actions realized by human beings according to various modalities. Or on the contrary, actions realized by human beings producing some graphic forms according to various modalities.
A graphic form can be a source of action for music, dance, theatre, poetry, etc. In the case of music, the signs of the traditional musical notation are not excluded, but the task of transforming the signs into sounds, has to be determined (at least in part) by the performer.
A new line: “Graphic Scores”
In the perspective of an evolving internet site or digital space, PaaLabRes envisages another new multimedia form for the coming year: a new line would be added to the ‘metro map’, called “Graphic Scores” – similar to the central line “Cartographie PaaLabRes” of the existing version:
The stations on the Graphic Scores line would be composed of extracts of performances of graphic scores (for example a sound track accompanied with the score)
Travelling between stations would be composed by texts (collages) providing a transition between the artistic content of one station and that of the next one on the line.
Some stations (maximum 3 or 4) would comprise referent research texts relative to the use of graphic scores.
The collective PaaLabRes (Lyon, France), in the perspective of developing its digital space, calls for contributions in the realm of artistic practices using graphic scores. The call implies three types of contribution:
An extract of an artistic act using a graphic score combining a graphic support and its artistic rendering – performance or other forms (maximum 5 minutes in duration). For example the sound track can be accompanied with a visual track, showing the score itself (which would have to be free of rights). This is only one example among other forms which can be proposed.
Same constraints as in (1), but this time using exclusively an extract from the score Treatise by Cornelius Cardew (Peters Edition, 1963-67).
Research articles (no limit of size) on the general subject of graphic scores as defined above. Our intent is to publish only three or four such contributions.
For propositions (1) and (2), a text (in English, could be very short, and maximum 1500 words) should mandatorily accompany the artistic content. This corresponds to PaaLabRes’ initial intent to systematically associate in each of its projects, research and invented artistic forms. We propose for this text three possible forms:
A text describing the processes used by the participant(s) in the realization of the graphic score.
A free text, which can be poetical or expressing some ideas to juxtapose to the artistic realization.
A text dealing with theoretical aspects linked to the processes.
This text will be translated in French. It will be used by the PaaLabRes editorial committee to build, through collage procedures, a transition between two stations, mixing two texts belonging to two adjacent stations, with eventual additions by the editorial committee. All the texts will be published integrally, but in a format chosen by PaaLabRes. Different character fonts will allow the reader to identify the authors of the texts. If possible, an English version will eventually be also presented.
Closing date for submission of proposals: December 31, 2016.
Announcement of accepted proposals by PaaLabRes: February 1, 2017.
Publication of the new version of the digital space PaaLabRes: May/June 2017.
Proposals should be sent to contribution[]paalabres[]org
If you have questions concerning this call for contributions, they can be sent to the same address.
Furthermore, PaaLabRes is seeking contributions to add to the existing lines in its digital space: “Improvisation”, “Recherche artistique” (Artistic research), “Politique” (Political), and “Compte-rendu de pratique” (Projects and actions), the English Editorial in particular. Note: the line « Cartographie PaaLabRes » (PaaLabRes cartography)
is definitively constituted, there is no plan to add new contributions to it. We encourage a diversity of forms in the contributions: research articles, free or poetical texts, videos, sound tracks, graphic forms, hybrid multimedia forms, etc.
These contributions can be sent at any time to this address: contribution[]paalabres[]org
The submitted texts can be in French or English. In the first case, they will be presented with an English abstract. In the second case, they will be published in English with a French abstract, or if possible in a bilingual version. The English texts already published will be translated in French with references to their initial publication.
The members of PaaLabRes collective form the editorial committee, which will determine the content of the digital space.
The members of the production committee are: Samuel Chagnard , Jean-Charles François, Noémi Lefebvre and Nicolas Sidoroff.
Download the Call for contributions (3p, letter format, 148Mo)
Gunkanjima (English version)
15 avril 2016 practices reportco-construction, collective creation, expérimentation, ghost town, graphic scores, intercultural gathering, Japan, multi-média, musical practicepaalabres-adm
Ghost Island
Noémi Lefebvre
(from her blog médiapart)
Gunkanjima is a place, a ghost island, a warship, an accumulation of buildings, an urban system, concrete composition, a mining town, an energy era, a geological hole, some pure coal called diamond. It is a switched-off function, a cemetery of objects, beds, tables, TVs, radios, calculating machines, sewing machines, typewriters, toys, curtains, fans, shoes, papers, bowls, sinks, fallen roofs, broken window panes, bird calls, rubble, a telluric city in the middle of the sea, outpost of chaos, nature after man, a silent place from where music begins.
Gunkanjima is a musical place of research and creation, an open construct, a sound fabric, an ensemble associating timbres, some broken up language, ancient poetry, bruitism, onomatopoeia, animal-human song and screaming, organism and machine, a territory of invention situated in this post-industrial time and in this globalized space where we have to live. This ensemble of six musicians demonstrates that research and creation are not two separated domains, but that they are as indispensable one to another as are work and play, memory and forgetfulness, knowledge and uncertainty, intention and invention.
This music of the present, in the making, obliges us to break with habits and classifications in trends, aesthetics, genres, cultural influences, to refuse decidedly any identification to already known consensual frameworks, which tend to place the artists in front of a paradox: one should invent in continuity, look for ideas without crossing the prescribed limits, create something new following the line, without getting out of the context organized by designations, as if these designations were here to stay for ever, whereas they appeared themselves at a given moment in order to burst other paradigms apart, define something that the old classifications were unable to grasp.
We may try to situate Gunjanjima in a trend: rock without a doubt, free evidently, electroacoustic indisputably, contemporary music absolutely!
At the same time no; it would be equally inappropriate to say that this creation is under European or Japanese influence, from somewhere or from nowhere, best not to look for a provenance or an affiliation, we have even to renounce discovering a multicultural origin in hearing it, or an expression of “world music”. The origin of Gunkanjima is not somewhere, here, elsewhere or everywhere: its origin is a project, and the origin of the project a desire for a shared project by musicians who bring to it their personality, their energy and their imaginary.
The habits of classifying, in which overlap the modes of acknowledgement of socio-musical spaces, the organizations of distribution networks, the formalizations of musical criticism, the commercial rationales, tend to be prolonged in listening criteria and to prescribe a sort of attention displacement on to categories. Do they necessarily discard the possibility to hear what is being played? It does not matter if our listening is informed by a history of representations, by an acculturation or by education, because even if we have evidently some sound references, there is a moment in which experience cannot rely on experience, a moment in which what we hear is awaking clear audible understanding, is disconnecting knowledge from erudition, awareness from boredom, listening from memory, perception from prejudgments, acculturation from cultural history. This moment is what Gunkanjima realizes.
Hashima was a black rock island off Nagasaki, where the first big concrete apartment complexes in Japan were built for a population that came to work at the exploitation of coal. This island, progressively enlarged to reach 480 meters long by 160 wide, overcrowded, transformed into “Gunkanjima”, “warship” in Japanese, for the intensive coal exploitation by Mitsubishi, was never conceived according to a general plan of urban development. The buildings were gradually added, as the mining activity intensified, until it was decided, in 1974, to close the mine and that all the inhabitants should leave the island within a few weeks. Nevertheless, all these buildings, impressive by their height and imbrication, are linked to each other through several levels and form a mega-structure and some circulations, which integrate some public spaces, aisles, terraces, a main square “Ginza Hashima”, as if there could have been an initial urban design.
Of course, this mode of urban construction is not specific to the Hashima island. Most towns, described a posteriori as extremely complex and coherent organisms, can display ingenuity of general structure and of circulation nevertheless invisible to those who built it. But the ghost-towns reveal it better than others: it seems that the cessation of all activities and the disappearance of any human presence render possible an organic analysis coldly after the fact. Sometimes the dead bodies have to be observed in order to understand the living ones.
To observe coldly after the fact the music of Gunkanjima is not possible: even if it is burned on a CD, it is not fixed! For the concert is not the public restitution of the recorded work; instead, through the gathering of musicians in rehearsals and on stage, at each performance, Gunkanjima is created and recreated. Therefore the musicological analysis of a “musical text” defined once and for all would most probably not be able to seize the creative energy, which determines its strength and its form, in the first place because there is no text, and then because this non existent text is constantly modified. The graphic scores created for Gunkanjima have a musical function inscribed in play. In this passage, for example, called the space, in which the musical idea of a “living space but with almost nothing” is developed, the graphic score is used foremost as a reminder of what, in improvisation and in the proposed ideas, will serve as benchmark or as thread, from which is developed a freedom of play. Everything is constructed, nothing is determined in advance.
No way to relate the realization to a prior idea, no certainty, no prediction, and nevertheless there is a circulation, an ensemble of networks. The musical elaborations of Gunkanjima are elaborated little by little, in a common research, with some materials, chosen constraints and a lot of imagination. These music pieces have their specific form and their own matter, and little by little, these pieces connect in a pathway. As the musician guitarist Gilles Laval says concerning the initial creation of the group: “we arrive somewhere, we come out again, then it continues, we don’t know where it leads, I like this idea of some cooking that is grasped at a given moment, it opens and it closes, and in fact, the cooking continues, it still leaves some traces”. As in the case of the island, of which the human history, linked to the intensive coal exploitation, does not constitute a whole as such outside history, in Gunkanjima there is no beginning nor ending, but a living, poetic and violent moment, fugitive with regard to the thousand years of necessary sedimentations to transform the vegetal and organic debris into coal, a human time in a long history without humans, which as such lets itself be grasped, immediately, as soon as it begins, this is why, in concert as in CD form, the pieces are not pieces.
It is possible to listen to an isolated track of the CD, but in reality the music is made up by a single continuous piece; “I cannot imagine that the piece could be stopped at some moment, and then to start again; for me it is a single piece from beginning to end, there are things happening, and then in the same way I started off from this story, from this island, and then I could not see how to divide this town into fragments of town”, explains Gilles Laval.
The vitality of this ensemble lies in the rapprochement of personalities whose musical worlds are already present. “When I gathered together this group, I knew that they were individualities. Each person is able to develop her/his projects alone”. The equilibrium is found in co-construction, in which whoever pretends to be the leader [chef] is nothing more than a liar [menteur]: “each person is at his/her place and the detail is discussed more and more. These are musical discussions in the course of elaborating propositions, each one speaks and may intervene. The decisions are always based on common choices”.
Gunkanjima, the island, is not a distant theme, exotic pretext to make music, it is constitutive of its architecture. It is not a stylistic subject, an allegory, a theme from the past, this is why there is no point in looking for Japanizing references or anything that is overplaying Japanese music. If there is something of Japan in this music, it is because three out of the six musicians are Japanese. The time is creation or is nothing at all.
Translation by Jean-Charles and Nancy François
See also the blog chronicle of June 20, 2015.
PaaLabRes : Pratiques Artistiques en Actes, LABoratoire de REchercheS
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SHARK STANLEY
SHARK FRIENDLY BUSINESSES
Alyssa Sablan
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Annie Anderson
Leah Meth
Manta Rays in Sri Lanka
Posted by Shark Defenders
KerriLynn Miller of the Pew Charitable Trusts and Daniel Fernando at CITES
Al Jazeera carries a story today about the manta ray trade in Sri Lanka Diminishing Ray of Hope. The story quotes Daniel Fernando of the Manta Trust, who was with us in Bangkok, Thailand earlier this month at CITES.
Marine biologist Daniel Fernando has been surveying Sri Lanka’s fishing industry for over two years. Today, he is in the western coastal town of Negombo, at one of the country’s busiest fish markets. He is passionate about saving manta and mobula rays from extinction. Fernando carefully examines a pile of rays on the pier, collecting DNA samples for population studies.
Researchers estimate that fisheries the world over net more than 100,000 such rays a year, mostly in Sri Lanka, Indonesia and India. Many catches remain undocumented. Until recent years, most fishermen avoided them. Their meat is cheap and they damage fishing nets when entangled.
But that has changed. The burgeoning demand for their gill plates in Chinese medicine – said to cleanse human blood of toxins – has increased fishing pressure worldwide, turning subsistence fishery into a commercial export industry.
Also a member of conservation group Manta Trust, Daniel fears the combination of slow maturation, long gestation and infrequent pregnancies means manta and mobula populations cannot sustain the slaughter. With a wingspan of up to seven metres, manta rays are believed to be at least 15 to 20 years old by the time they are ready to breed. A mature female usually produces one pup every two to five years, with each pregnancy lasting a year. Scientists estimate they live more than 50 years.
KerriLynn Miller of the Pew Charitable Trusts visited Sri Lanka in the weeks leading up to CITES to conduct a shark fin and manta ray gill raker identification training. She wrote a blog Dispatch from Sri Lanka: Observing the Trade of Oceanic Whitetip Sharks in a Local Fish Market and posted photos of sharks and mantas being traded.
at 3:49 PM 1 comment: Links to this post
Labels: Manta Trust, Media, Sri Lanka
Shark Stanley in Slate
The Shark Stanley and Pew teams at CITES
Slate has a great article today Sharks are the New Whales and everybody's favorite paper hammerhead shark gets a mention.
Just as our fear of whales turned to awe, so has our attitude shifted about sharks. Bruce, the smiling shark in Finding Nemo, and friends chanted “Fish are friends, not food,” and a Shark Stanley campaign at the CITES meeting portrayed a friendlier kind of shark.
The story also mentions and links to Pew's shark fin ID guide.
Labels: CITES, Media, Shark Stanley
Dispatches from Sharklab: Sharks, Sand flies, and Scrubbing Toilets
by Annie Anderson
In my first blog I explained how late last year I spent six weeks volunteering at the world famous Sharklab in Bimini, The Bahamas. In this blog I discuss some of the many activities I participated in.
Ok so the glamorous life of a shark researcher isn’t always that glamorous. Some of my first duties as a volunteer involved building semi-captive pens for housing sharks ready for experiments, shark night fishing off the dock, and supporting Ph.D. candidate Jean-Sebastien Finger with his video trials focusing on shark behaviour and personality. Several times however I was able to go on amazing shark dives with over 12 Caribbean reef and Blacknose sharks, which were breathtaking experiences! The not so glamorous duties meant I also had to assist with cleaning the lab i.e. scrubbing toilets and prepping meals; all necessary tasks but thankfully I love cleaning!
Weighting the sharks during Mini-PIT
The week ahead consisted of helping with the labs Mini-PIT Program. Mini-PIT is an annual, six-day tagging project named for the type of tag used (Passive Integrated Transponder - A rice-grain sized microchip identifier) that involves catching juvenile lemon sharks (Between 60 - 120cm) in gillnets at night within a known nursery ground. Our typical PIT day started at 5pm and ended around 7am! To help wrap your brain around the physical exertion needed for PIT, imagine crouching/lying on small, wet boats for over 12 hours, in TOTAL darkness, checking nets with flash lights every 15 minutes, and jumping in the sea at all hours to remove the sharks, fish and crabs from the nets. Some nights it rained and with temperatures dropping you found yourself counting down the hours for a hot shower!
Checking the gillnet every 15 minutes
So the PIT nights were cold, wet, and tiring, but fun (We often played Mad Libs over the radio to pass some time!) all of this hard work for a better understanding of these lemon sharks, which will ultimately contribute towards protecting them. All night the fish and crabs were continuously released from the nets, while the sharks were swiftly taken over to the tagging boat for processing.
Sharks in the tagging boat
The volunteers and staff measured the sharks, took DNA samples, and then tagged, weighed, and temporarily placed them in large holding pens ready to be used in behavioural trials in the coming days. Sharks were continually monitored to ensure they all remained healthy and unstressed. A stressed lemon shark quickly changes to a blotchy colour and I was personally surprised at how sensitive these lemon sharks were. The team had to work fast and efficiently, including monotonously checking the nets in order to remove sharks as quickly as possible. Shark safety was paramount and I was in my element being surrounded by people who care as much as me about sharks and their safety.
Repairing the gillnets during the day
For the past 18 yrs the Sharklab has monitored the lemon shark population in Bimini assessing survival, growth and mating characteristics. It is well known that female lemon sharks return every two years to Bimini to give birth and their pups can stay around the Bimini islands for up to 6 yrs! Incredible.
Another reason for their capture is to monitor shark behaviour ‘personality traits’ through various observations. Sharks are held and observed in pens for short periods of time, usually not more than two weeks, and are subsequently released.
Beach cleanup time!
Other than Mini-PIT, some of my other volunteer tasks included: repairing the gillnets (whilst being eaten alive by sand flies!), cleaning and collecting plastic and rubbish from the local beaches as part of the lab’s community outreach programme, data input, and supporting other scientists such as Craig O’Connell with his current magnet project, Rob Bullock with his accelerometer project, and Maurits Van Zinnicq Bergmann with his acoustic receiver testing project. All very fascinating and thought-provoking projects.
Days off were very welcomed and during our downtime we relaxed on the beach and snorkelled in the sea. Those were the hardest days, I swear!
The world famous Bimini shark snorkel
Towards the end of my time at Sharklab we set a shallow water longline, which is a fishing method using baited lines strung together on a “longline.” We set five lines each 500 meters in length, in 2-3m water depth to attract the ‘Big Guns’ and well, we certainly got lucky! We caught 9 tiger, 1 lemon and 1 nurse shark, and I was lucky enough to see them all! Just like with Mini-PIT, the staff and volunteers measured the sharks, took DNA samples, and then tagged and released them all.
What was the largest I hear you say? A huge 350cm tiger! An absolutely beautiful shark. I’ve posted several photos of this experience on my Facebook page, so feel free to add me if you’d like to see them.
Thanksgiving in the Sharklab kitchen
During my last week at the lab I spent an amazing Thanksgiving feast with the team and before I knew it, it was time to leave and head home to the cold UK for Christmas. I was so inspired by my visit that I started a week’s fundraising for the lab and raised $500 within the week which went towards a hammerhead tracking device! A great result.
So I really hope you’ve enjoyed reading about my time at the lab and that it inspires you in some way. In the coming weeks I plan to blog about my recent great hammerhead free-diving experience so watch this space fellow shark lovers and stay tuned!
Annie Anderson is the founder of Sharks Need Love. Follow her on Facebook, Twitter, and Blogger. More photos from Sharklab are posted to Shark Defenders Facebook Page. You can follow Sharklab on Facebook and Twitter for daily updates from the station.
Labels: Annie Anderson, Bimini, Guest Blog, Sharklab, The Bahamas
Help This Shark Defender and Get the Gift of Music
Shark Defenders: (from left to right) Filmmaker Rob Stewart, Laurie Peterka, Shawn Heinrichs, Cinta M. Kaipat, Meaghan Hassel-Shearer, and former Northern Mariana Islands governor Benigno R. Fitial.
Remember those great kids in Saipan who helped pass a shark fin trade ban back in 2011? They had a lot of help from some very caring adults including this lady, Cinta M. Kaipat. Need your memory jogged? She appears in our short film Saipan Sharkwater starting at about 2:08.
Cinta has been an environmental advocate for years. She was one of the main proponents for the 2009 creation of the Mariana Trench Marine National Monument, one of the largest marine protected areas on the planet, and more recently helped us launch the Shark Stanley campaign.
Cinta with a whole gaggle of Shark Stanley supporters.
Cinta's latest challenge may be her most important one as it is literally a matter of life or death. She's dealing with cancer. The medical facilities on Saipan are not adequate for the care she requires, so she has to spend some time in the Philippines. Her family is helping her raise money for the treatment and have released an album of Refaluwasch island music. Cinta's brother Gus is the lead singer on the album, which is titled Trip to Paradise. He is a professional singer and has been performing for twenty years around the island.
The album contains 14 original songs that are available for digital download and on CD. This link has samples of each song if you want to hear them. Information on the album and the songs is available here.
We never ask our supporters for donations to run our campaigns, but we would appreciate it if you would purchase an album and help out our friend, Cinta. All proceeds from the album will go towards her treatment. Thank you for your continued support.
Labels: Northern Mariana Islands
US Military to Help Enforce Shark Protections
But how will they enforce it? With the help and support of the United States Navy, that's how!
The Marianas Variety reports that the Marshall Islands and the United States have signed an amendment to a 2008 maritime surveillance and interdiction cooperation agreement known as the “shiprider” pact. The new agreement will allow Marshallese enforcement officers, many of whom attended an enforcement training sponsored by the Pew Charitable Trusts in September 2012, to travel onboard US Navy vessels patrolling Marshallese waters. Previously, Marshallese enforcement officers were allowed only on Coast Guard vessels.
Expanding a successful partnership between the U.S. Coast Guard and Marshall Islands law enforcement officials, the U.S. Navy will join in protecting the vast ocean area of this western Pacific nation following the signing of a new agreement in Majuro Tuesday.
U.S. Ambassador to the Marshall Islands Thomas Armbruster and Marshall Islands Foreign Minister Phillip Muller signed an amendment to a 2008 maritime surveillance and interdiction cooperation agreement known as the “shiprider” pact.
“This is a new development in our relationship,” said Muller at the ceremony. “Now we can include U.S. Navy ships working with our enforcement agencies to patrol our exclusive economic zone.”
Since 2008, the shiprider agreement has provided authority for Coast Guard vessels to assist the Marshall Islands with maritime law enforcement, primarily focusing on fisheries. Last year, Marshall Islands officials on board a Coast Guard vessel boarded a Japanese vessel and confiscated a large volume of shark fins that are illegal here. The boarding resulted in a $125,000 fine for the vessel.
The new agreement now allows Marshall Islands law enforcement officers to be “shipriders” on Coast Guard, Navy and other U.S. Defense Department vessels.
This is a game changer for marine enforcement in the Pacific and will have significant impacts on illegal fishing. It is impressive enough to have the US Coast Guard enforcing fishing regulations; it is quite another to have the US Navy involved. Imagine a Navy destroyer pulling alongside a suspected illegal fishing vessel!
Congrats and thank you to the people and governments of the Marshall Islands and the United States for this exciting development. Hopefully this successful partnership will spread to the other shark sanctuary countries in the Pacific.
Labels: Enforcement, Marshall Islands, United States
The Evolution of Shark Stanley
Shark Stanley in Bangkok in front of all his global supporters
The Shark Stanley campaign began on November 20, 2012 with little more than a name, an idea, and a handful of very determined people. After about a month of discussing how we could engage the world to advocate for shark and manta ray protections at the then-upcoming Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), we settled on something that was a hybrid of the Flat Stanley Project, Ecology Action Center’s Hector the Blue Shark, and those Star Wars mosaic posters popular in the 1990s. The campaign was to be a collaboration between Yale graduate students, the Pew Charitable Trusts, and anyone else who wanted to help. Because students Leah Meth and Onon Bayasgalan were going to head the campaign and be its public face, we decided our target audience would be no less than the youth of the world.
This is the best photo I could find of Onon, Angelo, and Leah. Sorry, Onon.
There is no shortage of shark petitions on the Internet. We didn’t want to replicate anything that was already out there, so we immediately threw away any notion of doing a signature petition. Pew had conducted a successful campaign a few years back on penguins where they asked people to submit photos of themselves, which were turned into a collage of a penguin (i.e. like the Yoda mosaics). However, we couldn’t just do a single collage because CITES has 178 members and each country gets a vote. We needed to reach out to each of the country delegates individually. The idea of a children’s educational package was also raised. We wanted to do more than just gather signatures; we wanted to actively engage young people and create a dedicated army of activists. Out of this discussion arose the idea of Shark Stanley. We would have a character that was attached to a children’s activity book that people would take photos with that we promised to deliver in a creative manner directly to CITES delegates at the 16th Convention of the Parties (CoP) being held in Bangkok, Thailand on March 3-14, 2013.
We immediately set to work finding an artist to create Shark Stanley and commissioned Dan Yagmin Jr. to create our characters and illustrate our children’s book. We also developed our outreach materials: single page handouts with cutouts of the characters and instructions on what to do. We loaded everything onto the Shark Defenders website and purchased the url www.sharkstanley.com.
French Polynesia announced their shark sanctuary at WCPFC in December 2012.
The campaign launched a month later on December 17. It was a busy time for those of us working on shark conservation because of the Cook Islands and French Polynesia shark sanctuary declarations and work on sharks at the Western Central Pacific Fisheries Commission. Regardless, we launched on Shark Defenders and our partner websites by asking young people (and the young at heart) to photograph themselves holding cutouts of a paper shark named Shark Stanley. Shark Stanley represented the proposal to list scalloped, great, and smooth hammerheads on CITES Appendix II. A photo with Shark Stanley represented a signature to support the proposal. We promised characters representing the other proposals and a children’s book over the coming weeks.
Leah and Onon also started a fundraising campaign on Indiegogo. As part of their study at Yale they were tasked with hosting a symposium. This required money. There were also printing and design costs associated with the children’s book and the photo petition and these needed to be covered.
Manta Reina was released on New Year’s Eve, followed by Pierre le Porbeagle on January 4, and Waqi Whitetip on January 9. The response to Shark Stanley and his friends was immediate. In the first three days we received photos from the United States, Canada, Mongolia, Northern Mariana Islands, Palau, Philippines, New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, Taiwan POC, South Korea, Germany, and Singapore. We reached 50 countries by the middle of January. Photos poured in from all corners of the globe and we added a new partner organization nearly every day, including Shark Savers, Coral Reef Alliance, Hong Kong Shark Foundation, Taiwan SPCA, Earth Race Conservation, and many other NGOs and dive shops.
The Adventures of Shark Stanley and Friends was released on January 30. It was (and still is) available as a free download on Shark Defenders and Yale’s Sage Magazine. Leah and her classmate Ben Goldfarb wrote the text. Dan Yagmin Jr. illustrated and Monte Kawahara designed the 32-page book. The story contained in the pages explains the threats sharks and manta rays face from a global trade in their parts. And it rhymes.
The Shark Stanley team at Yale (from left to right): Stephanie Stefanski, Jeff Chow, Ben Goldfarb, Onon Bayasgalan, Leah Meth, Angelo Villagomez, Dan Yagmin Jr., Monte Kawahara, Omar Malik, and Laura Johnson.
Leah and Onon hosted their symposium “From Ocean to Plate – An Interdisciplinary Symposium on the International Trade and Conservation of Sharks and Marine Species” on February 15. Dr. Barbara Block, Dr. Paul Anderson, Dr. Demian Chapman, and Dr. Susan Lieberman spoke on the biology and conservation of sharks during the morning session. In the afternoon, David Doubilet, James Prosek, Krishna Thompson, and Barton Seaver spoke of the human connection to sharks and the ocean. Angelo was the moderator. Afterwards we all went out for vegetarian sushi. Leah and Onon’s classmate Omar Malik filmed the talks and has uploaded four of them to Shark Defenders Youtube Channel.
Shark Stanly on Mount Kilimanjaro
Throughout the campaign updates were posted to Shark Defenders blog, Facebook, and Twitter. We also started a Facebook page specifically for Shark Stanley. Using Shark Defenders model of purchasing Facebook ads, Leah was able to increase the number of likes to over 5,000 in two months with only $20.
Shark Stanley in Antarctica
By the end of February Shark Stanley had been to over 120 countries, met thousands of supporters, and had campaign materials translated into 17 languages. During this time Shark Stanley visited the top of Mount Kilimanjaro, the deserts of Morocco, the islands along the Mariana Trench, the glaciers of Antarctica, and went diving in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic Oceans. During this phase of the campaign Leah and Onon spent about four hours per day downloading and sorting the hundreds of photos received each day. As many photos as possible were uploaded to Facebook.
The next phase of the campaign involved preparation for the CITES CoP. Leah and Onon created a 150+ page collage of all the photos we had received prior to February 25 (apologies to everyone who sent in photos after the deadline). We brought 9 copies of the petition to CITES. Seven were in binders to show to delegates, one was used to decorate the booth, and one was used to hand out individual pages to their respective delegates. We printed 1000 Shark Stanley stickers, designed and bought 200 lapel pins, and ordered 2 life size standups.
Turning over petitions to Indonesia
Once we arrived in Bangkok our singular goal was to talk to every single country delegate and turn over the photos from their respective country, something that turned out to be easy since so many people were attracted to our booth by the floor to ceiling photo petition. The Shark Stanley booth was right next to the Pew Charitable Trusts booth, so after we finished telling delegates that the youth of the world and the youth of their respective countries supported the shark and manta ray proposals, Pew would show them how to easily identify shark species by their dorsal fins, and vice versa. A majority of the delegates were supportive and enjoyed looking for their flags on our wall.
Livetweeting the meeting
We continued to give live updates on Facebook and the blog and whenever sharks were discussed in Committee I or Plenary, we live-tweeted the discussion. We worked as a team to tweet. Leah posted verbatim what the delegates were saying on the floor, while Angelo posted commentary and tried to put the discussions in context.
Please share this on Facebook.
After the sharks passed in Committee I, we worked with Shawn Heinrichs, Mary O’Malley, and Paul Hilton to create #StandByYourVote to pressure delegates to keep the vote from being reopened in Plenary. We made it easy for people from around the world to email their respective delegates in Bangkok and demand that they not reopen the vote. Japan and China were expected to try to reopen and overturn the vote, something they successfully did to porbeagles in 2010. There was some grumbling from the other NGOs, but governments were put on notice that the world was watching them.
A clean sweep: 4 for 4
The first Shark Stanley campaign ended on March 14, 2013 with the successful listings of manta rays, hammerheads, porbeagles, and oceanic whitetips on CITES Appendix II. There are no concrete plans for a second campaign, but we are exploring our options.
Labels: CITES, Shark Stanley
Thank you, United Kingdom
The people of the United Kingdom were some of the most prolific Shark Stanley campaigners. Annie Anderson, the newest Shark Defenders blogger, helped us out the gates and gathered photos from Gemma Atkinson and Jessica-Jane Clement and basically anyone she talked to for weeks. We also had lots of help from our official partners Shark Aid UK and Earth Race Conservation. Many, but not all, of the photos are posted on Shark Stanley's Facebook page.
We officially presented a full copy of the Shark Stanley petition to Minister of State for Agriculture and Food David Heath. The minister thanked us and we congratulated and thanked him for the leadership of the UK and EU in proposing and passing the shark proposals at CITES CoP16.
Labels: CITES, European Union, Shark Stanley, United Kingdom
Overfishing Undermining Japan's Own National Interests
We're catching up on emails and non-CITES related news from the last two weeks and missed this important Associated Press story from Japan, Japan's Bluefin Tuna Is Disappearing, But Few Chefs Fear Shortage.
TOKYO (AP) — It is the king of sushi, one of the most expensive fish in the world — and dwindling so rapidly that some fear it could vanish from restaurant menus within a generation.
Yet there is little alarm in Japan, the country that consumes about 80 percent of the world's bluefin tuna. Japanese fisheries experts blame cozy ties between regulators and fishermen and a complacent media for failing to raise public awareness.
"Nobody really knows the bad state bluefin tuna is in," veteran sushi chef Kazuo Nagayama said from his snug, top-end sushi bar in Tokyo's Shimbashi district, a popular area for after-work socializing. "I don't think it'll disappear, but we might not be able to catch any. It's obvious we need to set quotas."
Tuna fishing is linked to shark fishing and this story is worth a read. It also gives some insight into Japan's opposition to conservation measures for economically valuable marine species.
Labels: Japan, Tuna
CITES and Sharks on Al Jazeera
Al Jazeera hosted a 25 minute panel discussion on sharks and CITES with Susan Lieberman of the Pew Charitable Trusts, Tom Quinn of International Fund for Animal Welfare, and Colman O'Criodain of World Wildlife Fund. This is probably the most in-depth discussion on CITES CoP16 that you'll find on TV/video. The first three minutes are a news story. The panel starts at 3:30.
Labels: CITES, Media, Pew Environment Group
Dispatches from SharkLab
Like most of you reading this blog, my passion for sharks has been with me since I was a child. My earliest memory was pouring the contents of my fish tank into the bath so I could swim with my colourful finned friends. My second earliest memory was a real telling off from my Mum for said previous earliest memory!
My name is Annie Anderson and I am the founder of Sharks Need Love. This is the first of what I hope will be a series of blogs about life at the world famous Bimini Biological Field Station Foundation (BBFSF) aka SharkLab. I’m picking up the SharkLab Shark Defender Guest blog duties from former assistant lab manager Tyler Clavelle.
In October 2012 I was accepted as a volunteer to help and support SharkLab. The lab is renowned for its work with lemon sharks and I literally couldn’t wait to get there and see my first lemony coloured friend! The lab is located on South Bimini in The Bahamas about 50 miles east of Miami, which is a long 10 hour flight on Virgin Atlantic from my home in Devon, England.
I arrived in Miami to dark clouds and rain from superstorm Hurricane Sandy. All flights to The Bahamas were canceled, so I holed up in a hotel for a couple of days. When the storm finally passed, I boarded a tiny 8-seater packed with other customers’ groceries and was on my way.
Is that a lemon shark near the mangroves?
The view from the plane was epic to say the least. I scanned the horizon for sharks out my window, but almost as soon as we took off I could see a low island approaching. South Bimini, my home for the next six weeks!
The Bahamas: It Just Keeps Getting Better
The Bimini International Airport is a single story building. At first I thought they were ecofriendly because all the doors and windows were open. I soon learned it was because there was no power on the island. It was a complete power cut! The whole island was without electricity, running water, phones, and Internet, which meant that I had no access to my blog, email, Facebook, or Twitter! After the initial shock I got over it because I had finally arrived!
SharkLab: My home and office for six weeks.
I was picked up by Dr. Guttridge and Dr. Gruber in an old pickup truck and we drove down a bumpy, unpaved road to the south end of South Bimini to SharkLab. I’m not sure what I imagined a world famous shark laboratory would look like, maybe something out of a James Bond film, but what I found was a single story building that contained everything I'd know for the next six weeks: dorm beds, a kitchen, a laboratory, and a gaggle of other sun-drenched volunteers. Stay tuned for my next blog where I describe the research and my volunteer activities!
Dr. Guttridge and Dr. Gruber greeted me at the airport.
Annie Anderson is the founder of Sharks Need Love. Follow her on Facebook, Twitter, and Blogger.
Shark Sanctuary Enforcement is Taking Place
While the world celebrates CITES historic vote to list oceanic whitetips, hammerheads, porbeagles, and manta on Appendix II, the men and women in uniform charged with enforcing marine protections continue their mostly unheralded work to enforce the laws that protect our oceans. This week shark busts took place in Hawaii, home of the landmark shark fin trade ban that ignited shark conservation in 2010, and the Marshall Islands, home to a shark sanctuary four times the size of California.
Enforcement of the shark protection measures put in place in recent years is so important because many of the detractors, and to be truthful, many of our would be supporters, claim that enforcement is impossible. If islands states with limited budgets and capacity can implement these measures it proves this argument incorrect.
The Marshall Islands have vigorously defended their shark sanctuary since its creation in 2011. Last year they issued fines totally US$235,000.
From the Marianas Variety:
A Majuro-based long line fishing boat has had its fishing license suspended after it was caught with shark fins on board last week by a police boarding party.
The vessel, whose name was not immediately available, is flagged in the Federated States of Micronesia and fishes locally through the Marshall Islands Fishing Venture, which is operated by Hong Kong-based Luen Thai Fishing Venture. In addition to Majuro, Luen Thai manages long line fishing operations in Pohnpei and Palau that supply tuna for sashimi markets in Asia and the United States.
Ten bags of shark fins and some sharkskin were confiscated during a sub-regional maritime surveillance operation in which the Marshall Islands Sea Patrol and Marshall Islands Marine Resources Authority participated, said MIMRA Director Glen Joseph on Wednesday.
Fisheries officials estimate that the confiscated fins involved killing between 40 and 50 sharks. A fisheries law bans shark finning in Marshall Islands waters and the presence of shark fins on board a vessel, even if they were caught in another country’s ocean jurisdiction.
The vessel’s license has been suspended pending the negotiation of a fine. Everything is expected to be wrapped today. I hope that the Marshall Islands confiscate the fins and burn them for the world to see.
In Hawaii, a crew member on a longline fishing vessel tried to sell a bag of unprocessed fins to a Chinese restaurant. He faces a misdemeanor and a fine of up to $1000 and jail time. I hope this story sheds light on the sharks being killed for their meat in Hawaii, despite the shark fin ban.
Labels: CITES, Hawaii, Marshall Islands, Shark Sanctuary
Angelo and Sue from Pew Charitable Trusts
All four shark and manta ray proposals were approved in plenary today. Had we been more organized, we'd have some sort of statement, but we don't. We'll work on it. I'm guessing we don't yet comprehend the enormity of this shark victory.
Thank you to the thousands of people who participated in the Shark Stanley campaign and to the hundreds of you who sent last minute emails directly to delegates. It was an honor and a privilege to bring your voice and vote to CITES this year.
Oceanic whitetip, hammerhead, and porbeagle sharks and both species of manta rays stand a chance now because CITES works. And you did this. Thank you.
Labels: CITES
The Arguments For and Against
By Leah Meth
Today, on the last day of CITES CoP16 here in Bangkok, the shark and manta proposals will be first up this morning in the final plenary meeting. We’ll be livetweeting the whole time so that you can follow the discussion play by play. In the meantime, we thought it would be useful to put together a quick summary of the main arguments and questions that have been raised that will likely come up again today and the responses we’ve heard that debunk or address these claims:
1) CITES is the wrong forum for regulating international trade. Iceland, Japan and China argued in their interventions that management of sharks should be the responsibility of RFMOs.
2) Tied to this argument is the claim that there isn’t enough data to adopt these proposals.
Brazil, New Zealand and the US countered this point in their interventions, arguing that CITES would complement RFMOs. First, Appendix II listing would create a better record of trade and key data on stocks, which is required to ensure the sustainability of the fisheries in question. As NZ said, “Basically all oceanic sharks are data deficient…and RFMOs need to better monitor and regulate catches…CITES listing will aid in this, not detract.”
All three parties went on to say that far from being superfluous, CITES would fill a key gap, since RFMOs fail to cover the entire range of these shark and ray species. “This is a global problem that requires a worldwide solution.” CITES is a key part of that solution.
Several arguments then centered on questions of implementation:
3) “[Fin] Identification will be too difficult”
This argument came up repeatedly by Japan and China in Committee I, despite the fact that this has been thoroughly disproven with much thanks to Dr. Demian Chapman and the Pew Charitable Trusts.
4) We need more capacity to implement the proposals.
Several developing countries, including supporters, voiced the importance of focusing on implementation of these listings. As a delegate from Senegal said in an NGO meeting Tuesday, “While we are very happy with the outcome thus far, and happy with the organization of and process leading up to the CoP, we should note that we’ve won the battle, but the hardest, most difficult work is still ahead of us.” One of the members of the Jordan delegation concurred: “We are obligated to implement these decisions. Listing is one thing. Implementation is another… We need NGOs and concerned parties to think about ways to bring concerned parties and agencies together to do the capacity building and awareness programs.” Though implementation will be a major challenge, encouraging steps have been made.
Aid in capacity building has been offered on several levels:
Financial promises have come from developed nations. The EU has pledged 1.2 million euros to the CITES secretariat to be used to implement marine listings in developing countries. New Zealand also stepped up, saying that “Implementation issues can be overcome…financial and technical capacity will be provided for countries that need it.”
Developing nations have also offered support, with Colombia and Brazil offering to support capacity building in Latin America as well as other regions. For example, Brazil has set dates for regional workshops.
NGOs such as the Pew Charitable Trusts also spoke in their intervention on recently launched projects focusing on training systems, fin, and gill raker identification guides for customs officials and capacity building programs.
Developing countries responded optimistically:
Nigeria: “18 months is enough to sort out implementation measures in party countries and we are pleased with assistance offered.”
Congo: “Passing these proposals will give the donor community necessary impetus to support implementation.”
Furthermore, as Luke Warwick of the Pew Charitable Trusts said in an interview on Wednesday, regional assessments and the sort of data needed to issue NDFs is already in place in many places and the enforcement side is in a good place. Additional support from co-sponsors and developed countries will help to create country-specific solutions.
5) Wealthy Western nations are bullying developing nations.
Warwick explained to the Shark Stanley team that in the Japanese media this week, the proposals are being framed as coercive efforts on the part of countries like the EU member states and the US that push developing nations into a difficult position.
This is simply not the case. As I wrote about in my last blog, these proposals and the results of Committee I are historic based on the record number of sponsoring countries, with strong support from developing nations, especially in Latin America, Africa, and the Middle East. As Warwick says, “the symbolic aspect of this is huge.” To have these calls for shark and manta protection emanating from these countries and regions themselves is extremely important. This is no longer the situation of earlier CITES CoPs where there was pressure from developed countries. Now, it is a matter of developing countries taking the lead with countries like the EU and US offering partnership, technical, and financial aid and capacity.
6) Local livelihoods will be affected.
Appendix II listing is not a trade ban and as Brazil said, “This proposal is not a prohibition,” arguing, along with the USA, Senegal, and Benin that small scale fisheries and local livelihoods will not be affected by this listing:
Benin: “Listing will not negatively affect our local communities, rather it will lead to a sustainable future for the fishery.”
Senegal: “Our generation has the obligation of rationally managing our resources sustainably for future generations. Listing Appendix II is now important for the management of shark species which have experienced disastrous decline.”
Furthermore, ecotourism and the conservation of these species offers lucrative alternative livelihoods to local people:
Maldives: “We are convinced that better alternatives can be found for shark fishermen on small islands…we banned shark and manta ray catches because they are worth more alive than dead.”
Guy Stevens of Manta Trust: Manta dive tourism brings in ~$140 million annually.
Australia: “People from all over the world come to dive with our sharks and mantas.”
The Pew Charitable Trusts has reports from Fiji and Palau with more information and robust evidence of the value of shark and manta ray ecotourism.
7) We’ll see “stockpiling” within the 18-month implementation period.
This is an argument of pro-trade groups, which says that the demand for species will increase along with fishing effort in the 18 month period before these listings come into effect. However, arguably, sharks are already being taken out as rapidly as possible. For example, it would be a challenge to find oceanic whitetip sharks in large quantities.
In closing: of course, all of these arguments – especially those surrounding the inevitable challenges of implementation – are incredibly complex, however I hope this has provided a brief breakdown of what we expect to hear today if any of the shark proposals reopen in plenary. These proposals and the results from Committee I are incredibly strong on all fronts. Now, we just need to hope that science prevails over politics and that CITES delegates stand by their vote.
Labels: CITES, Guest Blog, Leah Meth
The Deep Breath Before the Plunge
This is it. Tomorrow's the big day.
The last few days here in Bangkok at CITES have been incredibly intense. The shark proposals came up first thing Monday morning, and after we [and our omnipresent giant Shark Stanleys] finished greeting delegates and headed into Committee I, we settled into what would be one of the most exceptional days of my life. It began with nerves, and an equal mix of surreptitious optimism and fear, but after the oceanic whitetip passed by a 68% majority after two hours of tense debate, we exhaled, with the rest of the day slowly escalating in momentum until the end, when, overwhelmed with elation, we saw all 4 proposals pass after the manta’s landslide victory.
This is an enormous win for sharks and rays. As Sue Lieberman, Director of International Policy at the Pew Environment Group, said, “This is a watershed moment…a great victory for conservation.” The result is historic and incredibly significant for several reasons. Importantly, it’s the first time that CITES delegates have voted to protect commercially valuable species of shark. And perhaps even more profound is the strength of the coalition that has rallied behind these proposals, with developing nations speaking strongly in the face of serious pressures from opposing countries. Latin America took the lead, with Honduras, Ecuador, Brazil, Mexico and Costa Rica co-sponsoring a record number of proposals for sharks and rays. Countries from the West African sub-region also demonstrated exceptional leadership and unity, delivering powerful interventions on the floor. Support also came from the Middle East from countries such as Egypt, Comoros, Jordan and Yemen. As Amie Brautigam of WCS said, “Whole regions are supporting sharks…This is a major milestone and this is what we should be celebrating as much as the results.”
However, it’s important to underscore that these are tentative decisions and we must remain vigilant. Nothing will be final until the final plenary meeting, which began Wednesday and will carry on this today. Sharks will be on the table early this morning. Again, I’m filled with optimistic, though nervous, anticipation. Though it’s seemed quiet around the booth and convention center, there is much going on just below the surface. Over the past few days, there has been talk of immense pressure from opposing countries such as Japan and China. As Mika Diop of the Senegal delegation and FAO expert panel said in a press conference on Tuesday, “The pressures have been very, very strong and in certain instances, there has been financial assistance, which has been presented as a quid pro quo. Offers have been refused by many parties. There are different types of pressure and some are more concrete than others.” Carl Safina, in yesterday’s HuffPo editorial spoke more bluntly, stating, “Japan always does this, bribing countries with aid packages or even individual delegates with cash.”
Yet despite this, many delegates and NGOs are confident that with the strength of the results from Committee I, the overwhelming scientific evidence behind the proposals and the immense dedication of supporting parties, the shark and manta proposals will pass. As Mamadou Diallo of WWF’s Senegal office said, “We have the opportunity to prove that CITES is a convention based on science that can achieve success despite political pressure.” Lieberman, echoed this sentiment in Committee, urging parties to adopt these proposals for both the sake of science-based decision-making and the very credibility of CITES itself.
Today, in just a few short hours, this will all play out in plenary, which we’ll be livetweeting play by play. Until then, we urge you to join us in telling your CITES delegate: #StandByYourVote to adopt the shark and manta ray proposals!
Stand By Your Vote
On Monday, March 11, 2013, CITES Committee I approved protections for five species of shark and two species of manta ray. The results of Committee I will head to plenary and will be approved in about 48 hours. There is a chance that opposing countries will move to reopen the vote and possibly overturn these protections. Shark Defenders, Shark Savers, WildAid, and Manta Trust are working to keep this from happening, and we need your support. Please send an email to the delegates from the countries listed below asking them to stand by their vote. Clicking on the links will open an email message box addressed to the CITES delegate from that respective country with "Stand By Your Vote - Don't Reopen CITES Shark Vote" in the subject line. Please write a quick message (or not, the subject line is enough) and hit send. We need governments to know that the world wants shark protections*.
Click on the name of your country to send an email to your representative to CITES**:
***Thank you for your emails! The last day of CITES has begun and the decision is now in the hands of the delegates. Follow us on Twitter for live updates.
Thank you, Guy and Andrea
Putting watermarks on photos is annoying. If you lift this, please link back to this blog!
Guy Stevens and Dr. Andrea Marshall are the two scientists responsible for much of the data that led to manta rays being approved by CITES Committee I. Andrea attended the Convention of the Parties as a member of the Ecuadorian delegation; Guy as part of the Pew Charitable Trusts. Both spent the week advocating with government delegates on the importance of passing the proposal.
Guy spent countless hours at the Pew booth conducting manta ray gill raker identification presentations with all interested delegates, something which proved critical to the supermajority passage.
The shark and manta rays now head to plenary where opposing countries, particularly China and Japan, will try to reopen the proposals to a vote. Reopening requires 1/3 of countries present to vote in the affirmative. The advocates who want to see these proposals confirmed are now asking governments to vote no to reopening the vote. If the votes are reopened, we are asking governments to vote yes for protection. We'll have more on how you can help in the upcoming hours.
Labels: CITES, Manta Rays
Thank you, Shawn and Mary
In a room full of 2,000 government delegates and non-government advocates, there were only two people I wanted to photograph as the results of the manta ray vote were announced. Shawn Heinrichs of Blue Sphere Media and Mary O'Mally of Shark Savers were the heart and soul behind the proposal to list the manta rays on CITES Appendix II, if not the shark proposals as well. Sharks and manta rays went 4 for 4 today, an amazing accomplishment supported by 37 sponsoring government and hundreds, if not thousands of people. Congratulations to all involved, and we're looking forward to keeping these protections from being overturned in plenary later this week.
Labels: CITES, Manta Rays, Shark Savers, Shawn Heinrichs, WildAid
All Shark and Manta Proposals Pass
The manta ray proposal passed, meaning all of the shark and manta ray proposals have been approved by Committee I. On to plenary!
All Shark Proposals Pass Committee I
The proposals to protect Waqi Whitetip, Shark Stanley, and Pierre le Porbeagle have been approved by CITES Committee I. There is a chance the votes will be overturned in plenary, but it is much easier to approve there after they have been approved in committee. This is an excellent day in shark conservation, a complete turnaround of 2010. Congrats to everyone involved and thank you for your continued support. We're discussing the manta proposals now and we've got our fingers crossed for another positive outcome.
Shark Stanley Gets Protections!
Committee I of the Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora just approved protections for three species of hammerhead sharks. Shark Stanley wins!!!
Thank you, thank you, thank you, and thank you!
Labels: CITES, Hammerhead, Shark Stanley
Shark Stanley Official Poster
It is lunchtime in Bangkok. This morning oceanic whitetips received a positive vote of 92-42 with 8 abstentions in CITES Committee I. This vote is not final because countries (i.e. most likely China or Japan) will surely try to overturn the vote when the convention returns to plenary. In about 20 minutes we will return from lunch and resume the hammerhead discussion. Shark Stanley is a hammerhead, of course. Fins crossed for a positive outcome!
CITES Oceanic White Proposal Passes in Committee
After two hours of debate, the oceanic whitetip proposal passed by a vote of 92 to 42 with 8 countries abstaining. The vote was taken by secret ballot as requested by Japan. The discussion now moves on to hammerhead sharks.
Labels: CITES, Oceanic Whitetip Shark
Shark Stanley Has a Posse
We are busy preparing our communications materials for tomorrow's big shark vote at the Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora. This will not be one of our memes, but it does feature Shark Stanley co-directors Angelo Villagomez, Onon Bayasgalan, and Leah Meth. This is the team that coordinated 10,000 supporters from 135 countries.
Labels: Angelo Villagomez, CITES, Leah Meth, Onon Bayasgalan, Shark Stanley
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Here is a list of press articles featuring Sheila Hamilton.
Late Night Action Interview — Late Night Action with Alex Falcone, Mar. 20, 2016
An Honest Conversation about Mental Illness — Portland City Club, Jan. 22, 2016
Straight Talk with Laurel Porter (Part 1) — KGW TV, Jan. 9, 2016
Paul Gerardi interviews Shiela Hamilton — KYVL Radio, Jan. 8, 2016
I Thought it Wouldn’t Happen to My Family — Huffington Post, Jan. 7, 2016
Sorting Through the Aftermath — Rogue Valley Messenger, Jan. 7, 2016
Mental Illness in the Family — Oregon Public Broadcasting, Dec. 29, 2015
Watching the Hawks Interview — Watching the Hawks, Nov. 17, 2015
‘What Should We Have Known?’ — FOX News Health Talk, Nov. 17, 2015
An interview with Head Butler — Head Butler, Oct. 14, 2015
A Revolutionary Step Forward: Talking About the Chaos of Mental Illness — Huffington Post, Oct. 13. 2015
Sheila Hamilton Writes about Husband’s Suicide — Oregonlive.com, Oct. 13, 2015
Sheila Hamilton Opens Up about Suicide and Mental Illness — Portland Monthly, Oct. 13, 2015
KINK-FM’s Sheila Hamilton on mental illness and her new book — KGW TV, Oct, 2015
About Sheila Hamilton
All the Things We Never Knew
ATTWNK
A Lesson From TreesSeptember 9, 2016 - 3:42 pm
#StopSuicide: Four Books You Should Read NowSeptember 6, 2016 - 3:48 pm
Providing Hope After SuicideAugust 16, 2016 - 3:51 pm
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Healing from TraumaMay 24, 2016 - 9:35 pm
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The Roofing Industry Alliance for Progress Secures the Future Excellence of the Roofing Industry
March 30, 2015 by Alison L. LaValley, CAE Leave a Comment
Maya Angelou once said, “To make a difference is not a matter of accident, a matter of casual occurrence of the tides. People choose to make a difference.” Since its inception, The Roofing Industry Alliance for Progress, Rosemont, Ill., has not only made a difference within the roofing community, it has funded a number of critical industry initiatives, core programs and projects, and meaningful research that have contributed to securing the future excellence of the roofing industry.
At 144 members strong, the Alliance is a diverse and dedicated forum of roofing contractors, manufacturers, suppliers and industry professionals who have united to help preserve and enhance the performance of the U.S. roofing industry to support three primary objectives:
Supporting high-quality education programs.
Ensuring timely and forward-thinking industry responses to major economic and technological issues.
Enhancing the long-term viability and attractiveness of the roofing industry to current and future workers.
More than 105 members of the Alliance are professional roofing contractors and, with the help of more than 35 manufacturers and suppliers, the Alliance members have raised more than $11.5 million for a unique industry endowment fund in support of programs and research in four key areas: education and training, technology, sustainability and philanthropy.
During the past year alone, The Roofing Industry Alliance for Progress developed partnerships with three of the leading schools of construction management; embarked on an innovative workforce program to create cultural and leadership training programs to educate Latino workers; and continued work on important roofing industry research projects, including RoofPoint, the Washington, D.C.-based Center for Environmental Innovation in Roofing’s comprehensive roof rating system for the assessment and selection of sustainable roof systems, and air retarder testing.
MEET THE ALLIANCE
The The Roofing Industry Alliance for Progress was established in 1996 by the National Roofing Contractors Association, Rosemont, under the operations of the National Roofing Foundation, a 501(c)3 charitable organization. A 16-member board of trustees manages the Alliance, overseeing existing projects and considering funding for projects addressing critical industry issues. The Alliance holds two member meetings each year, including its annual meeting, which will be held April 16-19 in San Francisco, and another held during NRCA’s Fall Committee Meetings.
Robert McNamara, president of F.J.A. Christiansen Roofing Co. Inc., a Tecta America company, Milwaukee, is the Alliance’s 2014-15 president; Ken Farrish, president of Atlas Roofing Corp., Atlanta, is vice president; and Jim Barr, president of Barr Roofing, Abilene, Texas, is secretary/treasurer.
Since June, the Alliance has welcomed eight new members: AAA Roofing Co. Inc., Indianapolis; Anderson and Shah Roofing Inc., Joliet, Ill.; Adler Roofing & Sheet Metal Inc., Joliet; Blue’s Roofing Co., Milpitas, Calif.; Bone Dry Roofing Co., Bogart, Ga.; EagleView Technologies, Bothell, Wash.; Polyglass U.S.A. Inc., Deerfield Beach, Fla.; and Roofing Solutions LLC, Prairieville, La. View a list of all Alliance members on the Alliance’s website.
The Roofing Industry Alliance for Progress offers different levels of membership to encourage small-, medium- and large-sized firms to join and have a voice in determining the roofing industry’s future. Commitments to the Alliance can be pledged for three- to five-year periods. Public recognition is given in accordance with donors’ wishes and levels of commitment and include national public acknowledgement during NRCA’s annual convention and other special events and programs. Alliance members also are invited to participate in the project task forces established to guide the Alliance’s agenda and are invited to the semiannual meetings of the full Alliance.
“We decided to join the Alliance this year to support the industry at a higher level,” states Chad Collins, president of Bone Dry Roofing Co. “We have never measured the value of membership in dollars, so the financial commitment to support the Alliance was not perceived as an obstacle but rather as an opportunity. The enhanced avenues to further develop relationships and be a part of the advancements in this great industry moving forward are exciting.”
EDUCATIONAL PARTNERSHIPS
In 2014, The Roofing Industry Alliance for Progress formed educational partnerships with the Department of Construction Management at Colorado State University, Fort Collins; McWhorter School of Building Science at Auburn University, Auburn, Ala.; and M.E. Rinker Sr. School of Building Construction at the University of Florida, Gainesville. The partnerships enhance college students’ experiences by exposing them academically and experientially to roofing as a career choice.
Through the partnerships, the universities have agreed to a three-pronged approach that includes incorporating more roofing-specific information and case studies into existing curricula; providing scholarships for construction management students and faculty; and developing industry internship programs with roofing contracting companies, manufacturers and distributors.
Three faculty members received scholarships of $5,000 each and were asked to collaborate as they developed their recommendations; the outcomes will serve as a model that can be used in other construction management schools throughout the U.S. Ultimately, the plan is to have roofing-specific materials incorporated in the construction management departments beginning in the fall of 2015.
Filed Under: Education Tagged With: air retarder, bilingual america, Center for Environmental Innovation in Roofing, construction management, education, International Roofing Expo, melvin kruger endowed scholarship program, most valuable player award, National Roofing Contractors Association, NRCA, roofpoint, The Roofing Industry Alliance for Progress, training
About Alison L. LaValley, CAE
Alison L. LaValley, CAE, is the Rosemont, Ill.-based National Roofing Contractors Association’s Associate Executive Director of Member Services.
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Posted on 20th March, 2019
In practice, although Roy was on the pace which he had shown in Winter Training Camp, it was tricky to match the slipstream speed of the Fusion team who were running in a freight train. Qualifying began badly when Roy’s motor did not fire up, necessitating a panic change of spark plug on the pre‑grid. Although he got up to speed quickly, he received a black & orange flag when the chain guard fell off, presumably the mounting had not been tightened enough. That limited his qualifying to 3 laps, leaving him down in 14th for all three preliminary races.
In Heat 1, starting on the outside saw Roy losing a few places in the first turn. He recovered well and was up to 9th on the 5th lap, but lost a couple of places after an ambitious overtaking move on the final lap: however, other drivers’ penalties promoted Roy back up to a promising 9th place. The start of Heat 2 was also tricky from 14th on the grid; after dropping a couple of places Roy started climbing up the order, but a dubious move from another driver took them both wide and let other drivers past. That left him down in 16th across the line, improving to 14th after penalties. Heat 3 produced more misfortune, after Roy had made a good start an accident between two other drivers led to a red flag and a restart. After the restart there was another accident provoking a slow phase under full course yellow. As the field came round to complete the lap a group of drivers ignored the yellow flags and went barrelling past Roy and some others. The resultant confusion left Roy 23rd across the line, where he finished after being erroneously given the same penalty as those who had overtaken.
The Pre-Final again saw Roy in the familiar grid position of 14th after the Heat results. He made a good start, but was pushed into a spin on lap 2 and lost 6 places. He battled his way back to cross the line in 14th, yet again his grid position for the Final. Roy started the Final well and gained a place, then in lap 2 got taken wide and lost 3 places. He took back 2, and went for another overtake as he crossed the line to finish lap 4. Unfortunately the other driver steered into him at full speed, and forced Roy onto the grass at 100km/h, in plain sight of the main stand and the stewards. The other driver got a penalty, but it cost Roy 3 places. Again he battled his way back, and after the penalised other driver took himself out with another driver on the last lap, Roy finished 15th on the line.
Results: IAME Euro Series - Winter Cup 2019 - Valencia Feb 7-10, 2019
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PS4 or Vita?
Author Topic: PS4 or Vita? (Read 21408 times)
Artimicia
Banninated
Re: PS4 or Vita?
Nights of Azure sequel now on both... that was one of....
*Godzilla Rage*
You know... I guess really the answer in this long tortured process, has simply been "both." And there just wasn't any way around that, I guess.
That said.... I don't know... I'm kind of thinking the Vita has a brighter future, perhaps.
"I don't live by labels, I can be anything I want, I'd rather die a pauper than live on as someone else's fantasy!" - My best attempt at quoting the protagonist of Vandal Hearts 2.
This is the Monado's Powerbomb!
Little did he know, the fall damage would KO him.
Quote from: Artimicia on August 26, 2016, 04:07:10 AM
PS4. Vita's already long in the tooth and Sony's never held more than a passing interest in the handheld market to begin with, plus while PS4 games can be scaled down to Vita tech levels, Vita cannot possibly scale up to PS4 tech levels.
Also, none of those character designs look that good (blonde's okay and brunette's ehh, but red's not even wearing a quarter of a costume and if they're doing transformations again, its only gonna get worse).
In my vision, I see that one of us is going to KO the other.
Quote from: Aeolus on August 26, 2016, 12:07:12 PM
RPGFan Survey Hero
Salvum est Vita!
Quote from: Artimicia on August 26, 2016, 12:08:34 PM
Only if you're lucky enough to chance upon a first generation model
"This goes way beyond pumpkin spice" "Whale oil beef hooked"
Quote from: glassjawsh on August 26, 2016, 12:27:33 PM
I was speaking from a development standpoint. Any multiplatform title will need to be adapted to accommodate the hardware/OS quirks of that platform, and the specs of any version of the Vita are easily and noticeably lower than any version of the PS4.
From my understand, it's not much harder to develop for than say the 3DS or most systems... if it were the Saturn or something... sure it's extra time and energy but it sounds like they managed to make a unique system that isn't so unique it becomes impenetrable.
« Last Edit: August 28, 2016, 03:13:23 AM by Artimicia »
Ok this is my technical understanding...
The PS4 is basically like a harder top speed but isn't integrated as tightly as the Vita, the PS4 is basically just reflecting, a big collapse of Sony in a large strain of the PC-ification of the gaming industry. It's essentially just a PC, and so it doesn't do what consoles have done more effectively than the PC which is to have integrated components.
The Vita does have this, in addition, it has the OLED screen and other novelties that make it technologically superior IMO, not in all respects, a clock speed is a clock speed, ram is ram, and all that, but it seems to be the way it was built it was like a panzer tank but with guns pointing every direction, and not necessarily fewer weapons all pointing in the right direction.
As far as I can tell, load times, basics of functions, on and off, all those elements are faster on the Vita, furthermore, games that take full advantage of the OLED screen look pretty amazing.
On the PS4 side, yes, there are a handful of interesting PS4 exclusives, but I think those cater primarily to established demographics and such. Maybe FFXV is the first FF for someone, but it certainly isn't my first FF, and consequently I would just be there to enjoy something I already kind of know and like, not necessarily to go deeper into it.
Moreover, at this point, almost every other major console exclusive is being ported to the PC, including as I mentioned in the other thread, Nier 2, etc.
So in short, The PS4 and Xbone are simply, machine wise, and also with respect to the games, have become part of the larger PC umbrella, there isn't much to be gained from owning one aside from, as I said, support for particular franchises (which is fine and dandy).
Moreover, those franchises tend to be more established, and while of course can be quite fun, I don't think for instance, something like FFXV is quite as unique or interesting an RPG series as perhaps a Ragnarock Odyssey (not really a Monster Hunter fan, myself)
But the Vita, I think alludes to the point when gaming is about making unique technological progress and stuff, so consequently, I'd say it's in much better shape.
Anyway, I don't think any hardcore Sony or RPG fan can go wrong, it's basically like Genesis 2.0, or Dreamcast 3.0, it's the good system that really is good that never catches on with the greater group because raisins.
Now, as to getting one now, it's a bit tricker, as you say, the support has dropped off, but I've heard that's because they feel 3rd parties are adequately supporting the system.
I think the reason for the Vita's struggles is, quite simply, the 3DS. That is to say, most people have just adopted the 3DS over the Vita, so it's not really, mobile, or whatever that's causing the problems, it's just that the 3DS has been a super impressive system. '
Final edit: I think ultimately the true answer is simply... 3ds... lol
WAIT SAGA SCARLET GRACE IS FOR THE VITA ZOMG SAGA SERIES OMGOMGOMGOG!
If people actually knew what the Saga series was that's a killer app right there.
Edit: Ok, so Saga series... been released on phones...
Right.. I see what happened here.
While regular old Hollywood executives etc, whatever, blah blah, they largely kind of absorbed the console gaming industry, the stuff on the fringe was ultimately co-opted by the phone companies.
The iPhone etc, ultimately was just a copy and through the iOS systems having quality games released they ensured that they were taking the place of all that.
So yeah, the mobile phones basically are kind of collpasing that whole market, that's really it, it's all about the mobile phones.
Not because of mobile games mind you, it's primarily the quality games that are driving all this, perhaps by a SQenix or whatever, it's just they opted to occur on these systems.
Oh yeah and um I got a PS4...
TheCaterStreetHangman
"If you want to be strong, learn how to fight alone."
The absence of enduring hardships = no growth
I don't have a PS4, but I have a Vita... speaking of the Vita, I should really get around to booting up that Front Mission 3 I have sitting in there...
"All it takes is a spark to ignite a fire."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oVWBFkaXMyw
54th All-Japan Aikido Demo (2016) by Sensei Ryuji Shirakawa
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qM3B62JM9s8
Titanfall 1 (Militia) [Lobby Theme #2] {Very Epic Track}
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JA1tVgQrjHM
Prudish Gerontophobe
Computer Over. Virus = Very Yes.
Quote from: TheCaterStreetHangman on March 25, 2018, 10:58:34 PM
One of the greats. An oddly satisfying SRPG.
"You know, you're pretty cool too, Arvis. You like good music, good games, and good tennis." - Divingfalcons
MonCapitan2002
I don't have a Vita, but the next best thing. A Playstation TV. I played the shit out of Ys: Memories of Celceta on the thing to the point of nabbing the platinum trophy. Now while I did use a guide to help me, I still felt a strong sense of accomplishment when I earned it. Beating the game on Nightmare Mode wasn't as harrowing an ordeal as I thought it would be. Either being max level with end game equipment makes that much of a difference, or I don't suck as much as I thought I did.
Under no circumstances should Quentin Tarantino be allowed to befoul Star Trek.
In Memoriam: Star Trek 1966 - 2017 RIP
mooserocka
they are not making games for vita anymore really. In the us anyway.
Ramza
Quote from: mooserocka on April 25, 2018, 11:41:23 PM
It remains a great outlet for Visual Novels.
people picked vita? its like dead
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首页 > 信息动态 > 新闻中心 > 行业动态
安全使用蒸汽夹层锅可避免不良事故的发生
夹层锅的设计优势是其他所不能比的
夹层锅的编制依据有哪些呢
导热油循环夹层锅
更新时间 2020-01-12 01:15:29 Xinhua Headlines: 70 years on, China's Xinjiang embraces future with vitality, stability
Xinjiang's progress was made possible by the peaceful liberation of the region, the 70th anniversary of which will be celebrated Wednesday.
The region has seen improved living standards for its people and as proof of the general stability and sound development momentum, not a single terrorist attack has occurred in Xinjiang over the past three years.
URUMQI, Sept. 24 (Xinhua) -- The city of Shihezi is a sprawling green area home to 670,000 people. As September ends and the harvest season arrives, farmers are ready to reap the large cotton fields in the city's suburbs.
Shihezi, about 150 km northwest of Urumqi, is a young city established in the 1950s in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. It is one of the nine bustling cities that has risen from the bleak Gobi Desert.
While about 1,600 km away in the southwest, Kashgar, an ancient Silk Road city, maintains the charm and authenticity of a 2,000-year-old town.
The contrasting landscape marks the vastness of Xinjiang, which covers about one-sixth of China's land territory, and epitomizes how Xinjiang has progressed both economically and culturally.
This progress was made possible by the peaceful liberation of the region, the 70th anniversary of which will be celebrated Wednesday. In 1949, the liberation struggle gained momentum across the country and the revolutionary struggle of the people of all ethnic groups surged forward in Xinjiang, Tao Zhiyue, garrison commander of Xinjiang, and Burhan, chairman of the Xinjiang Provincial Government, renounced their allegiance to the Kuomintang and welcomed in the First Army Group of the First Field Army of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA), led by General Wang Zhen.
From then on, Xinjiang embarked upon a journey of increasing prosperity, unity and stability.
As proof of the general stability and sound development momentum, not a single terrorist attack has occurred in Xinjiang over the past three years.
Children pose for a photo at a kindergarten at Liangzhongchang Village in Yutian County of Hotan, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Feb. 13, 2019. (Xinhua/Zhao Ge)
In the years that immediately followed the peaceful liberation, Xinjiang's average life expectancy was 30 years. The figure reached 72.35 years in 2018. Now 25 million people live in 14 prefectures and cities in the region.
Before the liberation, most arable land in Xinjiang was seized by a handful of landlords, leaving very little to the majority of farmers. Serfdom existed in southern Xinjiang, where overlords owned their serfs from head to toe.
Samsak, a herder in Kashgar, owned nothing more than the clothes he was wearing when PLA soldiers liberated him. His name, meaning "garlic" in Uygur language, was given by his master. From the age of 17 to the age of 60, he had done nothing but herded sheep, yet he owned none of them.
Through a democratic reform that toppled the old system, ordinary people like Samsak received their own land and sheep and became masters of their own fate.
In 1955, the system of regional ethnic autonomy was implemented in Xinjiang, offering a further guarantee to the people of Xinjiang in exercising their right as masters of the country.
In 1950, Xinjiang only had 3,000 ethnic minority cadres. By 2018, the ethnic cadres made up 50.3 percent of the total in Xinjiang to reach 428,000, of whom over half are women.
Xinjiang has seen improved living standards for its people over the past seven decades. Public services, such as free health checkups for all, critical illness insurance, free preschool education for rural children, and housing projects for herders and farmers, have increased people's sense of fulfillment. Tap water, stable power supply and roads have been made accessible to herders who live in the most remote border areas.
During an inspection tour to Xinjiang in 2014, President Xi Jinping called for steadfast efforts to attain leapfrog development, while stressing efforts must be made to improve people's livelihoods and win the support of the people.
Living on the edge of Taklimakan Desert in Hotan, Tursuntoht Jume, 61, cherishes the tap water supply that was only recently installed in his home. "For half of my life, I had been drinking from the pond. Drinking directly from the tap, this makes me happier than anything else," he said.
Safe drinking water, among other things, is one criterion to gauge poverty relief efforts in Xinjiang. From 2014 to 2018, Xinjiang lifted over 2.3 million people above the poverty line, defined by a per capita annual income of 2,300 yuan (around 333 U.S. dollars) at 2010 prices. The poverty rate in the region is 6 percent. By next year, these remaining people are expected to be taken off the impoverished list.
Aerial photo taken on June 14, 2019 shows the construction site of a highway linking Bulungkol with Kunjirap in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. (Xinhua/Hu Huhu)
VIBRANT ECONOMY
Spotless packaging lines are in full operation at a plant in Xinjiang Fruits Products Group Co., Ltd., based in Urumqi, the regional capital. Dried dates, walnuts and raisins produced in Xinjiang are sold across the country and overseas.
Thriving fruits, grain, cotton, and animal husbandry industries make Xinjiang the main agricultural region in China. It is the country's largest cotton production base.
The tourism, trade and manufacturing industries are also booming in the region. From January to August, Xinjiang received about 150 million tourists, which is close to the full-year figure for 2018. The region is expected to welcome over 200 million tourists this year, said Erkin Tuniyaz, vice chairman of Xinjiang.
Xinjiang's gross domestic product (GDP), which was 791 million yuan in 1952, soared to 1.2 trillion yuan in 2018, an annual growth rate of 8.3 percent. Per capita GDP was 49,000 yuan in 2018, yearly growth of 5.7 percent compared to 1952, statistics showed.
Since 2014, Xinjiang has seen 2,451 westbound trains, reaching out to 26 cities in 19 countries, exporting mechanical parts and laptops while importing products such as wine and grain. In 2018, Xinjiang's foreign trade volume was 20 billion U.S. dollars, 1,481 times the figure in 1950.
"Xinjiang plays an irreplaceable role in building the Silk Road Economic Belt. It must seize the historic opportunity, and integrate regional opening-up strategy into the country's efforts to build the Silk Road Economic Belt and open up to the west," President Xi said.
A local resident dances to the music at a tea house in the ancient city of Kashgar, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, July 7, 2019. (Xinhua/Zhao Ge)
PRESERVATION OF CULTURE, HERITAGE
Abudubek Eskan, 42, often thinks of his teacher Jusup Mamay, a legendary singer of the Kirgiz epic Manas, who passed away in 2014 at the age of 97 in his hometown of Akqi County in Xinjiang.
Epic Manas tells the story of the hero Manas and his seven descendants in more than 230,000 lines. Manas singers are highly regarded by Kirgiz people for their good memory and narrative skills.
"The passing down of Manas depended solely on one master telling another face to face. Once the master dies, it is very difficult to pass down the art," said Eskan.
The government of Kirgiz Autonomous Prefecture of Kizilsu has accredited 100 people, aged from 20 to 70, to be Manas singers. They receive monthly government stipends to carry on the art.
"I'm teaching my 7-year-old son to sing Manas, I hope young people can bring new life to the art," said Eskan.
Xinjiang is a multi-ethnic region. Across the region, there are 24,800 venues for religious activities, including mosques, churches, Buddhist and Taoist temples, with 29,300 religious staff. People in the region enjoy freedom of religious belief. Efforts have been made to boost ethnic unity so they could be united together "like seeds of a pomegranate."
The family of Kurban Tulum is well-known in Xinjiang for their roles in promoting ethnic solidarity.
Kurban Tulum, a farmer from Hotan, was twice received by Chairman Mao Zedong. Now the extended family of Tulum has over 100 members.
Tohtihan Kurban, the eldest daughter of Kurban Tulum in her 90s, has spent her lifetime continuing her father's efforts. "Having gold and silver does not make you rich, unity and harmony between people is the true treasure," she said.
(Video reporter: Su Chuanyi; Video editor: Zhang Yucheng)■
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Seleccione Andrew Forbes (13) Antonio Javier López (2) Daryl Finch (6) Debbie Bartlett (9) Denise Bush (6) Héctor Barbotta (1) Ivan Gelibter (6) Jennie Rhodes (11) Mark Nayler (5) Mónica Pérez (3) Nieves Castro (2) Pilar Martínez (3) Rachel Amstrong (1) Rachel Haynes (1) Tony Bryant (23)
208 resultados para 'santa'
NOTICIAS 208 noticias encontradas
EU-funded study to come up with proposals to end annual Costa beach destruction
Alberto GÓMEZ / Charo MÁRQUEZ / Monica PÉREZ
With Semana Santa fast approaching, the Costa del Sol must take fast action to ensure that its beaches are in perfect condition for the upcoming influx of visitors. Emergency work had already started on Saturday in Marbella after the town hall
A lasting legacy for Marbella's elderly
Mónica Pérez
Santa Marta centre, very little remains to be done now. "Everything is different. It really needed this, and we are over the moon," says Ana Naranjo. Before drawing up the list of what was needed, a team from the council arranged meetings with users ... Las Chapas, Los Paisajes, Miraflores, Nueva Andalucía, Plaza de Toros, San Pedro Alcántara I and II, and Santa Marta). Altogether it has cost about one million euros. "The idea was, as she stated in her will, that everything had to be spent on improving the
Semana Santa brotherhoods put finishing touches to their annual week of processions
NEIL HESKETH
All eyes in the last few days have been on the weather forecast for next week ahead of Semana Santa celebrations. The most important period in Spain's cultural calendar starts this weekend with processions, run by the Confradías (or brotherhoods),
Good weather is forecast for next few days as tourist industry gets ready
Pilar MARTÍNEZ / Ignacio LILLO
...hotels and apartments and busy restaurant terraces. HOLY WEEK INFO. FOR LARGER TOWNS Malaga. www.diariosur.es/ semana-santa/itinerarios/ Marbella. www.semanasantamarbella.com/semanasanta/ Mijas. www.mijas.es/portal/es/festividades Torremolinos. ... turismotorremolinos.es/en/discover/great-events/holy-week/ Estepona. estepona.com/eventos/semana-santa-estepona-programa-2019/. Vélez-Málaga. www.agrupacioncofradiasvelezmalaga.es/noticias/files/horarios_itinerarios_2019.pdf Nerja. turismo.nerja.es/semana-santa-2/ The association of Costa ... hotleiers, Aehcos, said this week that its members were expectinig an average occupancy of 80 per cent in the coming week, with a peak next weekend. The first detailed weather forecast for the Semana Santa week issued on Thursday by Aemet, the Spanish met
Jongeneel's Hawaiian challenge
JUAN CALDERÓN
...the Al-Assad crossing of Syria, swam the shark-infested Santa Catalina Channel (California), the Gateway of India (Mumbai), gone twice round Manhattan Island in New York (93 kilometres) and even swum from Tenerife to Gran Canaria, 70 kilometres in 16
The 'warrior nuns' film for Netflix in Antequera
ANTONIO J GUERRERO
Santa María church is just one of several locations in Antequera that have been transformed in the last few weeks for the filming of new Netflix series Warrior Nun. Other locations include the walled areas of the town, as well as the Jesús and
Man critically injured after prolonged attack by pack of stray dogs on industrial estate
J. CANO / Á. FRÍAS
...had severe wounds all over his body. A worker on the Santa Teresa estate has since come forward saying he was attacked the Friday before but had managed to get on to the side of a passing lorry to escape and was less seriously hurt. Others in the
Diabetes specialist to visit support group meeting
SUR IN ENGLISH
La Cala Lions Diabetic Support Group will be welcoming diabetes specialist Dr Cuesta of Clínica Santa Elena as guest expert at the next meeting on 31 May. The English-speaking support group meets at Hogar, Calle Blanca Paloma 1, Fuengirola, in the
The districts of El Perchel and La Trinidad open their patios to the public
...also famed for being the centre of Malaga's flamenco scene during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, and free flamenco recitals and folklore shows will take place on the patio of El Corralón de Santa Sofía (C/ Montes de Oca, 6) throughout the week.
The football world mourns the loss of José Antonio Reyes, killed in a car crash
...fans. Reyes' coffin was carried through the streets of his hometown Utrera the following daw before his funeral took place at the Santa María de Mesa, with a flag of Sevilla draped around his coffin. Tributes from far and wide Reyes during his
The Costa del Sol gets ready for the Fiesta de San Juan
Moraga de San Juan in Torremolinos is celebrated in the Plaza del Remo in Carihuela, while a spectacular firework display will light up the sky over the Playa Santa Ana (Castillo El Bil Bil) in Benalmádena Costa. Other events are held on the Playa San
Requiem mass in memory of local television presenter Karen McMahon
The Parish Church of Santa Teresa in La Cala de Mijas will host a service in memory of Karen McMahon, the popular Costa del Sol television presenter who died last month after a long illness. The mass, which will be held in English and Spanish, ... Club. The requiem mass will be held in the Parroquia de Santa Teresa de Jesús on Tuesday 2 July at 8pm.
AVE high-speed trains reach Granada for first time but part of the line is incomplete
IGNACIO LILLO
...who got on when the train reached Antequera. Granada linked to Costa too The new line also opens the door to faster train journey times between Malaga and Granada as well. Passengers from the Costa will need to change at Antequera Santa Ana station
Azores: an Atlantic paradise
J. GARCÍA BLANCO
...but there are also white sand beaches such as Praia Formosa on Santa Maria. It is also possible to swim in more exotic places such as thermal waters in natural pools created by the lava, for example the Termas do Carapacho on Graciosa, or the warm
La Cala church fills for mass in memory of popular TV presenter
RACHEL HAYNES
...memorial mass held at the Church of Santa Teresa de Jesús in La Cala de Mijas on Tuesday evening. Members of the international and Spanish communities filled the church to accompany Karen's parents, relatives, friends and colleagues for the service, led
Heroes to the very end
CHARO MÁRQUEZ
...to visit the apartment to see how they could assist and immediately offered to go every day. His colleagues agreed to help and they set up a system to carry him downstairs at 10am so his mother could push him in a wheelchair to the Santa Teresa
Seeing the sights and causing a stir
SOL Classic Car Club Classics at the Festival Santa Catalinaview point.SUR The SOL Classic Car Club participated in the Estepona Classic Car and Motorbike Festival held at the Palacio de Congresos at the end of June. Cars belonging to ... members are welcomed. www.solclassiccarclub.net Lux Mundi Torre del Mar Trip to Jaén The Lux Mundi group from Torre del Mar went on a coach trip to Jaén recently and were given a guided tour which visited the parador and old Santa Catalina castle.
The fiesta of the Virgen del Carmen remembers those lost at sea
The Virgen del Carmen festivities will be taking place all along the coast on Tuesday 16 July, and this colourful, religious event is one of the most popular summer activities on the Costa del Sol. Processions in honour of the much-loved Santa María
"The health service in Malaga has always been badly treated"
ÁNGEL ESCALERA
...four years ago, I went home after operating on a Swedish patient at the Clínica Santa Elena and realised that 50 years had passed since I operated on my first patient, and I thought that would be a good time to stop. It was a hard decision to make. Now,
The polo returns to Sotogrande
Sotogrande's Santa María Polo Club is celebrating the 48th year of its annual international Mansion Polo Tournament. The tournament runs throughout the month of August and welcomes 90,000 spectators who can enjoy the White Summer music festival
Bottle caps recycled for a good cause
Most people have wondered whether the plastic bottle caps gathered at collection points in offices and schools do indeed have an economic value. The answer is yes. In the Replasur office on the Santa Teresa industrial estate, there are photocopies
From plastic bags to piping for irrigation
...plastic for the production of kilometres of piping for countryside irrigation. The Replasur plant on the Santa Teresa industrial estate stamps out the circulation of a thousand tonnes of this material every year. "Everybody is against the plastic bag,
Self-defence sessions in Alhaurín el Grande help women overcome fear of vulnerable situations
"It's fear, rather than a weapon, that normally kills somebody," says Concordia Márquez, who is an expert in martial arts. While recovering from a foot injury which means she can't do any heavy work at the CYD Santa María animal refuge in Alhaurín
Girl in Estepona pool rescue drama
Firefighters in Estepona recently carried out the spectacular rescue of a girl in a swimming pool. The six-year-old had trapped her arm in the tube of the pool's filter system at her home in Villas de Santa María. The pool edge had to be
Havana turns 500
...gentrified, and ‘repackaged’ for tourists. For my first night in Havana I had booked a ‘casa particular’, a private home converted for tourism use. Travel specialists Cuba Direct had recommended the family-run Residencia Santa Clara guest house. Found in a
The insider guide to Havana
STAY: Residencia Santa Clara Authentic 'casa particular' close to Havana’s harbour and within walking distance of the sights of Old Havana. Talented carpenter Alexis and his sister Marisol have created a stylish, family-run guesthouse with ... Bucanero beer on the terrace and then stroll down through the gardens to see the World Heritage guns from the old Santa Clara Battery, and the small exhibition about the Cuban Missile Crisis. EAT: TaBARish It may sound a little strange to go all the ... Cuba from the cities of Trinidad and Santiago de Cuba to the beach communities of Cayo Santa Maria and Veradero; and the wild landscapes of Baracoa. They arrange all the details including the necessary tourist visas or ‘Tourist Cards’. Independent
Rough sleeper in San Pedro Alcántara kills another in San Pedro over row about noise
JUAN CANO
Emergency services called to the shop unit on Calle Santa María, near the Ronda road, could not save the man. Despite fleeing the scene, police were able to catch the alleged killer and the supposed murder weapon was found in some bushes a short time
Comeback defeat on the road for Femenino in first game following relegation
CLEMENTE RAMOS, ADG
The long summer was brought to an abrupt end for Malaga's women's team as they lost in the first game back in the second tier following relegation last season. Malaga surrendered a first-half lead to lose against Santa Teresa in Badajoz on Sunday. ... First, Belén couldn't stretch to connect with Carla's cross, then Carola hit the ball off the woodwork. Malaga regained their rhythm at the start of the second half but Santa Teresa showed the clinical edge their opponents were lacking when Estefa made
20 September 1920: The birth of a military elite
...continues to be based in Ronda, sending out legionnaires to march each year in a Semana Santa procession in Malaga, carrying a Cristo de la Buena Muerte (Christ of the Good Death) effigy.
Walking footballers to raise funds for young family in La Viñuela
...bullring) from 10 to 11 am; every Tuesday in Benahavís (in front of the Grand Hotel) from 7.30 to 9pm; and on Thursdays at the Estadio Santa María in Las Chapas (Marbella) from 10 to 11am. Visitors are asked to check the club website or Facebook page as
Local Costa priest officiates at Franco's reburial mass
...of the Valle de los Caídos monastery at the new resting place of Franco's body at the Mingorrubio cemetery outside Madrid. Ramón Tejero has been parish priest at the Santa Ana church in La Cala del Moral for 18 years and the church square is named
The end of the flamenco invasion
Antonio Javier López
We gathered just before 9am at the junction of Calle Molino Lario and Calle Santa María, where metal scaffolding was being erected to the height of the dark-haired woman in a red flamenco dress, a mosaic which has become the most emblematic work in
Archaeological dig set to get under way in Malaga's Plaza de la Merced
...be found in the first layer are the ruins of the former Hospital Santa Ana. In a final phase, as the digging goes deeper, experts expect to find Roman and medieval remains. Depending on how important they are, they could influence the plans of the
A festive forest theme for the Calle Larios light show this Christmas
...other city centre streets will feature decorations this festive season, including Calle Santa Lucía, Calle Nosquera and Calle Comedias, all for the first time. The lights will be kept on for 40 days and the total cost will be 806,000 euros, 532,000 of
Where nature rules
Mark Nayler
...out as a seven-room guesthouse in 1952 and is now a five star, 69-room complex with seven pools and ten saunas. It's stunningly appointed outside the small village of Santa Magdalena, on a fertile confluence of the Casies, Pusteral and Gsies valleys, ... afterwards, as did the sensation of having had all physical tension removed from my body. Split identity During the three-hour journey between Santa Magdalena and Venice, from where I flew back to Malaga after my South Tyrol immersion, I contemplated the ... motorway about an hour outside of Venice, the road from Santa Magdalena weaves through the countryside like a giant serpent, slithering between mountains and pretty Alpine villages. Despite having been officially Italian for a century, South Tyrol still
More stars for Malaga restaurants in the 2020 Michelin Guide
...years between them, in 1980 and 2010. All of the Malaga-based Michelin star winners.Raúl Doblado THE CRÈME DE LA CRÈME Three stars. One of the 11 Spanish restaurants with three Michelin stars is in Andalucía: Aponiente, in El Puerto de Santa María ... time, and Aponiente, Ángel León's restaurant with three Michelin stars in El Puerto de Santa María (Cadiz), was also awarded this year's Sustainability Prize.
Artificial snow forms part of Estepona's festive celebrations
...dressed as Santa during the first visit will receive a present.
Famous avant-garde local pop artist, Eugenio Chicano, dies
...lifestyle matched the traditions of his home city, especially Semana Santa, with his challenging creations. Chicano, who was 83, was behind the early days of the Ateneo arts club as well as setting up the Pablo Picasso birthplace foundation. He also
More than 4,000 protesters "give voices to murdered women" in Malaga march
ANA PÉREZ-BRYAN / IVÁN GELIBTER
...have increased the cold statistic behind which are more than a thousand stories. The most recent is a 26 year old who was murdered on Monday in Santa Cruz de Tenerife. We don't know her name yet, but she is already number 1,028. "Just the night before
Winter Party in Town and Festival of Lights
Debbie Bartlett
...spectacular show it was. Music, dance, Santa Claus, illuminated Christmas hats, the light show and a fantastic atmosphere got the festivities off to a great start. Casemates Square was packed for the event, the first of many between now and 6 January.
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I was always a very timid boy. This was after I was bullied at Mt Albert Grammar. But I have to thank the bullies because I became a writer, which enabled me to say on paper what I couldn’t say out loud. But when I’m at festivals and faced with an audience, I always have an involuntary reaction. For one moment the audience turns into the boys at MAGS and I close down. I learnt to get past this moment of primal fear and in fact I began to feel the enormous freedom of being able to say exactly what I wanted. I developed what is called ‘a sharp tongue’. Written and spoken language became my weapon.
This small journey is the experience of many LGBTQI people. Language is our first line of defence. We changed the hurtful words so often used to describe us and claimed the upbeat ‘gay’ in the 1970s. From there we went on to use many other terms that we ourselves chose. Language is what defines us as humans. Choice is what makes us who we are.
One of the pleasures of putting this festival together has been celebrating the strong voices of the present with writers as distinguished as Witi Ihimaera, Victor Rodger and Joanne Drayton. But a surprise has been the discovery of new voices. These fresh new voices redefine the experience of what it is to be human and to see the world from a new LGBTQI perspective. My hope is that same same but different will introduce a heightened awareness of the timbre and reach of our voice but also celebrate the richness inherent in difference.
All writers and readers festivals are a version of talking up a storm. Let me now step aside with a bow and the talking begin.
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Great Commission Publications
You are currently browsing articles tagged Great Commission Publications.
November 22: Great Commission Publications
22 November, 2017 in November 2017 by archivist | No comments
JOINT PUBLICATIONS VENTURE UNDERWAY
Representatives of the Christian Education committees of the Orthodox Presbyterian Church and the Presbyterian Church in America met in Philadelphia, Penna. on November 22, 1974 to inaugurate a joint publication enterprise to serve both denominations.
To be called Great Commission Publications, lnc., the new corporation will acquire the assets of the OPC’s similarly named agency. Operation of the new agency will formally begin on July 1, 1975 for an initial period of five years. (Either church may cancel its participation on eighteen months notice.)
Temporary officers of the new corporation are the Rev. Messrs. Robert Nicholas (OPC), chairman; Harold Borchert (PCA), vice-chairman; Kenneth Meilahn (OPC), secretary. The group also named the Rev. Robley J. Johnston, long-time generaI secretary for the O. P. committee, to be executive director.
A tentative schedule of production calls for a new Adult Sunday School series to be ready in the Fall of 1976; a new VBS curriculum for Summer 1977; a new Senior High Sunday school course for Fall 1978; and a Pre-school curriculum for Fall of 1979.
A spirit of confidence and unanimity has permeated discussions leading up to this joint endeavor. Problems for the future success of the venture are mainly in the area of securing needed and competent personnel for the proposed schedule of publications.
The Presbyterian Guardian, December 43.10 (December 1974), p. 167.
Words to Live By:
That the brethren can work together has been proven quite well in this venture, now some forty-two years later. Great Commission Publications does a wonderful job of fulfilling many of the Sunday School curriculum and other literature needs of the OPC and PCA. Other churches besides these two also utilize the services of GCP on occasion. The entire venture has been a good success, to the praise of our Lord and Savior.
Tags: Great Commission, Great Commission Publications, OPC, Robert Nicholas
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Tales From Parts Unknown
Adventures in travel, theatre and life in the future
The So-called “Best Pictures” of 2017
The Oscars are just around the corner, and despite deep flaws in their voting board and a long, storied history of blown calls, they remain my Superbowl. They’ve once again rolled out nine films they’ve nominated as best of the year, once again I have some quibbles, but not on the same level as, say, last year.
Once again, I’ve seen them all (only partially so you don’t have to), and once again I’m here to rank them for you, say if they’re worth your time, and whether or not I think they’d even exist without Oscar season.
Enough intro. Lots to cover. Allons-y, Alonso.
9. MoonWhite
I kid, I kid, the only thing this and last year’s winner have in common is gay youths finding their chosen loves difficult to pursue. I mean, that’s all they can have in common. Turns out that being gay, like everything on this Earth save for pulling off cornrows, is way easier when you’re rich and white rather than poor and black. So if this isn’t Moonlight, what is it?
In the early 80s Elio, his father the American professor (Oscar Season 2017 MVP Michael Stuhlbarg) and his French (Italian? Both?) mother, are spending the summer at the family’s villa in small-town Italy. When his father’s summer research assistant, Oliver (Armie Hammer), arrives… eh, describing it in detail bores me. They don’t like each other, but that’s because they do like each other and this isn’t the easiest time to be gay, even in Europe, and then eventually they bang until the summer ends. There are a lot of pretty shots of the lush Italian countryside and a heartfelt speech from Stuhlbarg near the end, but that’s basically it. It’s a well-acted, prettily shot, but paint-by-numbers star-crossed romance flick that happens to have arrived at a time when doing a movie like this about two men is no longer so scandalous that it would earn an X rating and be banished to the back shelves of independent video stores, but not so commonplace that it doesn’t garner attention.
And frankly… it’s slow and a little dull. The stakes are low, the editing is self-indulgent, the whole thing is at least half an hour longer than it needs to be, the ending is soft (the only other thing it has in common with Moonlight)… it’s not great. Not, I would argue, Oscar calibre. I can think of several movies from last year that deserved the nomination more… The Big Sick, The Greatest Showman, and even War for the Planet of the Apes off the top of my head.
And as to the title… as pillow talk, Oliver says to Elio “Call me by your name… and I’ll call you by mine.” And Elio goes for it, instead of saying “Those are terrible codenames, everyone will see right through them” or the more simplistic “What? Why?” Naming the book/movie after this one doofy moment is like calling the first X-Men movie “What Happens to a Toad When It Gets Struck by Lightning,” or calling Age of Ultron “Avengers: Thor’s Magical Spa Day.”
Would you have watched it without Oscar nominations? I doubt it? Not my usual thing.
Glad you did? I’m not upset that I watched it, but… before long, I will forget it, and its absence in my memory will leave no hole.
Would it exist without Oscar Season? There’s every chance.
Oscars How White? Rich people in rural Italy in the 80s. If this movie were any more white it would be an albino.
8. That Other Time Fighting Nazis Was Somehow a Controversy
(“Boring Dunkirk” was already taken, damn it)
Darkest Hour focuses on the rocky first month of Winston Churchill’s first stint as Prime Minister of Great Britain, from when Neville Chamberlain resigned as PM due to the opposition parties’ unwillingness to form a coalition with the architect of the appeasement policy, to the day of Operation Dynamo, the civilian-aided evacuation of the British forces from Dunkirk. During this time, Churchill tried to rally his country for war against Hitler, while facing pressure from Chamberlain and his first choice of successor, Viscount Halifax, to instead negotiate peace.
Chamberlain valued peace. He didn’t want his country in a second world war. Any other time in history, that might have been admirable. As it stands, his legacy is to be a historical cautionary tale, and to be one of the antagonists in a movie about his successor.
Gary Oldman is nigh-unrecognizable as Churchill, and he gives his usual great performance, so it has that going for it. But that’s kind of the problem. It feels like it exists as a “Great man in his most noble moment” Oscar-bait biopic and that is a genre I feel needs to die. There isn’t a lot of tension nor engaging material in watching Churchill attempt to keep his position and motivate the government to stay in the war. Movies about “that guy you’ve heard of is just as great as you’ve been told, and here’s an actor trolling for an Oscar playing him” just feel a little… empty.
Also I can’t watch this sort of biopic and not wonder how hard they’re working to make the adversaries worse than they need to be. Chamberlain isn’t done many favours (that he was dying and just wanted to see his nation at peace before the end is a little sympathetic?), but Halifax? With his angry glowers, unflattering hair, and Elmer Fudd speech impediment (which might be historically accurate, I don’t know), he is played as a straight-up villain. He didn’t want to be at war with Germany because they’d just watched all of western Europe be conquered at alarming speed, and he didn’t want England to be next. Sure it was the wrong call, we all know that now, obviously there’s no way to depict “Let’s negotiate with Hitler” positively, I’m just saying that maybe history is judging them enough and they didn’t need to play Halifax like he murders puppies when he gets home.
Parliment is well-shot, though.
Would you have watched it without Oscar nominations? Maybe? I do like Gary Oldman.
Glad you did? Eh.
Would it exist without Oscar Season? This movie reeks of “Win Gary Oldman an Oscar.”
Oscars How White? There’s a black guy in a pivotal scene in the London underground. He gets lines and a name and everything. Which sounds like a goddamn pittance but puts this one in the top half, diversity-wise.
7. Obsessive Compulsive Vs. Passive Aggressive: A Love Story
This poster upsets Uwe Boll, so try to only share it always.
Phantom Menace Tollbooth Thread is the story of a waitress named Alma, who encounters a famous dress-maker named Reynolds Woodcock (Daniel Day-Lewis, in what he’s claiming is his retirement performance). Some would say Woodcock is the central character. I dispute that assertion. Anyway, Woodcock asks Alma to be his live-in model, she falls in love with him, buuuut…
See, in their very first interactions, Woodcock makes it abundantly clear that he is extremely controlling. Sure, at first he does it with a smile on his face and a song in his heart but still. Shortly thereafter, he also makes it abundantly clear that his routines and his work will always take precedence over the happiness, comfort, or any feelings of those around him, save possibly for Cyril, his razor-tongued sister and business partner. But despite his cold-to-the-point-of-cruel reactions to any kind gesture Alma makes that even remotely disturbs his work or habits, she is determined to be allowed to love him and be loved back on her terms.
Also I get the feeling he’s supposed to be gay. When she asks him why he never married, he gives the following responses:
“I make dresses.”
“I’m a confirmed bachelor. Incurable.”
“Marrying would be deceitful.”
At least one of those is old-timey-Hollywood code for “homosexual.”
But that ultimately doesn’t matter to the story. The point is, she wants to be a partner, but he’s determined to treat her like an accessory, and their various dysfunctions go to quiet, bitchy war.
This one gets tons of hype behind it, because Paul Thomas Anderson is a known quantity for quality films and Daniel Day-Lewis doesn’t get out of bed if there’s not an Oscar nomination in it for him, but it’s… just pretty okay. I didn’t see anything that special in it. Also, Day-Lewis will not be getting one last Oscar. His performance is good, but subtle. The Academy doesn’t have a track record of rewarding subtlety, especially not when “Bombastic, in a biopic, with a lot of facial prosthetics” is on the table.
Also… I know there is nothing to this, but… the director’s name is two letters away from the auteur of the implausibly successful Resident Evil movies, Uwe Boll thinks they stole his poster design for Bloodrayne, and the male lead shares a penis-joke of a name with a failed and terrible-looking Billy Bob Thornton comedy. All of that is meaningless but it’s a weird confluence of shit cinema surrounding a prestige picture.
Would you have watched it without Oscar nominations? Doubtful.
Glad you did? The ending was actually pretty neat, but it was a long road to get there.
Would it exist without Oscar Season? Paul Thomas Anderson and Daniel Day-Lewis do not work together for other reasons.
Oscars How White? Like the driven goddamn snow.
6. Remember Journalism? Man. Those were the days.
Jebas, the cast on this thing. Even aside from Streep and Hanks, nearly every frame had someone I know and like from somewhere. Alison Brie, Zach Woods, Carrie Coon, Bruce Greenwood, Bradley Whitford, Fat Matt Damon Jesse Plemons… David Cross and Bob Odenkirk? Big year for sketch comics doing prestige pics. But it is a Spielberg picture. People show up for Spielberg.
Meryl Streep is Katharine Graham, the publisher of the Washington Post, first female publisher of a major American newspaper. Tom Hanks is her editor-in-chief, who’s eager to publish the leaked Pentagon Papers which revealed damaging secrets about America’s involvement in Vietnam. A masterful director and solid cast tackling a topic of depressing relevance: the responsibility of news media to hold the government accountable. But as legendary and Oscar-attracting as Spielberg, Hanks, and Streep are… this isn’t really any of their best work. I mean, even Spielberg’s B-game is pretty watchable, but this one is likely to get shut out and not for no reason.
Would you have watched it without Oscar nominations? I’d have gotten to it.
Glad you did? Yep.
Would it exist without Oscar Season? You know at this point I think Spielberg, Streep, and Hanks just do whatever they want and if it gets Oscars, it gets Oscars.
Oscars How White? Couple of black women in the crowd scenes. Jesus. This is a white-ass year.
5. Worst Layover Ever
The British army, in full retreat from the Nazis, find themselves trapped on a beach in Dunkirk, waiting for a miracle, while a massive fleet of civilian craft sailed in an attempt to rescue the troops before the panzers arrived. Christopher Nolan tells the story through three perspectives, each with a different time frame: the men in Dunkirk (primarily Tommy, who is particularly eager to get away), which covers a week; one of the boats heading for Dunkirk, and a rescued sailor quite determined not to go back to Dunkirk, which covers a day; and one air force pilot (Tom Hardy, doing some intense but silent eye-acting for most of his screentime) desperately trying to keep the German bombers from sinking the rescue ships, which covers an hour.
The various, non-synced timelines mean we encounter a few key moments from multiple perspectives, but if you’re paying attention it’s not hard to follow. Actually kind of cool realizing that the “sea” plot has caught up to “air” and whatnot.
It’s super tense, well done, and there are some solid performances throughout. I just ultimately liked a few others more.
Would you have watched it without Oscar nominations? I never miss a Nolan movie except Interstellar for some reason.
Glad you did? Yeppers.
Would it exist without Oscar Season? The Oscars have taught Nolan to make movies for other reasons.
Oscars How White? White chocolate dipped in vanilla. Come on, man, there had to be people of colour in that army. They had an empire.
4. Awful People Trying to Do Good, also Explosions
You’ve heard of this one. Grieving mother Mildred (Frances McDormand, who makes the character a force of nature), filled with anger that her daughter’s killer hasn’t been caught yet, rents out three billboards to shame the local police chief (Woody Harrelson), angering many in the town. None more so than Deputy Dixon (Sam Rockwell), who has problems with anger. And alcohol. And racism. And basic human empathy. He’s a mean drunk with a badge.
Writer/director Martin McDonagh is pretty good at throwing together deeply flawed people and getting a pretty solid story out of them (In Bruges, Seven Psychopaths). The central theme this time around is that people in pain lash out. Mildred lashes out at the police (and others), Dixon lashes out at her, her billboards, and anyone connected to them. Also it’s made clear he does this a lot.
That, then, is the centre of the Three Billboards backlash: the redemption arc for the violent, racist, drunk cop. Because I guess people would rather that bad people stay bad people? I mean the point, right, the point of his arc is not that “Sure he’s a racist, violent thug of a cop, but that doesn’t mean he’s all bad.” The first step of his redemption is realizing, with a push from the chief, that he is a bad person now, but he doesn’t have to stay that way. Woody Harrelson delivers a beautiful speech, the central thesis of which is “Hate never solved nothing, but calm did.” Or as The Doctor put it… “Hate is always foolish, and love is always wise.”
Because a topic the film tackles, one that I am just now seeing, actually, is that perhaps the line between justice and revenge is love and forgiveness. The chief gives Dixon the push, but an act of forgiveness that he had not earned makes sure the push takes. Whereas Mildred’s rage just brings more destruction.
There are a lot of layers here. A lot to unpack. Which is why it ranks higher than the others: sometimes I’d rather my best picture nominees start a conversation rather than just say “Wasn’t Churchill great,” or “There was a time when Stephen Hawking was bangable.” Also it’s got a great cast bringing their respective A-games.
Would you have watched it without Oscar nominations? I had every intention.
Glad you did? Indeedy.
Would it exist without Oscar Season? This is the first real Oscar buzz McDonagh’s gotten, so I imagine so.
Oscars How White? Just “Mostly.”
3. None Suffer Like White Drama Kids
A coming of age tale set in Sacramento, California, Lady Bird is about a teen girl (Saoirse Ronan, earning the crap out of her third Oscar nomination) on the verge of college trying to find an identity outside of her parents. Her family’s poor, her mother is passive aggressive, controlling, and short on kindness, so she tries to break away. By changing her name to Lady Bird, dating boys (with a few variations of failure on that score), getting into drama (though not exactly landing any leads), trying to trade up friend groups, and eyeing school in New York, waaaaaay away from home, which her parents do not love.
Do I have anything in common with Lady Bird? No. Well, mostly no. I was a drama kid and there was a hot minute in grade, I wanna say three, when I thought I wanted my name to be Robert instead of Dan. Then my dad called me “Robert” to play along and it felt weird and I never brought it up again. I lacked Lady Bird’s commitment to reinvention. Where was I? Right. I’m not much like Lady Bird, but I surely connected with her more than that stoner punk from Boyhood. It’s a film rich in charm, wit, and emotion, with outstanding performances from Ronan and Laurie Metcalf (poor woman, stuck doing the Trump Apologist Roseanne Reunion). I quite adored this movie.
Would you have watched it without Oscar nominations? Look, she may have had to do an American accent, but if Saoirse Ronan is involved I’m probably gonna show up. She is concentrated adorable.
Glad you did? Oh my yes.
Would it exist without Oscar Season? Yes, but the studio would have buried it and we’d be poorer for not knowing it exists.
Oscars How White? A few people of colour in significant supporting roles. So, “Very.” Very white.
2. Aquaman Begins
(Again, someone funnier beat me to “Grinding Nemo,” god damn it)
Elisa, a mute woman working as a cleaner at a government lab, encounters their latest discovery: a fish man brought up from the Amazon. She and the fish man grow attached to each other, but the head agent is more interested in torturing and vivisecting him to see if they can find something to help with the space race. Elisa, her friends, and a surprising ally scheme to liberate Fishy.
Also Elisa wants to tap that amphibian ass.
Guillermo Del Toro directed one hell of a romance adventure here. Visually it’s great, the cast is outstanding, and it’s subtly subversive. Well, maybe not that subtle. I’ll explain. Who are the heroes? A mute, a black woman, an older gay man, and a communist. Outsiders. The marginalized. Who’s the villain? A personification of white US-style patriarchy and intolerance. People who find something miraculous and want to tear it apart to see how it works. People who see outsiders and think of them as “less than.” It makes the case that pretty is no substitute for kind.
Quite delightful, this one.
Would you have watched it without Oscar nominations? Sure would. Looked fun, was fun.
Glad you did? Darn tootin’.
Would it exist without Oscar Season? Nothing about this screams “Oscars” at all. Quality won out over Oscar bait box-checking.
Oscars How White? Octavia Spencer has the largest role for a person of colour in eight out of nine best picture nominees, but pretty damn white. The fish-man counts as “white,” ’cause the actor is white.
1. White People are Horror Monsters, Literally This Time
A horror movie directed by a sketch comedian with black protagonists is a serious Oscar contender? Is this real life?
Whoo boy this one was a ride. Tense, creepy as all get-out, Jordan Peele in his directorial debut nailed racial awkwardness as horror fodder. See, it’s not that the villains are stereotypically racist. They don’t hate black people. They seem to even admire them. But that doesn’t make them good people, that doesn’t make them good at dealing with race. They still try to claim ownership of black bodies. The whole situation is demonstrably uncomfortable even before the really creepy part kicks in. It’s like it’s calling out white liberals, saying “Hey, you’re not as woke as you think.”
And man is that the horror movie America needs, since it turns out a huge swath of the country was so mad about eight years of a black president that they would elect an incompetent orangutan to the White House if it meant undoing Obama’s legacy. [spoiler title=’You probably know this but just in case…’ style=’default’ collapse_link=’true’]And because so many white viewers can’t process that Allison Williams’ character is indeed just as much of a monster as she seems. No she’s not mind controlled, no she’s not a victim, she harvests black bodies and keeps trophies, that is some evil right there.[/spoiler] When people show you who they are, believe them. Otherwise you end up married to mentally abusive dressmakers. FULL CIRCLE! BOOM! … Crap, Phantom Thread was number seven. Less of a circle and more of a spiral. Damn it.
Would you have watched it without Oscar nominations? I did. I did watch it without Oscar nominations.
Glad you did? Surely am.
Would it exist without Oscar Season? A black-led horror movie released in February? They can’t have thought Oscars were on the table.
Oscars How White? Only, like, half white! And the good guys are both black!
…Not the best year. Nothing was Fences bad, but nothing was Spotlight good, either. The prestige picture industry was so off their game that a horror film and a fantasy romance snuck onto the shortlist.
Also a really damn white year. Get Out and Black Panther are not swinging that pendulum as fast as you’d like.
The Arrowverse in Review: Year One
Not everyone agrees with me on today’s topic, but I can’t help it. I loves me some superhero shows, I loves me some DC heroes, and the CW delivers me both of those things through a series of shows that, while flawed, I find overall much more entertaining than annoying. And while they have their own sets of recurring flaws, they lack Marvel Netflix’s habitual pacing problems, failure to understand episodic narrative, disastrous third act twists (goddamn Diamondback), and all things Iron Fist, and their annual crossovers have managed to improve year by year, setting a high bar for what superhero TV can be that The Defenders (and a certain movie) just did not manage to reach. The franchise has grown from one show trying to escape the shadow of the teen-drama-with-occasional-superheroes that preceded it to a five-show empire slightly too big for its network.
So I wanna talk about ’em. And I have a blog, so I’m gonna, in a five-part series chronicling the first half-decade, the highs and lows, successes and failures, twists, turns, and tragedies of what should be called the DCW-verse, or if you prefer whimsy, the Greg Berlanti Mask-Based Action Fun Factory, but remains called the Arrowverse because the internet makes bad choices.
Except for naming new road gritters in Doncaster, UK, David Plowie and The Gritsy Bitsy Teeny Weeny Yellow Anti-Slip Machiney. That’s brilliant.
(Don’t worry, still gonna alternate TV and non-TV blogs, I haven’t forgotten that.)
Arrow: Year One
Hard to believe it started so simply. One show, trying to bring Batman Begins to television via a different DC character that the parent company was less protective of. Yes, let’s cover that right away… Arrow is very much a Batman show, with Green Arrow (or rather a crime-fighter who grows into being the Green Arrow) replacing Batman. The switch isn’t a difficult one to make… Oliver Queen and Bruce Wayne are both billionaires who use their seemingly endless fortunes to wage war on crime, sometimes with a lair and a young sidekick. There are a few key differences, though. Oliver Queen, unlike Bruce Wayne, has a tendency to go broke from time to time to change up the character. And most significant to Year One… you can have Green Arrow kill people without all of the controversies that happen when Batman does it. I mean, seriously now, Oliver… or “The Hood,” as he’s known throughout season one… racks up more of a body count in a handful of episodes than Ben Affleck did throughout Batman V Superman, even by the most liberal of estimates.
Why the body count? Well, and this is just for starters, he does use a bow and arrow. Not the easiest weapon for non-lethal combat. Not impossible, but not natural. And second, if you’ll permit some wild speculation on my part, I feel like Arrow had a large priority in its first season: don’t be Smallville. Now I could be wrong about this: Smallville was a big enough hit for the CW and its predecessor, the WB, that it ran for a decade. And it’s doubtful that anyone would have greenlit a TV show about Green Arrow of all people if Justin Hartley hadn’t made him a highlight of Smallville’s back half*. That said… if they wanted more of that, it was probably an option. They could have just spun Smallville’s Green Arrow (and probably Chloe) off instead of starting over from the beginning with Stephen Amell in a world with no Superman.
So they kept the things that made Smallville work: a blend of season arcs and villains-of-the-week, and plenty of fan service, in the form of nerd-friendly guest stars and appearances by other comic characters, which we’ll be looking at below. They abandoned almost everything else, especially Smallville’s mission statement of “No flights, no tights.” Well– he doesn’t fly. Green Arrow can’t fly. That’s not a thing he does. But instead of spending four years in high school foiling random monsters while refusing to wear a costume, Oliver’s in a green hood seeking arrow-justice against his city’s worst millionaires in episode one.
Sure it takes him three more years to start using the name “Green Arrow.” I’m not saying Arrow isn’t an origin story, it’s just a different kind of origin story. A five-year flashback story recounts Oliver’s journey from a spoiled, arrogant trust-fund kid marooned on a hostile island to the hood-wearing, justice-seeking, archery-based-vigilante we meet in the pilot, and in the first four(ish?) seasons he grows from a killer fixated on a list of names his father left behind to the true hero of Star City.
*Because Smallville wasn’t allowed to use Bruce Wayne. When Batman’s unavailable, Green Arrow is close enough.™
The Rough Spots
Now, Arrow didn’t shake off all of Smallville’s flaws, and in them, we see the biggest flaws of the Arrowverse. First off, and I feel this is a network mandate of some sort because this flaw just screams “CW,” there is a definite over-reliance on pretty people having teen-soap-style romantic drama. Now I’m not against romance in my superhero shows. I prefer the characters in my entertainments to be decent facsimiles of three-dimensional people, with hopes and objectives, rather than simply bundles of personality quirks and sunglass manoeuvres that solve murders with science. Which means that yes, sometimes they’re going to hook up and fall in love. So that’s not the issue. The issue is that the romance arcs tend to be overwrought and kinda cheesy.
In season one, that’s the triangle between Oliver, his ex-girlfriend Laurel, and his best friend and fellow trust-fund billionaire Tommy. Irresponsible Tommy and lawyer-for-the-common-folk Laurel were having an affair before Oliver came back from the dead, and former womanizer Tommy is hoping to make that a more official, ongoing thing, but he worries how his resurrected best pal will react. Oliver is still very much in love with Laurel, but there are a couple of problems. First, she is still pretty angry about Oliver a) cheating on her with her sister Sara; b) bringing Sara along with him on his doomed yacht trip to China; and thanks to that c) getting her killed* when his yacht sunk, marooning him on the mercenary-infested island of Lian Yu. Second, he is launching a plan of arrow-infested justice-vengeance, and doesn’t think he can do that and make things right with his high school sweetheart. Who, again, he betrayed pretty epically before his five years away from home**. He tries to push her away, but Oliver’s about as good at staying away from Laurel as I am at staying away from extra cheese on a pizza, so he keeps popping up in her life. It’s very Dawson’s Creek.
I assume. I have seen precisely zero episodes of Dawson’s Creek but I’m led to believe overwrought romantic drama was a thing they did, yes?
The second major flaw… there is almost always one character per series who gets savagely underwritten, and what stories they do get are cringe-worthy. This year, it’s Oliver’s sister, Thea Queen, who for the first half of the season just complains about how closed-off Oliver is, does ecstasy and the new designer drug Vertigo, and is generally a brat. She begins to improve a little as the season progresses, but overall she keeps soaking my Green Arrow show in Gossip Girl nonsense.
I also have never seen Gossip Girl but that feels apt.
*The presumed-late Sara Lance comes up a lot in season one, including a mini-arc where Laurel’s mother thinks she might be alive. Given that Mother Lance’s lead turned out to be false, I don’t think they’d decided that Sara wasn’t actually dead yet, let alone that she was coming back as a badass assassin. They definitely didn’t know she’d end up the leader of a time-ship filled with misfit superheroes. But that’s later.
**They must have known he didn’t stay on Lian Yu the whole five years. They established he was somehow a captain in the Russian mafia within three episodes, and they can’t have thought that would happen on a remote island in the North China Sea.
The Name Quirk
Not technically a flaw of the series, unless you’re a longtime fan easily disturbed by small differences. Like me. I mean, change the races, genders, or sexualities of whoever you want, but tell me Metropolis is in Kansas, like Smallville did, and I will freak out. In the Arrowverse, the little details that keep annoying me are changes to the names. Character names get changed for reasons I have never understood. Dinah Lance is the classic alter ego of the Black Canary, but on Arrow she went by her newly invented middle name, Laurel. (“Dinah Laurel Lance,” Tommy says, in a promise to fans, “Always trying to save the world.”) Star City is Starling City… although that’s a shorter leap than in the Rebirth era, where the recently renamed Star City was formerly known by the even stranger name of “Seattle.” At least when Arrow finally fixed the city name, they didn’t have to blow up a famous landmark to do it.
In three more years, they’ll introduce Curtis Holt, clearly modelled after the comics character Michael Holt. I don’t understand. There might be multiple Dinahs (her mother is also named Dinah) but no Michaels, and even if there were, there are two Rays and two Rorys… Why do they do this. I don’t get it, I don’t get it at all.
Oliver Queen is not good at heroing when we begin. Sure, he wins some victories early on. He successfully steals from the rich and gives to the poor, stops assassins, foils some bank robbers, does some minor hero stuff pretty well. Known by the press and police as “The Hood” (a name even Oliver thinks is awful, though around Christmas he rejects “Green Arrow”), he’s got a list of names of corrupt millionaires his father left him, a quiver full of arrows, and a thirst for justice, but doesn’t know the first thing about how to protect a city. He merely takes vengeance on those who betray it, never asking where the List came from and what it might mean. And by Christmas, this gets his ass kicked, as his first encounter with the Dark Archer goes brutally bad, and he learns that the List isn’t what he thought. It’s concealing a darker purpose than he ever imagined.
All of this means that the best thing Arrow did in its early days was introduce John Diggle. First he’s Oliver’s would-be bodyguard, an annoyance to be ditched at the earliest opportunity, but by episode four he’s being asked to join Oliver’s crusade. This accomplished two things: it let them drop that godawful voiceover they had Stephen Amell do in the first few episodes because they didn’t trust us to follow what was happening, and it gave Oliver a conscience. Diggle pushed Oliver to be a better hero and a better man. He is the first and still greatest of Oliver’s allies, although year one introduces a few of the others: Felicity Smoak is gradually worked into the cast, a genius computer hacker from Queen Consolidated’s IT department who fans either love or hate*. Laurel’s father Detective Quentin Lance is there from the start, who wants to put the Hood behind bars, but gradually gets drawn into helping him out. He and Oliver will have a complicated relationship for the next few years, hood or no hood. And last but not lea… actually, since he’s the only one not still on the show, I guess he technically is least… late in the season Thea meets a surprisingly nimble street thug with a heart of tarnished gold named Roy Harper, who comics fans know as Green Arrow’s original sidekick.
The boldest part of Oliver’s journey in season one, and the final example of how The Hood isn’t enough of a hero for his city? Oliver loses. He got in a fight he didn’t understand, underestimated his adversary, let rage and vengeance take the wheel, and it costs him and the city in the end. Your five year journey from castaway to vigilante may have ended when you came home, but you still gots some learning to do, son.
(Meanwhile, Flashback Oliver is just trying to stay alive and deal with the mercenary army led by Edward Fyers, with the help of an Australian soldier named Slade Wilson, a mentor named Yao Fei who betrays him constantly, but not for no reason, and Fei’s daughter Shado.)
*The so-called “fans” who hate Felicity are the second most odious and obnoxious faction of Arrowverse fandom, so side with them if you like, but know that I’m judging you for it.
The Villains
The Arrowverse tends to do surprise twists with its villains, and thus far most of them have been far more successful than when Marvel Netflix tries a third-act villain-swap (the replacement villains have never been improvement, Netflix). As such, this section will be reliably packed with spoilers. Y’all been told. Anyway.
Does it get better than John Barrowman? Maybe. But not often.
Doctor Who veteran and living treasure John Barrowman plays the List’s architect, Malcolm Merlyn, yes he does have the same last name as Oliver’s best friend Tommy, no that isn’t a coincidence. They roll Malcolm out pretty gradually… first he’s just the sinister figure who created the List, and is aggravated that the newly arrived vigilante is targeting his cabal’s members. Only after establishing this did they reveal that he was, indeed, Tommy’s father and a long-time friend to the Queen family. And once we knew that… in the fall finale (last episode before the Christmas hiatus) he’s revealed to secretly be the cabal’s enforcer, the Dark Archer, the man who earlier that episode beat Oliver like a pinata.
Malcolm Merlyn is one of the better villains the Arrowverse has come up with, based on comics villain Merlyn, an archer assassin. (They leave out his ridiculous mustache, not only because covering any part of John Barrowman’s face is a crime.) His season one motivation is simple, understandable, if twisted. This is a trademark of the better Arrowverse villains. Plus menace and great performances. John Barrowman brings the performance, his mask-wearing stuntman brings the menace when the Dark Archer goes to work, and motive-wise, he’s fittingly Oliver’s polar opposite. Oliver fights a crusade against corrupt one-percenters for failing his city; Merlyn recruits corrupt one-percenters in a crusade against the city for failing him. His wife was murdered in the Glades, the poorest and most crime-riddled neighbourhood of Starling City. His solution? Reduce the Glades and everyone in them to rubble.
A monstrous overreaction, sure, no question, but in season three we do learn that his wife’s killer was a total dick. An atrocity born from grief is much easier to relate to than an atrocity born from “I just love killing.”
Merlyn’s backstory is also part of a long game the producers were playing, slipping in less and less subtle references to DC A-lister Ra’s Al Ghul, to see if they’d get in trouble. They did not. Whether it was worth it… well, that’s a year three thing. Merlyn is an ex-member of the League of Assassins, which is why he’s so good at fighting and uses arrows instead of, like, guns or something.
Fan service in the Arrowverse comes in three varieties: the good (characters from the comics and geek-friendly guest stars), the bad (characters grossly misinterpreted), and the weird (characters named after comics characters but not even vaguely similar to them). Examples? You got it, ’cause we have all three this year.
Slade Wilson, known to comics fans as Deathstroke the Terminator, is one of Arrow’s best comic imports.
Deadshot makes his debut three episodes in, and Arrow Deadshot is probably, no, definitely a better take on the character than Will Smith in Suicide Squad. Hm. Flash, Superman, Deadshot… is the only character the DC movies do better than the Arrowverse Captain goddamn Boomerang? Maybe Amanda Waller.
The bank robbers Diggle uses to teach Oliver that heroism extends beyond the List are the Royal Flush Gang, DC’s go-to expendable robber villains. In the comics, the Royal Flush Gang have been taken down by so many heroes in so many cities, they eventually revealed the name had been franchised.
Farscape’s Ben Browder plays Diggle’s ex-CO, who may or may not be someone the Hood needs to cross off the List.
Seth Gabel, best known at the time for Fringe, makes a couple of appearances as The Count, designer of the drug Vertigo. This is a clear reference to DC villain Count Vertigo, and based (probably) on this, Count Vertigo was brought into Green Arrow’s comic. So it goes. The Count is almost certainly the most ridiculously over-the-top campy villain this series… no, this franchise has ever had. And I say this knowing that the Flash has fought both a giant, hyperintelligent, telepathic gorilla and a similarly giant man-shark. Really, only Battlestar Galactica’s Katee Sackhoff is giving him a run for his money, and that’s five years later.
Our first Batman villain to be borrowed by Arrow is Firefly, here a fireman out for revenge against the old boss who left him to die. I almost never say this, but… Gotham did this one better. Ugh. That did not feel good.
Dinah Lance the Elder is played by Dr. River Song herself, Alex Kingston.
Battlestar Galactica’s James Callis and Tahmoh Penikett make appearances, because BSG actors tend to hang around Vancouver (where all Arrowverse shows, if not the entire CW network, film) and are easy to cast in nerd-friendly projects.
And one of my favourite TV villain actors, David Anders (who I became a fan of in Alias and now peddles brains on iZombie) drops by as well, as the would-be kingpin of Starling City.
Helena Bertinelli, The Huntress, was almost in “The Good.” Based on her first episode and a half, she seems to be a decent take on the post-Crisis Huntress (please don’t make me explain “post-Crisis” right now). Then in the end of her two-part debut, she turns on Oliver, and eventually goes full villain. Same thing with the Blackhawks: heroes of World War II in the books, a corrupt security firm on Arrow. They keep doing this, taking lower-tier heroes and using them as villains. I don’t get it. Expect everyone in “the Bad” to match this description.
In her third appearance, Huntress gets a comics-accurate costume… but only when she’s pretending to be a stripper. Says a lot about female superhero costumes in the 90s, doesn’t it. Yeah. Not… not great.
The Weird:
Edward Fyers and Shado are both key characters in a classic (if controversial) Green Arrow story called The Longbow Hunters, which was apparently influential enough that John Diggle gets his last name from the story’s author, Andy Diggle (John’s brother gets the full name, which turns out not to be the best tribute). They both became long-term recurring characters in Green Arrow lore, and other than Fyers’ mercenary background and Shado’s fondness for archery, neither of them are what you’d call similar to their comics counterparts. Fyers was ultimately his friend, for Zod’s sake, whereas he and Shado (lovers on the show) do not get along at all.
One-off villains Dodger and Drakon are also pretty dissimilar from their pre-Flashpoint (Google it if you’re so damn curious) comic incarnations.
Also worth noting here that there was, back in the 80s, a comics character named Felicity Smoak. She was a nemesis and later stepmother of Ronnie Raymond, one half of the hero Firestorm. It’s pretty obvious they just borrowed the name and nothing else. But in their defense, they didn’t know they were creating one of the series’ central characters. It just kind of went that way.
The Crossover!
There isn’t really a crossover this year. I mean, how can there be, there’s only one show. Now, the episode when the crossovers typically happen, episode eight, is the episode where Helena Bertinelli puts on a mask and costume for the first time. But it’s also the episode where she and Oliver have their falling out and she begins her fall to full-on villainy, soooo…. wouldn’t really call it a crossover, per se.
There’s always deaths in the Arrowverse, and it’s usually someone you didn’t want to go. I’ll be putting this section in spoiler text for best practice.
[spoiler title=’Year one casualties’ style=’default’ collapse_link=’true’]Oh, Tommy Merlyn. In actor Colin Donnell’s hands you had wit, charm, and were the second best friend Oliver could have had (after Diggle). The show tried to pull you to the dark side over the season, giving you more and more reasons to lash out at Oliver and side with your maniacal, poor-person-murdering father, but you never went bad. It’s a shame your storyline just got grimmer as the year went on, ’cause Donnell has a way with a one-liner that was delightful in the early episodes. See, for instance, “Have you noticed how hot your sister’s gotten? [very brief glare from Oliver] Because I haven’t.” On rewatching, Oliver being forced to watch his best friend die in the rubble of an attack Oliver failed to stop is pretty crushing. Donnell acted the hell out of his last moments. [/spoiler]
Two of the names on Oliver’s list are Isabel Rochev and Hannibal Bates. Shoulda… shoulda tried to cross them off sooner, Oliver. Could have saved yourself and the good people of Central City some grief down the line.
Season one sets a trend that lasts into season two: the costume tends to appear before the iconic character. Yao Fei was first to wear Oliver’s green hood (from which he gets his first nickname), Slade Wilson’s mask first appears on a thug we learn is his old partner Wintergreen (another departure, he’s basically Slade’s Alfred in the comics), and down the road Dinah Laurel Lance will not be the first person to use the codename “Canary.”
Another trend: names of key writers and artists from the comics are everywhere in this franchise. John Ostrander, Dan Didio, Gail Simone, that’s just off the top of my head. Suffice to say, if an address has names instead of numbers, they’re the names of comic creators.
Next time… Arrow opens the door to a larger, stranger world, multiple presumed-dead characters prove hard to kill, and no fewer than three cast members of The Flash make their debuts in what many considered to be Arrow’s best season.
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One of the most extraordinary archaeological and historical phenomena in Southern Africa
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Article Author:
Peter Delius
Tim Maggs
Alex Schoeman
Wits University Press has given us permission to publish an extract from the landmark new book Forgotten World - The Stone Walled Settlements of the Mpumalanga Escarpment by Peter Delius, Tim Maggs and Alex Schoeman. This research begins to answer some of the key questions behind 'one of the most extraordinary archaeological and historical phenomena in southern Africa'.
Conflicting Readings of the Rocks
If you drive through Mpumalanga – perhaps on your way to Nelspruit or the Kruger National Park – and look carefully out at the land, you could see something remarkable. Once you leave the vast expanses of the highveld you descend into the rolling hills and open valleys of the escarpment. The changing seasonal hues of the mountain slopes are dotted with clusters of evergreen trees and darkly forested kloofs. If you keep a close eye on the landscape flashing by you will see fragments – large and small – of building in stone, near the sides of the road and further away on the hills above you and the valleys below. Once your curiosity is pricked you may find that wherever you look you will see sections of stone walling breaking the grass cover, and kilometre after kilometre of stone ridging traversing the hillsides. If you were to fly over the area in a small plane you would be amazed by the endless stone circles, set in bewildering mazes and linked by long stone passages, that cover the landscape below. In some places the coverage is quite sparse and intermittent but in others it is dense, continuous and intricate. If you study the views provided by Google Earth and focus on the ghostly circles that cover the landscape you may get a sense of the extent of the heartland of this world, which stretched from Ohrigstad to Carolina and connected over 10 000 square kilometres of the Mpumalanga escarpment into a complex web of stone-walled structures.
Some of the Bokoni structures visible at Verlorenkloof - Mpumalanga Heritage.png
Some of the Bokoni structures visible on the farm Verlorenkloof (Mpumalanga Heritage)
Although travellers may have wondered what these structures represent, few will have known – which is remarkable because they were looking at elements of one of the most extraordinary archaeological and historical phenomena in southern Africa. But it is also understandable, because these structures have remained the exclusive preserve of a small band of scholars and a somewhat wider, but still restricted, coterie of amateur interpreters. Not one of the structures enjoys official recognition as a heritage site. One of South Africa’s most extensive and remarkable legacies of the past is little known by the public and largely ignored by heritage authorities.
The ‘exotic’ narrative
In recent decades there has been a buzz of speculation about the nature and history of these sites. It has resulted in a spate of books (often self-published), websites, and even a bistro and bookshop in Waterval Boven where curious tourists and seasoned acolytes of the esoteric mingle. This hubbub has sometimes reached a volume which has almost drowned out other explanatory voices.
The best known and most substantial of the exotic explanations has been offered by Cyril Hromník. He has long maintained that most of the significant innovations and social systems in Africa are the result of Indian influences – a perspective which has led him to argue that the Mpumalanga stone-walled sites are Hindu temples and that the Indian Forgotten World settlers who worshipped in them lived in nearby shelters or caves. They interacted with local San people and gave rise to the Quena (KhoeKhoe), who continued to live in the area until they were displaced by African farming communities in the last millennium. His response to excavations of the stonewalled sites – which have yielded substantial amounts of clearly African material culture such as ceramics and the remains of dakha (mud and clay) houses – is that they were the work of the BaPedi, a Quena-black mixture, and a degraded version of the earlier noble BaPedi/pirir. He further claims that the first Bantu speakers came to Mpumalanga as slaves of the Indian or Quena gold traders and that the BaPedi were the descendants of mixing between the Indian traders and these slaves, who acquired their technological knowledge of metalworking from their Indian lineage but were not as culturally advanced in it their Indian ancestors. Gold and metalworking form another important part of Hromník’s argument. According to him, Indians introduced metalworking to southern Africa some time before AD 1200 or 1300.
The exotic explanations of the Mpumalanga stone-walled sites also stress that they date from ancient and biblical times, and most subsequent exotic accounts take their lead from Hromnik’s work though they often provide their own twist to the tale. A good example of this tendency is the recently self-published book Adam’s Calendar by Johan Heine and Michael Tellinger. This colourful volume is distinguished by the claim that a cluster of stones near Kaapsehoop is an ancient ‘calendar’ and the ‘oldest man-made structure on earth’. It was dated for them by an amateur astronomer as ‘around 75 000 years old’, a finding that they reinforce with the supportive opinions of three mystics who visited the site. They further link ‘Adam’s Calendar’ with Great Zimbabwe because it is built along the same longitudinal line and they proffer the thought that the ‘site is an active portal for off- worldly beings to come and go’.
A slightly different path is followed by Richard Wade, who argues that the ‘ruin fields’ were built by a culture that predated Mapungubwe (thus pre AD 1200) and shared a reverence for the vast resources of the sky with both Mapungubwe and Great Zimbabwe. He argues that the sites are ancient observatories.
These interpretations have proliferated and diversified but most of them are based on speculation rather than credible evidence and share the key assumption that African society was incapable of innovation without decisive external influences. This idea often goes hand in hand with the belief that Africans did not build with stone and lived semi-nomadic lives practising slash and burn farming – which was antithetical to the enduring structures and settlements which blanketed the Mpumalanga escarpment. It is a belief that forms a recent addition to a much older and wider literature which has invoked outsiders, and even aliens, to explain the existence of dramatic sites in Africa, including Great Zimbabwe and the pyramids.
Stone walled settlements Google Maps.png
Stone walled settlements from above (Google Maps)
The indigenous interpretation
The attention of scholars was first drawn to this region by the remarkable and extensive rock engravings on the farm Boomplaats near Lydenburg which were described by Cornelis Pijper in 1918. But it was not until 1939 that EC van Hoepen, who was based at the National Museum in Bloemfontein, published the first comprehensive investigation into the stone-walled sites. He concluded that they were built by black Africans, probably the ancestors of Pedi and Ndzundza groups who lived in the region, and he did not entertain the suggestion that they might have been built by non-Africans. His interpretation followed on his examination of the stone walls and the complete range of material culture found at the sites. He mapped ruined homesteads, recorded engravings and removed several engraved rocks to the National Museum in Bloemfontein.
After 1948, as apartheid transformed the intellectual landscape, pre-colonial African farmer archaeology was all but abandoned. The next substantial research programme on these sites was only initiated in the early 1960s, by the archaeologist Revil Mason of the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits). A central aspect of his research consisted of plotting the distribution of stone- walled sites based on aerial photographs, and he identified 1 792 stone-walled sites in the region. This mapping provided the first glimpse into the regional distribution of the Mpumalanga stone-walled ruins.
Revil Mason’s insights were deepened by other archaeologists from Wits. Mike Evers, a lecturer in the department, made an intensive aerial photographic survey of the area between Lydenburg and Machadodorp while Dave Collett, then a Master's student who later did a DPhil at Cambridge University, looked more closely into the site-specific features. He concluded that the complex enclosures found at sites were cattle enclosures at the centres of homesteads, and that the simple stone ruins, which are randomly located in settlements, were used for small stock. The stone ridges, on the other hand, were marked by metal hoe sharpening or wear patterns on some of the rocks, indicating that they were terraces used for agricultural purposes.
These researchers all agreed that the sites could be attributed to Pedi society because in their view the settlement layout and ceramics indicated a close cultural affinity with modern Pedi patterns, and in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries the powerful BaPedi kingdom controlled the Lydenburg area. The assumption that the sites were an expression of Pedi settlement and culture was far from surprising as historians had long given the kingdom pride of place in the history of the region. The rich oral traditions about the state, collected from the 1860s onwards, and the voluminous archival records generated by neighbouring Trekker society from the 1840s, had acted as magnets to researchers.
The main themes historians had pursued included the emergence of Pedi dominance in the eighteenth century, the early struggles around mission Christianity, and its central role in resistance to Boer and British attempts to control the Transvaal between 1840 and 1880. As is so often the case in historical narratives, the groups who ultimately were vanquished excited little interest. But fortunately – as we shall see – this neglect did not erase all traces of another society which had once dominated the escarpment.
Twenty-first century perspectives
Thus far this brief introduction has outlined the approaches that prevailed at the end of the twentieth century. In the last decade a new research thrust has gathered momentum. It provides the basis for this publication and for our resolution to the debates which have swirled around the sites. It builds on, rather than breaks with, some of the earlier accounts but is distinguished by its increasingly interdisciplinary nature. At long last historians and archaeologists – in this area at least – have started systematically to share sources and ideas, and have found their insights immeasurably enriched as a result. This collaboration has also provided an incentive to a much wider interaction and cooperation with geologists, soil scientists, botanists and geographers in Africa and in Europe.
What follows is intended to provide the reader with a taste of the fruits that we have harvested thus far. We shall give the best answer we can, based on evidence and not conjecture, as to who lived in these remarkable sites, what the nature of the world was that they created, how their history unfolded, and why, by the 1830s, the walls stood empty.
Bokoni Ruins Verlorenkloof Farm - Heritage Portal - 2018.jpg
Another shot of Bokoni structures at Verlorenkloof Farm (The Heritage Portal)
You can get your copy at all good bookstores. To order directly email orders@blueweaver.co.za. For more info contact Wits University Press - info.witspress@wits.ac.za
Bokoni
Forgotten World
Verlorenkloof Farm
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